GJIROKASTRA HAS HAD AND STILL HAS INTELLECTUALS WITH POTENTIAL, NOT ONLY IN ITS DISTRICT BUT THROUGHOUT ALBANIA AND BEYOND. THE PUBLIC DECLARATION IN FAVOR OF THE DP BY INTELLECTUALS FROM FAMILIES WITH GREAT ALBANIAN PATRIOTIC TRADITIONS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT. ALBANIA WILL BE THE LOSER IF YOU DO NOT GET INVOLVED IN THE DP. Meeting of the chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Mr. Eduard Selami, with intellectuals from the city of Gjirokastër. On 31 August, a meeting of the city’s intellectuals with Mr. Eduard Selami was held in the city cinema. “It is my wish,” Mr. Selami stressed, “to talk with you about the difficulties and problems facing us. The DP has valued your contribution and has always called for your greater involvement in the democratic processes we are going through. I understand that joining the DP was not easy for you, because you were under particular pressure. From its very beginnings, the DP was portrayed in the blackest colors by communist propaganda. Some intellectuals should be thanked for their courage, because they supported us from the very first moments. This was particularly important. We have tried, and I think we have achieved a great deal. This gives us the moral right to seek support from all those strata of society who wish to help us. Today the situation is different. The problems and difficulties are of a different scale. We are trying to build a democratic state, and new democratic concepts and practices are being put into operation. This requires everyone’s commitment and contribution. The fact that we are asking for your help and contribution does not indicate weakness on our part. On the contrary, it once again shows how seriously we take the heavy burden we have undertaken. So far, we have done as much as we could. Responsibility for all this is shared. These things require your commitment. If you think things will happen by themselves, they might, but very slowly and not to the required standard. These things cannot be accomplished only with the staff of ‘RD’ and the intellectuals who belong to the DP. Everyone’s help is needed; without a sense of enlightenment, we will not succeed. Because there are currently no effective material incentives. In the future, society itself will find ways of gathering opinions through incentives. I also think that, alongside the party press, there should be an independent, progressive press. Now that the right to speak has been won, it is unforgivable for an intellectual not to state their views.” Vasil Shyti, teacher: What is the DP’s position toward the PS? Are there nihilistic tendencies in its stance toward it? E. Selami: I do not think there are nihilistic tendencies in our position toward the PS. It is not a constructive opposition, but a destructive one. They are not offering solutions to the problems we are facing; they blacken everything. They scream about an alleged new dictatorship, even though you can be sure that we have shown tolerance. The coalition with them was precisely our mistake. I think they have a great deal to change. There are reactionary elements among them, but they want a conservative wing. You saw the Poliani issue. [The text continues:] Intellectuals’ views on new paths and issues of common concern for the country are also interesting. (The text at the bottom is cut off by the edge of the image.) You saw the Police issue. — Roland Cene (musician). I am not a member of any party. But it is easy to criticize. I think the DP has done a great deal to fight communism. The lack of proper involvement should be attributed not to the indifference of intellectuals, but to the Gjirokastër DP branch’s poor organizational work. I do not know who the DP section chair is in my neighborhood, Mgj.th. However, I do not identify the DP with such things. I like your sincerity in raising the issue, as well as the possibility of bringing in intellectuals from distinguished patriotic families. Agon Kokalari said that privatization should be based on the recognition of ownership. This is important. Eduard Selami: “It is precisely with regard to such pressing issues that we are asking for your help: not to undermine the DP, but to strengthen it and turn it into a political force capable of solving these problems.” Apostol Naci: “Why does the party, or any president, respond to Greek chauvinist circles? They are not official circles, so the level of the response should be the same. What are your relations with PBDNJ?” Mr. Selami: “We do not respond to the noise and words of chauvinist circles, but to their actions, such as distributing voting leaflets and pressuring refugees to change their names, nationality and religion, etc. These are violations of international norms governing relations between states. I’ra ta kon pyes këtë ditë we consider PBDNJ a democratic party and have good relations with it. The DP should speak out about the statements of chauvinist circles.” Mr. Subi Hajro: “The RD press should strongly support the government and the reform, and address concrete material problems carefully. I am against any kind of coalition with the Socialists, because 80 percent of their members are communists. I would like you to clarify, if possible, something about opening the files that you think should be made public for politicians.” E. Selami: “I agree with opening politicians’ files, but not everyone’s. The bad Hungarian experience shows us that opening them on a mass scale is wrong. It is no coincidence that the Socialists are trumpeting this; people may have written whatever they wanted in the files. The case of Walesa in Poland clearly demonstrates this.” Regarding the question about the authors of the motion, Mr. Selami said that, normally, people whose views contradict the DP’s political line should leave. They do not necessarily have to be removed by a vote. I fully agree with the conference’s decisions. Finally, the intellectuals declared their support for the political line followed by the DP. They committed themselves to contributing concretely to the DP’s organizational structure. The intellectuals Alban Simi, Bajram Beri, Skanduli, Agron Kokalari, Roland Cene, Ardiana Beli, Natasha Mantho, Vangjel Pallo, Bardhyl Bozgo, Nuredin Qerbahshi, Ana Zebo, Petro Turosha, Hodo Cela, Jorgo Arsen and Gjergji Spiri expressed their wish to join the commission selected to organize the Gjirokastër DP branch and arrange the branch conference. Responsibility for the future will not belong only to the DP, but to the whole nation. That is why we want the support of the entire nation. We especially want the support of honest and upright intellectuals. The greater your support, the easier the road we have begun and the greater our achievements. Today it is comfortable to be neutral. But we cannot allow ourselves such a luxury, because our problems are great. If you do not get involved, conservative forces will succeed and this period of transition will last longer. But I think the important thing is to free ourselves from the complex of guilt. An intellectual who has worked for a wage to make a living is not guilty. Those who make such judgments are interested in keeping intellectuals out of current processes. The sooner we free ourselves from the complex of guilt and support the new historical tendency put forward by the DP, the better it will be for Albania. Our national history shows that at its crucial moments we have not been as interested as we should have been, or acted as we should have. We must remember that no one can make this country succeed unless we unite. Today there is a new vision of political life. The former tendency toward extreme politicization should not be replaced by another harmful tendency—that of extreme indifference. In the civilized world, people and individuals hold very different views on different issues. They contribute by expressing their views in the party and independent press, through surveys, etc. The DP is open to everyone. It is open to its own mistakes and shortcomings as well. Any one of you can criticize it for these, but before doing so, they should ask themselves what contribution they themselves are making to the democratic processes. This is a moral and national obligation for every honest intellectual who was implicated in the political crimes of the past. Below, Mr. Selami also highlighted Gjirokastër’s cultural and patriotic traditions. It in its district but throughout Albania and beyond. It is an important symbol when intellectuals from families with great, renowned patriotic traditions declare their support for the DP. It is not important which origin or whom the DP would lose. That is a very small matter. I think that Albania will be the loser if people do not get involved with the DP. There should be a dialogue with the DP, a dialogue among those present, a dialogue among those present ... Oda? ... an intellectual, in his speech, pointed out the DP’s successes in the fight against communism. But it seems to us that its current level leaves much to be desired, when faced with unrestrained propaganda and Z.P. ... Besides, something like this? Mr. Selami, at the beginning [of the text: “the first battle of the struggle against communism”], spoke of engaging the many intellectuals who are ... the DP’s journalists. Today we have ... and the realization ... of the democratic process. You must answer the questions and ... about the concrete paths that should be ... for Albania’s future? The possibility of adapting the economy to the market and democratizing the institutions... in our position toward the PS. It is a constructive opposition, but a destructive one. They offer no solutions to the problems we are facing, but keep stirring things up. a great deal to change. There are rational elements among them, but they have denied them from the conservative wing. You saw the Police issue. — Roland Çene The intellectuals Alban Simi, Bajrami Hodo Cela, Jorgo Arsen I conference.

The results of the London Conference and the grave situation in Kosovo were the subject of discussions held by the two Presidents, Sali Berisha and Ibrahim Rugova, during a meeting. They believe that the declaration adopted by the London Conference, recognizing the principles of self-determination, is a contribution by the Conference toward a just solution to the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. In this context, the creation of a special group for Kosovo that would take account of its political and legal reality would provide a sound basis for resolving this problem.

“We are pleased to note that relations between France and Albania are continuing to grow, and we will make continuous efforts to expand the ties and cooperation between France and Albania,” President Berisha stated. “We are pleased to note that relations between France and Albania are continuing to grow, and we will make continuous efforts to expand the ties and cooperation between France and Albania,” President Berisha stated at his meeting with French parliamentarians Michel Berson and René Andre and businessman Ledore. He also emphasized that he appreciated France’s commitment to finding a solution to the crisis in the region. The French parliamentarians said that the crisis in the former Yugoslavia in general, and the Kosovo issue in particular, are among our main concerns. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE PRESIDENCY

On the morning of 1 September, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi received and held talks with the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Ibrahim Rugova, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Bujar Bukoshi. As a continuation of the dialogue between Albania and Kosovo, the talks stressed the need to intensify political activity at every level internationally, in order to preserve and expand the space created in London. The expansion of economic relations was also discussed at length; this is to be carried out under the direction of a coordinating commission. “What is important,” Prime Minister Meksi stressed, “is that we achieve serious and beneficial cooperation by identifying concrete areas such as the energy system—its adaptation and how it will be connected—as well as opening new roads to Kosovo, air transport, telecommunications, health care and education. It is the duty of the Albanian government,” he emphasized, “to insist on a just solution to the Albanian question in its contacts with Western countries, alongside our economic issues. The transfer of this issue from London to Geneva is a qualitative step, which both Albania and— [text breaks off] and Kosovo should make use of to achieve concrete results.” Mr. Rugova, after emphasizing that the London Conference marks a step forward in the process of recognizing the rights of Albanians in the former Yugoslavia, praised the steps being taken to give concrete form to economic cooperation between Albania and Kosovo. The meeting also discussed coordinating efforts to organize Albanian financial capital around the world for the benefit of national interests. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

On 1 September 1992, at the headquarters of the Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, chairman of the DP, met French deputies MICHEL BERSON and René Andre, as well as the Ambassador of the French Republic in Tirana, Mr. Jac Faure. The DP deputy chairman, Mr. Ali Spahia, was also present at the meeting. Held in a friendly atmosphere, the meeting focused mainly on the political situation in Albania, the problems our country is facing today, the difficulties of political and economic reform, and the country’s prospects. Regarding political tensions, Mr. Selami said: “We in the DP have no interest in increasing political tensions, since they serve neither political stability nor the progress of economic reform. We will do everything possible to reduce tensions so that people can return to work and devote themselves to reform with tolerance, a spirit of sacrifice and confidence in the future.” Speaking about the internal situation in the party, Mr. E. Selami discussed some of the DP’s recent decisions, including its decision to remove them. The French deputies then thanked Mr. E. Selami for his analysis of the political situation and the information he had provided on the subject. The meeting went on to discuss interethnic issues, especially the tense situation in the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo and the region. They informed the chairman of the Democratic Party that the Assembly of the [text breaks off] political situation, Mr. Eduard Selami explained it by saying that, following relatively strong results in the local government elections, the former communists had been seized by a desire for revenge and were seeking power again. Just as they are unable to lead and govern, the Albanian Socialists are showing that they also find it difficult to be in opposition. Later, the French Ambassador, Mr. Jac Faure, [the text states:] economic reform, and the need for major, concrete assistance to democracy in Albania, etc. Speaking about the tense and were seeking power again. The chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, discussed some of the DP’s recent decisions to remove several of its leaders from its ranks. The main reasons for the former DP leaders’ dissatisfaction were not political at all; they were purely personal—anger at not taking part in the power they had dreamed of. This anger led them to rise up even against the DP, in whose creation they themselves had played a role. The criticism and attacks they directed at the DP,” Mr. Selami continued, “particularly during the election campaign, were rightly made an issue at the Extraordinary Conference of … CORRESPONDENT OF ‘RD’

— MR. EDUARD SELAMI ALSO ATTENDS — On 31 August, an assembly of the Gjirokastër DP branch was held as part of the party’s election campaign. In his opening remarks, Mr. Sotiraq Honi, chairman of the Gjirokastër DP branch, explained the political situation following the elections of 26 July. He stressed that the Socialists were engaging in feverish activity to increase the destabilization of political and economic life. In response, the work of the DP in Gjirokastër is inadequate. This has been influenced by the poor work of the branch leadership, some members of which did not take part in the election campaign. This was not for reasons of principle, but because of personal disputes with one another. Thirty percent of our voters were drawn away by PBDNJ, and there was considerable organizational and material and propaganda assistance to support the election campaign. Honest intellectuals have also not spoken out to the necessary extent, partly because of the weak work of the district DP branch. The chairman of the PPSH, Mr. Selami, also spoke at the assembly and discussed in detail the problems of organizing and structuring the DP. Mr. Selami stressed: “There were problems and tasks before us that demanded our full commitment. We tried to meet them and succeeded, relying on people’s honesty and their courage and voluntary activism. Today it is essential to reorganize the DP, and several reasons make this necessary. First, we are the main political force in the country’s political life and, as such, the DP has very great responsibilities. Second, the tasks and problems awaiting solutions are complex and difficult. Building a democratic state, establishing new democratic concepts and resolving the many problems cannot be achieved without restructuring the DP. It must be understood that the DP’s organization is important not only for the DP, but also for Albania itself. “It is clear that the number of people who support democracy and sympathize with the DP is much greater than the number of DP members. I think that the DP’s restructuring can begin here: new DP memberships should be directed toward intellectuals and capable, honest people. At first, courageous and devoted people joined the DP. I recognize their merits, but I think that the times now call for broader involvement. Careerists also joined the DP; today they appear only when positions are at stake, and when they do not get what they claim, they turn their backs on the DP. Regarding how the DP should be structured, Mr. Selami stressed: Each section must be assessed on the basis of its concrete achievements. How many members does it have? How involved were they in the election campaign? The DP must be reorganized on the basis of sections in neighborhoods and villages. The party is not the same thing as its leadership. The party begins with the section. New members should be elected, elections should be held within the sections and candidates selected for the conference, followed by elections for the leadership. Parties are parties: they have their own rules and internal structures, their own statutes, which form the basis of a party’s activity. I would suggest that a two-month period for reorganizing the Gjirokastër DP branch and preparing the conference is sufficient.” Messrs Alfred Muçi, Sokol Karauli, Maliq Seferi and others spoke. Finally, the assembly decided that an elected working commission should be established, with the participation of the DP branch leadership, activists who distinguished themselves during the election campaign, and intellectuals, whether party members or not, who wished to organize within the party. The conference date was set for 4 November.