Prepared for «RD» by Michael Ganton (Michael Ganton) Preserving Democracy For over 40 years, the Albanian people were told that they lived in a wonderful country and that they had the whole world. They were even instructed to defend it against an attack that was never in danger of happening. In reality, as the whole world knows, Albania and the Albanian people have now been reduced to the lowest standard of living in Europe and deprived of all the things enjoyed by other peoples in Western Europe. The only acceptable element of what the previous regime used to say is that, at its foundation, Albania is a wonderful country with a long and proud history and a warm, friendly people. It has rich potential and can be attractive to people from all over the world. What it needs and deserves is the chance to show what it can do. In 1992 the Albanian people elected a democratic government and, for the first time in many years, the people are in power. The new democracy, with much help from others, could finally become a full member of the European Community, giving its people the chance to attain the higher standards of living they deserve. But democracy must be nurtured and educated with all the care a mother gives her newborn child. The enemy, communism, has almost been destroyed. There still remains in the hearts and minds of some the belief that the state is more important than the people. They are unable to understand that the state is the people. For conscious and far-sighted Albanians, there should no longer be an issue of two opposing sides—one and the enemy—but a nation of one people, some of whom express different opinions. Some are democrats, some socialists, some liberals, and others still hold uncertain and changing views. But first and foremost, they are Albanians. Albania and its people must come first; personal and party considerations must come second. Albanian politicians, like others in every sector of life, are finding their way in the new democracy. This is not easy. Most of what was typical of the last 40 years must be forgotten. A new era of tolerance and understanding must begin. The people must be patient with their politicians; politicians must be patient with their desperate people, and show them the benefits of freedom in a democracy. They want this «yesterday». It takes time. It cannot happen in days, weeks or months. It may take years. The newly found freedom of speech has naturally led to extremism in many areas, particularly in politics. This is inevitable after 40 years of needless discipline and deprivation. To some people today, the answer to many of Albania’s problems seems to be publicly attacking those with whom they disagree, and insisting only on their own views, their own path and their own solutions. Attacking is easy—a simple response for those who are incapable of thinking and lack the necessary skills. It takes courage, ability and understanding to offer constructive criticism which, while taking opposing views into account, puts forward a strong and persuasive argument. If democracy is not expressed and defended with the strength and sensitivity of reasoned argument and, above all, tolerance, it will wither, and the worst aspects of socialist extremism will prevail—and that is only a small step toward communism. And every Albanian knows what that means.

— DECLARES FOREIGN MINISTER ALFRED SERREQI — Albania, a state where people of the principal religious faiths live together in harmony, and a Balkan, European and Mediterranean country, represents serving as a link between religions, cultures and civilizations, Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi emphasized in a statement to ATSH. He made the statement on the eve of the 6th Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers, which will hold its proceedings on 1–2 December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. «We consider this fact,» the minister continued, «to be an objective of particular importance for our foreign policy. We will be happy to make whatever contribution we can to bringing peoples with different cultures, traditions and beliefs closer together and fostering mutual understanding.» One of the items on the agenda of this session will also be the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In this connection, Minister Serreqi noted that «the Albanian delegation has reiterated its position, condemning Serbia’s genocide, principally against the indigenous population of the Islamic faith, carried out under the pretext of fighting Islamic fundamentalism—a claim that is untrue—as is the wholly unfounded accusation that the Albanians, who have long been defending themselves, are applying Islamic fundamentalism, an accusation directed at the Albanian population in Kosovo.» Continuing his statement, Serreqi said that «the existence in our country of a vital Albanian Muslim community, in which more than 70 percent of the population belongs to the Islamic faith, and its traditional ties with the Islamic world, have been and remain important factors in further strengthening relations between Albania and the Islamic countries. In this context, we welcome with pleasure and consider it a significant event that Albania is being admitted at this session as a full member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The assistance and solidarity of the friendly countries and peoples represented in this organization, and of the European Community in general, are indispensable to us,» Foreign Minister Serreqi concluded. ATSH

On Thursday, 26 November 1992, the second conference of the Democratic Party branch of the Mallakastër district was held at the cultural center in the city of Ballsh. The conference was attended by delegates from Democratic Party sections in the villages and the city, as well as guests from various associations and parties. Also present were Mr. Maksim Konomi and Mr. Pëllumb Malaj, representatives of the Democratic Party’s Steering Committee. The report on behalf of the branch was delivered by Mr. Maksim Begaj, who gave an in-depth analysis of the work carried out over the year and described the successes and shortcomings that had emerged. Many constructive questions were raised at the conference, and answers were given by Mr. Maksim Konomi, Pëllumb Malaj and Maksim Begaj. In his speech of welcome, Mr. Pëllumb Malaj said that the restructuring of the Democratic Party was an internal necessity arising from its own growth; it was an assessment of what had been accomplished and a responsibility for the future. The Democratic Party wanted honest, upright, firmly anti-communist and democratic people in its ranks, especially educated intellectuals who had not been involved in the totalitarian system. (Continued from page 2)

On Monday, 30 November 1992, at the request of the Democratic Alliance party, a meeting was held between representatives of that party, Messrs. Arben Mal[i?]ami, Shahin Kadare and Blendi Fevziu, and representatives of the Democratic Party, Ali Spahija and representatives of the DA, citing the country’s current difficult situation and respect for journalistic ethics as the reasons for the meeting. The DP representatives requested concrete proposals. In response, the DA representatives discussed the members of parliament from that party, as well as articles in the DP press directed against them. The DP representatives stated... (Continued on page 3)

Zef Ujkaj (Posthumously), Sabri Tuci (Posthumously), Edison Gjergjo (Posthumously), Rafael Dembo. Tirana, 28 November 1992. (ATSH)

In recent days, a letter has been sent to the Association’s board and its chairman, Mr. Zihni Haskaj, by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana, Dr. Klaus Follers. It reads: «The President and Chancellor of Germany have asked me to convey their heartfelt thanks to the Albania-Germany Friendship Association, particularly for the support and trust our friends have shown in the path toward German reunification.» (ATSH)

— THE INDICTMENT AGAINST THE LABOUR PARTY IS ANNOUNCED — THURSDAY — SESSION DEVOTED TO BALKAN AND KOSOVO ISSUES — — MONDAY — On Monday afternoon, the People’s Assembly began its plenary session, chaired by the Chairman of the Presidium, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori. The agenda items carried over from previous weeks were joined by the draft law “On an amendment to the law ‘On Prices and Tariffs’,” the appointment of the Prosecutor General, the motion involving the Minister of Education, scheduled for Thursday, as well as a proposal by the Committee on Foreign Policy and International Relations to hold a session, also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss Balkan issues and, in particular, the issue of Kosovo. This session is also expected to take place on Thursday. It is also planned to consider Mr. Nafiz Bezhani’s request to resign from his post as a member of the Court of Cassation. After this work programme for the week of 1 November–3 December was presented, ... and proposals were approved. After the agenda was approved, Mr. Arbnori read a statement from the National Assembly of Turkey addressed to the People’s Assembly, expressing concern about new dangerous attempts by racism and xenophobia, and calling for support from different countries in the fight against them. In accordance with the agenda, proceedings then continued with discussion of the draft law: “On certain amendments to Law 7516, dated 7.10.1991, ‘On the ...’” (Continued on page 3)

For two days, your newspaper has published protests about the great “injustices” being done to you. You have also written to all the prime ministers of Europe, saying, among other things: “we are writing to you with this letter...” to bring you “great disappointment that concerns not only us, but democracy itself in Albania.” This concerns some of the offices taken from you on the third floor of your building, offices which have been given to several other entities. You have the right to complain wherever you like (this is a matter of legal right, not moral right) about the “injustices” being done to you, but first it would be best to look at the condition of the newspaper of the party in power. Even with the offices you have left after the “great injustice” inflicted on you by today’s government officials, you have more than twice as many offices as «RD», and the same goes for all the other facilities. The «RD» editorial office works under the same conditions, and its film equipment was used there—in fact, under even worse conditions. Should we appeal to the world too? And what about the other press outlets? You write that “the actions of today’s holders of power toward us bring to mind the ... of the Bolshevik type,” and you forget that in this case there is a major difference. Your building is not your property. The former members of the ruling elite also complained to international organizations about the “injustices” done to them when they were evicted from “their” homes. Be more realistic, colleagues. Don’t let yourselves be manipulated for selfish party purposes. Compared with all the other Albanian press outlets, you are still more privileged in every respect. Don’t make “much ado about nothing.” It is not serious. «RD» Editorial Office

The sluggish pace at which laws are being approved is perhaps affecting the construction sector more than any other. At the Tirana Municipality, although the urban planning directorate was established some time ago, you can see all 25 of its specialists sitting around with nothing to do; meanwhile, alongside it, another design body, ZUP, continues to mobilize, ... all the necessary technical inventory and documentation. When you ask the young specialists in the urban planning directorate about their work, they don’t know what to tell you: they just shrug, making it clear that they have nothing else to do. Meanwhile, those with the grandest titles ... ... about which much has been said and written; one learns something else as well, that for the relevant department ... is old; by decree of the President of the Republic No. 225, dated 11;6;92, Decree No. 5747, dated 29.6.78, has been promulgated: “ON THE PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATORY PLANS FOR CITIES AND VILLAGES.” Thus, from that moment, every type of design activity was defined: ... to be covered as soon as possible ... ... assigned the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Territorial Planning to draft the new law within the first six months and submit it for approval. However, surprisingly, five months have already passed since the middle of the year, and the designers are still left with nothing. We could say that part of a deadline has elapsed; but before the Government’s decision, everything is overturned! It goes without saying that decisions are issued in order to be implemented, not ... ... other matters that need to be considered. We say this because there is a marked lack of coordination among the design bodies. It is true that they are moving toward privatization, but the law must regulate some initial procedures. And ... ... for design, while many other institutions have more of these and, moreover, receive them through state subsidies; it is illogical for them to sell these materials to state bodies for profit. Thus, at the Tirana Municipality, engineer Kejda Lulo complained that they do not have a single plan of the city of Tirana. Those who have the old originals in their archives sell them to us at prices we cannot afford. This should not only be prohibited, but I believe that archival materials of national significance should not be held, let alone sold, by a private institution. They should be transferred to the state, and only it should have the right to administer them. ZEF LAÇI

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Independence, by decree of President Sali Berisha, some of the most distinguished figures in Albanian art were awarded the high titles «People’s Artist» and «Merited Artist». AWARDED THE TITLE «PEOPLE’S ARTIST»: Andrea Shankjet, Lec Shllaku, Kujtim Spahivogli (Posthumously), Kristaq Sotiri (Posthumously), Kristaq Papargjiri (Posthumously), Gjon Mili (Posthumously), Dhora Leka, Vangjush Furrxhi, Mihallaq Luarasi, Gjergj Vlashi, Neco Muho (Posthumously), Tonin Harapi (Posthumously), Zihni Berati (Posthumously). AWARDED THE TITLE «PEOPLE’S PAINTER»: Simon Rrota (Posthumously), Zef Kolomba (Posthumously) and Vladimir Jani. AWARDED THE TITLE «MERITED ARTIST»: Agim Shuke (Posthumously), Behet Nelku (Posthumously), Gaqi Vishi (Posthumously), Pirro Sava (Posthumously), Aleko Prodan, Sherif Merdani, Eli Luarasi, Pavlina M[a?]ni, Andi Qezari, Mario Ashiku, Spiro Uruni, Hysen Biza, Shpëtim Shmili, Astrit Cerma, Vitore Salaku. AWARDED THE TITLE «MERITED PAINTER AND SCULPTOR»:

At the request of the parties participating in the proceedings, the Lezhë District Court announces: “The criminal case against Mr. Nikollë Lesi was discontinued in accordance with the rules laid down in the Code of Criminal Procedure. PRESIDING JUDGE MDJERIME DELISHTI