THE ROOT OF THE STALEMATE THE PRESIDENT, COMMUNISM The people wait and endure, but how long will they wait, how long will they endure? The people were told that in September their economic situation and the market would improve. The people are waiting to see the shops begin to fill up, but so far they have seen and felt little. The people are waiting to see the promised tourist hotels—slated to be built by this or that company—get underway; they are waiting to see some investment materialize, but once again they are able to see and touch very little. The people rejoiced at the report that was finally read in Parliament by Minister Genc Ruli. The people waited for the abusers and thieves to be brought before the organs of justice. The people were told that Manush Myftiu had been arrested; they waited for the arrest of the number-one abuser, Nexhmije Hoxha, and of the sanctimonious Sulejman Gradci, but so far there has been no sign of it. We do not want to put pressure on the organs of justice, but how long must these people wait to see the chief thieves answer to the law? How long must they wait for the reopening of the Shkodra trial, suspended with few signs that it will resume? The people are waiting for the president to explain why an official document, approved by the government and presented to Parliament, specifically accuses him of abuses and misappropriations amounting to millions. And the president, who finds time to give interviews and even accuse the opposition, cannot find the time [text continues outside the frame]. [Column beside the masthead] …source—the president, communism, the communist Parliament. The Democratic Party stands for law and order, indeed considers them paramount, but time shows that things can no longer continue this way. Everything is obstructed, everything is delayed. We cannot move forward with this communist-capitalist graft. We cannot move forward with this parliamentary composition, all the more so because everything indicates that today’s electorate is no longer the electorate of 31 March. The situation is entirely different even in those districts where the communists had established strongholds, such as Tepelenë, Përmet, Skrapar and others. The people’s disillusionment with communism, with the communist and Enverist deputies, is so profound that things cannot go on any further. The times highlight the necessity of new elections for Parliament and the president. Naturally, everything will be done within the law. Albania cannot remain poor and isolated even after this, without credibility in the world and without resolving the national question, solely because the communist monopoly over radio and television, and the intimidation instilled by communism over half a century—security for part of the electorate, especially in the countryside—caused you to make a mistake and vote for the Enverists, who chose as president Enver’s closest comrade, Ramiz Alia. How much longer will we pay for this mistake? The latest events in the Soviet Union strengthened our conviction even further, indeed throughout the democratic [text unclear/continues]. The Democratic Party acts democratically and calls on all its supporters and the entire people to distance themselves from these provocations that you are trying to concoct. Gentlemen in power, you are worried about today’s rally in Tirana and therefore want to discredit the Democratic Party and frighten those attending. But, gentlemen, you are badly mistaken if you think you will manage to deceive the people. Today’s rally, like all the Democratic Party’s rallies, will be peaceful, democratic and massive. It will be a rally for democracy. The people are waiting for the president to explain himself because, in parliament, he is specifically accused of abuses and misappropriations involving millions. And the president, who finds time to give numerous interviews, even to accuse the opposition, cannot find the time to account to the people—this is me. While the people are waiting for the president to confess, to answer for his actions, the president sets off to sign, in Albania’s name, the most humane and democratic documents known to mankind, those of Helsinki and Paris. Is that right? The people are waiting, then—but how long will they wait? It must be made clear that all this confusion, whether in the administration of justice or in the establishment and full observance of the law and order, has a— especially in the countryside; it made a mistake and gave its votes to Alia. How much longer will we go on paying for this mistake? The recent events in the Soviet Union further strengthened our conviction—and indeed that of the whole world—that no step forward can be taken without eradicating communism. This is what the Democratic Party demands. But, gentlemen of the Labor Party, the Democratic Party calls for the dismantling of communism, not for the extermination or attack of communists, as you are trying to spread far and wide. What is more, your agents and those of the Sigurimi have even prepared slogans today calling for the extermination of communists. No, gentlemen of the Labor Party, these are your provocations. The Democratic Party— its votes to Party— Labor Party, these are your provocations. The Democratic Party—

On Thursday, 12 September, at the «Qemal Stafa» National Stadium in the capital, the initiating committee of the Association of Political Prisoners of Albania organized a national assembly. Participants included former prisoners from Tirana and the surrounding area, their family members, and other citizens, members or supporters of the Also present were members of the Democratic Party’s steering committee, Azem Hajdari, Agron Çika and Leka Toto, and MP Abdi Baleta, among others. Mr. Allaman Hysa, chairman of the Tirana branch of the Association of Political Prisoners, gave the floor to Mr. Osman Kazazi, chairman of the association’s initiating committee, to open the assembly. Mr. Xhemal Alimehmeti delivered the address for the occasion. He also read the petition addressed to the President, Parliament, Government and all the people. The declaration sets out their entirely humane, civic, democratic and lawful demands. On behalf of the association’s branches in the districts, greetings were delivered by Hivzi Xhilaga, Viktor Martini, Spiro Ravoniku, Reshat Kripa, Uran Kosteci, Fatos Drara, Gjon Mark Ndodj, Gjon Perjaku, Hajdar Gjata, Sulejman Dibra and Ahmet Tuka. The petition, speeches and slogans shared a common demand: the eradication of communism, the complete victory of democracy, the rebuilding and flourishing of Albania, the final resolution of our national question, and the restoration to them of all the lawful rights stolen by the Enverist dictatorship. The assembly was also distinguished by its deeply democratic spirit. Its leitmotif was: “We do not want revenge, but a truly free, democratic Albania.” RD correspondent Photo: Dritan Kaba

On Thursday, 12 September, at the «Qemal Stafa» National Stadium in the capital, the initiating committee of the Association of Political Prisoners of Albania organized a national assembly. Photo: Dritan Kaba

On Thursday afternoon, in the square in front of the «Migjeni» Theatre, a peaceful public rally was held. On Thursday afternoon, in the square in front of the «Migjeni» Theatre, a peaceful public rally was held in support of the joint declarations of the three opposition parties, PD, PR, PSD. The opening speech was delivered by Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, chairman of the PD branch for the Shkodra district. Among other things, he said: “Communism has deep roots. This is best demonstrated by many of the positions taken by [text continues outside the frame]. Then Shkodra district, took the floor. is best demonstrated by [text continues outside the frame]. …of the Shkodra district. The four martyrs of democracy will not rest until those who gave the orders and the real killers behind the massacre of 2 April are found. On behalf of the PR, [text continues outside the frame].

These days, a delegation of the religious community from New York, headed by Dom Zef Mirdita, Secretary-General of the organization for human rights in Albania, paid a visit to the Cathedral in the city of Shkodra. During his stay in Shkodra, specifically at the Cathedral, Dom Zef Mirdita noted: “We Albanians living abroad love Albania and do not forget it.” After visiting the Cathedral, Dom Zef Mirdita and the people accompanying him left the city of Shkodra. TONIN ZEFI

From the conferences of the Democratic Party branches in the districts KAVAJË. On Monday, September 10, the first conference of the Democratic Party branch for this district was held in the large meeting hall of the nail-and-bolt factory in the city of Kavajë. KAVAJË On Monday, September 10, the first conference of the Democratic Party branch for this district was held in the large meeting hall of the nail-and-bolt factory in the city of Kavajë. It was no coincidence that the first assembly of this branch was held in this hall. There, on July 12 and 13, 1990, its democratic workers and specialists tore off the mask and left the former senior leaders of the PP, Pali Miska, Muho Asllani, Lenka Çuko, Hekuran Isaj, speechless, openly and courageously expressing their hatred and opposition to their hateful, oppressive order, its abuses, and its political and moral corruption. The conference was opened by veteran armorer Isuf Dobjani, a member of the steering committee of this branch. At his proposal, a minute of silence was observed for the martyr of democracy’s independence, the unforgettable son of Kavajë, Josif Budo. Then Mr. Luan Skuqi delivered the report, which offered a concrete analysis, with a critical and self-critical approach, of the branch’s bustling activities, its achievements, chall—

Interview with Deputy Minister of Agriculture doc. Koço Kote, given to the newspaper «R.D»’s contributor, Mr. Përparim Rama. Question: Recently, some concerns have arisen regarding the agricultural enterprises. Which are the main ones, and how do they affect their activities? In the proper conception and successful implementation of economic reform, agricultural enterprises also occupy a special place. They have 22 percent of agricultural land, provide 26 percent of total agricultural production, and conduct their activities mainly in such important areas as the production of vegetables, fruit, milk, eggs, meat, etc. In general, in recent years and especially during this year, amid the withdrawal of the mechanism with pluralism and economic stability, people have increasingly asserted—not so much on agronomic grounds—that agricultural enterprises are anarchic and without prospects, and even hinder the development of Albanian agriculture. In this context, and owing to the limited leadership capabilities of cadres and specialists, etc., these enterprises have become the targets of continual attacks by irresponsible people, who have gone so far as to destroy crops, steal and uproot plants, demolish buildings, and destroy produce and exchange facilities, to the detriment of the country’s interests. This has led to a difficult situation, in order to take over local power. Question: Some managers and specialists of the agricultural enterprises have suggested to your ministry ways to overcome the problems that have arisen. What are they, and what do you think of them? Answer: In certain cases, the opinion is expressed that the only way to save the enterprises from damage and destruction is to dissolve them immediately. This view currently runs counter to the land law recently approved by the People’s Assembly, according to which the agricultural land of the agricultural enterprises remains state property and is made available for use by legal and natural persons under the rules laid down by law. This view may be discussed at a later stage of—

The people are waiting for the president to explain himself because, in an official document approved by the government and presented to parliament, he is specifically accused of abuses and misappropriations involving millions.

TODAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1991, AT 18:00, THE GRAND FESTIVE RALLY “DEMOCRACY WILL WIN” WILL BE HELD IN “SKENDERBEJ” SQUARE—ORGANIZED BY THE ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

On Thursday afternoon, in the square in front of the «Migjeni» Theatre, a peaceful public rally was held in support of the joint declarations of the three opposition parties, PD, PR, PSD. PR, PSD. The address for the occasion was delivered by Mr. Xhemal Uruçi, secretary of the PD branch. He highlighted the tireless struggle of the PD, PR and PSD against communism and the Enverist dictatorship. Then Shkodra district, took the floor. is best demonstrated by the events of just a few days ago: the bombs thrown at the home of the chairman of the Shkodra PD and the gunfire at the home of the secretary of the PD for behalf of the PR, Mr. Xhevat Repishti offered greetings. Then the floor was given to Mr. Neki Lëzha, representative of the district’s PSD. (Continued on page 4)

STATEMENT OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY The Democratic Party, as the initiator of the privatization of agriculture, which is currently under way with the distribution of land, is following the developments of this reform with great concern. Through its activities in all the country’s districts, it is using every democratic method to ensure that this reform is carried out on time, and we are fully confident that it will be completed with as little damage as possible. The distribution of land today represents the most important historic moment for the country’s peasant and also for the country’s economic reform. Any delay, justification, or anomaly in the distribution of land will greatly delay the growth and future of the true democracy that is approaching. Assessing the unsettled situation in the countryside with particular concern, the DP notes that there is a total lack of interest in sowing among the peasants, so that they may begin normal production throughout the country. The Democratic Party therefore maintains that: 1 - The Government of Stability must intervene urgently on a large scale and give priority to resolving this matter so that the distribution of the agricul— 1 - the distribution of the agricul— (Continued on page 2)