Although it has existed for only a year and a half, the DP is showing that it is a party of action, one that knows how to keep its word and deliver what it promises. It promised the overthrow of communism and the establishment of democracy, and these became reality. It promised integration into the most important European and international political and financial organizations, and the securing of aid from the European Community and the USA, and these promises were fulfilled. In this month alone, our country has been granted 300 million dollars, not counting the humanitarian aid arriving in increasing quantities and with great intensity. In total, this financial and material aid is four times greater than what we received during the period of the Stability Government. During the election campaign for the 22 March elections, it promised to begin and carry out the reform that is the only alternative capable of saving our country. That reform has begun and is under way, despite extremely difficult conditions, obstacles and hardship resulting from the country’s complete economic ruin by the PP or PS. It promised to restore order and calm, and now we can say that, in general, this has been achieved, without denying that more remains to be done in this regard—particularly to enforce the law more firmly against some adolescents who continue to disturb people by driving cars and motorcycles at extremely high speeds, even on roads with heavy motor and pedestrian traffic, by speeding. It promised to arrest the bloc members and bring them to trial, as well as to begin the Shkodra trial, and it kept its word. While the communist-socialist rulers kept the people hoping and deceived them for two years about the start of organized emigration, the democratic government sent the first group to the FRG within the first three months of its existence and is making intensive efforts to send not only the contingent of around 1,000 people planned for that country, but also other groups for longer-term or seasonal placements. It promised the privatization of homes and the allocation of surplus land, and, with the relevant laws approved, their implementation will soon begin. It promised residents of several localities and areas, such as Devolli, Bulqiza, Peqini, Krumë-Hasi and Kuçova, that they would be given district status, and it kept its word. Perhaps, in the fervor and enthusiasm of the campaign, some things were also promised that, with a cool head, it would now be best to reconsider, postpone or not carry out during this difficult transitional phase. In this period of rapid, sweeping and fundamental changes, full of shortages and challenges, with an empty budget, a ruined economy and extreme poverty, it is impossible for everything to run smoothly and for no mistakes to be made. What is important and positive is that the DP is aware of them and is striving to prevent them from recurring. It has not promised to make Albania Switzerland or Sweden in 4 or 14 months, because it does not want to lie to and deceive the people as the PP or PS did for 47 years, portraying Albania as the world’s only island of paradise when, in reality, it was hell. But, seeking to sow mistrust and disappointment among the people toward the DP, through articles in PS pamphlets, the communist-communist-socialists want to encourage the people to demand that our government, only four months old, accomplish such utopian nationwide projects as providing every village with telephone service, opening and paving roads all the way to the most remote areas, connecting every town with… and fully mechanizing agricultural work, etc. It is well known that the opposition’s pledges, forecasts and plans for these things filled reports and dozens of congresses of the former PP, now PS, as well as the speeches of former leaders Comrade Enver and Comrade Ramiz. Yet the PS has the gall to demand that our government do in four months what its governments did not do—not because they could not, but because they did not want to—for 47 years. For now, these things cannot be accomplished, because the government must also think and strive with all its strength to secure bread and food for the people for the second half of this year and for next year, and to fill the warehouses with food supplies that the PS handed over empty on 22 March. It is fully committed to carrying out the political and economic reform completely and successfully. ... that, generally speaking, this has been achieved, while acknowledging that more remains to be done in this regard, particularly in applying the force of the law more firmly to and motorcycles at excessive speed, even on roads with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, committing hooligan acts and thefts on buses and in other public places. He promised that he would abolish the ruinous 80 percent [tax/levy] for our state budget, for people’s willingness to work and for large-scale production, and this has now been accomplished, although we are still far from the 100 percent target ... In this difficult, rapid and far-reaching period of transformation, devastated is important and positive is that PD is aware of this and is striving to prevent mistakes from being repeated and to correct them, guided by the principle that it is never too late to correct oneself; this is a sign of realism, maturity and strength. There are also other things that cannot be accomplished quickly. The people gave PD only four years, on 22 March, to carry out what they entrusted it with, and it is aware that it must be patient and wait. PD financial assistance grant. This amount will be used to supply the equipment and spare parts most urgently needed to ensure and improve the operation of Albania’s electricity transmission and distribution systems. This project is part of the World Bank’s overall project. (ATSH) Also, the new project is called the “key to recovery.” The article’s author keeps circling around, “mocking” the incompetence of PD deputies on these issues. One gets the impression that the article is intended to defend the old law and reject the new project, but, strangely, at the end of the article it says that “the article is not intended to defend either the law or the project,” but to make clear that laws, once passed, must be implemented. Thus, after the whole article is spent attacking the deputies (which is the article’s sole purpose), the “ZP” argument is also mentioned... I think his “bombastic” headlines and the content, with its “subtle” irony (since they are unable to express themselves in the crude way they did before). You read a headline, “So that we may believe you...”; the article discusses the debates held in parliament on the draft law on enterprises. The article’s author “ironizes” the fact that PD deputies, who are responsible for the enterprises’ current wretched condition, are bringing forward laws that were approved long ago. The new draft law is also ironically Another thing is that the strong arguments continue. A certain “observing correspondent,” in an article entitled “Does Tirana Have Local Government?”, after pointing out that the executive committee consists of PD representatives, discovers, as an observer, that water is rationed and that people are not being given telephones. For this he “holds the committee responsible”—that is, PD, which apparently, as soon as it came to power, dried up the water sources, which “previously” had never been rationed! As for the telephones, it does not matter that once they were operated by turning a dial with one’s finger, back in communism; today, the article says, telephones are necessary because everyone needs to speak with their people abroad. Here the “observer” is entirely right, because today more than 300,000 Albanians have left the country and are abroad. (Continued on page 2)

Mr Osman Kazazi, chairman of the National Association of Former Political Prisoners and Persecuted People of Albania, was awarded the gold medal “Torch of Democracy” on the occasion of his 75th birthday. The ceremony held on this occasion at the Presidential Palace on Monday at noon was attended by the President of the Republic, Mr Sali Berisha; the chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr Pjetër Arbnori; Prime Minister Mr Aleksandër Meksi; other members of the government; members of parliament; representatives of political parties; members People; and others. Mr Kazazi’s nationalist and progressive activities began when he was studying in Rome and started his clandestine activity within the “Balli Kombëtar” organization. Recognizing the communist danger, he distinguished himself in preparing the Mukje Conference, with the aim of uniting all nationalist and communist forces to form the “Committee for National Salvation.” It was short-lived, because the Communist Party, urged on by foreign Serbo-Slavs, broke the agreement. After the communists took power, Osmani was arrested. He served 15 years in prison and was then sent into internment, where, because of his steadfast stance, he was sentenced once again to 10 years in prison. But Osmani managed to survive, because the great national ideals and his determined anti-communism were strong in his heart. The words of greeting were delivered by Mr Pjetër Arbnori. The President of the Republic, Mr Sali Berisha, presented Mr Osman Kazazi with the gold medal “Torch of Democracy,” awarded to him with the following citation: “He gave the Homeland a life full of suffering and sacrifices, together with his entire family, standing out as a magnificent figure of a martyr and a Man who, with great humanity and love of country, distinguished himself as a brother and compassionate leader of his fellow sufferers who were persecuted, and who now continues tirelessly to fulfil the noble, lofty goal of their integration into a democratic and free Albanian society.” (ATSH)

If you handle “ZP” (be careful to wash your hands afterward), you do not need to be an observer with their “competence” at all. This must be stated clearly: even if you are ignorant, remind the scribbler that the enforcement of laws does not depend on the members of parliament whom he “makes fun of.” Members of parliament only pass laws; other bodies are responsible for enforcing them. The shamelessness continues in an article that writes (always “ironically”) about food queues these days. “ZP” even agrees to mention the queues the people endured for 45 years, solely so it can also talk about today’s queues, which it claims the DP created over these three months. In the same article it is insinuated that those queues were formed ... a problem is raised that has nothing to do with their “competence.” In answer, plainly, to the scribbler’s ignorance, I remind him that enforcing the he “makes fun of.” We apologize to the democrats that we are forced to deal with a…

— From Prof. Arshi Pipa’s meetings in Shkodra — Professor Arshi Pipa’s meeting on 11 July with the political persecuted of Shkodra will remain unforgettable, like a meeting among brothers who suffered under the red dictatorship. Professor Pipa eloquently gave a scholarly analysis of our country’s historical development from 1920 to the present day. In particular, he addressed the national question and the backwardness left to us by the communist regime over nearly half a century. He analyzed in detail the profoundly unscientific nature of Marxism-Leninism in general, and especially its Stalinist variant. Prof. Pipa argued, both scientifically and practically, that this was a path with catastrophic consequences that brought our people to the brink of ruin. But he also stressed that not all communists were guilty and that they cannot all be lumped together. Nevertheless, he believed—and specifically mentioned—that the law must act against those chiefly responsible, the true causes of this catastrophe, and justice must be served without hesitation for the political crimes and economic damage they inflicted on the entire people. On the other hand, Prof. Pipa emphasized, people who have suffered also know how to forgive, but, as a rule, a person forgives those who ask forgiveness. Well then, he added, since no one has made such a request so far, it would be paradoxical to think otherwise. In a very elegant, cultured and figurative manner, he described the development of the democratic process in our country, noting that it is logical and necessary for these processes to be led by young people, since this generation is capable of taking them forward and has all the qualities needed to act with courage and daring. In his speech, Prof. Pipa also spoke about the local elections that will be held soon. On this issue, among other things, he said: “Since you are facing local elections, I would like each of you to understand clearly that you have not completely eliminated communism, because today it continues to hold economic power. In these circumstances, I would stress that, for the sake of the national cause, all the small parties should sacrifice their partisan passions and unite with the larger anti-communist parties, the Democratic Party, although the latter has made some mistakes in its activities, which it itself acknowledges and which I believe it will correct in the future. Thus, he said, just as the position these small parties took on 22 March is to be applauded, I believe that now, too, on 26 July, they should make it a second 22 March, so that the complete victory of democracy over communism may be achieved.” MYFTI, Q. BUSHATI

— Switzerland grants Albania financial aid of 4 million Swiss francs as a gift — Yesterday, a financial agreement was signed in Tirana between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Swiss Government, according to Albanian official sources. Switzerland is granting Albania financial aid of 4 million Swiss francs in the form of a gift. On the Albanian side, the agreement was signed by Naskë Azezolli, Deputy Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation, and on the Swiss side by Kristian Ha-, chargé d’affaires of the Swiss Confederation in Tirana.

— The charitable association “Karitas,” based in Lece, Italy, has eased the transitional hardship and difficulties faced by the residents of Vlora through humanitarian aid to the city. As a result of the increased aid, direct links have been established between this province and the villages of Vlora. The ferry “Ronama,” which arrived at the port of Vlora in recent days, also brought 120 members of this association, who brought around 50 tons of aid for residents of several villages in the district. The groups from these associations, led by Don Kolaverna, distributed aid—mainly food, medicines, clothing and footwear, and school supplies for the children of these villages—according to the links between the province of Lece and the villages of the district. (ATSH)

- OF THE WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM ARE AT WORK - BERAT, - Edmond Koxhaku, head of the industry section at the district executive committee, reports that more than 80 percent of the people in enterprises belonging to the industrial system are now at work, and this number is tending to rise, which means that the chances of receiving assistance will be lower. In the food-industry enterprises, which are operating almost at full capacity, the plant for collecting and processing herbs, the No. 2 grain-collection and processing plant, the clothing plant, etc., are working at full capacity. At the carpet-production enterprise, carpet, mattress and quilt production has been increased in response to buyers’ requests.

And finally, what the external enemies of the Albanian nation cannot achieve, “ZP” has taken upon itself to accomplish. In no state in the world is the army put on trial. But, unfortunately, this is happening here, at the hands of that political force which still considers the army its “property.” And it is no coincidence that this newspaper and the party it represents call them their veterans in the army. There it has its “reflections,” its “Democrats” installed so high up, and the ignorance of whose “advisers.” PPS) has its own “soldiers” in the army, with their Slav-communist ideas. PP(S), as a “higher staff” than Hysni Miloshti’s PK, seeks to mobilize as many people as possible—people compromised by the previous system, as many offspring of its “angels” as possible—in its depleted “ranks.” In all its recent articles, by devoting a page of “opposition” to the army, “ZP” seeks to sabotage army reform, destabilize this military institution, which became the “backbone” of the democratization process, and even issue urgent calls for rebellion. This Serbophilic aim can never be achieved within the ranks of the army. The frenzied appeals of the so-called military personnel whom “ZP” “montages” are not supported by the ordinary officers who stand for democracy and the rebirth of the army. In recent days this newspaper has openly turned against the democracy being built in the army with such dedication and courage. The so-called Alban Kosova, who opposes reform and openly calls for the army to rise in rebellion, is nothing other than a reflection of the “pure line”—ideological, political and military—of the Milošević-style “socialists” of Belgrade. It is no coincidence that the name of martyred Kosovo was chosen as this “Albanian” military man’s surname. PP(S) refuses to understand that the army’s decline is being addressed on clear democratic foundations. On the contrary, PP(S) wants democracy to be built on militarization. The publication of the “petition,” drawn up by former officers who were discharged early, is a deliberate move by this newspaper to keep attacking democracy and the country’s stability. Are these really the military men who today openly express ideas so “consistent” with the ideology of this “mother party”? Of course, they are not all those who were discharged. They are the “constriction” that yesterday lived off and gorged itself at the desks provided by the dictator Enver Hoxha. These military men are the former red nomenklatura of the former Political Bureau and the PP Central Committee. They are the ones who became the “foundation” of Enver’s “voluntary” association. I call on the military men with backbone not to let themselves be used by this Enverist-communist “constriction,” and to distance themselves from this filth that is destroying the army. Gentlemen of “ZP” and PP(S), do not play with the feelings and honor of the military. They are sons who ... under ... and ...»