The situation our country is going through, Mr. Meksi, should be felt as a patriotic duty in the struggle to put democratic processes into practice and deepen them in Albania. The difficulties of reform must be understood and supported with dedication, just as the operation already begun must be continued with dedication by Mr. Meksi’s government. We trust that it will continue to provide further proof of its serious wisdom in establishing a democratic state governed by the rule of law, once again distancing itself from the influence of communist concepts in dealing with inherited, current and future problems. We, the lecturers of the Faculty of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, in support of the lecturers of the Faculty of Medicine, joined the ranks of the Democratic Party. Arjan Durrësi, K.SH.T.; Enes Toska, K.SH.T.; Fatmir Llagu, Lecturer; Florian Kongoli, Lecturer; Genci Sharo, Lecturer; Gjoni Pasko, Lecturer; [Inajet?] Daci, K.SH.T.; Jani Teta, K.SH.T.; Jaqo Merolli, Lecturer; Luigji Gjoka, K.SH.T.; Nanu Xhoxhi, Lecturer; Petraq Shomo, Lecturer; Petrit Bërhani, K.SH.; Spiro Duka, Doc.; Shega Shapllo, Lecturer; Ymer Luga, K.SH.T.; Rahmi Korbi, Doc. The following from the Institute of Mining Technological Studies and Design are joining the Democratic Party: Bardhyl Baholli – Mechanical Engineer. Selaudin Shabani – Chemical Engineer. Shkëlqim Çiço – Chemical Engineer. Sefedin Kazazi – Mechanical Engineer. Gëzim Turhani – Higher education (technologist). Genc Gjorgaj – Mechanical Engineer, Donika Sina – Mechanical Engineer Sotir Duda – Technologist, Zisi Nanushi – Civil Engineer.

Because the regressive, revanchist forces entrenched in the nature reserves of Polican are trying to stage a counter-revolution, create historical confusion and reverse the course of democracy; because the July actions in front of the embassies were a provocation against the authority of the new state; because the Enverist funeral of 25 August in Poliçan was a trial run for taking to the streets in defiance of the law; because 28 August in Tirana was an inhuman act of courage that can only spring from the paranoia of the Enverist code. “We won power with blood and will defend it with blood”—a phrase which, transformed in the mouth of Dr. Kastrijot Islami into “…or else the people’s will shall decide,” was a paragraph that paved the way for revanchism. The Democratic Party must exercise, without any hesitation, the power entrusted to it by the people—the absolute power of the people—because strong political resistance is being mounted against democracy and the state governed by law: in institutions, in leadership, and in the streets, through the law of corruption, anarchy and official indecision. These things prevent the organs of the state from functioning properly and local government from communicating with the central government; they mean that the law does not touch the person who steals, the person who … … by the people, the absolute power of the people. Because the democratic state is being threatened by an anti-democratic assault of the kind seen in 1924, when the democratic government of Fan Noli was overthrown; because the national question has never been in greater danger, especially given the new developments in the Balkans; because the Serbian communists want us to carry out the scenario of 1921, the scenario of exploiting the Albanian question in the Balkans. Because democracy must be defended, the human contribution and human blood shed for democracy must be defended, the state governed by law, our dignity, our national honor, the economic reform already begun and the only alternative for emerging from the complex crisis must be defended. We can no longer live by destroying, burning and wrecking: future generations will condemn us for these historic crimes, for failing to build the state, the economy and the architecture of life. entrusted to it by the people—the absolute power given to it by them on 22 March 1992. The minority must obey this will. Albania cannot humiliate its tradition or its future; there is no time to lose to the machinations of Marxist-Leninist backroom operators. Communism will never again come to power in Albania if the people rise to defend their freedom. entrusted to it by the people. Because Albanian Marxist-Leninists, in the guise of Enverists, are implementing a plan of clandestine warfare: unlawful gatherings (Poliçan), anti-government rallies (Tirana), and a legal struggle to undermine everything, everywhere, even the drinking water (Krujë). Because the Enverists are, at the very least, trying to incite a civil war in Albania; because they are trying to create the impression abroad that human rights are being violated in Albania; because they are trying to obstruct reform, which would mean national catastrophe. entrusted to it by the Albanian people through their government, through direct engagement, through open dialogue with the people, through the mobilization of the entire national body, the national intellectual body, and through the firm defense of the law and the state governed by law, thereby making … the absolute power given to it by the people Albania cannot humiliate its tradition, future and history for a handful of nostalgics. Even today democratic Germany punishes the dangerous neo-Nazis; America uses the electric chair and the gas chamber for lawbreakers. No one in the world accuses these countries of being undemocratic because they defend their laws. Albania does not… the organs of the state from functioning steals, the person who sabotages, the person who endangers the state. And because of all this, the revanchist Enverist nature of the people of Polican accuses others of revanchism; the thieves and criminals there demonstrate like angels with the portrait of the dead dictator, and the organizers in Polican hold state authorities hostage. The Democratic Party of Albania— the culture of life The Democratic Party must exercise power openly body, the national intellectual body, through the determined defense of the law and the rule of law, making it possible for all Albanians to be affected equally by assistance and to benefit equally from justice. The DP must exercise its four-year mandate, because this is the will of the people, because the will of the people is the will of God.

Medical aid in Albania is above all assistance for maternity wards and pediatrics. Italy, and Apulia in particular—the sister land across the Adriatic—can build a bridge to Albania by providing equipment and medicines, as well as professional assistance and vocational training. This is the meaning of the appeal, “Let’s do something as soon as possible,” for Albania’s medical services and the volunteer organizations already operating in this field. These are people specialized in maternity care and pediatrics. The initiative is supported by the Committee for Solidarity with Albanian Women (Tel. 080/5022348) and by volunteer doctors from Matera. «MEZZO GIORNO», dated 25.8.92

Drawing on the 50 years of experience of the PK or PP, the PS too has purged undesirable elements from the top of its leadership pyramid. But, as a master of demagoguery, deception and manipulation, it has tried to cloak this in the veil of democracy, unity and renewal. Indeed, it has gone so far as to present these as voluntary and freely made withdrawals or resignations. Ismail Hysiu was eliminated from the PS leadership and “honored” and rewarded with the post of ambassador at a time when it had become clear that the party’s time in power was numbered and Ismail would enjoy the ambassador’s chair only briefly. In June of this year, at the PS congress, Spiro Dede was removed by “resignation.” On the lower rungs of the PS leadership hierarchy, the number of those purged by elbowing them out or through “resignation” is even greater. «ZP», which was itself in power for 50 years, neither reported nor commented on these surprising and acceptable losses within the PS. We do not understand why «ZP» changed its tune so suddenly, when it had never changed it throughout its life! Its ardent defense of them raises the suspicion that they really were the PS’s beloved sons. It did not defend even the rooted, branch-and-all communist-socialists in this way. This is what it means when «ZP» sees as one mother’s sons the socialists with a secretive air and convictions, and as the other mother’s “orphans” the democrats. But «ZP»’s time has long since passed. By presenting the origins and “crooked trees” of the PD as the clearing of an entire forest, it seeks to portray one blemish within the PD as an irreparable catastrophe, to stir it up and magnify it, and to sow among the people the seedlings of its own fear, distrust and disappointment with the PD and democracy in general. But what can you do? The PS and «ZP» are not getting, and will not get, the results they want. The group of motionists is insignificant, and its followers can be counted on one hand. «ZP» laments for the PD because it has lost the “cream” of the intellectuals, when in fact … in fact it has been rid of the cream of the pseudo-democrats. After their departure, dozens of other intellectuals, already established as professionals and quiet democrats, streamed into the ranks of the PD. Thus, contrary to what the PS and «ZP» are spreading, the PD is becoming ever stronger, more mature, more European, more capable and more determined to successfully carry out its historic mission: to break completely and once and for all with communism in Albania and build a truly new democratic system. Albanian, through his governance, through a short-term leadership of the ambassador’s seat. In June of this year, at the SP congress, Spiro Dede left with... a resignation. Further down the hierarchy of SP leadership, the number of those who have been cleared out by elbowing or “resignation” is even greater. “ZP,” which for 50 years has told only the truth, has neither reported nor commented on these sudden and unjustifiable losses. It has called them normal and of no interest to the people. The people must never learn about the unprincipled struggle for posts, seats and privileges taking place in the party’s brain. The party itself knows and resolves these matters, as does its new Zezui. This is what Enver instructed, and this is how it will continue. But whenever there has been a change in the DP leadership, “ZP” has always kept its eyes open and its ears pricked. Even though the elements whom it itself had spent an entire year denouncing as pseudo-democrats and unscrupulous careerists have left, now, strangely, it has taken them under its protection, as if they were wholehearted members who clearly knew what they wanted and how they ought to think. With numbers, and that Ismaili would enjoy the ambassador’s seat for a short time.

As early as 1956, the Polish philosopher S. Kolakovski, in one of his many answers to the question “What is and what is not socialism?”, said: “a state where every day one can do what has been said and yet claim that nothing has changed.” This is a quality acquired and refined by Enverist communism in Albania. The Labor-Socialists of today have inherited this quality once again and preserve it fanatically. Indeed, they are so trained and nimble that they try to convince people that they are fair and that their evaluations and opinions can change within a day about the very same thing. A clear example is the stance of the PP (S) toward …, as seen in the papers «ZP» and «24 Orë» on 23.8.1992. «ZP» becomes «Aljamirë» and preaches that all together we can build an Albanian state, a united and diverse nation. Meanwhile «24 Orë» serves its readers, with great ingenuity, the dark remains of the communist struggle and sets them upon the nationalists, the “wealthy classes,” the appropriated “wealthy classes” and those who stood… [?!] The official accusation, the center of the defense, and more and more it seems that «Margaritë» of reform is appearing and «Margarita» of reform is appearing… [?] «ZP» tries to act through “softening” and writes: “if this [government] has done some good things too. At least it began the reform. This must be acknowledged, even though everything has been done in a way … unsupported by the country’s circumstances; representatives of a party that has only just come to power have begun a painful reform in its very first months. This will inevitably bring disappointment, upheaval and social wounds too…” “It is unbelievable to find these words written in «ZP». But there are also moments when the crow tries to sing like a nightingale. Yet its cawing is continued by «24 Orë» with the same zeal and intensity as during the election campaign (to show the socialists that renewal is not really taking place): “A government of paralysis…” Everything in Albania has frozen (not even the August heat can melt the ice)… We used to have a state without laws; now we have laws without a state… Mr. Meksi’s government has paralyzed the entire life of the country (which the Çarçani, Nano, Bufi and Ahmeti governments had painted in such rosy colors)… Mr. Meksi and Berisha have no intention of dealing with the Albanian economy (a feast for the social-communist speculators)… the government of paralysis will see its mission through to the end.” So, according to «24 Orë», the people have nothing left to do but give up hope for anything from this government. Apparently Tirana’s socialists do not belong to the “mass of ordinary socialists who do not threaten the government,” whom «ZP» talks about. «ZP» moralizes as elegantly as it possibly can: “At a time of sacrifice and initial pain, it is comfortable to be in opposition, making criticisms right and left…” But today’s opposition comes with a different mindset: let us share responsibility for the good of the country. The government tries immediately … those accustomed to power want power again… It seems to me a paradox and a contrast in the parties’ line concerning the class enemy. Even more paradoxical… You would have to have a heart of stone, an icy soul and a half-witted mind not to be moved by these “monumental” sentences (as «ZP» would once have called them). Who would dare oppose them? Yet the “socialist” newspaper of Tirana, «24 Orë», once again shows its courage. We hope that the government of paralysis has postponed economic reform because of decisiveness, hesitation or lack of ability, and not in order to wait for the end of a second cycle of political transition. In any case, let it look after its own head.” So, from what «ZP» writes, everything is futile. The opposition socialists no longer even have anyone with whom to share responsibility. Or else they are very cunning and their calls for sharing responsibility—which «ZP» makes—are merely the easiest way to get back into power and avoid “the end of a second cycle of political transition,” as the democratic opposition «24 Orë» puts it. And so, quite simply, within the same day the social-communist press lays out the PP (S)’s strategy and tactics for fighting the democratic government. The strategy is, of course, one and the same. The PP (S) wants a “pluralist” government, but one it can control and manipulate like an illusion—a government like that of stability and the chief- (Continued on page 2)

As the entire public has been informed, the city of Poliçan has been experiencing major political tensions, particularly over the last 5–6 days, accompanied by acts of vandalism unprecedented in this area. The economic demands of the factory workers are well known and have been supported by the President and the Government, as well as by all the political forces in Poliçan. But this does not mean that the public, whether here or more broadly, cannot distinguish cause from consequence. In this particular case, we are not dealing with an ordinary strike with purely economic demands, but with escalating protests, with an anti-government demonstration. This anti-government, anti-reform sentiment has been expressed by many speakers at the “strike.” The Labor-Enverist forces exploited the workers’ legitimate economic demands to achieve their nefarious anti-government and anti-communist aims. These forces were also inspired by public statements from local power holders, such as the city’s mayor, Arshi Tusha, who was one of the most active participants in the demonstrations, and the district council chairman, Venetiku Zaimi, as well as by PS leaders and members of the People’s Assembly, such as Luan Rama, Ilir Meta, Servet Pëllumbi and Sabit Brokaj. Here are some of their statements: “Arshi Tusha and Venetiku Zaimi: We are with you. Trust us. We will bring our comrades among you. We will emerge victorious.” The public is aware of the plot organized to hold two officers of the Ministry of Public Order hostage. The severe public disorder, the unlawful gatherings at all hours, the use of sirens at night and during the day, an ominous atmosphere and a confrontation with imaginary enemies seriously implicate these two power holders. We also remind Mr. Ilir Meta: Was his presence there the night before the fires and destruction occurred a coincidence? According to Luan Rama’s «Zëri», they happened mysteriously, all by themselves. Is it a coincidence that, after Pellumb Kondi was placed at the head of the PS in Poliçan, his sister-in-law Merita Kondi was put at the head of the demonstrators? Why did the PS coordinators in Poliçan put [him] in the role of [illegible] at these demonstrations? Could the demand that the hostages provide statements of good behavior have been part of these measures? We remind this deputy of his legal responsibility before the people at 22:00 on 28.8.92. (Continued on page 2)