President Berisha’s speech at the press conference at the Palace of Congresses on 24 July The day before yesterday, the developed world sent a clear message to Albania, and I, as President of this country, feel obliged, as a sign of respect and gratitude toward these countries, to convey this message to you. The 24 most developed countries in the world and the most important international organizations, at the meeting held the day before yesterday, clearly expressed their full political, economic and moral support for the Albanian people, its government and the democratic forces. This meeting, which for the first time in the history of the G-24 organization was held outside Brussels, demonstrated these countries’ great appreciation for the democratic aspirations of the Albanians, for the decision they made four months ago, as well as their complete confidence in the new democratic authorities, the Meksi government and the reforms it has undertaken as the necessary path to save Albania. Their readiness to provide concrete support for the reforms was clearly expressed. Mr. And- (Continued on page 4)

On 22 March 1992, the Albanian people dealt a heavy blow to the organized vanguard detachment of the communist-socialists. The sensational victory of democracy in these elections made these dark forces accept defeat. They retreated, battered by the verdict delivered by the people, but did not lay down their weapons or their means of struggle. The communist-socialists, filled with bitterness and ferocity, these blind, fanatical remnants of the hated Enverian dictatorship, have taken heart, gathered and organized themselves, taking advantage of the new humane climate being established by the new democratic order of 22 March. On 22 March, for the burial of social-communism, the workers, peasants and intellectuals of this land came to know the true causes of our half-century tragedy, the communist-socialists, and will never forget them. They know well that the red cat has not yet used up all seven of its demonic lives. Votes for the DP—for democracy—will further shorten the life of the monster, the communist-socialist. They know well that in 100 days it is completely impossible for the democratic government to remedy all the injustices and appalling destruction that DEMOCRACY SOCIALIST PARTY PD GET PAST THIS OBSTACLE TOO, THEN LEAVE ME IN CHARGE... ... democracy in this election led these dark forces to accept defeat. They withdrew in a... [text cut off] communists-socialists. The communist-socialists, filled with bitterness and fury, these blind fanatical creatures of the hated Enverist dictatorship, have come to life, gathered and organized, the new democratic order of March 22. They feel and regard the local elections as what they truly are: the last «political» battle they will fight. That is why they have thrown themselves onto a broad front and without any reservations, like madmen in the «final war», the decisive battle on and against Albania’s months-old democracy, to seize 50 percent of the vote—as they have declared, so that in the future they can bring disaster upon the people as they did for 47 years. Especially recently, the closer July 26 comes, the harsher and more aggressive these forces become. In this battle of life and death, these eternal enemies of our homeland, our people and our progress have mobilized the whole old and new arsenal of refined and vile propaganda and agitation: cunning conversations, long and short—from time to time—servility, hypocrisy, lies, slander, enticements, threats, etc., etc., directed at honest people. In the crosshairs of communist-socialist snipers—the former employees of the PPSH committees, the state security service and their tools—are ordinary people and democrats, those who condemned the dictatorship with their votes on March 22. They have targeted those whom they oppressed, tortured and enslaved for half a century, and now torment and exhaust with a complicated and cynical war against democracy. Their aim is clear: to complicate everything, delay the arrival of democracy, and make the people suffer as much as possible. There is no doubt: that is how they acted before, and that is how they act now. These seasoned and sworn anti-democrats have spread to all four corners of the country, carrying out point by point the strategy of a red headquarters, continually pouring poison into the ears of good, long-suffering and exhausted people who await the benefits of democracy with hope. «Well done! You’re one of us, unlike that one who turned his back on us and became a democrat—damn him! We’ll see what we do to him! They left us without oil, salt and soap! They’re doing nothing! We’re worse off again—we’ll become steel, just like this (brushing gesture)!... See you in victory on July 26», etc.—these are some of their words. But those who voted [text cut off] They know very well that the red cat has not lost all seven of its demonic lives. The PD-democracy votes—they will reduce them even with their own lives, the communist-socialists. They know very well that in 100 days it is entirely impossible for the democratic government to repair all the wickedness and appalling destruction sown by communist-socialism. They see the great efforts being made by the President, the People’s Assembly and the democratic government to establish legality, restore order, secure food for the people, restart work in villages and cities, increase transport, continuously secure aid and loans to stabilize and normalize economic life in the future, etc., etc. They see the changes that have taken place over these 3–4 months; they feel and experience the first benefits of democracy, while the communist-socialists deliberately close their eyes to them. They feel the great but temporary pain of the price they are paying for these victories, because there is no other way. They are fully aware and convinced that very soon, after winter, they will begin to see the course of democracy’s true spring and its benefits. They are convinced that this is not electoral optimism, but the bitter reality of the path of democracy. They are determined to endure for a while longer the consequences of Enverist bloodthirsty rule as well as the consequences of the ongoing machinations of its legacy. If necessary, for a few days they can even eat bread dry, but they will not turn their backs on democracy. They are certain that no one will give them even grass to eat, as Enver says «dear». They know how to distinguish real money from counterfeit, democracy from Slavocommunist dictatorship. They understand the macabre devilry of the communist hyenas. They will not fall prey to their deceptions and will know how to give them a historic answer democratically: WITH THEIR VOTE. Democrats do not sell democracy for one kilogram of salt, two liters of oil and three bars of soap! They will never prove so naive and gullible as to let the communist-socialists snatch from their hands on July 26 the magnificent achievements of March 22, won with so many sacrifices, hardships, terror and blood. Never!

Caricature with the inscription «DEMOCRACY» and figures labeled «SOCIALIST PARTY» and «PD». Speech bubble: «GET PAST THIS OBSTACLE TOO, THEN LEAVE ME IN CHARGE...»

— Even the greatest truth is called into question if «ZP» comes to its defense! — We do not believe that people and the military themselves have forgotten their position before democracy began here. The list of «debts» that the dictatorship owed our military is countless: from low wages to being forgotten like an old tool, from the game of gra- [text cut off] For «... and mistakes that damaged the homeland’s terrain and readiness!» Everything done recently for the military is undoubtedly the work of democracy. From- [text cut off] ... up to the status, from the ranks to opening paths abroad for military personnel. The army is now taking the shape of an army that has the moral right to respect itself, and to respect others— [text cut off] ... above all, its own people. But even to this day «ZP», despite being a factor before our military, does not defend the rights violated by the new violations of the army’s nostalgic dictatorship! Is this the newspaper that does everything possible to preserve y- [text cut off] (Continued on page 2)

At last the day came when, on TV, the PS would explain its program and its alternatives for solving the many problems troubling our country. To tell the truth, I looked forward to this program with curiosity because, at last, I would discover the secret the PS had been loudly propagandizing. Everywhere, the socialists talked about the alternatives the PS would offer. «ZP» appeared, writing that the PS would even solve the PD cabinet’s problems if it won the local elections. There is only one thing they have not said so far: what those alternatives are and how the PD’s «mistakes» will be corrected. Having hoped they would add this, I also listened to the PS party’s first words. Nano said: «The PS is entering the elections as a program-oriented force, with effective solutions to economic and social problems. Our program is already known, and we have concrete alternatives». «Now,» I thought, «he’ll let rip,» and, to tell the truth, I felt a certain envy that they might have discovered something we knew nothing about! «Our alternatives,» Nano continued, «will be implemented with all the ability and commitment the PS has as a program-oriented force.» But the PS’s main aim in these elections «is to establish political balance,» because «the ship of Albanian democracy is listing and will take on a clean life». At this point the program’s presenter, who apparently had never attended one of Mr. Nano’s press conferences—in other words, she did not know Nano’s leaps and twists and his «ability» to talk without saying anything—asked him: «More specifically, what solutions are you offering?» — Now he won’t be able to dodge the question, I thought, but I was wrong. «What is being announced to us,» Nano said, «is that we should make Albanians feel that they themselves are citizens of Albania.» One wonders whether until now we were citizens of some other country without knowing it! «More specifically,» he continued, «the importance of local elections, for example for economic reform, is that parliamentary decisions can be stated by local government.» So he made it clear what «political balance» meant: balancing the country, blocking decisions and obstructing reform, thereby prolonging everyone’s suffering and problems. This, then, was one of the concrete ways in which the socialists would «solve» the people’s problems if they won. After continuing for several more minutes with this kind of «explanation» of the pro- [text cut off]

Albanian people! In 100 days, the democratic government achieved a major turning point. By voting for the DP candidates, you strongly support your own government and create the conditions for bringing you the benefits of democracy even sooner. Farmers, you who voted for democracy on 22 March and are the first to experience its benefits, do not believe the river of empty promises from the communist-socialists! They want to return you to the former cooperative hell.

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA

... after this, they go their own way ... Citizens ...

the warehouses of all vi- [text cut off] ...

... vegetable garden ripening, Life! A pa- city retiree