The Center for East-West Reform, Cooperation for Peace and Development, announced on Friday, through its president Richard von Weizsäcker, the 1992 winner of the “Raul Wallenberg” prize for the most distinguished person or organization in the field of rights and humanism. The prize will be awarded to Dr. Bujar Bukoshi for his special political contribution while serving as prime minister of the government of the Republic of Kosovo. In this role, Prime Minister Bukoshi has done outstanding work by at the same time ensuring the existence of the Albanian people in Kosovo and strengthening the confidence of the Albanian people in Kosovo in their future independent of Serbian rule. In the announcement from this humanitarian center, it is stated: “From the very first day of his election, Dr. Bukoshi has devoted all his energy to mobilizing, organizing, and defending the legitimate rights of the Albanians of Kosovo.” Regarding this prestigious award, the prime minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Bujar Bukoshi, sent the following congratulatory telegram: “I warmly thank Dr. Richard von Weizsäcker, president of the East-West Reform, Peace and Development Center, Bonn, for the high award conferred on me for 1992, the ‘Raul Wallenberg’ prize. This honored recognition is given not only to my person but also to all the Albanians of Kosovo, who, with patience, restraint, and determination, continue their efforts for freedom, democracy, economic prosperity, and independent political development. This special award honors me and at the same time encourages me to further strengthen my efforts and those of all Albanians in Kosovo for our legitimate right” (Continued on page 3)

On Monday, President Sali Berisha met with U.S. President George Bush. The meeting with President Bush is also the most important meeting ever held by Albanian diplomats, as the United States is the leading Western country from which Albanians expect economic aid and support for Kosovo’s independence. As reported from Malta, the meeting took place within the framework of the North Atlantic Council Summit and was also attended by U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger and Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi. According to the first reports, President Bush assured President Sali Berisha that the Americans would continue their support for democratic Albania. He told President Berisha that America is determined to develop relations with Tirana. In his speech, President Bush also paid attention to the situation in Kosovo, reiterating condemnation of Belgrade’s terrorist policy. The American president stated that “it is time for the international community and the other Western states to intensify pressure on Serbia and to support, without any reservation, the freedom and fundamental rights of the Albanians in Kosovo.” This is the first time that a U.S. president has met with an Albanian president. In the first meeting with a president of the Albanian state, Sali Berisha invited President Bush to visit Tirana. President Bush responded to Dr. Berisha’s invitation, emphasizing that “this is a great honor for me,” but apparently he left the timing of this visit to be set in the future. According to several telegraphic agencies, President Berisha told President Bush that Albania wants “economic and political stability for itself,” which “also serves the entire Balkan region.” “We very much hope,” said the Albanian president at the joint press conference, “that our country will have the strong support of the United States, not only for our new democracy, but also for the independence of Kosovo.” President Berisha also said that “Albanians will fight, but with peaceful means, for their rights.” He also said that “there is no compromise with the struggle for freedom and independence.” President Bush said that the United States fully supports the Albanian government’s efforts for democratic and economic reforms. According to commentators, for the new American policy toward Albania, the Malta meeting is also considered at the same time an important recognition of President Berisha.

Successive meetings of the Democratic Party, AZM HADARJ in the Shijak area (Continued on page 4)

BEFORE THE TEST: Our love for DEMOCRACY If Kasllif Klosi, president of “Shqiponja e Lirë” in Uester[?], USA, has even thought of saying that “an Albanian’s home belongs to God and to the guest,” he should expand his memory as much as possible before giving press interviews. In 1991 I stayed for two weeks in New York at his house, as a member of the Democratic Party delegation. What I asked him for was to help me find a legitimate apartment, not to occupy his “house.” Hundreds of Albanians know the truth, when they were staying with me and him. Later I asked to go to my brother in Boston, hoping to find shelter in the neighborhood where Albanians and especially Kosovars lived. There Mr. Klosi came to meet me and insisted that I return to his house. I had to calm him, telling him that I would go for a few days while I sorted something out. Later the president of “Shqiponja e Lirë” headed to the airport, because he had to receive a delegation from Albania. That day in Boston were Mr. Klosi, Dr. Edmond Hanxhari and Dr. Edi Hysi. This third delegation from Albania, after 8 December to leave for the USA, were pleading with Mr. Klosi, in all seriousness[?], to occupy and not occupy his own “house.” Two party chairmen and the former president of the “Forum Democracy” in the USA, in turn asked Mr. Klosi why I had to leave his house. But is Klosi sick, man? they asked. I took Mr. Klosi’s friends’ words sportingly. Kasllif Klosi seems to like inventing and lying. But who is this being called Kasllif Klosi. In Albania, he would have been afraid not that it was rented out… But the problem is completely different… (Continued on page 2)

- Does it challenge principles through its deeds and has it come to those conclusions? Once again, the necessary reform, which has won the broad approval and support of the people, is continuing toward implementation with the courage given to it by the law and by the awareness of the great responsibility imposed by this difficult task. This is precisely where the difference with the opposition lies, which is trying to evade not only the responsibilities it bears, but also to sabotage every effort to solve the country’s problems. Let us begin the analysis with a simple but significant fact. As soon as they found themselves in opposition, the leaders of the Socialist Party began a campaign of harsh criticism against the government and the parliamentary majority. However, such criticism, besides expressing extreme positions, did not offer a real way to overcome the difficulties. What about the PS? Did it engage in solving the economic crisis? Or did it settle for statements and accusations? Instead of contributing as a constructive opposition, it has often lined up behind positions that deepen the climate of insecurity. This reality becomes more evident when the debates in the Assembly and the public statements of its leaders are examined. Their positions are often contradictory and not infrequently contrary to the national interest. The opposition is not measured by the noise of words, but by the seriousness of its alternatives. (Continued on page 2)

Today is the hour when the long national day[?] is emerging from a difficult period and entering a new stage of democratic construction. In these circumstances, every word and every political stance must be weighed responsibly. Within this framework, the need becomes even clearer not to confuse immediate interests with those of the nation. Citizens expect deeds, not demagoguery; programs, not slander. The article[?] emphasizes that what is sought today from Albanian politics is maturity and not adventure, vision and not division. (Continued on page 3)

Mr. DOKLE, start with the rights... (Continued on page 2)