On 8.3.1990, in the meeting hall of the Executive Committee of Tirana, near the Palace of Culture, an active meeting was held of the three branches of production: trade, crafts and services in Tirana. The era of PBDNJ has ended and entrepreneurship has taken its place. Or, more precisely, business people were born without even knowing it. The event organized to hear F. Shehu speak about the problems of the free market in Albania caused quite a stir in Tirana's business circles. According to reports, F. Shehu was to explain and clarify the problems and paths for creating a free market with a socialist orientation. There were 40 people left without seats in the hall; there were not enough chairs for everyone. Those who had come were convinced they would hear interesting things. From the outset it was clear that people expected a great deal. F. Shehu spoke at length about the development of market economies, private enterprise, its role and necessity in the national economy, and the possibility of privatizing some small enterprises, but nothing concrete. He also said there was a draft decision allowing free trades, which would soon be implemented. But everything remained within a general framework. At the end of the meeting, questions began one after another. Merchants wanted to know about taxes, insurance, relations with the state, rents, licenses, imports, and especially gold. That is exactly where the mystery arose. At the time it was said that gold had been given the green light, that it could circulate freely, that it could be bought and sold, but there was no clear rule. Strange stories spread about quick profits and about people getting rich through currency exchange. In Tirana, foreign-exchange dealers, gold traders and currency traders began to appear openly. At first there were few of them, but as the days passed they multiplied. The black market for currency and gold began to take shape before the citizens' eyes. Some people saw it as a sign of liberalization, others as a sign of anarchy. The state wavered between silence and intervention. In this whirlpool, currency exchange emerged as one of the keys to understanding the mystery of gold. Who brought in the gold? Who bought it? Where was it stored? How did it circulate? Was there any state structure controlling it? Or was everything left to the black market and shadowy connections? Answers were lacking. What could be seen was only the surface: small shops, people with bags, watchful eyes, and money changing hands. If we return today to that meeting, it looks like a small scene in a major change. There, expectation, ignorance, the courage to start something new, and the absence of rules all appeared at once. And precisely in that void, currency exchange was born as one of the clues to the mystery of gold.

On the same day, in the premises of the Democratic Party's electoral штаff, a meeting was held between Dr. Sali Berisha and Academician Rexhep Qosja. The discussion focused on political developments in Albania and Kosovo, the need to coordinate democratic positions, and the importance of the moments the Albanian nation was going through. The two interlocutors dwelt on the severe political, economic and social situation and on the necessity of democratic changes. It was emphasized that the upcoming elections represented a decisive test for the country's future and that democratic forces had to enter them with responsibility, wisdom and determination. The discussion also touched on Kosovo and the rights of Albanians in the former Yugoslavia. Academician Rexhep Qosja stressed the importance of national unity and of moral and political support for Albanians outside Albania's borders. Dr. Berisha pointed out that the Democratic Party would remain committed to defending national and human rights. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect. It was expressed that contacts and consultations among personalities and democratic forces would better serve the solution of the problems of the time.

PS preachings - ANTI-DEMOCRATIC, POLITICALLY SUPPRESSED AS MANY “ARGUMENTS” - ? The history of the organization of assemblies by the PS branches in the districts, with their conferences and rallies, continues with the same repertoire. What stands out is the use of a vocabulary filled with accusations, labels and insinuations against political opponents. Instead of presenting a clear program, propaganda slogans, catchphrases and arguments are heard that fail to convince. In many cases, according to participants' testimonies, the gatherings have had a more demonstrative than persuasive character. Old formulations have been repeated at the podium, ones the public already knows well. Instead of answers to daily problems, to the economic crisis, to supply, to public order and to the elections, worn-out schemes are offered. PS seems to continue relying on its organizational apparatus and on the ability to mobilize crowds, but not on argument. This is also why its preachings sound politically suppressed as many “arguments.” At a time when the country needs clarity, moderation and solutions, harsh and contentless propaganda cannot take the place of democratic debate. (Continued on page 4) Chronicle, p. 4[?]

PS preachings The hostile attitudes are not limited to the assemblies of the PS branches, but also appear in the positions and public statements of its leaders. These show not only strong polemical rhetoric, but also a kind of insistence on preserving old political methods. If monism was once criticized, today in their language the same exclusionary tones often reappear toward different opinions. This is clearly seen in the way opponents are treated: with slander, labels, moral threats and attempts to portray them as enemies of the people. Such a spirit has nothing to do with pluralism. It weakens political culture and moves the debate away from the real problems troubling citizens. Concrete alternatives are missing for the economy, for reform, for administration and for public order. In their place, alarm scenarios and dramatic tones appear, as if every democratic development were a danger to the country. This is a consequence of the old mindset, which sees pluralism as a threat rather than an opportunity. The antidemocratic consequence is also visible in the relation to the press, organizations and critical voices. Whenever a different opinion appears, it is attacked nervously. Here precisely the emptiness of the argument and the refusal of dialogue come to light. (Continued on page 4) Cartoon. (Continued on page 4)

On Monday evening, 10.2.1992, at 8:15 p.m., the Albanian-language television program of TV Beograd was broadcast. From the program, a letter by Z. Magjupit[?], relayed by Voice of America, was excerpted and presented. In written form, this letter was addressed to public opinion and dealt with issues of interest to Albanians. Its content, according to the television presentation, concerned the situation of Albanians and the need not to remain silent in the face of injustice. The letter conveyed concern, but also a call to awareness. It deserves more than a quick quotation or a formal broadcast; it deserves full reading and serious attention. That is why we are singling it out. In times like these, when public speech carries weight, every such testimony helps shed light on the truth. Instead of moving past it quickly, the media and institutions should deal more deeply with its content and the consequences it raises.

Every day in the newspaper “ZP” two phenomena have been strongly underlined that from our side deserve special attention and concern. First, the country is going through an extremely difficult economic and social period; second, in the election climate efforts are increasing to distort the debate and divert attention from the fundamental issues. “ZP” presents the situation as if responsibility were one-sided, but Albanian reality is more complex. There are inherited consequences from yesterday's system, there are difficulties of transition, and there are also mistakes by today's political forces. To deny one or the other means to evade the truth. The Albanian people are waiting for concrete answers: how will supply be improved, how will prices be controlled, how will order be guaranteed, and how will national interests be protected? Dry polemics are not enough. What is needed is clarity and responsibility. In this sense, the concern of “ZP” may be understandable, but it cannot replace Albanian reality. This reality is harsh, complicated and requires more honesty in the way it is handled. (Continued on page 2)

On 11 February 1992 in the hall of ISTN in Tirana, the Federation of Independent Education Trade Unions held a meeting with teachers and education leaders from Tirana, in which Mr. Azem Hajdari took part. The opening speech was delivered by Professor Mr. Skënder Gjinushi[?], who spoke about the state of education and the difficulties the country has gone through in these years. The discussion that followed concerned the role of the school and the teacher in the conditions of pluralism, as well as textbooks, curricula and the status of the teacher. Mr. Azem Hajdari stressed that the Democratic Party considers education a top-priority field and that without its revival there can be no real change in Albania. He also dwelt on the importance of organizing teachers and of their active involvement in the democratic life of the country. The meeting took place in an open atmosphere and the participants expressed support for the demands of education and for the need for deep reforms. (Continued on page 2)

ENGLISH Rilindja Demokratike. Daily political-social newspaper. No. 97. Wednesday, 12 February 1992. Year II of publication. Price 1 lek. 8 pages. CURRENCY EXCHANGE: One of the clues to the mystery of gold. The article describes a 1990 meeting in Tirana on the free market and links the phenomenon of currency exchange and gold to the lack of clear rules in the transition period. MEETING OF PD CHAIRMAN SALI BERISHA WITH ACADEMICIAN REXHEP QOSJA. A meeting was held at the Democratic Party electoral headquarters between Sali Berisha and Rexhep Qosja on political developments in Albania and Kosovo. Chronicle-chronicle. PS preachings. The text criticizes the Socialist Party for using propaganda and accusations instead of arguments and concrete solutions. Antidemocratic consequence. PS preachings. The article argues that the PS maintains exclusionary language and old methods incompatible with pluralism. A letter that deserves more. The article comments on a letter broadcast in the Albanian-language program of TV Beograd and relayed by Voice of America. The concern of “ZP”, and Albanian reality. The text notes that the concerns expressed by “ZP” do not fully capture the complexity of Albanian reality. PD activity. A meeting in Tirana with teachers and education representatives is reported, with the participation of Azem Hajdari. ITALIANO Rilindja Demokratike. Quotidiano politico-sociale. N. 97. Mercoledì, 12 febbraio 1992. II anno di pubblicazione. Prezzo 1 lek. 8 pagine. CAMBIZMI: Uno degli indizi per l’enigma dell’oro. L’articolo descrive un incontro del 1990 a Tirana sul mercato libero e collega il fenomeno del cambio e dell’oro alla mancanza di regole chiare nel periodo di transizione. INCONTRO DEL PRESIDENTE DEL PD SALI BERISHA CON L’ACCADEMICO REXHEP QOSJA. Nella sede elettorale del Partito Democratico si è svolto un incontro tra Sali Berisha e Rexhep Qosja sulle vicende politiche in Albania e Kosovo. Cronaca-cronaca. Prediche del PS. Il testo critica il Partito Socialista per l’uso di propaganda e accuse invece di argomenti e soluzioni concrete. Conseguenza antidemocratica. Prediche del PS. L’articolo sostiene che il PS mantenga un linguaggio escludente e metodi vecchi incompatibili con il pluralismo. Una lettera che merita di più. Si commenta una lettera trasmessa nel programma in lingua albanese di TV Beograd e rilanciata da Voice of America. La preoccupazione di “ZP”, e la realtà albanese. Il testo osserva che le preoccupazioni espresse da “ZP” non colgono pienamente la complessità della realtà albanese. Attività del PD. Si riferisce di un incontro a Tirana con insegnanti e rappresentanti dell’istruzione, con la partecipazione di Azem Hajdari.