Opinions THE PEOPLE’S LOVE FOR ENVER’S FATOSAS - Monologue and dialogue: Fatos - people - Question: Which country will the SP rely on if it wins the election? Answer: - On our own forces and the Albanian state. Question: What is your opinion of the killings in Shkodër? Answer: - Political killings with religious problems. I know the killers; religion is dividing the people. Question: - Your opinion of Andreoti’s message sent to the DP? Answer: - Andreoti is unimportant. He will not take part in the next Italian government. Question: - Is the statement of the foreigner? Answer: - Nano continues with other statements: - The American government has drawn the attention of its embassy in Tirana to its stance toward the DP. - In Germany there are many beggars, as well as poor people. I gave one of them a cigarette... When the questioner asked how, with your pockets inside out, you would revive the economy, Comrade Fatos replied: “I’ll bet you who has more money in his pocket?” “You,” replied the questioner, “because you’ve stolen it.” And when the questioner saw that there were only elderly people in the hall without money, Comrade Fatos replied: “It’s all right, these are the fathers of the young people.” Questions from the Fatos-people dialogue in Berat. * * * In the former organ of the Central Committee of the PP (Continued on page 4)

THE LAND LAW WILL GIVE FARMERS FULL RIGHTS TO INHERIT IT, TO RENT IT OUT, TO DONATE IT, TO PLEDGE IT, ALLOWING THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND ONLY BY ALBANIAN CITIZENS

- A powerful message from the Democratic Party rally marking the start of the election campaign - The West will invest in Albania when it has a democratic government — message from England via Mr. Xhefri Pati — On 26 February 1992, at midday, the Democratic Party held a festive rally at the “Qemal Stafa” National Stadium to mark the election campaign. In addition to around 15,000 DP members and supporters, those present included the DP chairman, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, DP secretary Eduard Selami, members of the DP steering committee Rexhep Uka and Blerim Çela, as well as the deputy leader of the Conservative Party of England and member of the English Parliament, Mr. Xhefri Pati. The rally was opened by the chairman of the DP’s Tirana branch, Prof. Dr. Ylli Vejsiu, who, after speaking briefly about the importance of the 22 March election campaign, gave the floor to Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha. As Mr. Berisha climbed onto the platform, he was accompanied by enthusiastic applause and chants of “Free-domocracy,” “Will we win or not? Yes, yes,” “Down with communism,” and “We want Albania without Ramiz Alia.” “The elections of 22 March,” Mr. Berisha began, “will mark the final victory of democracy in Albania, and the realization of the dreams and ideals for which Albanians waited and suffered for half a century under the communist yoke.” The DP is convinced that it will win the forthcoming elections, because today it presents itself to the Albanian people and to the international democratic front as a party that fully embraces the principles of Helsinki. The DP will win the elections because, through struggle and joint efforts with all democratic forces in Albania, it managed within a year to restore to Albanians their fundamental individual freedoms. The DP, Mr. Berisha further emphasized, will win because it is restoring to Albanians the freedom of private property, without which no other political freedom can be enjoyed. The DP will win because it has the trust of all democratic forces in Albania, and because it has also proven itself on the international stage as the leading political force capable of integrating Albania into all the military, political, economic and social structures of civilized Europe. The DP will win because it is founded on national ideology; it banished Lenin and Stalin’s people forever to the steppes of Russia. The DP will win because it has kept and continues to keep its promises, and because most of those who, under fear and terror, voted for the PP on 31 March 1991 are now aligned with the democratic forces. The DP will win because it will create conditions for workers to work freely, a form of work that has always proved superior to forced labor. The DP will win the forthcoming elections because it is the only political force sincerely committed to achieving national reconciliation. “We,” the DP chairman, Mr. Berisha, stressed, “are fighting, and together we will restore Albanians’ cultural values. We will create democracy for everyone.” After calling on the democratic forces in Albania to show civic dignity, culture, dialogue, tolerance and reason during this election campaign, and to use these as their main weapons in securing the final victory of democracy, Mr. Sali Berisha concluded: “Our motto has been and remains: We Democrats have no losers; the road to freedom is open to everyone.” Then the deputy leader of the English Conservative Party, Mr. Xhefri Pati, took the floor and said, among other things: “My Albanian friends; - On 22 March, the future of your fate is in your own hands. The door is opening for you to enter democracy. It is your right to live as free Albanians, without tyranny or oppression. Albania has been known as a tragic and lost country, with people imprisoned within the borders of this country. Now your friends in Western Europe are waiting for your return to the European family of nations. Only you can decide this. No foreigner can decide for you. You have Mr. Berisha, an outstanding leader. I would like to see a man like him in the other former socialist countries. Sali Berisha has made many people friends of Albania during his leadership visits abroad, especially in England. The issue to be decided on 22 March is quite clear: Albania needs Western investment to bring its economy out of crisis and raise its standard of living. But Albania will receive Western investment when it has a democratically elected government, freely chosen and free of the remnants of the communist and crypto-communist regime. The message for the 22 March elections is crystal clear: Trust Mr. Berisha and vote for him and his party. — concluded Mr. Xhefri Pati.”

- The DP will present a distinguished group of candidates for parliament in the 22 March elections — On Thursday, in the ISTN hall in the capital, the DP National Council met to approve the DP’s list of candidates for the 22 March 1992 elections. It was chaired by the DP chairman, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, DP secretary Eduard Selami and its deputy chairmen Arben Imami and Azem Hajdari. In order for the DP to be represented in these elections by a higher-quality and more distinguished parliamentary group, and to apply the most democratic criteria possible, candidates were proposed by the sections and approved by the branches following extensive discussions and secret ballots. The lists submitted by the branches were discussed by the DP Steering Committee, which duly respected the branches’ proposals. Its comments and new proposals were then subject to extensive and constructive discussion at the meeting of the National Council. The aim has been that in the most contested constituencies, where the DP received fewer votes on 31 March, its most distinguished intellectual leaders and people with the greatest standing and reputation throughout the country should stand as candidates in the new elections. “RD” correspondent RD, 102, 29 February 1992

Immediately after Mr. Xhon Mekgou’s sensational and shocking interview, as expected, the first to react was our esteemed president, Ramiz Alia. With the voice of his spokesperson and the mind of his own, after a few weeks he made the statement that convinces us he is determined to defend, at any cost and by any means, the old and new anti-national and mafia interests of the communist-socialist leadership elite. It is perfectly clear that he cannot betray his old and new collaborators. The exposure of their deeds and misdeeds, especially now on the eve of the new elections, when the DP’s defeat will be inevitable and overwhelming, would also mean his discrediting and shameful, but entirely deserved, end. Following the old Enverist custom, with this statement too the President aims to kill two birds with one stone: both Mr. Xhon Mekgou, who apparently loves our people more than he and his comrades do, and the courageous and honest journalist of RTSH. He is hardly to blame. For 3–4 decades he has been the number-one censor and, with vigilance, the fiercest enemy of free and truthful speech and thought throughout our press and propaganda. For over 30 years, RTSH employees have been (Continued on page 2)

ILLUSTRA! ILLUSTRА, BOJAGATI!... CRAXI PS “Arnavut” Cartoon by BUJAR KAPEXHIU

- Interview with the publicist Mehmet Elezi, given to Skënder Skëpuni, secretary of our newspaper’s editorial board — Question: It was announced these days that the governing council of the “Bashkimi Kombëtar Shqiptar” has decided to change the newspaper “Bashkimi” from a daily into a twice-weekly publication and has appointed a new editor-in-chief. What is your view of this decision? Answer: The meeting held in the newsroom to announce this resembled a funeral ceremony. All heads were bowed and voices had fallen silent. The underlying reason for this matter was financial. There is no money to subsidize the newspaper; nobody pays membership dues. But should the work have been brought to this point? From a formal point of view, perhaps “Bashkimi Kombëtar” had the right to make this decision, since the newspaper bears its name as “its own.” But morally, I think not. The newspaper “Bashkimi” was the property of the whole nation, not just of the “BK” organization. It is the country’s longest-running newspaper, its largest daily, its leading article. “BK” did indeed subsidize it, but that subsidy came from money paid by the entire people in the form of dues; then, the way things were handled, (Continued on page 3)

At the invitation of the deputy mayor of Athens, Mr. Anxhelo Mos’honas, a Greek parliamentarian from the New Democracy Party, the deputy chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Mr. Azem Hajdari, paid a visit to Greece. During the conversation, Mr. Azem Hajdari welcomed the statement by Greek Prime Minister Mr. Mitsotakis that Greece favored an open policy toward Albania and future economic cooperation, following the victory of democratic forces in Albania. Mr. Azem Hajdari expressed the Democratic Party’s concern about Operation “Fshesa,” considering it an operation unworthy of a country with democratic traditions such as Greece. For his part, Mr. Mos’honas expressed regret about this operation. However, the operation has been suspended in recent days. At present, Mr. Mos’honas stressed, around 150,000 Albanians are working in Greece. The problems that arose among Albanians—the criminal activity among them and thefts committed by some Albanians—disturbed public order in Greece, provoking a public reaction and pressure on the government. Mr. Azem Hajdari expressed concern. (Continued on page 3)

XHIMI KARTER I strongly encourage all Albanians to take part in the 31 March election process. Regardless of political beliefs, the cause of democracy must advance if every person is to enjoy the privilege of voting. I send you my best wishes for complete success. The world will be watching you, sincerely hoping that everyone will take part freely and honestly in the elections. MARCH 1991 XHEJMS BEJKER “At the beginning of this month, in this Parliament, Dr. Sali Berisha gave me a true picture of Albania, and I came as soon as I could. I have also felt privileged to address this Parliament. With the recent re-establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries and with my visit here today, I say to the people of Albania: America is coming back to you! “On behalf of President Bush and on behalf of the American people, I have come among you to tell you that your ‘freedom’ has become a reality. At last you are free to say what you wish; at last you are free to express what you wish; at last you are free to practice your faith. JUNE 1991 XHON MEJXHER I very much hope that we will be able to build links between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Party of Albania. We have given [unclear] to the Conservative Party. I hope that reform [unclear]. I would like [unclear] to invite me; assistance could be identified within the framework of trade and political policy, which, as you know, will be part of the new aid foundation. DECEMBER 1991