After its brilliant victories, Albanian democracy also formed its government, the first democratic government after the long night of the savage communist dictatorship. It falls to this government to embark on the difficult road, full of efforts, privations and personal sacrifices, to make real the wishes and aspirations, dreams and blessings of a land and a people. It will not be easy at all. The country is destroyed and paralyzed after an occupation among the most savage in Albania’s history. The people are waiting, and often their patience has run out. But the new Albanian government is conscious of the situation and its duties, and of what is expected of it. It is committed to the path of democracy. It is made up of determined democrats who have proved themselves and earned the people’s trust. They will also deserve its unreserved support, because they are its sons, not sons of the red nomenklatura. The opponents of democracy, the nostalgics for Marxism-Leninism and the dictatorship of ignorance, are activating their network of professional, paid rumor-mongers to stir up distrust and uncertainty, casting doubt on the new government at a time when it has not yet begun its work. Accustomed to applauding the incapable, the mediocrities and informers, the intriguers and ingrates, these people cannot conceive of accepting a new era with new people in power, most of whom have excellent degrees, certainly not from party school. They cannot accept a government whose members were pursued, persecuted or marginalized by the overthrown regime. Accustomed to a government of old men who knew how to do nothing but say “amen” before the tyrant Zeus and the deity who led the country to the precipice, those who have been toppled cannot reconcile themselves to a government in which a range of ages stands out, a government that for the first time in Albania has young and energetic, capable and educated people as its members. For the first time, under Mr. Meksi’s government, the Ministries of Defense and Public Order in Albania have been entrusted to civilian ministers, as the principles of Helsinki also require. But the “ZP” ignoramuses do not read the principles of Helsinki. To them, implementing them still means “occupying” and “seizing.” Relying on such regressive ideas, yesterday’s rulers led the country into the Fourth World. In forming the government, Mr. Meksi, who will open the doors of Europe and the democratic world to Albania and thus put an end once and for all to its wretched isolation, had in mind—for the first time in postwar history—representing not just two or three districts but all of Albania. The new government thus also breaks the framework of the harmful isolation or regional localism, with its extremely serious consequences for the country’s unity. It is therefore open and broad in its relations with the world, open and without any prejudice toward all honest Albanians, sons of one people and one blood, regardless of where they were born or live. Of course, the new policy of the new Albanian state in its relations with the world cannot be expected to be directed by Enver Hoxha’s inherited diplomacy. The honest, democratic employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs understand this well, too. That is why it was placed under the leadership of one of the sons of a patriotic Albanian family, which made an unforgettable contribution to raising the Flag of Independence in Vlora, a well-known democrat distinguished by his broad culture, abilities and leadership. Mr. Meksi, with his enviable legal education and doctoral degree, has formed a cabinet many of whose members hold scientific degrees and titles. The fact that “ZP” has begun attacking and spewing venom against them before they have even begun their duties shows that choosing people of this kind was a good decision... They should accept a government with members who do nothing except say “amen” before the tyrant and monster Zeus who drove the country to ruin, those who have been brought down cannot reconcile themselves to a government in which a diversity time in Albania, has a 27-year-old among its members—a brilliant, energetic young man who was persecuted. The new democratic Albanian government, naturally, is founded on new principles, known and applied in Europe and other democratic countries, but ignored and imprisoned in Stalinist Albania.

At the first rally in “Democracy Square,” the hero of the student movement and one of the founders of the Democratic Party, Azem Hajdari, made a statement. He promised the students that he would remain an ordinary man, without seeking positions or armchairs. And he kept this solemn promise. At the Extraordinary Conference of the Democratic Party on 16 April 1992, the DP National Council had nominated him for the post of Party Chairman. But, with modesty, he declined to be nominated for this post, remaining faithful to the promise he had made to the students. This highly significant act was greeted with applause for three outstanding figures of the DP: Mr. Eduart Selami, the Party secretary, the youngest and most promising figure in the party leadership, whose intellectual formation has made him admired and respected by all strata of the country; Mr. Azem Hajdari, the Party’s deputy chairman, hero of the student movement in Albania, whose courage and steadfastness in the struggle against dictatorship have been exemplary and have inspired the country’s youth; and Mr. Arben Imami, the Party’s deputy chairman, one of the participants in the leading student movement, a barricade-builder for the Democratic Party, who made a major contribution to the DP’s victory in parliament and during the election campaign. Candidacies were also presented at the conference for a seat on the DP Presidency: Mr. Tomorr Dosti, a member of the People’s Assembly, and Arben Lika, deputy chairman of the DP Youth Forum. Conference participants also proposed two other candidates for this seat: Petrika Minga, chairman of the DP in Korçë, and Muhamed Shehu, secretary of the DP in Kavajë. The students also addressed some tactical weaknesses in the DP’s activities in relation to the student body. It was requested that the party statute also be reviewed for certain amendments.

— Mr. Eduard Selami elected Chairman of the Party Presidency — On Thursday, 16 April, the Extraordinary National Conference of the Democratic Party held its proceedings in the hall of the Opera and Ballet Theatre, with delegates from all DP branches in the districts and other guests taking part. The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, was also present. Addressing the conference, Mr. Sali Berisha said, among other things, that following the victory of 22 March, in which the people decisively determined the victory of democracy and brought an indictment against communism, in accordance with the Helsinki Act and as a result of the new political developments, the DP chairman must relinquish this function because he cannot be both head of state and party chairman. “None of us,” he then said, “would want Albania to be the country of one man, while everyone would want it to be a country of balanced power, with an active President and government, a strong parliament, numerous political activities and independent associations.” The proposal to hold discussions about the work of the Party branches was not approved by the majority of delegates, but it was stressed that this analysis should be conducted at another conference. Mr. Azem Hajdari, the Party’s deputy chairman, declared that he had withdrawn his candidacy for DP chairman. He thanked the Presidency and the National Council for nominating him, but said: “I am young, and I feel I should work longer in the position I hold, in the service of democracy. I have also stated before that I will not take on party leadership posts that are governmental. My contribution in the service of democracy in Albania will never be lacking. There is no truth in any rumor that is circulating. I will remain here in my role as deputy chairman of the Party and will fight for diversity of opinion within the party as an expression of its unity.” Although his request was applauded by the conference participants, the delegates also voted on this candidacy. After the voting procedure, Eduart Selami was elected chairman of the Democratic Party with 411 votes in favor out of 485 ballots. Tomorr Dosti was elected to the Party Presidency with 295 votes in favor out of 478 valid votes. Mr. Tomorr Hasan Dosti was born in the city of Gjirokastër on 13.4.1930. He comes from a patriotic and educated family. After the war in 1944, for political reasons, his family was persecuted from the very first days of the communist occupation, until he managed, with great difficulty, to complete secondary school. Later, after completing his service in a labor unit, he was imprisoned and served 14 years. Immediately after this sentence, his family was interned for 30 years, until the first days of the democratic movement, which he joined and served wholeheartedly. At the close of the conference, Mr. Eduart Selami briefly thanked the participants and promised that all together they would continue along the path they had begun, to achieve the objectives of their program, coordinating their work with parliament and the government, and to successfully hold the local elections as well. MEHILL TANUSHI

—By TEODOR KEKO, DP deputy— In its extremely difficult days, the Albanian people were helped by several countries, which provided them with food, took care of their children, and treated their sick... History will thank all of them for these days, in proportion to the help they gave us. It would be good if today we could speak frankly, in the same language that history will speak tomorrow. Otherwise, the shameful label “ungrateful” will be cast upon our heirs tomorrow. I do not claim to have seen all the latest television programs or read all the Albanian national newspapers. But, from what I have seen and read, I have noticed that “the stick’s splinter in the moments after the European Community program.” Ambassador Cardilli announced that, during talks held a few days earlier between President Sali Berisha and Italian Foreign Minister Xhani de Mikolis, it was agreed that Italy would help Albania with: 9 thousand tons of oil 10 thousand tons of sugar 5 thousand tons of rice 6 thousand tons of cheese and other products. During the meeting, which was characterized by the spirit of understanding existing between the two countries, it was stressed that the Albanian Government should quickly accept the offers and take measures to collect and distribute this aid. (ATSH) In the victory of democracy in Albania, the following have played a part: the USA, GERMANY, FRANCE, GREECE, and a few others. Italy has been almost absent. Everyone, even those who gave us a handful of wheat and a piece of paper for printing newspapers, should be thanked. But no one should be forgotten. Shouldn’t we remember, at least, that Italy has helped us more than others in these turbulent times? If the Italian people have been at the forefront of humanitarian peoples who did not let the cold and hunger cause Albanian children to die in the streets, let us say THANK YOU! If the Italian state has been at the forefront of humanitarian states that helped the Albanian people, let us say THANK YOU, let us say THANK YOU. Many events of 1991 in Albania will be forgotten, but I am sure that none of our contemporaries will erase from their memory the mass exoduses to Italy and the pleas of many mothers: “Please, don’t let it cross your minds to make these Italian boys from the ‘Pelican’ go on strike...!” The overthrow of the dictatorship means the triumph of truth; therefore, since we overthrew the dictatorship in Albania, let us set an example as the “first ones” and speak openly about the truth concerning those who helped us at this time. In this context, Italy is also at the forefront of those we should thank. Thank you, Italy!

The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic in Albania, Mr. Torkuato Cardilli, at a working meeting, during which he was informed of the Italian government’s decision to continue its aid program to our country, in addition to what the country will provide under collect and distribute this aid. (ATSH)

“Easter of the Resurrection,” this important feast of the Catholic faithful, is being celebrated for the first time in Albania in freedom and democracy. On this occasion, I wish all the faithful of this community, in the homeland and in the diaspora: “MAY YOU CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.” May the renewal of faith and the path toward God enlighten us as we work for ... ... and the prosperity of the people, so that we may make them like the rest of the civilized world. EDUART SELAMI CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMO- CRATIC PARTY OF ALBANIA