- Address by the President of the Republic, Mr. Berisha, at the rally in Flag Square Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and sisters, Dear friends, My contemporaries, wherever you are, Happy holiday, the great day in our history, Flag Day, Liberation Day, 28 November, the day of great victory. In the history of nations, independence is undoubtedly the greatest: Eighty years have passed since that historic act, and time has continually magnified the brilliance of that fiery spark which the great man of the nation kindled in free Vlora, to illuminate the entire Albanian nation forever. Eighty years ago, delegates from all four corners of the country, from south and north, from Dibra and Prishtina, from Korça and Manastir, Gjirokastra and Çamëria, Kavaja and Durrës, hurried like “marathon runners” to the Vlora of Ismail Qemali, carrying in their hearts and minds the great message of the ideal of independence. For Albania, the historic hour had come. The Albanian “Phoenix” would shake off the ashes of tragic times and take flight in triumph. Long live Vlora! The raising of the flag and the Assembly of Vlora freed Albania from the long Ottoman night and laid the foundations of the new Albanian state. This state was the product of the great political, military, cultural and spiritual efforts of a nation martyred through wars. Albania’s independence was the direct result of the colossal liberation uprisings of 1908–1912, which, from martyred Kosovo and throughout Albania, proclaimed to Europe and the world the Albanian message of liberation and arrival. All Albanians united around the great ideal of independence. The objective necessity of unifying a dispersed nation, joining all the fragmented lands into one, and moving forward at the pace of developed nations summoned the Albanian state onto the turbulent Balkan stage. Through the state that emerged from that historic assembly, the philosophy and ideology of the thinkers of our national Renaissance took shape. At this new historical stage, Albania was entering with its own identity and character, with the culture, language and literature developed by the National Renaissance, and with the consciousness of an awakened and courageous nation. On the pedestal of this monumental event stand the distinguished men of the Albanian nation: Ismail Qemali, Hasan Prishtina, Vehbi Hoxha and Isa Boletini, Luigj Gurakuqi and Mihal Grameno, Babë Dudë Karbunara and Hasan Toptani, and many others. Through their lives and their immortal work. Albania’s independence was proclaimed during a dark time of Balkan turmoil. The Ottoman Empire was dragging itself eastward, while chauvinist apparitions descended upon our country’s territories. Half of the Albanian lands remained outside the borders to satisfy their predatory ambitions, thus marking one of the greatest injustices ever known in European history. Ladies and gentlemen, Not many years after the proclamation of independence, a great calamity befell Albania. Nazi-fascist troops invaded the country and enslaved the nation. Once again, Albanians rose with weapons in their hands, with extraordinary courage and sacrifice, to defend freedom. The National Liberation War placed Albanians on the side of the great anti-fascist coalition and brought them out victorious from a world war. The dozens and [unclear] of Albania who fought and fell in this war have been honoured and will always be honoured. They fought for a free and democratic Albania. The communist dictatorship was imposed by a group of adventurers and political criminals, while the liberation struggle brought freedom; therefore, I invite you to acclaim forever the martyrs of the National Liberation War of the Albanian nation. Dear friends, This century, too, has been difficult for us Albanians, filled with hardship, wars, partition, struggle and occupation, and once again today the Albanian nation faces great trials and challenges. Their [unclear] demands great courage, great resolve, dedication and wisdom from all Albanians and, above all, true unity. Naturally, there is no doubt that every time and moment is valuable and important for a nation and a country, but I would say that the moments of beginning and ending are of extraordinary importance, because they determine the course and progress not only of years but of entire centuries. Thus, today we are living through difficult times and great challenges, but today, after the proclamation of independence, we have passed through all ... [the text continues in the adjacent column] ... and the distinguished fighters who fell in the wars for freedom, independence and the defence of national lands during 1845–1920.” The artistic groups of the city’s House of Culture presented a musical-literary montage dedicated to Flag Day. ... learn and practice democracy, free initiative, the rule of law and the market economy, and I am convinced that we will know how to use the freedoms we have won, master our time and lead Albania toward a civilised Europe. For the first time in our centuries-old history, the forces and the times are on the side of democracy. Our tasks are great. Having suffered at the hands of fate and history, we must certainly make up for lost time. We must not forget that if, at the beginning of this century, Albanians were occupied, by the end of this century they must be free and masters of their own destiny. Ladies and gentlemen, Today Albania and the Albanians face another great test: finding the right solution to the national question. We are determined, through our open policy, to contribute to peace and stability in the region. We seek friendship and cooperation with our neighbours. Albanians in the Balkans, wherever they are, are today fighting and striving for a democratic society and for human and national rights. In Kosovo, they are the only inhabitants of Europe experiencing brutal Serbian occupation. Slloba’s and Millosheviç’s phalanxes are threatening them with the flames of a liberation war, while they, with admirable restraint, tolerance and determination, are seeking their human and national rights. In Macedonia, Albanians are making a major contribution to the stability and independence of our present-day neighbour. I am convinced that Europe highly values the Albanians’ position and their contribution to averting a Balkan war. Albanians hope and believe that the international community will have become more aware of its role in preventing conflict in Kosovo and finding a just solution to the Albanian question. It does not seek changes to borders. It is determined to work patiently and tirelessly to prevent conflict, but it also insists that it will never tolerate the ethnic cleansing of Albanians from their ancestral lands. It has also insisted, and continues to insist, that without a just resolution of the problems of the Albanians and full respect for their national and human rights, in accordance with the principles of the CSCE, the crisis in the region cannot be resolved. Ladies and gentlemen, As we approach the 89th anniversary of independence, we find ourselves facing great challenges and trials, the just resolution of which will be decisive for us and for generations to come. I am convinced that we will rise together to the heights they demand, above all because today we are freer than ever, more determined and wiser than ever. On this difficult road, which will bring new sacrifices, we are not alone. Generous countries and peoples have helped us and are helping us more than ever. Allow me on this occasion, in your name, to express my deep gratitude to all those countries, peoples, governments, organisations and individuals who, during this difficult period, extended Albania the hand of friendship and solidarity. I assure them all that we Albanians value and love our friends, and that we always abide by the principle that to have friends, one must be a friend oneself. Albanian brothers and sisters, wherever you are, I call on you not to forget that today we are more united than ever, because the things that divide us are small and transient. The things that unite us are great and eternal. Indeed, today we are grouped into different parties, but they all unite us in freedom, and people cannot be divided over the fruits of freedom. The bonds of freedom are stronger. Our unity, therefore, rests on freedom. If we lose unity, we have lost freedom. Long live freedom! Indeed, today we have different faiths, but they all unite us in God. Our unity, therefore, rests on God and on His will that there be several religions in Albania. May His will be with us always. Indeed, on this day seas and oceans separate us by borders, but the blood and breast milk of the Albanian mother unite us—honour to our mothers. The spirit unites us, because a nation is like an individual: its body may be torn apart, but never its spirit; the spirit is indivisible, the spirit is eternal. Long live the Albanian nation. The red-and-black flag unites us, the flag of Skënderbeu and Ismail Qemali; it is sacred, and every one of its cells reflects the spirit of a martyr. Honour to the martyrs of the nation. Above all, Albania unites us, the motherland of all Albanians, our temple. Long live Albania. Let us all work together, then, with our will, our wisdom, the help of our friends and the will of God, to give Albania the appearance of our hopes and those of our children, and to realise our civic ideals for an Albania standing proudly among the developed nations. ... the flag that promises a free, democratic and peaceful Albania. This is the flag of Albania; it gave it its existence. This date crowned the centuries-long struggles and efforts of Albanians to have their own free state, liberated from foreign occupiers and governed and led by Albanians. Mr. Meksi then stressed that, at the same time, this was a partial victory, because in the new Albanian state ... ... dear Albanians, who with courage and honour, patriotism and diplomacy marked 28 November 1912 with the proclamation of the independent and democratic state. 28 November 1912, whose 80th anniversary we are celebrating, is a great day in the history of the Albanian nation. The raising of the Flag in Vlora gave Albania its name and of Albanians to have their own free state, protected from foreign occupiers and led and governed by Albanians. Mr. Meksi further emphasised because in the new Albanian state ... ... political, economic, military and national standing. The titanic efforts of the Renaissance figures and the nation’s great democrats, and the dreams of those who courageously raised the national flag in Vlora, were exploited by the communist dictatorship. Communism took religion, freedom and property away from the Albanian people. The darkness of half a century of communism separated Albania from Europe’s advanced nations; it isolated this land, blessed by God with beautiful, unspoilt nature, and unleashed economic crisis, unemployment, poverty and ignorance, damaging the state. Mr. Meksi further stressed that all this ... ... never managed to consolidate its political, economic, military and national position. further stressed that all this ... Concluding, he said that Albania has become a democratic country which is building the rule-of-law state in every respect and aims to take its place with dignity alongside the countries of Western democracy. Guided by the universally recognised principles of democracy, we are implementing profound reforms in every sphere of life. A strong Albania economically, a genuinely democratic Albania, is a guarantee for a just and rapid resolution of the national question and national unification. (ATSH)

Jubilee gathering in Vlora On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Proclamation of National Independence, a jubilee evening was held on Friday afternoon at the Sports Palace in the city of Vlora. Residents of the city, compatriots from the diaspora and from Kosovo, members of parliament, representatives of political parties and religious communities, various organisations, and heads of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana took part in the ceremony commemorating and honouring the notable 80th anniversary of Independence. The ceremony was honoured by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Aleksandër Meksi, and other members of the government. The jubilee evening opened with a solemn moment: everyone present in the hall stood up and sang the National Anthem together. Prime Minister Meksi, who delivered the commemorative address, began by wishing a happy holiday to all the Albanian people, the martyred people of Kosovo, Albanians in Macedonia, Montenegro and other regions of the former Yugoslavia, Albanians of Çamëria and Albanians of the diaspora. He went on to say: “I wish my speech to be a tribute to the great elder of Vlora, Ismail Qemali, to Luigj Gurakuqi, to Isa Boletini and to all those honoured Albanian men its name and began newly created, only half of the territories were included, owing to the aggressive aims of the neighbours and the unjust policies of the Great Powers. Independence was won as a consequence of our nation’s decisive battles in the second half of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century. It was precisely our National Renaissance movement that envisioned and brought about the Albanian state, whose foundations would be national consciousness, language, culture and history—in other words, important elements and principles recognised as integral to the modern states and nations of Europe. The creation of the Albanian state, that great ideal of the Renaissance figures, realised on 28 November 1912, demanded—and would continue to demand—great human sacrifices, which the Albanian people made in the name of their nation, one of the oldest nations in Europe. It showed that our people have the strength and the opportunity to make Albania belong to the Albanians, wherever they live. Continuing, Prime Minister Meksi said that the history of the Albanian state after the proclamation of Independence is filled with tragic and dramatic events; it is the history of an unstable state that successively experienced a principality, a democratic republic, a monarchy, fascist rule and a harsh communist dictatorship. The Albanian state position. dictatorship. Communism took religion, economic freedoms and political rights away from the Albanian people, isolating them for 50 years. Above all, the communist dictatorship separated Albania from Europe for half a century. Communism left us a poor and catastrophic legacy in the economy, society, culture and politics. Building an economy in a backward country like Albania takes time, culture, effort and many sacrifices. But we have embarked on this work, Prime Minister Meksi stressed, and believe that we are on the right path. We base our economic reform on the model recommended by the International Monetary Fund, because today this is the only model being implemented in all the countries of Eastern Europe and in many countries of Asia, Latin America and Africa. Mr. Meksi then discussed some of the main indicators of the economic reform being implemented by the Democratic Government. which is building all the structures of a state countries of Western democracy. Guided by the ...

— KORÇË — As part of the 80th anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence, the city of Korçë organised an artistic recitation contest, “With Rifle and Pen for the Fatherland,” at the military personnel’s club, as well as a major concert at the “Vangjush Mio” Cultural Palace. A jubilee session marking the anniversary was held at the “Thimi Mitko” Library, attended also by the city’s Mayor, Gjergji Gjinko.

— BURREL — — At the jubilee meeting organized on Friday on the occasion of November 28 by the Municipality of the city of Burrel, the chairman of the municipal council, Ali Zeneli, was also present, among others. The commemorative address was delivered by the chairman of the Mat District Council, Hamdi Beshku. In the papers presented on this occasion, new light was shed and new facts were brought forward about the contribution of the people of Mat during the period of Independence. Participants were also informed of the recent decisions of the Presidium of the District Council to declare 100 sons of this region Martyrs of the Homeland, with the citation: “Popular leaders and and the defense of national lands during the years 1845–1920.” The artistic groups of the city’s cultural center presented a musical-literary montage dedicated to Flag Day.

— DURRËS — On November 27, a ceremony was held in the main square of Durrës to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the raising of the Flag in this city. The address was delivered by the chairman of the District Council, Myfit Kodra. Then, to the sound of the National Anthem, the flag-raising ceremony was held. In the hall of the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Theater, the District Council and the City Municipality organized a jubilee meeting, which was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Order, Bashkim Kopliku. Tomorr Golemi, the Mayor, spoke about the significance of this great event in the history of our people and Durrës’s contribution to the movement for freedom and independence. Orders and medals, as well as the title “People’s Teacher,” were presented to members of the families of several Durrës democratic patriots. An artistic program was presented for those in attendance.

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA