It was democracy that last year brought to light the major abuses committed by former members of the Political Bureau of the PPSH and demanded that they be punished. The people strongly supported this, to the point that Mr. Ramiz Alia, in his role as president, was forced to begin arresting some of them one by one. But the investigative process dragged on and on, because the PS found it difficult to punish its former leaders. Therefore, contrary to normal policy, they were kept for so long without being brought to trial. Yet, on 22 March of the following year, the course of democracy again brought their trial into question. Indeed, some people who want the former holders of power to account for their actions as soon as possible began to suggest that democracy, too, was delaying their trial. Meanwhile, one gets the impression that the stance toward them is being softened somewhat. But what is the truth? Penal Code Article 13 COLLABORATION Collaboration is the commission of a criminal act by two or more persons by agreement among themselves, by an organized group, an armed gang, or a counterrevolutionary organization. Article 62 APPROPRIATION OF SOCIALIST PROPERTY The appropriation of socialist property, committed more than once by an organized group or on a large scale, is punishable by deprivation of liberty for no less than seven years or by death. Article 106 ABUSE OF OFFICE The intentional commission of acts that are contrary to the proper performance of state or social duties, or the intentional failure to perform a duty, when it has caused or could have caused serious consequences for state or social interests, or for the lawful rights and interests of citizens, is punishable: by corrective labor or deprivation of liberty for up to ten years. THE INVESTIGATORS ARE SENDING THE CASE FILES TO TRIAL On these matters, speculation always leads you down the wrong path. The facts from the Investigative Department, therefore, will clarify many questions. Mr. Prelë Martiri, head of the General Investigative Department, told us that the investigative process has practically concluded and that the case will soon (in the coming days) be sent for trial. Last year, they charged them with abuse of office, whereas now they are also being sent to trial on a charge of large-scale theft of state property. This second charge was added on the basis of the investigation. Specifically, in addition to Article 106 of the Penal Code, which deals with abuse of office and is secondary in this particular case, the principal charge against them is under Article 62, in conjunction with Article 13 of that Code. We also asked for the list of Blok leaders who will be brought before the court. They are: Adil Çarçani, Manush Myftiu, Nexhmije Hoxha; Rita Marko; Hekuran Isai; Qirjako Mihali; Simon Stefani, Lenka Çuko; Pali Miska, Tablami Gegripfti, Foto Çami; Hajredin Çeliku; Prokop Murra, Besnik Bekteshi; Muhor Asllani; Vangjel Çerava, Xhaferr Spahiu, Kino Buxheli. IS RAMIZ ALIA THE ONLY ONE MISSING FROM THE BUREAU?! As can be seen from the list, the entire former Political Bureau will stand trial. Only one person is missing: the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSH, Mr. Ramiz Alia, that is, the principal leader of these people who are accused ... At the 11th Plenum of the Central Committee of the PPSH, he was forced to make a self-criticism of his liberal, pro-Western position. History knows this, too. But at the same time, he himself also committed abuses and allowed his subordinates to commit major abuses—

From President BERISHA’s speech at the CSCE meeting in Helsinki In the speech he delivered at the CSCE summit, President S. Berisha said that the Helsinki Final Act hastened the fall of the Berlin Wall and the overthrow of communist regimes in Eastern Europe. Below, he called on the CSCE member states to take measures to protect the Albanian population of Kosovo. President Berisha said that the communist regimes of Central and Eastern Europe were defeated by the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The Helsinki Act, he said, was fatal to communist dictatorships. President Berisha said that the Albanian government was working resolutely to overcome quickly the consequences of the former Albanian communist regime’s policy of self-isolation. In his speech, President Berisha ac-cused the Serbian authorities of exerting relentless pressure against the Albanians of Kosovo. to protect the Albanian population of Kosovo before it was too late. He said that a conflict in Kosovo was not in Albania’s interest and added that the outbreak of fighting in that region would worsen security in Europe. The CSCE has announced that it will send a delegation to Kosovo to investigate Albanian complaints about serious human-rights violations. Appeals by Presidents BERISHA and RUGOVA for a just resolution of the Kosovo issue The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, sent a letter to the CSCE describing the grave situation of the people of Kosovo under the harsh Serbian military and police occupation. According to the LDK Information Center, President Rugova’s letter says that Serbia is creating a tense situation in Kosovo so that the conflict in other parts of the former Yugoslavia will spread to that region as well, where the fighting would be even more terrible than in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The consequences would be catastrophic for peace and security, not only in the Balkans but throughout the European continent. After describing the situation in Kosovo and Serbia’s repressive measures—which disregard the will of the Albanian people, who are trying to secure their right to self-determination by peaceful means—the letter concludes by asking those responsible for the CSCE summit to recognize the will of the Albanian people in Kosovo to exercise self-determination and to take the necessary measures to prevent a possible conflict, with the aim of (continued on page 4)

Statement by the PD TIRANA A sad event shook the public life of the capital. Regardless of the stated motives of those taking part in this attempted exodus, it is perfectly clear that the consequences of such an action are catastrophic for our fragile economy and the food supply of our people. It is universally known that Europe does not accept the situation of people forcibly made political or economic refugees in Albania, where a democratic state governed by the rule of law is in force. On the other hand, economic emigration organized by the state is legal, and opportunities for it are now available. But an attempted exodus such as that of 6 July, on the contrary—

Among the participants, it was not difficult to identify former Security agents, individuals affected by the reform in the Ministry of Public Order and SHIK, agents directed by foreign anti-Albanian centers, some of whom were moving about freely with foreign license plates. They were the active element directing and maneuvering the naïve crowd of citizens, first toward Durrës and then toward the embassies, also inciting them to shout anti-democratic political slogans. It was no coincidence that the July provocation ended in violence and broken windows. These provocateurs and those behind them must understand that, while the new democratic order will not repeat the national tragedy brought about by the class struggle, it will not allow those who want to bring about a new national tragedy to go unpunished.

- Statement by the Albanian Democratic Women’s League - Regarding the events that took place in recent days in the cities of Tirana, Durrës and Vlorë, amid attempts at a new exodus, the Albanian Democratic Women’s League declares that the Albanian Government must take immediate measures, in accordance with the law, to punish the organizers, former informers of the State Security service. We, Albanian mothers and women, are outraged that, amid the poverty bequeathed to us by yesterday’s rulers, not only former communist party-affiliated traders are exploiting the situation, but also former employees of the organs of terror. We therefore demand that these people be held accountable before the law for organizing illegal activities and deceiving ordinary people. It is clear that these disturbances are taking place precisely before the local elections, when the Slavo-communist politics of the Socialist Party and other anti-national forces see their last chance. But we, Albanian mothers and daughters, who aspire to consolidate genuine democracy, tell them that democracy will prevail in every corner of Albania, including in the elections of July 26. … forced political and economic flight is not accepted by Europe for Albania, where a democratic rule-of-law state by the state is legal, and there are opportunities for it now. But attempts at an exodus, like that of July 6, instead lead to this emigration being shut down. Another negative consequence of an attempted exodus is the increased difficulty of supplying the people with food, because foreign ships are forced to leave the port and head out to the open sea. It is quite clear that such events are intended to create an image of instability in Albania and, as a result, to obstruct the entry of foreign investment, which is so necessary for the recovery of our economy. It is not difficult to understand that certain political circles, as well as individuals responsible for our bitter past and affected by the loss of their privileges, have an interest in such catastrophic consequences for the country. It is not difficult to see that the latest attempt at an exodus was conceived and organized by seasoned specialists, who skillfully managed to implicate honest citizens as well—people who had none of the organizers’ aims, but were inadvertently drawn into this game by the economic hardships felt by everyone at this time of transition. the new democratic order will not bring about a national tragedy like the one caused by class warfare, it will not allow those who seek to cause a new national tragedy to go unpunished. The people of Tirana, who nurtured Albanian democracy, will not only refuse to become victims of such political provocations, but will never allow adventurers who mocked the people for 50 years to change the course of development of this country, which has now set out on the path toward Europe together with, and following the example of, countries integrating into democratic Europe. It is no coincidence that such events, an integral part of a revanchist communist strategy, are planned and carried out to provoke and destabilize public order, particularly during the election campaign. Their aim is not so much to affect the election results as to destroy the country and divide the people, pushing them toward national tragedy. The people of Tirana, who on March 22 entrusted their future to the PD, understand the challenges and politically provoked situations well, with the maturity that characterizes them. They will know how to avoid such traps and will once again express their confidence in the new democratic order in the forthcoming elections for local government.

As can be seen from the list, the entire former Political Bureau will stand trial; only one person is missing: the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSH, Mr. Ramiz Alia, that is, the principal leader of these people accused of major thefts. Why? [The text at the top is cut off] …on a large scale. The second one… investigations. Specifically, apart from Article 106 of the Penal Co… people accused of major thefts. Why? We also put this question to Mr. Prele Martini. His answer was precise, but unconvincing: “When the criminal case began, Ramiz Alia was President and the law protected him; therefore, no criminal case was initiated against him.” Agreed. But now he is not president, and there is no reason why, as a citizen, he should not account for his actions if he violated the laws and bears responsibility for acts he committed before his term as president. All the more so because, when his former comrades are tried, we believe they will mention his name in connection with various matters. In writing this, we do not wish to burden the former president. His role was undoubtedly extremely difficult and delicate during that very troubled period, marked by tension and the danger of an outbreak of fratricidal civil war. We would be inclined to deny his role in this matter, which will go down in history. Albania embarked on the road to democracy with democratic culture. Ramiz Alia was also certainly no dictator. As early as 1974, same time, he also committed personal abuses and allowed his subordinates to commit major abuses. Therefore, he too deserves to be tried and must be tried. In this way, both the merits and the mistakes will be weighed on the scales of justice in a democratic state governed by the rule of law. Whether or not he should be convicted is for justice alone to decide, after examining the facts. In democratic states, no public figure, whether president or prime minister, has the right to exclude any citizen or citizens a priori from trial when that person is not exempt from responsibility for the actions directed by him. Nevertheless, we hope that the trial of the Blok leaders will begin and conclude successfully, in accordance with all legal standards, in order to enhance the dignity and humane character of our new democratic state. We hope that the trial period, once the case passes from the Investigative Department to the court, will not exceed the 15–30 days prescribed by normal legal practice. PETRO DHIMIRI

WHICH EUROPE IS CONCERNED, MR. NANO (!!!) - 26 July—the decisive day to put an end to the social-communist power structure WHICH EUROPE IS CONCERNED, MR. NANO (!!!) - 26 July—the decisive day to put an end to the social-communist power structure The question used as the title of this reply article will be read in «Zëri i Popullit» as of 7, 7, 1992, beneath the headline «The Socialist Party compassionately expresses solidarity, responsibility and honesty in solving the great problems», in the report on Mr. Nano’s meeting with PS members and supporters in the town of Vorë. There, the gentleman in question tells us that «Europe» is concerned that signs of revanchism, neocommunism and totalitarianism are appearing in Albania. This is truly a «sensation»; this «information»—wasn’t it the same before 22 March?; when it still had social-communist power and was full[?] Nano and company, are you surprised by us, or would you say: «so, only a blunder!!!» It is that Europe which today approves and consults on the steps involved in launching our democratic reform. Nevertheless, Nano finds an excuse to pray—and an audience to believe such «sensations». Such places are small towns like Vorë, Poliçan, Kuçovë, Orikum, etc., with heterogeneous populations, made up mainly of newcomers from villages and such areas. The surveys of 31 March last year and 22 March this year show that in towns of this category the social-communists and Enverists are in the majority. We think that, first, this phenomenon is explained by the fact that these citizens, having come from villages and areas that are relatively poorer, view their arrival in these towns as a «favor» granted by the one-party system. Second, under the influence of the social-communist propaganda’s misrepresentation of democracy, they experienced it (democracy) as the anxiety of being displaced from where they had come…» This is a characteristic of all such towns with heterogeneous populations, where the socialists boast that so many new members have joined the PS, and where at their meetings they chant «Socialist Party—Socialist Party», and where… (Continued on page 2)

To discuss our government officials and members of parliament, portraying them as people who fight only for their own personal interests, old and new communist-socialist rumor-mongers have put out many fabricated figures. In order to discredit our government officials and members of parliament, portraying them as people who fight only for their own personal interests, old and new communist-socialist rumor-mongers have put out many fabricated figures, which are not only making people’s stomachs ache but also keeping them awake at night. One of these is the abuse of the salaries of our government officials, multiplying them many times over beyond what they actually … - For the information of the “PS Disinformation Agency” as well To inform the people accurately and help them avoid falling into the traps of rumors, we consulted the administrations of the People’s Assembly and the Presidency, and, after our initial surprise, we were genuinely pleased when we heard and read that the monthly salary of an Albanian member of parliament is 1050 lekë, while that of the President of the Republic is 2400 lekë. Thus they receive about half as much as a member of the armed forces of the Ministry of Defense or a police officer, or almost as much as a member of the armed forces who is about to go on assistance. VZHGUESI

Regarding the events that took place in recent days in the cities of Tirana, Durrës and Vlorë, amid attempts at a new exodus, the Albanian Democratic Women’s League declares that the Albanian Government must take immediate measures, in accordance with the law, to punish the organizers, former informers of the State Security service.