Both in the report delivered by Mr. Sali Berisha and in the discussions at the First Congress of the DP, the issue of attracting as many intellectual forces as possible into the ranks of the DP was addressed. This task was forcefully set out from the very creation of our party. And it is a fact that many intellectuals, responding to the call of the times and to their own voices, joined the students who founded the DP and later became DP members in its sections, making a valuable contribution to strengthening and raising the quality of their work. Some of them, among the most prominent, make up the DP parliamentary group; others have been elected to head branches and sections, pluralist committees, or government departments. Nevertheless, the number and pace at which intellectuals have so far joined our party are unsatisfactory, because they should constitute one of its strongest pillars. Here we emphasize that we in no way deny or underestimate the role and the large share of workers, peasants, and young students, who are and will continue to be part of it. Attracting as many high-calibre intellectual forces as possible into our party is first and foremost the responsibility of the branches and sections. They are expected to work in a more organized and effective way, creating a welcoming climate and unlimited space for them. In this regard, we must seek to avoid generalization, formalism, campaign-style efforts, or complacency with fictitious figures. Should, for example, the leaders of the Tirana DP branch be satisfied with the figure of 15 percent intellectuals among its members? Compared with many other branches, this is a good percentage, but given the greater concentration of intellectuals in the capital, the figure is low. On the other hand, studies are needed to determine which categories of intellectuals have joined in greater numbers, which in smaller numbers, and which very few or not at all. This will make it possible to understand the situation in greater detail and to draw up a detailed plan of objectives and future work. The success of our work with intellectuals will also be determined by the people who work with them. An established intellectual listens with respect and interest to a DP member or activist who is Some consider neutrality or the middle ground the safest course in this murky situation. Others are troubled by the thought that, since they hesitated in December or during the first months, it is now too late and the DP no longer needs them. Still others think that by plunging into the political whirlpool we will lose more than we gain. Some are waiting for us to tell them and invite them several times. But they are all mistaken. Today, when rooting out communism and fully establishing genuine democracy are matters of vital importance, those who stand aside, willingly or unwillingly, serve to preserve the past: communism, Enverian one-party dictatorship, and its known and hidden evils. It is not too late—not now, not in a month, nor in a year—to join the ranks of the democratic movement. But it is worth making sacrifices for such great ideals as the complete victory of democracy, the eradica- We call for intellectuals to make up a larger percentage of the DP membership, with the aim of putting their powerful intellectual potential—trampled upon, persecuted, and severely censored for 46 years by the PP and its dictatorship—fully at the service of our program and the processes of democratization. We put this forward as a necessity in view of the great challenges of today and the future, which we must successfully confront: the intensification of the struggle by the coalition of crypto-communists and other reactionary forces against the DP and democracy in general, as well as the implementation of our program under entirely possible conditions in which we take power. As a program of a high scientific standard, coherent and long-term, which achieves the country’s recovery and rapid integration into the structures of European and world economic organizations, it requires the massive and active mobilization of all the intellectual forces of the party and the country as a whole, regardless of their party affiliation, and based instead on their intellectual ability, conscience, and dedication to their duty and homeland. For these reasons, it is essential that intellectuals in the ranks of our party… [text as printed: the sentence is incomplete/garbled] The current number is underestimate the role of the workers, peasants, and young students, who also have—and will continue to have—the doors of our party fully open to them. It would be ideal if everyone valued things this way. But the truth is that many intellectuals still hesitate, showing indifference and distrust, even though by nature they are democrats and anti-communists. It seems they are struggling with their conscience: should they or should they not emerge from the 46-year narrow confines of apoliticism? or activist who is also a well-known intellectual, with a reputation and deep-standing democratic convictions. Otherwise, he feels insulted because he does not trust a pseudo-intellectual or a micro-democrat. We cannot expect intellectuals to follow behind us very quickly after a meeting and a conversation with them. We can and must keep them close by asking for their views and involvement even when they have not yet joined our ranks, organizing consultations or meetings where we can gather their opinions on the major issues that concern us: reforms in politics and the economy, new elections, the renewal of government departments, rewriting our history, the future of our culture, literature, and arts, etc. In this way, they draw closer; we convince them of our party’s sincerity and great strength, until one day they join our party, seeing it as an honor and a duty. The democracy that we have built and sought for 47 years needs everyone, just as we need it. It is at our doorstep. It is knocking. Let us open the door to it with conviction and with all our hearts.

- INTERVIEW WITH dr. IDRIZ BASHA, CHAIRMAN OF THE «FREE ALBANIAN» ASSOCIATION IN EUROPE - Question: Is the emigration community prepared for this new policy now unfolding in Albania? Answer: No, Albanian emigrants are not prepared. The political project of this emigration is outdated. Our policy has identified everything and everyone with Albania, while leaving aside the exposure of the communist dictatorship. But through its representatives in Europe, this dictatorship has waged a systematic campaign against us, calling us, as I said above, traitors, and has made a particular effort to separate the Kosovars from us. The communist politicians have always told them: do not associate with Albanian political emigrants, because they are traitors, reactionaries, spies—thus preventing relations with the Albanians of Kosovo. And this divisive policy still has repercussions today. Under these circumstances, our association’s struggle has been difficult. We have worked, and continue to work, to gather as many Albanians as possible who aspire to democracy in Albania. Before coming here, I met Mr. Gramoz Pashko in Brussels. As he introduced me to the ministers accompanying him, he jokingly told them that this was Idriz Basha, a fascist in Brussels, who had committed many crimes against our people’s power, organized many demonstrations, written articles and made statements, and for all this would one day be brought before the people’s court. His joke would not have been a joke if… Today the situation has changed considerably. Mr. Petraq Pojani, Albania’s ambassador to the European Community in Brussels, has changed too. I was also an enemy of Albania in his eyes, but no longer am. One day he met me and said: «Mr. Basha, we need your help, your advice.» I could not accept this invitation from him. Albania’s policy is indeed changing. But the same people cannot carry out this new policy. Europe knows who Petraq Pojani is. Could they not find another diplomat who was not involved with Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship? I do not… And the Socialist Party also has many people with the knowledge and ability to deserve engagement in the people’s struggle for democracy and to deserve a place in the leadership of the new state. Together with them, a competent government can be formed, but we must move away from the condemnations of the past and the climate of confrontation in all its forms, and avoid demagogic positions. The people must be made to understand that they must be patient a little longer, that the conditions for internal cooperation among all forces working for their good must be created, including the conditions for cooperation with Europe; things do not happen in a day. But our goals can be achieved sooner if Europe believes that Albania has truly turned toward democracy and will not turn back from this path. Question: How do you view the opposition’s participation in the Government of Stability? Has it served its policy? Answer: This participation has benefited the Socialist Party. Had the opposition not joined this government and it remained a communist government, there would have been silent destabilization in Albania. But this opposition had a duty to demand profound and immediate changes in foreign and economic policy. The opposition’s participation in the Government of Stability should have been accepted on this condition. But economic and social circumstances compelled the opposition to give up its right to direct the policy of this government. Since this coalition was accepted, the opposition parties should help their ministers carry out their duties so that their participation in government succeeds, because that would be a success for everyone. The decision to bring the elections forward does not seem appropriate to me. I do not believe the political balance in Parliament will change much after these elections, so this government should be allowed to work. In the circum- Question: Did you believe that one day you would return to your homeland? Answer: The desire to return to my homeland has always been with me. I am Albanian, I was born Albanian, I grew up Albanian, and I will die Albanian. Our emigration lasted a long time, but we never lost hope that one day this would come. The Helsinki Conference in 1975 revived our hopes, but they soon faded after the position taken by the Albanian government toward this conference, whose decisions were accepted and signed 16 years later. We have always been called enemies of Albania because, in the communists’ view, anyone who was not a communist was a traitor, was sold out. This is how all Albanians who left Albania have been viewed, and our association as well. When I learned about the democratic movement in Albania, I was deeply moved; my whole body trembled, because I had been waiting for this day for so many years. Question: Perhaps you have sensed that there is a spirit of political reckoning not only with the past, but also with those individuals who served the former regime enthusiastically or otherwise. Is this right, and what do you think about it? Answer: Everyone, regardless of their views and convictions, served the regime because they had to live and support their families; otherwise, they would have been left without work, and things would have gone even worse for them. So this was a forced position. But I am convinced that not only among the opposition, but among others too, there were people who [text unclear]. is indeed changing. But the same people cannot make this new policy. Europe knows who Petraq Pojani is. Why could another diplomat, unconnected with Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship, not be found? It would not be without value for someone from among us, who enjoys a reputation in Europe’s diplomatic circles, to play this role too. This would further increase Albania’s credibility. Question: Do you intend to involve members of your diaspora organization in our country’s political life, and how do you think this could be achieved? Answer: I am one of the most politically engaged people in the diaspora. My friends in the nationalist opposition entrusted me with this commitment, and I represented them in the political activities of this opposition. The political amnesty gives us the right to engage in the service of the Homeland, but how this will be done depends on the officials. I did not come with any particular idea in this regard, but I am ready to place myself at the service of the Homeland, just as I have done while away from it. But what I have done so far is not enough. My political asylum up to now has no purpose. Nevertheless, I have a dream, which may become reality. Doctor Idriz Basha is a prominent figure in the Albanian diaspora in Europe. Today he is chairman of the «Free Albanian» association, based in Brussels (Belgium). Founded 13 years ago, the association brings together many Albanians who left their homeland at different times because their views differed from those of the dictatorship in power. Mr. Idriz Basha, born in the village of Novosej in Kukës, left Albania with his family in 1949, at the age of 10. He completed his university studies in psychoanalysis at Leuven University in Belgium and specialized in this field at other universities, including in France, the Netherlands, and the USA. He earned a doctorate, but calls Albanian identity his profession. At the invitation of the DP, he took part in the party’s First National Congress these days, and his speech attracted the participants’ attention.

The day before yesterday at 10 o’clock, in the hall of the «Writers’ Union», the Steering Committee of the Journalists’ Association of Albania organized a meeting with representatives of all press outlets affiliated with the organization. The day before yesterday at 10 o’clock, in the hall of the «Writers’ Union», the Steering Committee of the Journalists’ Association of Albania organized a meeting with representatives of all press outlets affiliated with the organization, as well as other guests. The meeting was held to discuss the draft press law submitted to Parliament, which at last, apart from its drafters, the journalists were able to read. All those present disagreed with the version of the draft law presented and rejected it. Many spoke, including about the provision of criminal penalties for journalists who use quoted writing. The meeting also discussed the version of the draft law prepared by the press organizations, which we won with such difficulty. The meeting’s general conclusion was that the drafters had conceived the bill in such a way that the state would have absolute control over the press, just as the monist state and the party-state had for 46 years. Participants unanimously decided to declare this draft law unacceptable and called for another to be drafted, clearly defining the status of journalists so that they are protected and can best serve the public by informing it of the truth. A group of journalists was appointed to draft it; they will consult qualified lawyers and other experienced journalists from all press and radio-television organizations.

These days, Prof. dr. Sali Berisha, General Chairman of the leadership of the PDSH, is in Great Britain, where he has held meetings with British leaders. During his stay at the 108th conference of the English Conservative Party, Prof. dr. Sali Berisha met the party leader and Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr. John Major. He also had a meeting at the «Imperial» Hotel with Mrs. Margaret Thatcher and a 40-minute meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Douglas Hurd. • «RD» correspondent

On Tuesday, 8 October, in the lecture hall of the National Museum, the DP Youth Forum held its Second National Conference. The Forum convened for this conference to review its work to date and take concrete steps, particularly toward further clarifying its organizational structure. The carefully prepared agenda served this purpose, as did the conference’s entire program. The report was delivered by Mr. Ritvan Peshkëpia, a member of the working group’s drafting team. The report reviewed the Forum’s activities from the day it was founded. It highlighted the good work done so far to define the democratic character of this youth organization. The various activities have focused on further clarifying the role of this forum, greetings… (Continued on page 2)

We call for intellectuals to make up a larger percentage of the DP membership, with the aim of putting their powerful intellectual potential—trampled upon, persecuted, and severely censored for 46 years by the PP and its dictatorship—fully at the service of our program and the processes of democratization.

Question: Did you believe that one day you would return to your homeland?

In the previous issue we introduced you to the findings of a survey conducted by the DP’s Public Opinion Research Office among a group of 2,688 people of different professions, educational backgrounds, ages, and sexes, concerning the degree of confidence in the information TVSH provides to Albanian television viewers. We believe it is also of interest to learn the results of the opinion poll relating to the question above. The poll was conducted among 1,489 people in the districts of Sarandë, Përmet, Berat, Gramsh, Mat, and Lezhë. They represent different sections of the population and residents of villages and towns. Technical results of the poll WORKERS 37 514 51 PEASANTS 33 224 14 EMPLOYEES 56 307 64 PENSIONERS 4 36 6 UNEMPLOYED 8 109 16 TOTAL 138 1190 161 ANALYSIS OF THE FINDINGS: The table below shows that 9 percent of those questioned are «for» communism, about 80 percent are «against» it, and about 11 percent do not state their position clearly. We believe that this finding once again confirms the extent to which communism as an ideology is currently rejected by the overwhelming majority of the population. We believe the reasons for this situation are evident. Furthermore, 85 percent of the workers surveyed and 82 percent of the peasants included in the study declare themselves against communism. Even in these proportions, this fact clearly expresses a conclusion that has already been stated by most of the population. In the future, our office will present the public with findings on other aspects of today’s political and economic life. K.SH. PELLUMB KARAMETO Tirana, 10.10.1991