The activity of the democrats of the Gjirokastër district has continued. Xhevdet Beqiri and Sali Shehu, activists of the Democratic Party, accompanied by its candidate for deputy Dr. Prof. Sali Berisha, organized a warm meeting with the residents of the “18 Shtatori” neighborhood. Thousands and thousands of residents of this neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods had gathered to greet Professor Berisha. On behalf of the Democratic Party, Mr. Xhevdet Beqiri pledged that the PD will strive with all its forces for a better life for the people. Professor Sali Berisha then spoke about the need for profound democratic changes, for emerging from the economic crisis, and for the PD’s determination to defend civil freedoms. He was greeted with prolonged applause. The residents expressed their belief that the Democratic Party would fulfill its promises. At the end, the meeting closed with calls in support of the PD and its candidate.

The real purpose is not simply, just to pass the time, political polemics for the sake of enjoyment, but beyond that it is the issue of the country’s great responsibilities. No one can deny that the inexorable link of 2-PDSSHP (?) with Stalin and, ultimately, with our own “stalinveri,” stands. This is because all of them firmly affirm that, especially for today’s time, it cannot be a coincidence that the most powerful and most influential man in the Albanian communist regime, during its 46 years of rule, was Enver Hoxha. His Stalin-like counterpart, through his experience, methods, inventions, experiments, schemes, improvisations and applications, shaped the face of the Albanian communist regime. This people had made many efforts and sacrifices to win freedom, but other efforts and sacrifices were made to plunge the country into a ferocious dictatorship. It is impossible to separate the blame of the regime from the figure of Enver Hoxha. In the moral and political sense, he represented the system. If there are still attempts today to rescue his figure, they are a way to justify the dictatorship and to divert attention from its crimes. That is why the debate over Enver Hoxha is not a personal issue, but a national, moral and political one. The Albanian people have the right to know the truth and not to be deceived any longer by myths and legends. Only by breaking decisively with the totalitarian past can a democratic future be built. TODOR KIKO

1) To deny this, even irresponsibility, did not happen to me, but not in the name of an act of care. 2) Within the framework of the powers of the President of the Republic, with sound judgment, Alia could have asked the government for accountability regarding the country’s economic situation. 3) On the occasion of 9 July, the historic day of the Albanian people and of the victory of democracy, the president of the republic should have addressed the nation with a word of reconciliation and not with statements that leave room for misunderstandings. 4) The opposition cannot remain silent in the face of positions that distort the truth and damage the people’s memory. 5) The president must stand above the parties and not be the spokesperson of a failed party. 6) Albania needs credible institutions, not figures who hold the democratic transition hostage. 7) That is why citizens are demanding real change and political responsibility. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, at the meeting organized by the residents of the neighborhood in the town of Prrenjas, there was extensive discussion of the absurd actions of the local authorities during the events of 2 July. The residents denounced the way pressure had been exerted and how a large part of the population had been treated in a humiliating manner. It was said that the local administration had shown incompetence and arrogance. The speakers called for the events to be investigated to the end and for those responsible to be brought before the law. The meeting took place in a tense but civil atmosphere. (Continued on page 7)

Information: Given the Albanian external debt, which amounts to over 2,400 million dollars, the new government must clarify the whole truth, as well as what was done with this money. It must explain the fund allocated by KOEE for the people’s bread consumption over the 6 years, as well as the foreign food “aid” for Albania. Is this debt justified? Who has eaten up the billion-dollar appetites? These and other questions are answered in the article by the Italian journalist Giancarlo Albanese, which we will continue in the next issue.

KURT VELLEJA IN HAND. (Commentary by Artur Kola) Laughter... and a bitter laugh. Laughter because in these troubled days, someone finds time to produce humor. Laughter because 208 thousand tons of meat and milk, promises, accounts, figures and plans remind us of an old propaganda. But the laughter remains bitter when one remembers that Albanians are still waiting for their daily bread. For this reason, satire is not only mockery, but a way to show the absurdity of the times. (Continued on page 7)