As announced, the Democratic Party of Albania will take part at the beginning of October in the meeting held by the European Democratic Union. - The Albanian Democratic Party is accepted as a consultative member of the Democratic Union As announced, the Democratic Party of Albania will take part at the beginning of October in the meeting held by the European Democratic Union, r[?] a consultative member of it. Thus the DP is accepted into one of Europe’s most powerful political organizations, which includes political parties with a center and center-right orientation. Many of them have long governed some of Europe’s most developed countries. The practice followed by these international organizations for admitting new members from former communist countries is subject to careful analysis. Therefore, the acceptance of the DP in Madrid is a reflection in Europe and the world of the positive policy pursued by the DP in implementing its program as a center-right party in the state-minded opposition. Recently, various political forces have spoken at length and “protested” in international organ-izations about the situation in Albania, about its policy. The flag in these attacks was most vigorously raised at the outset. No comment; the PS and the Front—presented in every possible way—failed to manage to under[?] parties with contempt from the forces; the PKSH could not[?] of that wing and of those who claim to stand in opposition. Meanwhile, the time has come for a consultative [membership] for the PSD in the International[?]. This is a political side of an event that At[?]eu will dem[?] the Albanian Democratic [party]. [The section] is not in the same Albanian Democratic [party/organization]. Certainly, support for its views[?] from[?] parties that aspire to[?] or express[?] democracy will have effects[?] and on the reforms being implemented by the org[?] in Albania, giving it[?] on the path of a more[?] powerful [course?]. The first thing that Albania would have is national unification[?] of those left outside the bor[?].

Mr. Neritan Alia, who had sworn that he would return to his private life and stay out of politics, apparently had, it seems, a previous and heavier commitment from which he could not divorce himself so easily; he broke his second oath. If that is not the case, then, for reasons he himself can explain better than anyone, he lied by making a false public oath. Anyway, there is nothing you can do about character, nature, or the circumstances of life! And so Mr. Neritan returned to political life, indeed with a new image. Once he seemed a calm, measured, balanced intellectual. Now he presents himself as arrogant, uncontrolled, ambitious. That is how he also comes across in a recently published article in the organ of this group of deceivers consisting of Pashko, Demeti, Imami, etc., namely “Koha jonë.” In his highly emotional article, Mr. Ceka takes it upon himself to make a new attempt at writing Albania’s history, certainly not according to scientific criteria, and to uncover an era that he considers to be what the article’s title calls “The Time of Scoundrels”! It should be said from the outset that Mr. Neritan did not seek the “arguments” and “facts” for this conclusion in the depths of the millennia, as his profession would have required, but found them ready-made in the now-familiar formulas of the State Security, of the Labour Party, rebaptized as the Socialist Party, in the speech of Ramiz Alia’s resident re- [?] delivered at the apparatus of the Central Committee of the PPSH and worked through with the grassroots organizations after the creation of the Democratic Party. In fact, there are no mysteries or discoveries in Neritan’s preachings. Neritan himself joined the democratic movement and the leadership of the Democratic Party in February 1991, at a time when the State Security, according to Ramiz Alia’s account, “We will play our game, you play yours,” was keeping reserve cards in order to dominate the leadership of the Democratic Party. The article in “Koha jonë” itself was written when the reforms in the Ministry of Public Order and in SHIK purged them of dictatorship nostalgists, when the chief, the ringleader of the red mafia, Ramiz Alia, was eliminated. When people of Neritan Alia’s category, to whom many artistic titles had been bestowed, were withdrawn from him; now their time is slipping away, with a clamorous and uncontrolled voice. We can remind Neritan Ceka that, as regards family ties with Ramiz Alia, he had much stronger ties with him. We can remind him that in the National Council of the Democratic Party elected in 1992, the miserable position and the circle of a trio of the wealthy and the rest of it waged an open, public campaign of compromise that ended in failure. Moreover, with Ramiz Alia’s repeated deeds, Mr. Neritan, like a [unclear] soloist of the board and of the [unclear], went back and forth to Europe, or more[?] or [unclear]. At the time it was even said that Mr. Neritan had been chosen by the sovereign as Ramiz’s successor in the presidency; under the sovereign, State Security rumors had [unclear] him and at the same time created and shaped public opinion. We can remind Mr. Ceka that, at a time when Sali Berisha, through “RD” and in meetings with the future [unclear], made clear to all public opinion that he represented democracy and the cleansing of the usurped Albanian throne, Neritan was plotting against democracy, building the usurped throne and elaborating an ideology represented by the time after tradition, ideals represented by the time of [unclear]. It is known that Enver left the throne to Ramiz on the condition that his family would also be kept safe. Ramiz, continuing along this path and looking after the family—Ramiz, continuing along this path and looking after the family—Ramiz, continuing along this path and looking at the family and the events—would have had to obtain guarantees for an [unclear], naturally by securing the necessary guarantees. In the article, Mr. Ceka also mentions a meeting with Ramiz Alia, stating that Mr. Sali Berisha... As for Ramiz Alia’s resignation as president, this is an eight[?] problem. But as far as Mr. Ceka is concerned, it should be said that, fortunately, the meeting took place in the presence of several of its participants. The evidence is clear and indisputable that when Ramiz Alia asked to resign at that meeting, Sali Berisha replied, “This is entirely your own problem, and you have no reason to ask us about this matter.” The dialogue and positions at that meeting are documented. They cannot be used for speculation. So Mr. Neritan has no option but to lie. The title of the article, “The Time of Scoundrels,” suits authors like these very well. They may think that it is now or never, that their time has truly come, and that is why they are acting by mobilizing all their own and borrowed stock of scoundrels. Neritan, while busy defining eras, forgets a few small details; while dealing with others, he forgets himself, apparently out of modesty! But since we are talking about definitions, dates and periodizations, things should be stated as they are. Well, it was Neritan Ceka, and nobody else, who in December, on returning from a meeting with Ramiz Alia, told a group of deputies that he had reached an agreement with him that Nexhmija would be arrested on condition that everything would be guaranteed to him. The deputies there and then condemned this agreement as an extremely serious mistake, also declaring that such a thing must not and would not happen. It was precisely this shameful line of Neritan Ceka’s that, after this resistance, forced him to resign in Ramiz Alia’s presence. He perhaps thought that in this way he was settling all his obligations to him. Ramiz Alia thus took away his honor. But apparently he himself had long ago left it in Ramiz’s keeping. Popular wisdom immediately understood this truth very well, and repaid Neritan by christening him with Alia’s surname, thereby declaring him Ramiz Alia’s adopted son. In a democracy, nonsense and stupidity, wisdom and vileness may be written. Be that as it may, one thing is certain: the time of those who put Astrit Qorrat in prison, of those who use immunity to steal, beat and mistreat others, falsify documents and serve the State Security—in other words, abusing Ceka’s expression, “the time of scoundrels”—has come to an end once and for all. Today is the time of democracy, not of Neritan Alia. The time is over for those who persecuted the Albanian intelligentsia with their accusations and testimony, for those who use democracy for corruption and trade politically on their own morality and dignity, and for those who are deeply troubled by the arrest of the murderer of Gazmend Muça. Today is the time of democracy, not of them, not of Neritan Ramiz Alia! Mr. Ceka may indeed have been rewarded and relieved for his old plots, may have been absolved of some past sin, but that relief has been burdened with new ones. He lies to parliament about the reform in SHIK, but fraudsters and falsifiers were merely at home in communism. In a democracy they are obliged to account for themselves. Mr. Neritan, after the overthrow of dictator Enver Hoxha’s monopoly, was able, megaphone in hand, to disperse the crowd that was consciously rushing toward the chain and the tank barrels protecting the bloc members, in order to put an end once and for all to dealing with this monstrous anti-Albanian species. On that occasion he rendered an incomparable service to Ramiz Alia and his anti-national clique, and halted the powerful momentum of events in democracy’s favor. This had consequences that are felt today and will be felt for a long time in the future. Unfortunately, his megaphone today cannot have the same success. Now he has been exposed as Neritan Alia!

It is our honor to congratulate you on your acceptance into the European Democratic Union. This occasion gives us immense joy, not merely as a major, historic success, but also as a victory for the anti-communist coalition in Albania. The immediate acceptance of the Democratic Party into the EDU as a consultative member, bypassing its observer stage, proves that the DP, as the largest democratic political force in Albania, is also a serious component valued by its European counterparts. The EDU’s acceptance of the Democratic Party of Albania is at the same time a great and unconditional encouragement for the democratic processes recently taking place in our country, and a guarantee of support for these developments from European democratic forces. The European integration of our anti-communist and democratic political forces, as in the case of the PDSH and PSDSH, is undoubtedly a serious and optimistic step in the course of the new democratic Albania toward Europe and the European[?]. It is precisely for this reason that we were not accepted[?] as an evaluation and a regime[?] belonging to[?] and justified by[?] particularly because of the EDU, and that it should soon have. We[?] [unclear] so far, if? “Albania will be transformed and democratic[?] among the best of the[?] European[?]. WITH OTHERS[?] Albanian [parties?] ab- SID[?]TAR[?] regime after the war? RETIA REP[?] period “Indivisible” P[?]ovic[?], I Dushan Mu- os, of the Communist Party, [unclear] severely some of the Albanian [unclear] parties, where [unclear] the Roma, physic[?] lest you [unclear] and with the passage of time other times, ever [unclear]alir[?]tar, increasing un- [unclear] with narcotics and with [unclear] were throwing [unclear] war Albania with [unclear] from the orga- We are pleased to receive the happy news of the Democratic Party’s acceptance into the important grouping of the European Democratic Union. The DP’s admission to this political formation is a victory not only for this party, which enjoys considerable prestige, but also at the national level, through Albania’s inclusion in today’s European processes—

Ladies and gentlemen! On this historically significant day, when we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, I wish to greet all Albanian believers, at home and abroad, to whom democracy brought freedom and the true freedom of faith, the freedom that the communist dictatorship denied them for decades. The commemoration of this event brings joy not only to Albanian Orthodox believers, but to all believers wherever they may be, because Albania is a country where its three different faiths have lived in harmony and tolerance, always serving the sacred national cause. It has united and bound all Albanians together in a common struggle for the destiny of the Homeland. Against armed attacks, partitioning treaties and enslaving agreements, prominent patriots and distinguished figures of all three faiths raised their voices without distinction of religion, and in critical moments called out: “The Albanian’s religion is Albanianism.” The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania was also founded amid these efforts for the benefit of the Nation. It was born together with the struggle for the freedom and independence of the country, inseparable from the Albanian cause, for which Petro Nini Luarasi, Papa Kristo Negovani and many others gave their lives: witnesses of pure patriotism and distinguished champions of Albanian culture and education in the Albanian language. Its foundations were laid by the great Noli, who, with hardship and fortitude, knew how beautifully to unite the priest’s cassock and preaching, the hymn, with the call and struggle for freedom and democracy. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, from the day of its founding

— A festive ceremony on the occasion of the first anniversary of the beginning of Operation “Pelican”—this name has now become familiar to every Albanian, young and old. Hundreds of Italian soldiers and officers left their country, their families, mothers, wives, children and loved ones for the sake of a noble and humanitarian mission: to help Albania and the Albanian people. At a time when Albania, writhing amid physical and spiritual poverty, was struggling to dispel the shadows of communism and realize a dream and desire denied for centuries—to unite with European civilization—Italy, the people and government of that country, extended a hand and were the first to wish it a warm welcome into the European family. The columns of a newspaper may perhaps fail to convey fully the heroism and self-sacrifice of those young men whose work, for a year now, we can say has been keeping Albania alive and helping it return to life. “On the events...” The major work carried out in Albania by the “Pelican” contingent does not need to be described; the Albanian people themselves are its witness. To mark the first anniversary of the beginning of Operation “Pelican” in Albania, a fine festive ceremony was held at the base of the operation’s contingent. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi. Other senior Albanian officials were also invited, including Mr. Rexhep Ukaj, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food; Mr. Safet Zhulali, Minister of Defence; Mr. Artan Hoxha, Minister of Trade; Mr. Trifon Shehu, Minister of Health; Lieutenant General Ilia Vasho, Chief of the General Staff; as well as guests from the cabinets. Also present was His Excellency Mr. Tom Kardoili, the Italian ambassador to Albania. Accompanied by a group of military personnel, “...”, and in a special atmosphere ...

leave the front or consider the Albanian masses. The war undertaken by political forces, at the point of the parliamentary council election, with anti-... tendencies, where Dr Ymer Delë ... proposed Mr. Ndoc Çoba, a veteran ... Abaz Kupi, and reaffirmed before the occupiers our people’s ... as an old patriot, a veteran ... an example ... a senior officer, a patriot. At ... Faja Martaneshi (Mumështeti, with his high prestige ... patriotic ... Dr. Deshnica ... links ... to the Council ... democrats and communists alike, compared also with two communists ... The Provisional Church of the Party was told to be ... humble ... and self... As a supplement to the Autocephalous ... with the words: “the fighter so ... with bullet wounds on his body ...?” ... held great weight in the result ... of the First Pluralist Conference. He is the spirit of the Conference. Baba Faja, the second, Myslim Pe... The Conference unanimously approved the Resolution, which concentrated ... supported the objectives and commitment of the General Assembly of the Armed ... A group of delegates of the National General Council ... Here we should pause at the ... misinterpretations and ... made in our historiography ... so that the Resolution of this Conference, too, from 10 pages ... “Pell” 6 pages (Documents of the National Liberation ... 1962, pp. 9–14). And in ... military ... Hoxha, in his ceremonial book, 1984, pp. 7–13), with ... contingent ... had in ... “Pelican,” the personnel that ... and then ... Italian Red ... and the Resolution is ... operation “Shqiponja,” the report that ... The speech of ... has been preserved ... general historian ... people’s ... “P. fighter who ... of faith, class ... the potential in ... and as one body ... the war for the liberation of Albania ... independent Democratic ... Fifty years have passed since the day when ... the First Pluralist National Liberation ... current affairs are brought out ... the ... Republic ... the major problems that ... in the state ... the extremely tense situation in Kosovo and among Albanians abroad.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, MR. SALI BERISHA Ladies and gentlemen! On this historic and commemorative day

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDIUM[?]