No. 98 Saturday, 15 February 1992 Year II of publication Price 1 lek Published every Wednesday and Saturday GRAFINI: - I have come to see the new elections. The agreements for major assistance for the revival of Albanian transport will be signed after the elections, with the future democratic Government of Albania. But what are these capitalists, imperialists and revisionists of every stripe doing? All right, they may not have had time to leaf through Comrade Enver's works, but how could they not have read at least the newspaper «Zëri i popullit»? A short while ago Grafini came to Albania as a special envoy of the Italian foreign minister and asked the Democratic Party whether the sending of aid should continue, and requested its assistance in guaranteeing it! So, Mr. Grafini said clearly and unequivocally, «I am asking for the assistance of the Democratic Party and not the Socialist Party» (the «largest and most organized party in the country», as «Zëri i popullit» boasts). This statement by Mr. Grafini naturally drove the Albanian socialists mad, and they launched an attack through their television and newspaper. According to them, the friend from Italy had made a mistake by not asking the old masters of this country, the former communists, before making such statements. And as punishment for what he did— (Continued on page 2)

- STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, MR. SALI BERISHA, DELIVERED AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN TIRANA ON 14.2.1992 - The election campaign and the elections of 22 March are of decisive importance in the history of post-communist Albania. The opposition's victory will mark the country's definitive entry onto the path of democracy and progress. The future political course of Albania will be the same as that of democratic Europe. The DP is convinced that it will win these elections. But, as a party of understanding that seeks above all to establish democracy in Albania and sees taking power only as a means of achieving this goal, it considers it essential to establish a broad coalition with genuine opposition forces, in order to achieve a decisive and deserved victory for the opposition in the coming elections. The DP is convinced that this coalition is necessary not only to achieve this victory, but also to create the broadest and most democratic possible foundation for the new government to come. This coalition is also necessary because, in building future democratic institutions, we must choose the democratic and civic path: the path of tolerance, dialogue and logical analysis of the facts. People's hearts are won only with arguments. Preventing the expression of opinion and freedom of movement does no credit to this democracy and does not serve it. Propaganda must objectively explain to the electorate the situation we are in, and the opportunities and alternatives offered by the DP and the opposition, as distinct from the socialists and communists. We regret the insulting and hysterical tone adopted by the PS's propaganda and by statements from its leaders on various occasions, especially its party organ «ZP». The personal attacks, insults and abuse, distortion of facts, slander and lack of argumentation displayed there seek only to incite intolerance and worsen the political climate. The DP will firmly avoid these practices, but it calls on the opposition press, journalists, writers and all intellectuals to contribute through their writing to the development of a calm, dignified, free and unrestrained election campaign. It also calls on its political opponents to show restraint and wisdom. They will indeed lose this time, but Albania will win, and everyone will win. The DP is convinced that this coalition is essential government to come. This coalition is also essential because the establishment of future democratic institutions, the functioning of the rule-of-law state, the development of economic reforms—in other words, the building of a society based on free enterprise—undoubtedly require the talent, knowledge, energy, dedication, and brightest minds and most qualified forces in the country. For this purpose, the DP has decided: 1 - to put forward joint candidates in a number of electoral districts f

Throughout his time in power as dictator and super-emperor, Enver Hoxha «discovered» so many internal and external enemies that one can say without hesitation that, for ordinary Albanians and for wretched Albania, there was no other being in the world besides enemies or foes. With this psychosis he terrorized the thought and conscience of our people, isolated them from the world, plunging them into economic and social regression, and secured the rule of his red caste for nearly half a century. These days the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party, alias the Party of Labour, met in Tirana to discuss the planning and organization of the election campaign for the elections of deputies to the People's Assembly. At this meeting, in his opening remarks, Mr. Fatos Nano declared, among other things, that in the new elections the Socialist Party would present itself «as a party that defends the interests of the people and the nation against... enemies within and outside the country». Once again, the phantom of enemies has entered circulation—the enemy's skeletal figure holding the scythe of genocide, «class war»—just as not so long ago, when communist propaganda shouted and roared, «our votes, a bullet for the enemy». Mr. Nano wants to use the same fodder as his master. And there is nothing surprising in that. He has eaten not just a spoonful but whole cauldrons of the soup cooked at the Institute of Marxist-Leninist Studies under the care of the mother hen, Mrs. Hoxha. That is why he now spews, and will go on spewing all his life, Enverist bile. Mr. Nano claims that he and the entire party led by him, all of them like him, have been renewed and have become socialist. Can he say whether there is any other socialist party in Europe with the same mentality, the same language and the same vocabulary, seeking to retain power or come to power by cynically exploiting the internal or external enemy throughout its existence? As for socialists— At the entrance, Mr Fatos Nano, among other things, will say in the new elections: “The Socialist Party will the people and the nation against... enemies inside and outside the country.’” Once again, the specter of the enemy has reappeared, wielding the skeleton’s scythe of genocide, “class warfare”—much as in the not-so-distant past, when communist propaganda called out and shouted, to use the same fare as his master. And there is nothing surprising about that. He has swallowed not just one spoonful of the broth, but an entire cauldron of the concoction prepared spews—and will go on spewing all his life—the Enverist bile. (Continued on page 2)

(Interview with Mr. Agron Belishova, member of the DP National Council) «RD»: Mr. Agron, these days you visited the Mallakastër area together with several other gentlemen. What was the purpose of your meetings in these areas? A.B.: Together with veteran Sali Merkaj, the chairman of the DP branch in Ballsh, Maksim Bega, etc., we were in the villages (villages such as Visokë, Greshicë, Romës, Belishovë, etc.). Our purpose was to clarify for the residents of these areas the current situation in our country as well as its prospects. In these meetings, held as conversations, we emphasized aspects of the past, such as the human consequences of the class struggle and the great poverty, and, on the other hand, how the DP intends to organize the future life of the village and the city. «RD»: Can you tell us something concrete about the issues that were raised? A.B.: It is well known that land is the main issue for villagers. They know—and do not know—the new law. But they know that the PP has manipulated it as it pleased ... from time to time. The villagers also know that DP deputies did everything possible to get the land law approved. But they said that recently many slanders have been spread, claiming that the DP will give the land to livestock breeders and landlords. In this regard, we took concrete action. Ridvan Peshkëpia went to Visokë, where his family had land, while I went to Romës and Belishovë. There we explained concretely to the villagers that the land will belong to those who work it. Another issue was the attitude toward the National Liberation War. Veteran Sali Merkaj told the villagers that this war was fought to liberate Albania, for a better, free and democratic life, and not to establish that savage dictatorship. Back then we promised you a golden spoon, but today we have nothing with which to fill even a wooden spoon. The brother of the martyr Feride Begaj from Gorishtova said: «It is not we Democrats who trample on the blood of the martyrs. They fell for sacred ideals. It was E. Hoxha with his com-

- Renewal of the Albanian socialists — political chameleonism - - We do not recognize today's rulers of Albania - - You cannot go further with the communists - On Monday, 10 February, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, received at the Party headquarters the Italian senator Bernasola, vice-president of the Democratic International, which includes 74 parties from around the world. He was accompanied by a group of Italian entrepreneurs. Mr. Berisha thanked the Italian guests for their visit and expressed the aspiration that the Democratic Party be included in the European Democratic Union, considering all democratic forces to be much closer. Dr. Beri- ... an overview of the broad path of the Democratic Party. Finally, Mr. Berisha thanked the Democratic Party of Varese and the American Republican Institute for the assistance provided and expressed his conviction that they would win the coming elections. In his remarks, Senator Bernasola emphasized the continuing interest in lasting cooperation with Albania's new and genuine leaders. From now on, he said, we will provide assistance to Albania according to the requests of Albanians themselves, while fully respecting their sovereignty and freedom. In this way, we believe we will help build a democratic Albania. Our solidarity with the Democratic Party is complete. We do not recognize today's rulers, who hold power in Albania, because they have suffocated this people and are responsible for the obstruction that has been created. The forces that control Albania today represent a continuation of communism. We do not believe in their renewal. This is merely political chameleonism. You yourselves have found that one cannot go further with the communists, because they want help from Europe while keeping everything in

- Should we vote or not vote? - The closer election day gets, the more one hears people saying that this time the number of voters who go to the ballot boxes will be much smaller than it was in March last year. Who are these people who, according to these voices, will not vote this time? They are supposedly some of the wavering, some of the workers. And supposedly some of the intellectuals too. They are not supposedly a group of villagers from a particular region who might have concrete reasons to act that way. They are not supposedly ... some of the workers, some of the young people, who might also have a reason arising from respect for their rights as a collective. Nor are they supposedly some intellectuals in a particular district, or people in a particular profession. Thus, according to these irresponsible analysts, it turns out that it is a part of the Albanian people in general that will not go to the polls. And the blame for this situation supposedly falls on those elected representatives who have supposedly alienated the Albanian people from democracy. It is easy to understand where these tele- ... visions come from, from mass psychology. To tell an entire people that they are turning away from democracy is to say that they are a people with enslaved souls. The people know how to judge such cynical people. All the more so our people, who have sacrificed so much for democracy. It is also easy to understand who benefits from spreading such a mindset. The Socialist Party, heir not only to the property but also to the disreputable history of the Party of Labour; the Communist Party, as the most bastard offspring of the Enverist essence of that party; and the entire fallen caste will have hope for their future in Albania only if they manage to plant a deep nostalgia for the past. Is there, then, any reason to hesitate over «To vote or not to vote» on 22 March? I think there is no reason at all. It is true that the year we have passed through was very difficult for the entire people. There were several exoduses; there was also hardship and poverty. There were shortages— BESNIK MUSTAFAJ (Continued on page 2)

Why does the Bulgarian experience frighten the SP? I have known Musa Ulqinini for many years and he is my friend. But that does not mean that I cannot feel saddened and hurt, or even become angry, by his article entitled “The DP Scenario and the Bulgarian Scenario,” published in “Zëri i popullit.” And do you know the main reason why this happens? By delving deeply into the defense of a party—that is, a particular group of people and interests—Musa makes an intolerable mistake. He tramples on the democratic values and achievements of a people, the Bulgarian people, and indeed the Albanian people too, and thus on genuine human values as well. In his article, M. Ulqini draws a parallel between the Democratic Party and the Bulgarian opposition. To be fair, it must be said that there are similarities between recent developments in our countries. They are connected by the same historical path, namely the emergence from communist dictatorship and the move toward democracy; by the level of the population or the stage of development, their Balkan character, the composition of the population or the balance of forces at the present moment, and so on and so forth. But Musa attacks these democratic developments, which have been widely accepted by our public and by world opinion, a priori, and from the outset uses the cynical word “scenario.” Let us not forget that the so-called “Bulgarian scenario” was a peaceful way to remove from the political stage forces whose time had passed and which had neither the ability nor the courage to face the challenges of the times. But let us add something else here. History, as a lesson that strips everything down to its essential core and skeleton, teaches us that so far there have been two paths for moving from communist dictatorship to democracy: the Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Albanian path (call it what you will). The other is the Romanian path, which we all know and which makes us shudder when we remember it. So, apparently, it is a fault not to have chosen the path of bloodshed. (Continued on page 2)

THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF “ZËRI I POPULLIT” WILL BE BROUGHT TO TRIAL BY FORCE Yesterday, for the third time, the court hearing against the editor-in-chief of “Zëri i popullit,” accused of defamation and public disinformation, was postponed. Comrade Përparim was busy with an article entitled: “How the Socialist Party Envisages Building the Rule-of-Law State and Respecting the Law.” Under these circumstances, given his failure to appear, the court yesterday issued an order for him to be brought to trial by force on 20.2.1992, Wednesday. This order will be sent to the police for execution, and on the appointed date the journalists of “Zëri,” who swear by the truth, are invited to witness an interesting spectacle: their editor-in-chief escorted by police to the courthouse. Correspondent of “RD.”

ON 22 MARCH THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE WILL VOTE FOR THE DP, FOR THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION, FOR A SECURE FUTURE!