Commemorative conference for the group of deputies martyred in 1947 Indictment of the dictatorship — The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, attends — Yesterday, at the «17 nëntori» cinema, in memory of these torchbearers of democracy, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, in cooperation with the Association of Political Prisoners, organized a commemorative conference in memory of the 24 deputies massacred by the communist dictatorship. The conference was opened by deputy Uran Butka. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, invited those present to observe one minute of silence in memory of these torchbearers of democracy. The keynote address was delivered by deputy Pjetër Pepa from Shkodra. On behalf of the Association of Political Prisoners, the chairman of the association’s council, Mr. Osman Kaliazi, greeted the commemorative gathering. Mr. Xhovalin Vllashi from Durrës, one of the few surviving people sentenced as part of this monstrous group, also presented an exhibition of his mementos. Continuing the conference, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori spoke on the occasion of the decoration of the martyred deputies. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, presented the medal of honor to the niece of deputy Shefqet Beja. The other medals were presented by government and parliamentary officials. «RD» CORRESPONDENT

«To those who suffered defeat without achieving their aims» N. Witman «To those who suffered defeat without achieving their aims» N. Witman

In the dream of Albanian democracy, which is struggling in this hall, we have gathered today to commemorate and pay due respect to the personalities of the 24 victims—intellectuals, nationalists, democrats and patriots—most of whom sacrificed themselves for the interests of the nation and their ideals. Today they are placed on the pedestal that is rightfully theirs, the pedestal of the Martyrs of Democracy, thus putting the right person in the right place and correcting one of the great historical injustices of Albanian justice. In this hall, forty-five years ago, the communist dictatorship carried out one of its greatest acts of repression on state territory, surpassing even the well-known Nazi maxim «Eine tag terror - ne jahre ruhe» (one day of terror—a year of peace). Of course, communism would surpass Nazism too, and so one day of terror was not enough to begin an inquisitorial trial that would last three weeks and end with thirteen hanged and thirteen executed by firing squad, along with others who died or were killed in the investigation cells, and countless life prisoners. Clothed in the «garment of popular justice», this act of state terrorism would prepare the ground for the introduction of open dictatorship and hideous autocracy, which would trample all laws and fill all Albania with camps and prisons, turning it into an unprecedented medieval inquisition which, in painful irony, would occupy half of the twentieth century. «Glory does not go to those who seek it,» says ancient popular wisdom. But we lived in an age of paradoxes, when everything was read backwards and turned upside down; even this ancient wisdom was reversed. Thus, while Shefqet Beja, Sulo Klosi, Riza Alizoti, Sheh Karbuna ra Salim Kalari, etc., were hanged and executed by firing squad, glory went to the provocateurs and spies, the brutes and criminals who had nothing human about them. And it could not have happened otherwise: ancient wisdom would triumph over the ridiculous communist paradox, however long it took. A day like today would come, when glory would go to those who did not seek it, but deserved it. And on this occasion, in the name of democracy and human dignity, we denounce one of the most flagrant injustices in Albanian justice: that farcical trial held in this hall, which would spill blood on the nation’s altar. II. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SHOW TRIAL: Albania had by then been liberated, but the road to that point had passed through various maneuvers, tactics and historical events, the memory of which provides the background to the situation in which this show trial was staged. The occupation of Albania by Fascist Italy brought together all Albanian patriots who did not approve of the occupation or Rome’s Italianization policy. «To fight for the national independence of the Albanian people and for a democratic popular government in an Albania free from fascism»—this was the platform that brought together in a common movement all existing political forces, from the Communist Party and Balli Kombëtar to political émigrés and anti-Zogists who had returned to their homeland for this purpose. Clear historical proof of this is the Peza Conference, the first pluralist gathering, where, under the slogan «regardless of religion, region or ideology», they created the National Anti-Fascist Liberation Front, the first Albanian pluralist body. For several years, its leadership brought together people from all political currents for the common struggle against the occupier and for a Democratic Albania, which would be betrayed by Enver Hoxha and his Yugoslavist compatriots such as Mugozha Paviçe and Tempo. Later, as is known, communist cunning steadily increased the Albanian Communist Party’s dominance, culminating in the Berat meeting, which was led mainly by communists. The parliamentary elections of ’45 retained «at least the appearance» of pluralism, since the Front’s lists also included other prominent figures and nationalists such as Shefqet Beja, Kol Kuqali, Selaudin Toto, etc., as well as an occasional independent candidate, thereby giving these elections a «democratic garb»—a garb that would soon be stripped away. The year 1946 also brought a Constitution that guaranteed «freedom of speech, of the press, of organization, of religion, etc.»—and that was all. With that, an important stage of «national interests» came to an end, and a second stage began: one of political interests, the struggle for supremacy and power, and the division of borders with collaborators. This was not because the appetites of future politics had now been defined; rather, the course to be followed had been decided. This course aligned with communist jealousy and would determine Albania’s future at any cost. The time had therefore come to ratify the Yugoslav convention and declare a pro-East orientation with the Soviet Union. Accordingly, a «piazza pulita» was needed, with no nationalists or intellectuals of Western culture, and especially no deputies who aspired to ties between Albania and the West, to democracy and Western social capitalism, and who might not vote for this ratification. That is why this «trial of the deputies» was needed. It would be presented as a trial of Anglo-American agents, and would ensnare the cream of the Albanian intelligentsia and democracy, laying the foundations of a harsh totalitarianism of which we are all witnesses. The best proof of what has been set out above is the press of the time itself. In the newspaper «Bashkimi» of 18 September 1947, we read: «The traitor and enemy of the people Shefqet Beja cannot escape the accusations of treason against the people and the homeland.» Meanwhile, opposite, in large letters: «BRSSH — The most democratic state in the world» («Bashkimi», 18,9,1947). In the same newspaper, on 25 September 1947, it says: «The people’s prosecutor Josif Pashko made his indictment against the traitors and demands the death penalty by hanging for Shefqet Beja, Riza Alizoti and Sulo Klosi.» And opposite? In large letters one could read: «Volunteers salute Generalissimo Stalin» «The builders of the youth railway salute Marshal Tito» (newspaper «Bashkimi», 25, 9,1947). Meanwhile, the newspaper of 28 September is occupied with three articles: «The people sternly condemn treason»—written by Fadil Paçrami. «The people’s trial delivered its verdict against the twenty-four defendants of the traitorous gang...»—it says further on. And opposite? This time, in the largest letters they could find, one reads: «The Second Congress of the People’s Front of Yugoslavia solemnly opened in Belgrade — Marshal Tito speaks at the congress...» It therefore becomes clear that nothing here was accidental, not even the dates of the trial and the sentencing. It is clear that what was happening in Albania was «the sacrifice of a scapegoat» offered to a new friendship with old ties. (Continued on page 3) ... an ugly location that would violate all the laws and fill all of Albania with camps and prisons, turning it into a medieval Inquisition, unprecedented and which, ironically, was to to those who sought this ancient popular order but lived in the era of paradoxes, when everything was read upside down, and this ancient wisdom would also be interpreted upside down. Thus, while such wise and honest men were to be hanged and shot, those they condemned, hated, and denounced even at trial were the courageous men we honor today. Years have passed; the blessed rain of democracy washed away the mud they threw at the group of deputies. That mud has now splashed back onto the criminals who staged their trial, reduced them to skin and bones with torture, and sentenced them in order to frighten the other intellectuals, who were waiting their turn in prison through nearly half a century of dictatorship. Shame and glory stood face to face then; glory and shame face each other today as well. Only the positions have changed: the shadows of those who [ ? ] then handed down sentences of hanging and execution, while today they only [ ? ] bark in black and sometimes howl, hoping to stir the people up again. Democracy does not turn back, and so the martyrs of democracy, even from their graves whose whereabouts are unknown, remind us that freedom is not won in a single day and is not defended in a single day, but every day and throughout our lives, against evil that longs to return. Glory to the Martyrs of Democracy!»

Speech by Mr. Pjetër Arbnori on the occasion of awarding the «Martyrs of Democracy» medal to the group of deputies executed by the communist dictatorship One of the fundamental differences between communism, which took the lives of these Martyrs, and Democracy is that the former wanted to hear only one voice, that of its propaganda, whereas Democracy cannot understand itself without different opinions expressed freely. Our Parliament, renewed by these democrats, will always continue along the path of pluralism, will listen to all the bells and will decide in every case according to the justice of the majority which sound prevails and reaches every corner of our homeland. Wherever we go in countries with centuries of parliamentary experience, they tell us: safeguard democracy, pluralism and human rights; with this compass you will never lose your way to Europe. Above all, the deputy—the representative of the people—wishes to safeguard these things: the person who makes the law and is the first to implement it, doing so properly. And the laws of today are not like the law under which these Martyrs were executed; they are modern laws, like those of ...

Yesterday the chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, arrived in his homeland. He took part in the EDP and IDU conferences in Madrid and in the convention of the British Conservative Party. At Rinas Airport, Mr. Selami was welcomed by members of the DP Presidium, members of parliament, etc. We will inform you about the results of Mr. Selami’s visits in upcoming issues. «RD» correspondent

On 9 October 1992, the draw for «RD Lottery - 2» was held in the presence of a committee composed of the following gentlemen: 1. Luan Malltezi — Chairman (Director at the State Archives) 2. Mehmet Elezi — Member (journalist at the newspaper «Bashkimi») 3. Bashkim Trevona — Member (Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper «RD») 4. Xhevat Mustafa — Member (editorial board secretary at the newspaper «RD») 5. Adem Durma — Member (businessman) 6. Halim Agimi — Member (Administrator of the newspaper «RD») 7. Kasem Seferi — representative of the Central Lottery Commission at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The following winning numbers were drawn: a) First prize No. 189.172 — wins 66,000 lek b) Second prize No. 142.687 — wins 31,000 lek c) Third prize No. 125.071 — wins 7,000 lek d) Fourth prizes No. 067.528 — wins 3,300 lek No. 017.642 — wins 3,300 lek No. 198.645 — wins 3,300 lek No. 017.779 — wins 3,300 lek No. 182.483 — wins 3,300 lek No. 225.029 — wins 3,300 lek No. 031.472 — wins 3,300 lek No. 174.741 — wins 3,300 lek All numbers of unsold tickets were excluded from the draw. Note. 1. Of the 300,000 tickets planned, around 40 percent were sold. For this reason, the winning prizes were also set in proportion to the tickets sold. 2. People holding winning tickets should present themselves at the editorial office of the newspaper «RD», Rruga «A-sim Vokshi» No. 40, Tiranë. FROM THE «RD 2 LOTTERY» COMMITTEE