Radio Voice of America broadcast yesterday a summary of the statement made in the Senate by Kleborn Pell, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, about the results of the March 22 elections in Albania. Among other things, Senator Pell said: “Now that the Albanian people have declared their commitment to democratic reform, I believe there will be much greater opportunities for cooperation between Albania and the United States, especially in the field of economic development. In this regard, I believe the U.S. administration should examine the possibilities, including the possibility of granting Albania most-favored-nation trading status with the United States. I will do everything in my power to take this step. Once again, I offer you my warmest congratulations and greetings on the occasion of your great victory, the victory of progress.”

On March 22 and 29, for the first time in nearly 70 years, completely free general elections were held in Albania for members of the People’s Assembly. Like a basketball game between dwarfs and giants, this great contest ended with the unbelievable result ... 6 to 90 (under the majoritarian system). The Socialist Party suffered, in the literal sense of the word, a complete rout. What serious political force would not immediately undertake a thorough critical analysis of such a defeat, which it is an understatement to call catastrophic? Insistently seeking the true causes of the defeat, confronting the shortcomings and mistakes inherited by the Socialist Party in every area of its activity, and having the sincerity and ability to openly acknowledge these mistakes would be essential elements of a far-reaching alternative to heal the party. Yet, contrary to expectations, its leaders stubbornly continue along the wrong path. Many have thought that the staff of the newspaper «ZP» were the authors and instigators of the fierce polemic, verging on madness, against the democratic opposition during the election campaign. But recent facts have cast doubt on this conviction. The first two issues of this newspaper, immediately after March 22, clearly show that our colleagues at «ZP» were beginning to reflect on the catastrophe that had just occurred. At the same time, one could see an effort to adopt a different, friendlier, more benevolent and more constructive language. But apparently this democratic tendency troubled the upper echelons of the Socialist Party. An order was given that militant hostility be preserved and strengthened. Thus, the subsequent issues raised the tone, reaching the point of the article by Mr. Namik Dokle dated 29.3.92, with the original title: «The left-wing people voted for the right... Paradox?» What is generally striking and disheartening about the Socialist Party leaders’ attempts to justify the defeat is their sickly stubbornness. They are ashamed to admit that they have gone down the wrong path, although they refuse to understand reality. But they are held back by their noses, which traditionally «must always be held high». Nearly a year ago, we stressed that it would be advantageous for the Socialist Party, and later for the country, if the Socialist Party voluntarily relinquished government, handed it over to the Democratic Party and the other democratic parties, reorganized itself in the comfortable position of the opposition, where it could do no harm, and carried out a genuine renewal—putting the old parties behind it and starting afresh, like all the other political forces. This appeal was not heeded; instead, the Socialist Party and the Labour Party laughed «naively» at us for taking such «nonsense» seriously. Time has shown who the real naïve ones were and who was talking and writing nonsense. Without implying that we share their views, it must be said that there were also people among the Socialist Party leadership who sincerely and seriously considered the alternative of a dignified withdrawal, accompanied by the dissolution of the Labour Party and the creation from scratch of a genuine party of the democratic left. But only Mr. Spiro Dede, who gained bitter experience when Mr. Nano’s «line» silenced him, can testify to how genuine the intellectual withdrawal of the «renewed» leaders really was. Apparently, a firm supporter of that line is also the former leader of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, the former candidate for President of the Republic. (Continued on page 2) SKËNDER SHKUPI

ALBANIA HAS REJECTED COMMUNISM I am very happy to hear that your party achieved great success in Sunday’s elections. Please accept my warmest congratulations. The Albanian people have made it clear that they have rejected communism and are embracing democratic change. The new government will face very great problems, but I am sure you will solve them with confidence and determination. The British Government will continue to support Albania and its entry into Europe. Yours sincerely, XHON MEJXHER DETERMINATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND EUROPE Mr. Chairman! On behalf of the Commission and in my own name, I congratulate you on the significant success achieved by your party in the March 22 elections, in which Albania firmly chose democracy and Europe. Support from the European Community, already present throughout the democratization process, has been assured to you in concrete terms in the effort for further development that you will begin. With my highest regards, ISRAEL’S FRIENDSHIP FOR ALBANIA I wish to express my warmest congratulations on your victory in the elections. I hope you will succeed in leading Albania towards the development of democracy, and I assure you of Israel’s friendship for your country and people. Warmest greetings, AVI PAZNER Ambassador of Israel to Albania

During my visit to New York, I take this opportunity to send you my warmest wishes for the victory of democracy in the Republic of Albania. I am convinced that you will work to stabilize the situation in Albania as soon as possible and to make democracy a reality! TOWARD THE FUTURE, In a message addressed to the leadership of the Democratic Party, Professor Doctor Mentor Çoku, head of the community and president of the Islamic Academy in the West, based in Rome, writes, among other things: «I have always had faith in the national conscience of our people. With its vote, this people, as part of the European continent, is moving toward the future, toward progress. These words are the hope of an exile for the healthy future of this strong and progressive people. Democratic Albania will be the homeland of all Albanians, a powerful supporter of Kosovo and the other ethnic Albanian regions, as well as of our emigrants everywhere in the world. Academic MARK KRASNIQI TOWARD PROGRESS And at the same time, there is also the heartfelt wish that, given the real opportunities created by the victories, the new leaders of Albanian politics will not forget the efforts and wisdom of our people. On behalf of the Democratic Party, I extend my wishes to all the parties in the coalition and to the Association of Former Political Prisoners and Internees: may they, in the fresh air of democracy, carry the weight of responsibility wisely and look to the present, for a good future worthy of this long-suffering people.

Brothers, colleagues, peers and fellow students! The great democratic victory of March 22, when the day «began taking the seconds, minutes and hours away from the night», gives me the opportunity to greet you! To congratulate you on the victory in a moment when «Democracy» is all around us; together we experienced the weakness of dictatorship and the possibility of winning by democratic means, and I want to assure you once again that no one will ever extinguish the dream born within you, whoever they may be. Dictatorship was based, like dictatorships, on «obedient materials», on the brain and intellectual thought, and for precisely this reason it could not be what it claimed to be: eternal and indestructible. The students’ «rebellion» was enough for everything belonging to the dictatorship to begin crumbling. Betino Kraksi, political leader of the Italian Socialist Party, a well-known personality and statesman, held a meeting with many activists of his party at a theatre in Milan. Journalists and television workers were present. With congratulations on the prospect of hearing the possible prime minister of Italy after the April 5 vote, the request for an interview by the translator for the newspaper «RD» was accepted respectfully. Amid the crowd of admirers, television cameras, flowers and applause, he answered questions from Visar Zhiti, our journalist, and Dometro Patitucci, an Arbëresh journalist. V. Zhiti: Dear Kraksi, what is your assessment of the recent elections in Albania? V. Zhiti: The deceased were not among the important priorities that this unexpected result...?

— Mr. Azem Hajdari handed over his parliamentary mandate — On Sunday, 29.3.1992, this Azem Hajdari, together with the chief loyalist of the Shijak electorate, with legal and other representatives and supporters, came together to celebrate the victory of the Democratic Party and democracy in the March 22 elections. Also present were the chairman of the Democratic Party, Dr. Prof. Sali Berisha, and the vice-president of the Democratic Party, deputy for Shijak’s electoral district 13, Mr. Azem Hajdari, representatives of the Social Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Independent Trade Unions, the Association of Former Political Prisoners and Persecutees, and other guests. At the rally, among others, the deputy Berisha and Hajdari also gave greetings. At the end, the deputies together with the men and residents of the area pledged... «The deputy of our town, Mr. AZEM HAJDARI. On behalf of the central commission for electoral district No. 13 of Shijak, I invite you and congratulate you: “MAY GOD PROTECT YOU, and may you emerge with honor in fulfilling the dreams of this people, who were violated and persecuted by the infamous Stalinist-communist dictatorship, that dictatorship which is the most alive in the world!”» «RD» correspondent

On Sunday, March 29, 1992, the second round of elections for members of the People’s Assembly was held in the Republic of Albania. In 11 districts in the counties of Berat, Elbasan, Gjirokastër, Kolonjë, Llbrazhd, Përmet, Sarandë and Tepelenë, 22 candidates from the Democratic Party and 4 from the Socialist Party competed; in the first round, they had failed to obtain more than half of the valid votes. The elections were held in accordance with the Law on Elections to the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania, No. 7559, dated 4.2.1992, in an orderly and peaceful manner. They were conducted in accordance with the established provisions. The electoral commissions in the districts are now completing the documentation, signing the minutes and submitting them to the Central Election Commission. By 3:30 p.m. today, this Commission had received the final results of the second round from electoral district No. 19 of Elbasan, where Gago Thoma Rrota of the Democratic Party won with 66.4 percent, and from a total of 11 districts: electoral district No. 52 of Përmet, where Vasil Gjika of the Democratic Party won with 56.1 percent; in district 52 of Librazhd, Pëllumb Malaj of the Democratic Party won with 66.8 percent; in district 36, Uran Alika (Butka) of the Democratic Party won with 58 percent; in district 31 16, Gjirokastër, Genc Ruli of the Democratic Party won with 59 percent; in district 80 of Tepelenë, Blertim Çela of the Democratic Party won with 62 percent; and in district 61 of Tepelenë, Sadik Bejko of the Democratic Party won with 81 percent; in district 68 of Sarandë, Leka Ihsan Toti of the Democratic Party won with 85.7 percent; in district 67 of Sarandë, Hildar Peshkëpia of the Democratic Party won with 52.2 percent. After processing all the election results from the second round, the Central Election Commission will publish the final results of the elections to the People’s Assembly. Chairman of the Central Election Commission NIKOLLA NOSI

BETINO KRAKSI: The elections in Albania were not a surprise (Interview given exclusively to the newspaper «Rilindja Demokratike») D. Pattitucci: Are you familiar with the issue of the Albanians of Kosovo? B. Kraksi: Yes, I am. V. Zhiti: Can Italy do something? V. Zhiti: In particular, can it internationalize the issue and raise public awareness? B. Kraksi: I don’t think this is the most urgent problem Albania must face. V. Zhiti: No, I mean looking at it as the problem of Kosovo, of that people. B. Kraksi: (Smiles) I believe the most urgent problem is re- The «Golden Leopard» prize for poetry in Italy was awarded to Visar Zhiti For the 23rd year, Entraossembi blango in Milan has recognized achievements in art and culture with a literary prize. This year the «Golden Leopard» went to the poet Visar Zhiti. At the ceremony organized in the large cultural hall in Milan, many people attended; Visar Zhiti read his poem «Black Anxiety», written while he was imprisoned in Spaç and also published in Italy. The presenter said that the winner of the «Golden Leopard» prize now works for Albania’s most important newspaper, «Rilindja Demokratike». Milan, 28.3.1992 B. Kraksi: I don’t believe Italy is the particular issue here. The problem of Kosovo is very well known to us, but I don’t believe this issue can be raised by Italy. V. Zhiti: In particular, it can internationalize the issue and raise public awareness. B. Kraksi: I don’t think this is the most urgent problem Albania must face. V. Zhiti: No, I mean looking at it as the problem of Kosovo, of that people. B. Kraksi: (Smiles) I believe the most urgent problem is re- The two journalists: Thank you, and you. Milan, March 28, 1992

No. 112 Wednesday April 1, 1992 Third year of publication Price: 1 lek Published every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday