PROTESTS ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS — The Democratic Party is deeply concerned by a series of serious acts of political terror and persecution carried out against the leaders, members and supporters of the DP. Among these acts we single out the political murder of Arben Broci, a founder of the DP and leader of the steering committee of the DP branch in Shkodër, and of Nazmi Kryeziu, chairman of a DP section; those guilty of the Shkodër massacre of 2 April must be punished. The government’s lack of willingness to meet this legitimate demand is also apparent from the fact that when the monument to Enver Hoxha was toppled, around 300 people were arrested, while those responsible for the events in Shkodër are still roaming free. Not one of them has been arrested. The MP for the Shkodër district, Azem Hajdari, then took the floor. Calmly examining the events of 2 April in Shkodër down to the smallest details, he stressed that 2 April was a day of terror, prearranged by dark forces in certain political circles and by the security forces, which deliberately organized the crimes after 45 years of political one-party rule. This group has the task of carrying out, on a legislative basis, the mission the DP has set itself: establishing parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, protecting individual rights and freedoms, and restoring a system of private property protected by law. For all these reasons, he continued, it is essential that MPs participate in all parliamentary structures: the presidium, the standing committees and the ad hoc committee. The DP Steering Committee, relying on the views of its members and supporters, has decided not to form any kind of coalition with the PP, because this party in power ... The demand for people’s representatives to be MPs is twofold. On the one hand, they must use every democratic and parliamentary means to oppose the adoption of laws that run counter to the nation’s present interests and prospects, violate the rights of the individual and society, or undermine the principles of democracy. On the other hand, they must work to create new, democratic, progressive and modern legislation. The fundamental objectives of our party’s programme must be embodied in a whole system of laws, whose adoption the parliamentary group will now fight for in parliament. In the field of individual rights, he stressed, we will fight for legislation that enshrines the sacred principle that the individual—as a human being—takes precedence over collective and state mechanisms and apparatuses. It is very important that contemporary legislation encourage every citizen to assume individual responsibility for matters essential to their life. At the end, Mr Genc Ruli spoke about some tasks involved in renewing and improving economic legislation. The first step in this direction, he stressed, is to institutionalize the economic entities specific to a market economy. The MP for the Berat district, Abdi Baleta, discussed and commented on several articles of the draft provisional rules of procedure of the People’s Assembly. Some MPs and council members were called upon by the law-enforcement authorities to use the authority of their words to calm and disperse the protesters gathered in front of the PP committee building in Shkodër. They were shot at by a uniformed person who was inside the PP committee building, at a moment when very few people remained in the square and everything was calm. The police chief, Dilaver Papare, was also nearby; after the killing, he hurried inside the PP committee building. The gunfire also killed DP member Bujar Beshanaku. When Shkodër citizens, outraged by this barbarity, attacked the PP committee building, the Ministry of Internal Affairs forces opened fire without restraint, killing Besnik Ceka and wounding 59 other people. We emphasize that during the clashes, according to various testimonies, including those of the doctors who treated the wounded, not one law-enforcement officer was injured. In the PP committee building, which was occupied by the crowd before it was set on fire, food supplies, firearms and ammunition were found—including a 12.7 mm machine gun—as well as ballot boxes. In Tirana, on 30.3.1991, the citizen Mikel Laro was mysteriously shot dead on Labinoti Street. On 31.3.1991, at around 3:00 a.m., an incendiary substance was thrown at the apartment door of Bastri Neziri and Mira Neziri, candidates for MP representing the DP and PR respectively in Peshkopi, and the door was set on fire. In the courtyard of the DP headquarters in Elbasan, on 2.4.1991 at 1:00 a.m., an explosive device was thrown; it detonated, causing material damage to the building. On 2.4.1991 at 9 p.m., just after the electricity was cut off in the town of Bajram Curri, unidentified persons fired on the DP offices. On 3.4.1991 at 1:00 a.m., the apartment door of Kujtim Lloha, chairman of the DP branch in Sarandë, was blown up with dynamite. Polikron Çela, brother of Mitro Çela, a member of the DP Steering Committee and a journalist for «Rilindja Demokratike», was attacked outside his home. On 6.4.1991 at 9 p.m., explosives thrown from outside detonated at the DP headquarters in Bajram Curri. We note that since the elections many DP members have been dismissed from their jobs for «democratic» reasons, in Berat, Ersekë, and elsewhere. On 2.4.1991 at 7:20 p.m., Ministry of Internal Affairs forces brutally dispersed a peaceful gathering outside the DP offices in Tirana. This intervention violated the relevant law, since the crowd was not first ordered to disperse and firearms were used without any necessity. DP leaders Dr. Sali Berisha, Dr. Gramoz Pashko, Azem Hajdari, and others have also been threatened with physical liquidation and the bombing of their homes. For all the reasons stated above, the Democratic Party strongly protests to the Presidential Council and the Council of Ministers. It demands that those responsible among the State Security forces and the PP apparatus for the political killings in Shkodër be identified and brought to trial; that the Ministry of Internal Affairs publicly take responsibility for its statement about these events, and that the perpetrators of this public deception be found. The Democratic Party demands that these killings be investigated by a pluralist commission of inquiry. It also demands a full clarification of the circumstances surrounding the killing of M. Laro and the trial of those responsible. The Democratic Party demands that urgent measures be taken to prevent any recurrence of acts of violence and threats against its members and offices, and that its members be held legally accountable. The Democratic Party reminds the Presidential Council and the Council of Ministers that such actions are contrary to the decisions and all the norms of the CSCE and make our country’s admission to this Conference more difficult. DP Steering Committee

The Union of Independent Albanian Trade Unions is deeply indignant at the arrogant attitude of the Director General of Radio and Television, Fatmir Kumbaro, and his assistant Hysni Lita towards the members of the union at this institution. The day after the RTV union’s statement, two people began a despicable campaign of violence and psychological terror, insults and humiliation, in an attempt to break the people and find those responsible for the statement. Although they failed to achieve their aims, we vigorously protest against these people, who are nostalgic for the days of dictatorship, and declare that we will support the members of this institution’s union by every legal means.

On Wednesday, at 12 noon, a meeting was held at the headquarters of the Initiating Committee of the Independent Albanian Trade Unions with a delegation of the Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo, headed by Prof. Dr. Hajrullah Gorani. In addition to the members of the BSPSH Initiating Committee, leaders of the independent trade unions of the capital’s largest enterprises were invited, as well as representatives of several press organizations. The meeting was a fraternal discussion to learn about the progress, achievements, difficulties and experience of these two independent trade union organizations. Prof. Dr. Hajrullah Gorani, after expressing his pleasure at being in Albania precisely at this time, when genuine pluralist democracy is emerging and growing rapidly, stressed that the organization he represents recognizes and highly values the BSPSH and will help it with the necessary literature, as well as help promote and integrate it into the international trade union movement. RD Correspondent

INTERVIEW WITH ENG. GËZIM SHIMA, CHAIRMAN OF THE INITIATING COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT ALBANIAN TRADE UNIONS Question: First, Mr Gëzim, we would be interested to hear about the numerical growth and geographical spread of your organization. Answer: The Union of SPSH is a new organization. Its branches have been established in Tirana, Shkodër, Kavajë, Elbasan, Korçë, Berat, Vlorë, etc., and it is active in Lushnjë, Fier, Tepelenë, etc. Our expansion has been achieved in the face of difficulties and obstacles created by the BSPSH, which has been and remains a transitional group of the PP. This was most clearly demonstrated by their joint candidacies with the PP in the 31 March elections. Despite the major obstacles they try to put in our way, our organization’s ranks are growing rapidly, and the day is not far off when the Professional Unions will be left with only their bloated bureaucratic apparatus. Question: An important objective for you remains recognition and acceptance within the international trade union movement. Answer: Although our organization has only just been formed, it has established ties with trade unions in Italy, Switzerland and Belgium. We expect organizational assistance from them. Cooperation with the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo is more important. I believe that Prof. Dr. Mr H. Gorani showed that our views are directed towards a common goal. Question: Now, Mr Gëzim, a few words about the fundamental objectives of your organization’s economic platform. Answer: The current economic platform is an integral part of our programme under the present conditions of pluralism. It aims to improve and gradually raise workers’ standard of living, as is clearly set out in the letter sent to the Council of Ministers. Among other things, in this letter we put forward the following demands: Workers’ wages should be increased by 50 per cent in all branches of the economy, education, culture and health care. This increase should be calculated on the basis of each worker’s current basic wage. This demand should be met by (Continued on page 2) Albania has never before seen a political force or party grow the goal of fostering among people a spirit of democratic dialogue and tolerance, proclaiming the motto: opponents, but brothers. It must be said that, despite a far from free election campaign and a high degree of police pressure, the DP achieved a historic victory. Although it is the youngest and poorest opposition in Europe, it won 30 per cent of the seats in Parliament. It received the votes of 39 per cent of the electorate. In this way, the DP will have its own parliamentary group, made up of devoted intellectuals and distinguished workers, who will play an important role in establishing democratic legislation and creating a state governed by the rule of law. The DP has complete confidence, Dr. Sali Berisha continued, that its MPs will carry out this important historic mission with honour and show our people what it means to be a true democrat. The PP chose 15 April for the first session of our first pluralist Parliament. We wish to take part in this session, but this will depend on fulfilling the demand of the people of Shkodër, the DP and all democratic forces in Albania to find and resolve the political ... They aimed to strike at Shkodër, the triumph of democracy, and later at all the democratic forces of the country. The events in the cities of Durrës, Shkodër, Tirana, Vlorë and Elbasan, and most recently the events in Shkodër after the 31 March elections, clearly show that the conservative wing of the PP does not want democracy or a pluralist parliament. Under these circumstances, Mr Anexh Hadjari stressed, we cannot take part in parliament together with those directly or indirectly responsible for the events in Shkodër, who conceal and protect the guilty. He called on all DP MPs to support one another and the appeal made by the Shkodër MPs’ group. The chairman of the DP Electoral Commission, Arben Imami, then took the floor. The DP parliamentary group, he stressed, is the embodiment of the free will of the people. It has a heavy burden in the political situation that has been created: the façade of democracy needs the DP’s domestic and international credibility. The DP will not form a coalition with the PP because the two are political forces that are clearly distinct in their programmes, methods and means, and are based on opposing ideologies; lastly, a compromise with the PP, which established a harsh dictatorship in Albania, would betray the democratic ideals of its electorate. Finally, he also spoke about some matters concerning the procedures of the DP parliamentary group and Parliament, and stressed that our group would establish and strengthen ties with democratic parliamentary groups around the world. In his speech, Genc Ruli, a member of the DP Steering Committee, explained some of the most fundamental objectives of the DP’s legislative programme, in both the legal and economic fields. Speaking about the mission of DP MPs, he stressed: Their sacred duty as ... ... firing and wounding 60 citizens of Shkodër. Television have been identified, we, the Democratic Party MPs, declare that we Conscious of the decision we have taken, we once again in the interests of the nation, the stability of democracy, to publish immediately the results of the investigation and the punishment of those responsible. THE PARLIAMENTARY GROUP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY Political murder. If our just demands are not met, we will declare a general strike

Second, developing and fostering democratic education and tolerance was also a primary task of the DP.

The deputy for the district of Berat, Abdi Baleta, discussed and commented on several articles of the draft provisional rules of procedure for the work of the People’s Assembly.

Yesterday, at 5 p.m., the DP parliamentary group of 75 MPs met in one of the halls of ISTN in the capital. This was their first assembly since the elections of 31 March. The meeting was opened by Eduart Selami, secretary of the DP Steering Committee. The opening address was delivered by the chairman of the DP Steering Committee, Dr. Sali Berisha. After speaking about the circumstances in which the first pluralist elections were held, the manipulations carried out in them by the ruling PP, and the events in Shkodër, he invited everyone present to honour the martyrs of democracy in that city with a minute of silence. He then spoke about some of the DP’s achievements and its objectives for the future. He stressed that from the outset the DP had three basic areas of work. First, the organization of the DP, its expansion and structuring. Without overlooking a series of failures, we can say that, far from being a party of democratic centralism, it achieved broad coverage throughout the country, representing all social strata. Never before in Albania’s history has any political force or party grown as rapidly as our party. Second, developing and fostering democratic education and tolerance was also a primary task of the DP. Therefore, from the very beginning, the DP set itself the goal of fostering among people ... ... [text continues outside the frame] DECLARATION We, the members of the People’s Assembly representing the Democratic Party, call on the Presidential Council and the Council of Ministers to immediately publish the results of the investigation into the massacre carried out on 2 April in the city of Shkodër. There can be no peace, stability or establishment of democracy in our country if, even after this, murderers and forces seeking to terrorize the Albanian people are allowed to act with impunity. In a state governed by the rule of law, the true instigators and perpetrators of the killing of these four Democratic Party activists and the shooting and wounding of 60 citizens of Shkodër must be exposed. In keeping with the proposal made on 4 April by the MPs from Shkodër, and expressing the will of the people of Shkodër as well as all our voters, we declare that until those responsible for the massacre and for distorting the truth in the press and on Radio and Television have been identified, we, the Democratic Party MPs, cannot take part in the session of the People’s Assembly. Conscious of the decision we have taken, we call ... The deputy for the district of Berat, draft provisional rules of procedure for the work of the People’s Assembly. At the same time, he made several proposals concerning improvements to parliamentary procedures. Then the floor was taken by the deputy for the district of Vlora, Dr. Gramoz Pashko, who, also addressing this draft set of rules, stressed that the PD parliamentary group should insist that votes on the most fundamental issues be held by secret ballot. The deputy for the district of Kruja, Agim Mero, and the deputy for the district of Shkodra, Pjetër Arbnori, put forward the request that, at the initiative of the PD parliamentary group, an in-depth analysis be made of the 31 March election process, both to bring the manipulations to light and to gain experience for the future. Deputies from the district of Tirana also spoke afterwards: Aleksandër Meksi, Ridvan Peshkëpia, Emanuel Heba, Napoleon Roshi; as did Fatmir Manushi from the district of Elbasan, Sadadin Balla from the district of Kruja, Neritan Ceka, and others. At the end, all the deputies agreed that they should draft a statement setting out their position on the first meeting of parliament. «RD» correspondent

On the occasion of the Great Bajram holiday, the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike wishes believers, at home and abroad, «Happy holiday and many happy returns».