ARBEN BROCI, A MEMBER OF THE PD STEERING COMMITTEE IN SHKODRA, HAD BEEN CALLED TO KEEP THE PEACE AND WAS SHOT IN THE BACK FROM THE BUILDING OF THE KP OF SHKODRA. THEY KILLED BUJAR BESHANAKU AND BESNIK CEKA, PD ACTIVISTS. THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY, NAZMI KRYEZIN, A PD ACTIVIST, DIED IN HOSPITAL FROM THE WOUND HE HAD SUFFERED. THE CITY HONORED THEIR MEMORY IN SILENCE. THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEINOUS POLITICAL CRIME ARE HIDING. — It is terribly difficult, terribly difficult to write about the tragedy of Shkodra. Shkodra, on the days when it saw its sons off in silence, was both gloomy and majestic. Gloomy because it was experiencing mourning and calamity, because even the next day was uncertain: what would happen, would the special forces come again to impose «peace and order», or would they finally leave the cultured citizens of Shkodra in peace? Majestic because it showed once again that its people are capable of maintaining their own «peace and order». All of Shkodra, young and old, came out into the square. More than 40 thousand people took part in the funeral ceremony. Everyone was silent, paying their respects with two fingers raised in the sign of victory. Not one of the «forces of order» was present in the city, yet no one disturbed the peace. The people of Shkodra experienced a terrible pain, but they are sons who work for democracy; one day the criminal hand will be stopped. The people of Shkodra were not seeking retribution or revenge, only justice. Does the state exist? Is anyone investigating this, or will the blame once again be laid on «dark», «destructive forces»? It is impossible to carry on for long with such double standards. So, gentlemen, do not trample the people underfoot: uncover the truth and deliver justice. Only in this way can the social peace you speak of be achieved. We honor the martyrs and hope we will never again experience such painful events. No one [?] [text continues, cut off at the bottom of the page] painful events. No one in Shkodra or Albania will forget them. We saw soldiers sobbing after the massacre; surely they would not shoot against their brothers. Once again: the guilty must be found and punished; peace and calm must be restored. ARTAN LAÇE Arben Broci Besnik Ceka

. INTERVIEW GIVEN BY ISMAIL KADARE TO «THE VOICE OF AMERICA» RADIO I have followed the elections in Albania attentively. Millions of people all over the world have followed them. Millions of people around the world have seen a girl crying. A beautiful Albanian girl crying. I understand her tears. But I do not think there is reason to be sad. I think the opposite. What happened was not a defeat for the opposition. On the contrary, it was its victory, a clear victory. One could not have expected more in three months. A little time will pass, I think, a few weeks will go by, and the scale of this victory will become clear. What is this so-called victory of the Party of Labor? A victory of misery, deeply miserable. They won in the most backward areas of the country, in the poorest areas. This is highly significant. It has shown more clearly than anything what socialism has done over these 46 years. The communists have deliberately cultivated poverty and ignorance as a support to fall back on in dark days. That dark day for them was March 31. When the alarm bell rang for them, they sought help precisely from backwardness and ignorance. But what a wretched party this is, relying on poverty and ignorance. Albania, the part to which the future belongs. In its first contest it almost knocked its rival down; in its second contest it brought its rival down on its knees, and by a great deal. That is a lot, extraordinarily much. So there is no reason for any despair. Regardless of what happened, a new era has begun for Albania. Albania will now begin a parliamentary life. Do the communists really have a majority in the People’s Assembly? To be more specific, I think that even with these results they still do not truly have a majority. I am convinced that a large number of the new deputies will join the opposition in parliament. Their conscience will compel them to take this position. Otherwise, they would cover themselves with shame for all time. For one cannot sit in a parliamentary group with those deputies who have worked in the police, denounced people, spied on them, and engaged in secret and dirty business. So the opposition is stronger than it appears. Therefore, there is no reason for any despair. On the contrary.

. U.S. State Department spokesperson Margaret Tutwailer spoke at a press conference about the situation in Albania following the country’s first free elections. Miss Tutuailler was asked whether the State Department was aware of the use of weapons against demonstrators in Albania. Our official delegation in Tirana, Miss Tutuailler said, reported that a Democratic Party leader was killed yesterday in Shkodra by shots fired from the Labor Party Committee, as he was trying to disperse a group of Democratic Party supporters who had gathered in front of that city’s Party Committee. Unconfirmed reports indicate that 3 people were killed and another 60 were wounded, the U.S. State Department spokesperson added. It is reported that tanks are patrolling the streets of Shkodra and that entry into the city is prohibited. The State Department, she added, is aware of reports that a bomb was found at the Democratic Party headquarters in Elbasan. A journalist asked whether the State Department knew the causes of yesterday’s violence. [The article text continues beyond the edge of the photograph] The shots that killed 3 people in Shkodra came from the building of that city’s Party Committee. The head of the delegation, Dejvit Shvarc, the U.S. spokesperson added, met with Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani and formally protested the use of force against peaceful demonstrators. He called on the Albanian authorities to conduct full and accurate investigations into irregularities in the electoral process. The United States, Miss Tutuailler stated, strongly condemns the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators. The United States calls on the Albanian authorities not to use lethal force against citizens exercising their basic rights, including the right of assembly. We call on all parties to show restraint under the present circumstances. Now that Albania has expressed interest in becoming a member of the CSCE, the United States regrets the use of violence, which is contrary to this conference’s principles concerning the observance of the law «on free and fair elections» and respect for human rights. There have been numerous reports of threats against opposition-party candidates and activists during the campaign and on election day. It is questionable that the authorities did not announce the official results for two days and that the list of winning and losing candidates does not include the number of votes. The United States, Miss Tutuailler added, calls on the Albanian authorities to conduct full and open investigations into allegations of violations of the electoral rules and to propose appropriate measures to resolve legal disputes. Now, the U.S. spokesperson concluded, it is up to all elements of Albanian society to [text cut off] concerning the use of violence, in accordance with international law, and to condemn those responsible for this violation of human rights. Based on reports of v- principles of the CSCE. The United States firmly supports the principles of democracy in Albania and those striving for freedom and human rights. the streets of Shkodër and entry into the city are prohibited. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asked whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs knew the causes of yesterday’s violence. The reports suggest, Miss Tutuailler acknowledged, that demonstrators had gathered to protest against the falsification of the vote and threats against opposition candidates, as well as to protest the delay in announcing the results of the March 31 elections. It is reported that the shots that caused the dea- the city is prohibited. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the dea-

SPEECH BY Dr. SALI BERISHA AT THE FUNERAL CEREMONY Dear parents and relatives of our brothers: Arben Broci, Bujar Beshanaku, Besnik Ceka. Honored ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, people of Shkodra. We have gathered here to say farewell to our loved ones Arben Broci, Bujar Beshanaku, Besnik Ceka, whom we will no longer see this spring or in the springs to come. But I tell you here that we will never forget you, because you had the springtime of Albania’s rebirth, the springtime of democracy in your grasp. Your death is terribly grievous and the crime truly monstrous. It is true that the people who die are [text cut off] (Continued on page 2) years old. He certainly cannot be accused of either terrorism or hooliganism, words worn out by official propaganda. It cannot be a city like that. The opposite is true: those who ordered the crime are like that. They did not kill only Arben, but an entire city, which is enduring a profound spiritual tragedy. Who has not been touched by this tragic event? I saw foreign journalists weeping like children as they photographed the 24-year-old young man who had just enrolled at university in the engineering department. We saw an entire city in mourning, which accompanied the martyrs with respect, in silence, with dignity and culture; and the mothers, so strong, like all Albanian mothers. That is why they also leave this last request: Bujar Beshanaku

Our editor Arben Ruka asked at the PD headquarters why this Party did not appear on the television magazine alongside the other parties. Preç Zogaj, who is in charge of press affairs, gave him this answer: «The primary reason PD representatives did not appear on the screen controlled by the PPSH is the need to preserve Albanian dignity and honor. Democratic forces throughout the country were in mourning because of the barbaric and treacherous killing of Nerti, the 24-year-old Arben Broci, a brilliant member of the PD, and 3 other citizens of Shkodra. Our corrupt screen not only ignored the mourning and grief of the whole people, but could also have misreported the events in Shkodra. All this was also seen as a disgraceful affront to public morality and human morality. The PD Steering Committee decided to maintain a television blackout as a renewed protest against the negative and one-sided role of television and of RTV’s director general, Fatmir Kumbaro. During the election campaign and after the elections, the public is aware of our previous objections and protests on this issue. They are on record. As the person responsible for the PD press office, I have been able to have calm discussions with the RTV director two or three times, and even to find common ground with him on full equality in television propaganda, one of the main requirements for an equal electoral campaign among the parties. I tolerated his tricks, whereby the prime minister’s party activities were presented as government activities on three occasions. But the PPSH and Fatmili, as its henchman, broke the pact. The speech by the first secretary of the PPSH two days (Continued on page 2)

In place of the feuilleton — The charitable association «Help the Queen Mother» was established — A few days ago a meeting was held in Durrës. Mr. Fatos Nano spoke. Before explaining the economic reform, the prime minister said, I want to let you know that I am going to tell you a secret. This is not about the kind of sensation the opposition deals in. It is a human story. A shocking episode from the socialist life of the Bllok. By hearing this secret, you will be convinced, as I was convinced, and as the President also teaches us, that the Bllok is a propaganda myth, an invention by the opposition to win votes in the elections. But enough words. Let us give the floor to the facts. These days, the prime minister continued, comrade Nexhmije Hoxha moved out of her modest home in the heart of the Bllok. I had her as my director at the Institute of Marxist-Leninist Studies. I know her heart well. I know in detail her modest way of life. Believe me, because I was her [ban­jmani]. In fact, this is no longer a secret: I owe my career to the noble lady, comrade Nexhmije Nejsë. Do you know what comrade Nexhmije took with her when she left the house? Just 0 spoons, six forks, six knives, and six plates. And even those only after much pleading—indeed, by order, by decision of the Labor Government. Comrade Nexhmije decided to sacrifice for the people, just as her husband, our immortal comrade Enver, used to do. Do you remember his bohemian life, described with such skill and truth by the well-known writer Sulo Gradeci?! For the sake of the people, so that they could live in abundance, he wore darned socks and carried a faded umbrella! There are malicious tongues talking here and there about the photographs illustrating comrade Zylo’s book. They tell me: Sulo. In those photographs comrade Enver appears dressed like a count. There is a secret here, too. Comrade Nexhmije told me this secret. Since the book was being published abroad, it would not have looked good if comrade Enver had been dressed like a pauper. So we wrote to Kinostudio and borrowed various clothes. The photographs of comrade Enver were taken in those outfits. Comrade Nexhmije has also decided to live this simple life, this martyr’s life, always for the good of the country. To the prime minister’s surprise, the hall did not erupt in applause. A murmur was heard. Then a few more. Then people began to cry, and at the presidium their crying turned into wailing. The prime minister was in a quandary. His human side wanted him to cry too. His duty as prime minister required him to restore calm, because otherwise the economic reform could not be implemented. What was he to do? A voice from the middle of the hall rescued him from this dilemma. «Comrade Prime Minister! We have been convinced that our honored comrade, the wife endowed with the qualities of a leader, as comrade Ramiz Alia has said, has fallen into poverty. But we as a people cannot rest easy if our great Mother is to suffer in her old age. Therefore, I think we should establish the CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION: ‘HELP THE QUEEN MOTHER’. We will say QUEEN in a figurative sense, because comrade Nexhmije is a fervent Marxist-Leninist.» The hall erupted in applause. The prime minister cheered louder than anyone. A few days later, the documents to legalize the Association were mailed to the Ministry of Justice. This was done despite a small debate: Since the association «Volunteers of Enver» survived without legalization by the Ministry of Justice, why shouldn’t this association do the same?! The charitable association: «Help the Queen Mother».

Message from the Independent Group of Albanians in Brussels. After 4 decades of a totalitarian system, for the first time, Albanian DEMOCRATS have entered parliament. This historic day for our nation will undoubtedly be the beginning of true democracy for the Albanian people. The independent group from Belgium wishes the Albanian Democrats success and progress in fully realizing democracy in our country. ISA BAJRAKTARI DURAK DURAKI KUJTIM LIKAJ Brussels, 02. 04. 1991

Bujar Beshanaku

Sunday, April 7, 1991, is Easter Sunday. The editorial staff of the newspaper «Rilindja Demokratike» wishes all Orthodox believers: HAPPY EASTER!

Members and supporters of the Democratic Party! In the second round of voting, 34 candidates will compete: 17 from the PPSH and the others from its ranks, 16 from the PD, as well as 1 from the «Omonia» organization. In electoral zone 142, new elections will be held, since the PD candidate received only 31.6 percent of the votes. The Democratic Party calls on you to vote for its candidates, and in the zone where the «Omonia» organization’s candidate is standing, to cast all votes in favor of his victory. PD Governing Commission