National interests have been above all super-party interests and PD — Discussion 2. Norjan Ceka, independent PD deputy HONORABLE CHAIRMAN! Honorable deputies, ladies and gentlemen! We are here today as deputies of the first pluralist parliament, elected on 31.3.1991, in the name of the will of the majority of the Albanian people. We appear here at a very serious political moment for our country, in which the cry of victory for democracy resounds with longing for freedom. At the same time, we, the honored ones, intoxicated by victory, must be clear about the responsibilities we take before our people. Albania needs change, but not adventure. At this moment our people need calm and understanding. It needs security, law, order, stability. In this direction the Democratic Party has maintained a wise political line, first of all under the spirit of the national interest. Within this framework the PD deputies and 5 independents have come to parliament with a clear political platform and a deep sense of responsibility toward the people. We have asked sacrifices of our people, but not bloodshed. We have promised change, but not revenge. We have demanded rights, but not anarchy. For this reason we believe that the new parliament must be a responsible organ that expresses the aspirations of the people and not an arena of blind conflicts. We have asked that this parliament not be a tool of the super-party, but an institution of the people. We have demanded that national interests be above all super-party interests. This is what the times demand, this is what the country's situation demands, this is what the people demand. Albania today is going through a severe economic and moral crisis. Poverty has settled cross-legged in our homes. The youth are disappointed. The countryside is exhausted. The city is tired of queues, shortages and insecurity. In these conditions we have no right to do petty politics. We must do national politics. We must build a legal state, guarantee democratic freedoms, restore confidence in work and ownership, open our country to Europe and the democratic world. We must preserve civil peace and avoid any clash that would drive the country into catastrophe. We are here to speak on behalf of the people who voted for us, but also on behalf of those who did not vote for us, because Albania's interest is one. That is why we ask for understanding, legality, responsibility and cooperation for the country's benefit. (the text continues illegible)[?]

— Discussion 2. Norjan Ceka, independent PD deputy (text heavily damaged and partly illegible)[?] ... a new form of participation in the political life of the Albanian people ... ... independent of bureaucratic control ... ... this parliament must serve the citizen ... ... there can be no democracy without law and responsibility ... ... the Albanian people demand real change ... ... and we must not disappoint them ...

— From the speech of Azem Hajdari, deputy for the Shkodra district. (text partially readable, very damaged)[?] ... took responsibility for calming the situation ... ... in the city of Shkodra ... ... the recent events require prudence and determination ... ... the people demand order and security ... ... no one must play with people's blood ... ... parliament must send a message of peace ... ... stability is achieved with understanding and legality ... PD deputies mourn in honor of the martyrs of Shkodra [?]

— From the speech of Ali Spahia, deputy for the Shkodra district. I believe that the bloody events that took place in Albania, all the more deeply, were a catastrophe for the whole country. Albanians, all the more clearly, must be convinced that the killings suffered in Shkodra are a serious wound for the nation. In these conditions parliament has the moral duty to condemn violence and to demand the establishment of justice. With determination we demand that the responsible bodies uncover the perpetrators of the crime and that the killers be brought to trial. Without justice there can be no lasting peace. The people want to know the truth and not allow the blood of the innocent to be used for political purposes. We are for calm, but not for silence. We are for reconciliation, but not for forgetting. We are for law, for order and for the punishment of the guilty. (the text continues damaged)[?]

(text heavily damaged and faded)[?] ... is the anthem sung to all the honest men and women of this city ... ... who demand that change come through the vote, through law and through civility ... ... Durrës remains one of the important centers of support for democracy ... ... its citizens set an example of self-restraint and courage ...

Again the minister hesitates! (text partially readable)[?] ... decriminalization of the administration ... ... the old bureaucratism ... ... the people demand accountability ...

The second session of the first session of the 12th Legislature of the People's Assembly was held 12th Legislature of the People's Assembly Blurred notes, column fragments, upside-down text and unreadable parts across the page.[?]