At yesterday’s plenary session, which opened at 17:15, the People’s Assembly examined the report submitted the previous day by the Mandates Committee on lifting the immunity of PS deputy Ilir Rexhep Meta, at the request of the General Prosecutor’s Office, to allow an investigation into the events in the city of Poliçan, At yesterday’s plenary session, which opened at 17:15, the People’s Assembly examined the report submitted the previous day by the Mandates Committee on lifting the immunity of PS deputy Ilir Rexhep Meta, at the request of the General Prosecutor’s Office, to allow an investigation into the events in the city of Poliçan. At the beginning, the deputies debated a request made on behalf of the PS parliamentary group by its chairman, deputy N. Dokle, for the entire session to be broadcast on television. Tomor Malasi, Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, who chaired the session, explained that, under Article 98 of the rules of procedure, this had to be decided by consensus among all parliamentary groups, and invited their chairmen to state their positions. On behalf of the PSD parliamentary group, deputy T. Laço spoke in favor of the proposal, stressing that the same practice as in other cases should be followed this time as well. The chairman of the PD parliamentary group, deputy P. Minga, citing Article 98 of the rules of procedure, spoke against it, emphasizing that he supported the PSD group on this matter. Deputy Laço, who asked to speak, said: “I want to correct Mr. Minga: our parliamentary group agrees that today’s session should be broadcast in full on television,” and reiterated the view that, to save time, speeches should be shortened. After the recess, the session resumed at 20:00 under the chairmanship of Pjetër Arbnori, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. He informed the deputies that, following discussions with the chairmen of the parliamentary groups and the Information Commission, various proposals had been made, and it had been decided that today’s session would not be broadcast in full on television, but only in the news bulletin. He then gave the floor to deputy A. Zëri, who, on behalf of the Mandates Committee, answered questions raised by the deputies. During this time, the PS group of deputies was absent from the chamber, having withdrawn to consult, and some deputies in the chamber requested that the discussion take place in the presence of the accused deputy. • A political spectacle by the PS, built on the dignity of a deputy • The PS is exploiting the occasion to portray itself as the nation’s “politically persecuted” party (!!) • Can the PS leave the Poliçan events unexamined? (!!) • Thanks to its habit of deception, the PS is trying to distort democratic reality • Discussion of a deputy’s immunity cannot “rape democracy” and “freely threaten the homeland” • The Democratic Government and the President have given priority responses

The democratic Albanian government, faced with many inherited difficulties, has made the development of the most intensive and high-quality relations possible with its neighbors one of its foremost concerns. It is well-intentioned and realistic, especially toward Greece, since this is required, among other things, by mutual interests. The Yugoslav crisis, as well as the aggressiveness of Millosheviç, the personification of the Serbian chauvinist and irrational camp, constitute an additional reason for prudence and a spirit of understanding. The statements of figures such as Mr. Micotaqis and the Greek foreign minister were themselves quite clear and encouraging. However, as we follow political developments in Greece, we note with regret a troubling departure from official statements. In the Greek press, among certain Greek nationalist and religious circles, at the congress of the Athens Bar Association and the assembly of the State Legal Council, held in Athens in June 1992, and especially in the resolution of the world congress concerning the so-called autonomy of Vorioepir, old nostalgias are being revived. Indeed, this congress, untroubled by any official objection, has brought out of the archives the Protocol of Corfu of 17 May 1914, drawing dangerous parallels for today and tomorrow. The participants in this congress, selected according to well-known criteria, among whom were also deputies and prominent figures of the political organization «Omonia», as well as a minister of the Greek government, show that we are dealing with a specific program to destabilize Albania. These actions, on the other hand, are evidence of support for Serbia by traditionalist policies and national egoism. All these anti-Albanian activities are taking place in Greece; naturally, they aim to extend beyond its borders as well. The facts are now numerous. And if, until today, we have not addressed them in the appropriate language and with sufficient publicity, that does not mean that we are not taking note of them, or that we will tolerate them. Likewise, high-ranking Greek political figures have condemned, in their interviews, those who claim to speak as interpreters of the Albanian question. The Albanian people do not need to borrow spokespeople. The political leaders of Kosovo’s Albanians have long been known for their patience and wisdom, thereby winning the sympathy of the freedom-loving world. All the less may anyone prejudge the political solution to the Kosovo problem or the constructive policy of the Albanian government. The Albanian-Serbian dialogue has begun. It will be difficult, but let us hope it will succeed. As for any malicious statement claiming that Albanians have excessive and provocative demands, Mrs. Qudër should know that countless documents prove the opposite. Ultimately, this is also confirmed by documents from international organizations, which emphasize the constructive character of our policy toward Kosovo and its own leaders. Nevertheless, the Albanian government continues to believe that all these distortions will remain merely violent episodes, unable to disrupt the course of Albanian-Greek relations. Our two ancient and cultured peoples, and our two governments, have strong reasons to avoid any misunderstanding, uphold the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and abandon unfounded and anachronistic claims.

■ The Democratic Government and the President have given priority to the just demands of the people of Poliçan... even though the empty state treasury is not their fault ... in the news bulletin. Then he gave the floor to deputy A. Zëri, who answered the deputies’ questions on behalf of the Mandates Committee. the presence of the accused deputy. After the PS deputies entered the chamber, Mr. Dokle took the floor and protested against the resumption of the session and the decision not to broadcast it in full ... (Continued on page 4) period of transition, this is a period of great turmoil and uncertainty. In other countries, anarchy seems to prevail. In most of the world, economic misery brings insecurity and fear. The first truly new era has already begun. Critical issues, ever increasing in number, demand universal attention and effort. Development, disarmament, a higher standard of living in a greater ... There is no...

Reflections The bright future is not far off. The signs of hope, through the deep pain we are experiencing, become more visible as time passes. Yes, Albania will make it; I have no doubt about that, although there are many people, shaken by various setbacks, whose faith in the future has faded or been lost. The reform that is deepening day by day and the difficult transition phase will finally bring the long-suffering people what they desire and have dreamed of for a long time. Albania will be rebuilt, grow and prosper, display well-being and become richer, creating the image of a truly European state. No one should doubt this, since the experience of other Eastern countries has demonstrated—and continues to demonstrate day by day—the rapid capitalist development of these countries. Naturally, the obstacles, difficulties, fierce political struggle, and so on are particularly difficult for us, because the communist dictatorship itself imposed constraints and brutality with a ferocity unlike anywhere else. Undoubtedly, economic processes will advance and produce the desired results faster than the complicated and delicate process of re-educating and forming the true Albanian person. This will always be the longer and more difficult process, Albania’s “Achilles’ heel,” because in this respect too the deathblow of the red dictatorship was heavier here. We will not dwell here on recounting and demonstrating how the Albanian, a person with many virtues and the most precious traditions, was transformed into a robot of the most repugnant type under the totalitarian regime of the PPSH and E. Hoxhës. The truth is that under this hated regime the Albanian was struck in his honor and character, because “there is no other way to explain,” however rare they may be, the macabre and shameful cases of Albanians being killed, regularly among themselves and abroad over money. There is no explaining the bandit-like behavior and actions of a number of our young people in the countries they have gone to, which has often distorted the beautiful image of Albanians and Albania. There is no explaining the thefts, crimes, killings over a piece of land, and so on in Albania; the destruction of property, even of schools, kindergartens, and nurseries, which everywhere in the world are considered sacred temples. Thus, in addition to poverty, the communist regime persistently and violently instilled in the minds and consciences of several generations a weakening of patriotic feelings, replacing them with “proletarian internationalism”; deep hatred between people through class warfare; laziness, thievery, favoritism, deception, and so on; ridiculous wages and their equalization; hostility toward world culture, true literature and the arts; and complete isolation, etc., etc. Of course, not everyone was affected in the same way by this ideological catastrophe. Despite this severe blow and successive exoduses, Albania today has many honest people, intelligent intellectuals with broad education and foreign-language skills that the world would envy, as well as a whole range of specialists in every field, who will readily adapt with dedication to the new conditions for the country’s development brought about by the market economy. But as we build the future, and bear in mind that the processes of economic development will be faster than the process of re-educating and forming the Albanian person on the road to Europe, it is by no means too early to devote special attention to this process. The democratic government has indeed undertaken, and continues to undertake, a number of measures in this direction, sending abroad for studies thousands of young men and women of different ages, [text garbled] “half an hour by car.” “Why don’t you take the car?” our engineers were asked. He laughed and replied: “This car belongs to the company and has been assigned to you, so I can’t use it. I’ll take a taxi to my cousins.” “When we returned,” my friend continued, “we saw on the wall a portrait of a man that made an impression on us. I asked the engineer accompanying us again: ‘Who is that?’ ‘The chairman of the trade unions,’ he replied. ‘Is he a good man?’ He shook his head and pursed his lips. ‘Not to me, because he wants to reduce the workers’ hours by two.’ ‘That sounds good,’ my friend replied. He smiled: ‘What’s good about it? If that happens, the country’s entire output will fall, and people’s living standards will fall too.’ And this was said by the son of a millionaire. I believe the example I have given needs no excessive comment, since it is entirely clear. This, then, is how Europeans in capitalist countries think today; this is the kind of attitude toward life and work they have acquired. Therefore, if we want to raise young generations capable of succeeding in a market economy and moving with sure steps toward Europe, we must give serious thought, starting now, to their education and formation. Unfortunately, however, there are certain phenomena that make it clear that we are not paying attention to this process from the earliest ages, and instead are becoming indifferent and careless, and so on. Children lack school textbooks, works of literature, and magazines, which have been suspended for a year and a half because of a shortage of paper. Is this not a paradox?!... We hope these will be published soon, to fill the gap that has arisen for the little ones. Therefore, the government and the relevant institutions should give greater attention to this area, in a more sensible way through investment and subsidies, because the money spent on educating and forming the younger generations with a modern outlook is the safest investment in the future of the homeland and the nation. SOKOL JAKOVA

ON UNITED NATIONS DAY — 24 OCTOBER 1992 My message on this United Nations Day is a message of hope. Despite the news that wars, hunger, and disease have left millions of people homeless, the world is moving toward a path of greater participation by people, with people at the center of attention in discussions of international issues. For many people, especially those living in countries in a period of transition, this is a peri- The United Nations itself is also undergoing change. The Charter sets us a challenge: to become generations freed from the building of war and destructive division; from social progress and a higher standard of living in greater freedom. Today we have broader opportunities to fulfill the aims and principles of the Charter. Its goals are peace, prosperity, and political participation—the prerequisites for a more dignified life to which every person, man or woman, aspires. The environment, human rights, and other internal causes of conflict have taken on a global dimension. The need for the contribution of the World Organization today is greater than at any time since its creation. I see signs of hope that a better era is emerging. A stronger United Nations will be at the heart of progress worldwide. On this United Nations Day, let us dedicate ourselves