— A message of hope, an outpouring of joy — The days are giving way to one another. But the echo of the enthusiastic cheers that welcomed the arrival in Tirana and throughout Albania of the US Secretary of State, James Baker, is not dying away. Will it ever die away? Will that wonderful impression created by James Baker’s welcome ever fade? Never before has Tirana, never before has Albania, welcomed a foreign statesman with such warmth. And what is more, this was the first time in the 47-year postwar history that Albanians, of their own free will, welcomed a great foreign statesman with bread, salt, and heartfelt warmth. All those cheers, all those lines of people from the airport to the center of Tirana, were at once an outpouring of joy and gratitude toward America, the West, the free world, which did not abandon us in the oppression and isolation imposed on Albania by the communists. The Albanian people, by welcoming James Baker, expressed their hope that the West, that America, would not let Albania sink into an abyss; would not let Albanians lose their dignity and pride. Albanians do not want alms. What they seek is a friendly push, support in these difficult times, so that they can get back on their feet and move forward just like all other peoples. America was the one that extended a hand to Europe, devastated after the Second World War. With the Marshall Plan, with the billions of dollars it gave, and with the work of Europeans, it helped Europe get back on its feet. By helping strengthen free states such as Germany, France, Italy, etc., America was not afraid of competition either. Today, the Albanian people have placed great hope in this America, believing that they will find help during these difficult days. Our people hope in A- In the free world of private enterprise, providing investment and assistance requires assurances from the investor and the provider that the money will go into an environment capable of producing much more and generating profits both for the local people and for the investor. Our people will do this, and they must. James Baker’s arrival and the magnificent welcome he received in Albania were also powerful support for the democratic process in Albania and for the Democratic Party, which, without exaggeration, has borne the main burden in this difficult transition from a one-party system to pluralism. Baker’s arrival followed a series of historic events for Albania. Within a few days, Albania was officially admitted to European security organizations; it established diplomatic relations with the European Common Market and welcomed the foreign ministers of Italy and Germany to Tirana. The meeting between Dr. Sali Berisha and Chancellor Helmut Kohl, today’s meeting in Corfu between the foreign ministers of Greece and Albania, and, above all, the possibility that the esteemed President of the US, George Bush, may come to Tirana! It is clear to everyone that behind all these developments—unimaginable under the one-party regime—stands the decisive hand of the Democratic Party of Albania, the struggle for freedom and justice waged by the Democratic Party— feelings of friendship and the love of Albanians for your great country, for the United States as a symbol of freedom and democracy. I also thanked Mr. Baker, the Government, Congress, and American institutions for the great assistance they have provided to democratic developments in Albania. All of this, and especially our visits to the US, has had a major encouraging effect on all democratic forces. Therefore, I would like, I told him once again in your presence, to thank all those members of Congress, senators, senior officials of the United States, your State Department, and other American institutions for the warm welcome they gave us. In this conversation I stressed to Mr. Baker that we did not begin our path toward democracy in order to form parties or engage in politics; we embarked on this path simply as citizens, as intellectuals, to do our duty toward ourselves, our country, and our people. What drew us into politics was the people’s democratic will, desire, and aspirations to deepen and continue the reforms, the efforts for a determined— for the West received were also powerful support for the democratic processes continue the reforms, the efforts for a determined—

— Interview with Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha about his meeting with Mr. James Baker — What can you tell us about the meeting you had with Mr. Baker? — The meeting with Mr. Baker was open, warm, and friendly. At the outset, we thanked him for coming, assuring him that his visit would remain a unique and historic one for Albania and for relations between Albania and the US. As I told Mr. Baker, I am delighted by the welcome the people of Tirana gave him, and we hope he will receive a fitting welcome for his words; the occasion gives us the opportunity to say that the restrictions we have experienced under the regime, Stalinism, and the rule of the US have not touched at all the democratic developments or Albanians’ love they have given reforms, the efforts for a determination They have faith in the freedom-loving and democratic spirit of the Albanian people. The magnificent welcome given to James Baker in Tirana was an expression of this freedom-loving and democratic spirit. Let the visit of this distinguished American figure, his wise words, and the entire supportive stance of the West and America toward democratic processes in Albania serve as a call to all our people to roll up their sleeves and work to improve Albania, first and foremost, ourselves. In this way we will also enjoy the support and funding of America and the whole West. Enough of this shameful exodus! Enough of the unforgivable mistreatment inflicted on Albanians in some supposedly civilized European country! Enough of the exploitation of Albanians, inside and outside Albania, as free labor slaves! Enough of disorder and acts of vandalism! We will build Albania here with Albanian hands and minds, but also with the help, funding, and even advice of America and of Europe’s friendly countries. With this hope, this promise, this pledge, we say to America, we say to James Baker: may you always come with goodwill and an open heart. ...the establishment of democracy in Albania. External factors played a very important role in this process; I would mention two of them as the most significant: Helsinki, its spirit and principles, which stirred and awakened in Albanians great democratic feelings and aspirations, and guided them onto the path of democracy. The coming to power of Mikhail Gorbachev also played a special role, because although Albania broke away from the Soviet Union back in the 1960s, Lenin and Stalin remained more powerful in Albania than in any other country in Eastern Europe. Instead of ties with the Western world, the Albanian leadership chose isolation at that time and turned Albania into a country of self-isolation and self-neglect. — Was our great friend, Mr. Baker, interested in learning, as far as time allowed, about the character and role of the Democratic Party as the main opposition force in Albania? — We founded the Democratic Party relying primarily on the Helsinki Acts. The party’s program fully reflects the Helsinki Acts in the fields of human rights, economic reform, the rule of law, and so on. From its founding, the Democratic Party has had two main goals: developing and establishing democracy, and preventing bloodshed. It took part in the March 31 elections not because the campaign was free or fair, but solely to prevent bloodshed, which the Stalinist forces greatly desired. After several months of determined struggle, the Democratic Party succeeded in completely dismantling the communist system, but now we are facing its remnants, which are toxic and still pose a particular danger. — In your discussions, what place did economic problems and their solutions take, as well as other problems, such as those of a social, political, or administrative nature? — Our economy is on the verge of a genuine collapse. We still have social and political problems to solve. The totalitarian system destroyed the economy and created hordes of parasites and idlers, along with a decline in people’s mental capacity. We therefore urgently need intellectual and technical assistance. The path by which Albania can transition to a democratic capitalist society is unknown to us. We are not asking for alms, but we would like help, assistance, and cooperation with the United States. We need humanitarian aid, medicines, and food, but we also need low-interest loans and economic cooperation, and I hope the United States will help us overcome these difficulties. On the political front, establishing democracy in Albania requires, as an indispensable condition, I stressed in my discussion, a general amnesty and the full economic, social, and political rehabilitation of all those who were convicted from 1944 to the present for lack of freedom of conscience. They are now living in very difficult conditions. Without their rehabilitation, Albania cannot have a truly democratic system. Another issue is the political police, the State Security service, which has committed heinous crimes in the history of this people. This organization must be dissolved and rebuilt from scratch, as the People’s Assembly has unanimously decided. Without these reforms, Albanians will not be able to sleep peacefully. — Was the situation of Albanians in Yugoslavia discussed? At this meeting I stressed to Mr. Baker that, despite the sorrow we are experiencing, we are all deeply concerned about the tragic situation of our brothers in Kosovo and of other Albanians in Yugoslavia. They are now being subjected to the brutal oppression of the dictator Milošević, who represents a Stalinist-type Saddam. Serbia is currently planning to partition Albanian lands in Yugoslavia. We cannot accept our brothers in Kosovo being classified as a minority, in flagrant contradiction of all the criteria of the United Nations. At the same time, we reject the partition of Kosovo and call on the United States to help our brothers enjoy all the rights and freedoms guaranteed to them by the Helsinki Charter. Albanians in Kosovo are, and must remain, an equal constituent part of the future confederal state or association of states of Yugoslavia. I believe that nothing can be resolved without their agreement. We are not seeking to move borders, but to make them permeable— that is, to allow the free movement of people, goods, and ideas. These rights are fully enshrined in the Helsinki Charter. In closing, I asked Mr. Baker to convey my warm regards to President George Bush, as well as the Albanian opposition’s invitation for him to visit Albania at a time he considers appropriate. — What were Mr. Baker’s impressions of his visit to Albania, and his thoughts on the development of democracy and our country’s economy? — In his remarks, Mr. Baker thanked the people of Tirana for the exceptionally warm welcome they gave him. He said this demonstrated the people’s feelings for freedom and democracy, and the friendly feelings they held toward the United States. Among other things, Mr. Baker stressed that he was very pleased with the opposition’s achievements in Albania; the changes that had been achieved were unimaginable, he said. A year and a half ago, I thought we were in a similar meeting with the Bulgarian opposition, and it seemed as if nothing was stirring in Albania. But today you have taken very great steps toward freedom and democracy. The United States has followed developments in Albania with great interest and strongly supports them. Mr. Baker stressed that in the future it was essential for the Albanian opposition to close ranks and go united into the next elections. It must not accept that there be prisoners of conscience in Albania, nor that the media be under the control of a single party. “We,” Mr. Baker said, “want to help the democratic forces in Albania. Naturally, this depends on Albania itself, on how it continues and proceeds along the path of reform.” In his remarks, the Secretary of State emphasized that democratic reforms and shock therapy were essential, but very difficult; therefore, you must explain to people that they should be patient, because although these measures are painful, there is no way out of the economic crisis without implementing them. “You will have to endure things at first,” he stressed, “for a short time, but you will benefit not only economically, but in many, many other ways as well. We will help you in this process.”

Wednesday: 26 June 1991 1st year of publication Price: 1 lek Published every Wednesday and Saturday Tirana No. 42

IN THIS PARLIAMENT DR. SALI BERISHA INVITED ME TO VISIT ALBANIA AND I CAME AS SOON AS I COULD. JAMES BAKER