Observer of Parliament During the long morning and afternoon sessions these past days, all the main constitutional provisions that had remained were reviewed. Parliamentary groups held discussions on each article and its subparagraphs, at times in disagreement. Deputies suggested additions and edits to most of the articles, such as those concerning the highest bodies of state power, the president’s powers, the standing and temporary committees of the People’s Assembly, radio and television and official information media, parliamentary immunity, etc. Despite the diversity of opinions, the deputies occasionally found common ground. This was evident both in the tolerance shown during the discussions and in the fact that the deputies often agreed when voting. During the sessions, the agenda was also interrupted to address several specific issues, such as reporting on the events in Lezhë and Shkodër, or drafting a resolution on the Kosovo issue. After the final, 45th article of this chapter was also approved, several deputies, including F. Abdiu, etc., suggested that the 1976 Constitution not be completely repealed. Some Democratic Party deputies disagreed with this view. Mr. Sali Berisha emphasized in connection with this issue that this is a historic moment, because in the [?] century we are leaving behind a constitution that legitimized one-party rule and violated human rights.

RAMIZ ALIA IS ELECTED PRESIDENT - Wins 68.8 percent of the votes. - Through their criticisms, Democratic Party deputies called on Mr. Ramiz Alia to help ensure that the past is not repeated. Yesterday, the People’s Assembly began its proceedings at 9:00. The session opened with the reading of the President’s oath of office. It was approved by a majority vote. The commission for drafting the constitution was also approved. The second item on the agenda was the election of the President. Mr. Xhelil Gjoni, on behalf of 30 Labour Party of Albania deputies, proposed Mr. Ramiz Alia as a candidate, praising him in glowing terms. Mr. Ahmet Kamberi, on behalf of 31 Labour Party of Albania deputies, proposed Mr. Namik Dokle without making any comment on the political record of this candidate. More than 40 People’s Party and Democratic Party deputies spoke about the two candidacies. Unlike the other sessions in recent days, individual deputies from both parliamentary groups were sharply opposed to one another. This was reflected in the opinions and assessments each side offered of Ramiz Alia’s political record and his role in the processes of democratization in Albania. It should be said that some individual deputies from both groups displayed unnecessary extremes, both in overpraising Mr. Alia as a politician and statesman, and in the efforts of some deputies who had signed the proposal to nominate Ramiz Alia as president (with the exception of Mr. Dritëro Agolli) to avoid a realistic analysis of their candidate’s political career. They made no attempt to explain, even from their own point of view, the responsibility of the head of state and of the Labour Party of Albania for the economic catastrophe and spiritual devastation in which we have sunk. A head of state was proposed for a new era, and everyone would rightly hope that the rotten part of the past would be cast aside. But this did not happen. The People’s Party deputies praised Ramiz Alia in keeping with the 46-year-old practice, as an infallible superman, forgetting the destruction we are experiencing. Even the other candidacy, that of N. Dokle, which came as a surprise, seemed to have been put forward to make Ramiz Alia’s absolute standing more credible. Perhaps this opening, along with the rigid pronouncements of deputy R. Peshkëpia, who spoke first, influenced some of the deputies who spoke afterwards. In any case, the Democratic Party deputies, some more and some less, and as far as time allowed, analyzed his past so that, in his role as president ... ... a clear democratic program, he tried to maintain a balance but did not manage to do so all the way. Now he can lead the people only if he distances himself from his own party. From God [?], R. Alia followed events in Albania while carrying a dual responsibility. He took up the task out of curiosity, without being free himself. The people showed tolerance, but the parties also deserve credit, as does the Democratic Party. Thus, the President is credited with merits and blamed for faults by the person who, at this historic moment, found himself between conservatives and pseudo-democrats. In this difficult time, the person who accepts the candidacy for President does more than receive an honour: he honours this ruined country. Does he give himself a vote of confidence? Because the credibility of the country depends on this person’s credibility. He must free himself from the pressure of conservatism. We are a parliamentary republic, said Besnik Mustafaj, among other things. I think it is difficult to find an ideal figure, but any wrong choice will not lead us to ... Napolon Roshi stated that few can deny Ramiz Alia’s merits. Until the tenth moment, he played a ... ... has not been done in any other country. We would have liked R. Alia to be Albania’s Gorbi, said Mr. Gramoz Pashko, among other things, but he did not achieve this and declared that there would be no pluralism or private property here, and that we would continue along the path we had followed. It would be good for him to define clearly where he comes from and where he is going. Mr. Neritan Ceka drew a connection between the initiator of democratization, who is the people themselves, and the initiator of liberalization within the Labour Party of Albania, who is R. Alia. But this liberalization, too, was incomplete. The era of dominant figures is now coming to an end. Parliament will exercise this right. Other Democratic Party deputies, such as Arben Demeti, Pjetër Arbnori, Bashkim Kopliku and Emanuel Heba, analyzed Ramiz Alia’s activity and called on him to work to ensure that the past under dictatorship is never repeated. The vote on the candidates for President of the Republic was then held. In the secret ballot, Mr. Ramiz Alia won 68.8 percent of the votes, or more than two-thirds of the votes, and was thus elected President of the Republic of Albania. [Text cut off, illegible in the visible section.] ...which side’s view of the political figure of Ramiz Alia It must be said that several individual deputies from both groups displayed extreme and unwarranted swings: some toward overestimating Mr. Alia as a politician and statesman and absolutizing his role in the country’s destiny, others toward categorical assessments based on certain ill-founded characterizations of his past. This harsh climate of debate is understandable. The factors dividing the opinions and viewpoints of each side are already well known. But something else also had an influence inside the Assembly hall. The deputies [continues at the top of the page]. ...the rigid statements made by deputies who spoke afterward. Nevertheless, the deputies of the PD, some more and some less, and within the time available, analyzed his past in order to ensure that, in his role as president, R. Alia would contribute to preventing the past from being repeated. “Democratization here began as a result of the democratic spirit that emerged in the world,” said Mr. Azem Hajdari, among other things. “Mr. Alia helped soften the PPSH’s rigid position in this process, but it nevertheless moved slowly. At a time when terrible slogans were being raised against the PD and associations were being formed without ... freedom of expression, our values in its service, debate freely for its benefit, make decisions that express its will, and spare none of our remaining energy in making its fundamental interests converge and popular democracy is consolidated. This is where and the rule of law progress disappointments on the path we are following. What is needed is a healthy spirit of understanding and unity to accomplish body can accomplish of this. But we have the means, and it is our duty, not to let this situation continue any longer. The solemn session opened at 17:00. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Kastriot Islami, accompanied President Ramiz Alia to Parliament, where he took the oath before the People’s Assembly. After the National Anthem was sung, Mr. Ramiz Alia delivered the address for the occasion. GENC TIRANA

- From the speech by deputy Sali Berisha - Honourable deputies! The Democratic Party, faithful to its democratic principles, is not putting forward a candidate for president today—not because we do not know that today’s elections are not what our people expect at this almost dramatic moment they are going through. But the Democratic Party is not putting forward a candidate because it did not win an outright victory in the 31 March elections. Therefore, standing apart from any form of coalition or anything similar, it pledges to continue its struggle and efforts, always by democratic means and methods, until true democracy is established in Albania. In the Democratic Party’s conviction, this can ... SH, all these and other factors mean that none of the candidates put forward by the Labour Party of Albania, nor any others that this party ... can achieve it; only its own program and the party whose policies brought the country the grave political, social and economic crisis it is experiencing. The heavy legacy, the dogmatic practices it follows, and the incoherence of the People’s Party’s program cannot impose a burden [?] or justify today’s hopes for democracy. History has now entrusted this mission to the Democratic Party and the Albanian opposition. Thank you!

(Namik against himself) When Ahmet Kamberi (former Minister of Health) proposed the second candidate for president, Namik Dokle, on behalf of 31 deputies, everyone present in the hall—deputies and guests—took it for a ridiculous joke and received it with laughter. Even when Namik himself declared in writing that he accepted the presidential seat, nobody took it seriously. The usual humour of the People’s Party on such occasions. But when the vote ended and Namik Dokle received only two votes (and those surely from the Democratic Party, as a reward for “Zëri...” of truth), while all 30 deputies who had proposed him voted against him, this went beyond the bounds of a joke. Most people understood that they were dealing with a game by the People’s Party, but it remains unclear why Namik in particular was chosen as the clown in this electoral performance. It is your right to make fun of your editor-in-chief, but to make fun of Parliament and the entire people, who are following you on television, that ... I don’t know what to say! As if this were the first joke the People’s Party has played! ZYMBYL HASANI

Honourable Speaker, Honourable deputies; Members of the diplomatic corps; Dear friends and guests, The People’s Assembly has entrusted me with a task carrying very great responsibility before the people and [?] Honourable Speaker, Honourable deputies; Members of the diplomatic corps; Dear friends and guests, The People’s Assembly has entrusted me with a task carrying very great responsibility before the people and ... I believe that I will never lack the will, readiness or determination to carry out this work successfully, and I hope always to have your constructive assistance, support and the solidarity of the people. The first session of this legislature of the People’s Assembly is a reflection of the new democratic, pluralist climate created in the country after the elections of 31 March. It is laying foundation stones, and is choosing and will choose issues of vital importance to the future of our country and our state. The people rightly hope that the parliamentary acts adopted by this assembly will lead to the establishment of order and the functioning of a civilized political life; to respect for assessments and the future; to profound economic restructuring and a comprehensive reform of all the country’s domestic and foreign activities. I am also full of hope that the People’s Assembly, in both its principles and the practice of these days, will become a platform for the exemplary functioning of political pluralism, for ... [illegible words] ... the revival of an optimistic spirit for the future; the exemplary functioning of political pluralism, the free expression of opinion, democratic ethics and the tolerance characteristic of cultured people. The homeland needs everyone’s minds, work and contribution. Let us unite our strengths in its service, debate freely for its good, make decisions that express its will, and spare no last ounce of energy to make the people’s lives as good as possible. Albania needed a pluralist parliament. Today it needs an integrated pluralist parliament, where its fundamental interests converge and popular democracy is affirmed. Here we seek the interests of the homeland. We have long roads ahead of us. On this road, we are united by the people’s aspirations and the desire to make Albania a country where an advanced economy and culture, democratic life and the rule of law move forward together. Let us work together in a constructive spirit, respecting one another’s opinions and independence, so that there are no disappointments on the path we are following. We need only soundness, a spirit of understanding and unity to meet the tasks before us. No political force and no state body can solve them alone. I speak of the future that awaits us without the slightest illusion about the difficult moment we are going through, both economically and politically. We are all aware of this. But we have the ability, and the duty, not to let this situation continue any longer.

- Political information... from the minister - Not only the deputies but the entire people were waiting for the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Gramoz Ruci, to say something in the Assembly. And so, days and weeks passed, and finally he decided (or others decided for him) to speak. The Ministry of Internal Affairs deceived the Presidential Council and tried to deceive the entire domestic and foreign public with its version of the tragic events in Shkodër. The lie was thrown back in its face in the People’s Assembly too, even by a pluralist commission. It was expected that Ruci would find himself in a difficult position, make a self-criticism and provide an analysis. But none of this happened. Gramoz Ruci did not even mention the events in Shkodër, as if they did not exist, as if they were a bad dream he had had and about which he had no reason to speak to others. It seems the Minister of Internal Affairs still stands by the false version of the events in Shkodër served up by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Silence says more than such a speech. That is his business. But the people cannot forget that the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ version, in essence, legitimizes the killings in Shkodër and protects the killers. Mr. Ruci’s silence under these circumstances shows that he acted knowingly in the matter described above—that is, to conceal the truth about the massacre in Shkodër. But what should draw others’ attention is what others say in objective public opinion. It seeks to divert the attention of an outraged public and opposition political forces from Shkodër, from the killings of the people; the deliberate political versions still claim that its tragic events should be considered closed with that. It aims to make it impossible ... The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Ruci, presented the deputies and the entire country with an account of several serious events that took place on 25 and 26 April in Shën Gjingj and Lezhë. Should we take the version he presented as true this time? If lies have been presented as truth—officially and openly—and when they are exposed, their authors neither withdraw nor feel ashamed, neither apologize nor engage in self-criticism, what assurance is there that the deceptions will not continue? Moreover, even Albanian television, or rather Albanian television, “did not have time” or the opportunity to film for two consecutive days the full record of Mr. Ruci’s account, the angry, vandalizing crowds, to identify the crowd or even its acts of vandalism as they were being committed. Albanian television now had every opportunity to give viewers all the truths ... [text cut off]. (Continued on page 2)

...which side’s view of the political figure of Ramiz Alia and his role in the processes of democratization in Albania.