. Since its creation, the Democratic Party has drawn many intellectuals into its ranks. Thousands of others are sympathetic to it in their convictions and positions and are active in its support. But it is troubling that their engagement in support of the DP and democracy in general often has a narrow scope: defending it in debates, taking part in mass rallies during election campaigns, and casting their vote. The DP needs their ideas and activity not only during the 2–3 months that election campaigns last, but continually, every day. This is more important than ever now, when it faces an exceptionally difficult and historic test, having undertaken to carry out and successfully bring to fruition the reform and the country’s transition to a market economy under conditions unlike those of any other country in Eastern Europe. This burden cannot be carried to the end on the shoulders of our president, members of parliament and government alone, nor by the party’s leaders and staff at central and local levels. «Rilindja Demokratike» plays its part in disseminating the Party’s ideas. Naturally, there is room for comments and criticism, because we have not always worked at the necessary pace and quality. But it must be said that the burden of the party’s intensive propaganda cannot be borne solely by the editorial office and its journalistic creative staff, who have often been forced to publish 2–3 articles in a single issue and who work and live in difficult conditions, lacking equipment and resources as well as space. Our Party has a National Council of around 100 people, hundreds of leaders in the districts, 82 MPs, and many officials and managers in government departments. Let us leaf through the «RD» archives from the very first issue: we can count on the fingers of one hand those who have published in our newspaper. For some, the newspaper has been useful only for publicity during election campaigns or for publishing simple announcements. Thousands of intellectuals have sent us articles that could not be published, or they have been stripped of their relevance by the passage of time. We have told nearly all the chairmen of the party’s district branches several times to write regularly themselves or appoint an intellectual to serve as our newspaper’s correspondent, but so far only Shkodër, Lezhë, Kavajë, Laç, and Berat have responded. We think this reflects a minimal appreciation of propaganda work and a lack of organization in the flow of timely, up-to-date information between all the party’s levels. Is it justifiable that a district such as Durrës, with its great and highly qualified intellectual potential, still cannot find or «discover» someone to maintain contact with «RD»? The limited appreciation—or disregard—of propaganda work through the newspaper is also evident in the branches’ failure to make an effort to distribute our newspapers not only in villages, but also in towns. The situation is entirely different with «ZP», for which the SP, at both central and district levels, shows concern and takes care to supply articles and distribute it everywhere. Our newspaper will be an open forum not only for DP members, whether closely associated with us or not, but also for all independent intellectuals whose convictions and positions differ from those of our party. Naturally, some of them may not agree with us fully on every issue. Ultimately, this is an expression of democracy. Differences of opinion on a problem should help kindle the fire of democratic, scholarly, constructive debate, which we will welcome and encourage. This is in the newspaper’s interest, but also helps bring problems together, analyze, understand, and resolve them. For our newspaper to become the forum for such debate that we all want it to be, it is essential and urgent that it be written for not only by professional journalists but also by all party leaders at the central and local levels, members of the parliamentary group, and independent intellectuals. Above all, let us not forget that others, too, write and publish in the newspaper in order to address the problems we encounter. Our parliamentary group, state officials at every level. If this is achieved, our newspaper will certainly become higher in quality, richer in information, issues, and journalistic forms and genres, more readable, and more useful. XHEVAT MUSTAFA ... hundreds of leaders in the districts, 82 members of parliament, and many officeholders and directors in government departments. Let us leaf through the collection of «RD» from its one hand all those who have published in the pages of our newspaper. Some have needed the newspaper only for publicity during election campaigns or to publish a defensive reply when attacked by the socialist press. Once they have achieved their aim, they have no longer darkened the door of our editorial office. Some may excuse themselves by saying that at first they did not find a warm atmosphere in the newsroom, or that an article of theirs was not published. We assure them that the atmosphere is quite different and that each of us ... ... in 100 ... of the ... Pe- ...

The President’s spokesperson announces that on December 16, 1992, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, will visit NATO Headquarters. The President’s spokesperson announces that on December 16, 1992, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, will visit NATO Headquarters at the invitation of the organization’s Secretary General, Mr. Manfred Werner. The visit will include a meeting with Mr. Werner, an address followed by discussions at the North Atlantic Council, composed of representatives of the 16 allied countries, and a lunch hosted by Mr. Werner in honor of President Berisha. (ATSH)

In a statement to the press concerning the military intervention in Somalia, the President’s spokesperson stressed that President Berisha welcomes this step. In a statement to the press concerning the military intervention in Somalia, the President’s spokesperson stressed that President Berisha welcomes this step by the international community, mandated by the UN Security Council, which is decisive in averting this country’s tragic chaos and ensuring the normal distribution of humanitarian aid. «I hope,» President Berisha said, «that Somalia, which bears similarities to Bosnia, will, through this intervention, be able to find the internal peace so essential to every country.» (ATSH)

FROM THE VISIT OF THE ALBANIAN DEPUTIES FROM MACEDONIA The Albanian state’s policy toward Macedonia is one of good-neighborliness and friendship President Berisha receives the Albanian deputies from Macedonia — I see the integration of Albanians into the political life and structures of the Macedonian state as a contribution by the Albanian community to the stability of democracy in Macedonia; — President Berisha declared to a group of Albanian deputies from the Parliament in Skopje. He expressed his appreciation for the constructive role of the Albanian political and parliamentary parties, as well as for their participation in the Macedonian government. and friendship. Relations between the two countries have advanced greatly over the past 8 months, and we are determined to deepen them. Aware of the danger facing Macedonia in today’s Balkan mosaic, we support its priority and territorial integrity. We welcome the UN decision to deploy the blue helmets in this Republic. We also greatly appreciate the Macedonian government’s position in favor of a population census under international supervision. President Berisha reiterated Albania’s position that Macedonia’s current constitution should be changed so that it grants the Albanian community the place it is entitled to. Macedonia should be a state of its citizens. He praised the progress made in recent months in opening several Albanian-language parallel classes. But, the President stressed, I consider the establishment of an Albanian university in Skopje to be a natural development. (ATSH)

IN THE LABYRINTHS OF CORRUPTION — 17 railcars carrying 185 tons of ecological waste in Bajzë — — Economic damage amounting to 60 thousand dollars — — The Ministry of Agriculture faced with the task of returning it to its place of origin — A bitter truth: a train carrying 185 tons of unusable, expired pesticides, deteriorated into hazardous waste, has travelled a long way and has been stuck for several months at the Bajzë railway station. These are pesticides donated by the German company SCHMID CRETAN. This shipment was blocked after other shipments had already arrived and remained in stock because they had lost their usefulness. But who negotiated this gift? Let us refresh our memory about the arduous process of securing it. It all began in August 1991, when the then trade representative at our embassy in Bonn, Pirro Trebicka, contacted representatives of the aforementioned company, who proved generous and offered 1,000–2,000 tons of pesticides free of charge. Based on information sent by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Neyton Kodra, then chief plant-protection specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture, Alma Leli, specialist at Eksimagrons, and Mr. Pirro Trebicka confirmed to the company the delivery of 487 tons of pesticides, specified as six types. Later, in October, our trade representative requested authorization to confirm also (Continued on page 4)

The group of Albanian members of the Macedonian parliament met the day before yesterday with representatives of the parliamentary groups of the People’s Assembly. At this meeting between brothers and colleagues, views were exchanged on the development of democratic processes in both countries, the role of parliamentarians in passing laws, and, in particular, the fair resolution of the national question. The Albanian members of the Macedonian parliament praised the work carried out so far by the People’s Assembly and the renewed determination that has emerged here, and called for the People’s Assembly and the Albanian state to play a greater role in internationalizing the national question. They stressed that we are behind schedule and that we must make up for this delay by coordinating our activities. They also called for the Albanian population of Macedonia to be recognized as a state-forming element. The parliamentarians also pointed out the need to draft a joint program for resolving the national question and raised the need to organize ongoing consultations and meetings in this regard.

Yesterday in Shkodër Yesterday morning, at around 9 o’clock, the criminal case against the defendants Hajr edin Shyti, Çapajev Taçi, Dilaver Papare, Gjek Çela and Xhemal Dymyle was opened at the Shkodër District Court. The court, chaired by Mr Qazim Gjonaj, with Vat Vula and Xhevahir Çelaj as members, declared the trial open by reading the indictment against the defendants as follows: “While serving as directors of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, of the Shkodër branch of the Public Security Department, and on the directing staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they knowingly acted contrary to the law and their respective duties; and although they foresaw the danger posed by their above-mentioned actions, especially the grave consequences that could result, they knowingly allowed them to take place on 2 April in Shkodër, where 4 citizens were killed, 57 others were wounded, several state buildings were burned and destroyed, causing damage of 3 million 760 thousand 183 lekë, as well as other grave consequences. These are crimes provided for under Articles 84 a, b, d, 106 and 13 of the Criminal Code. In particular, the defendant Hajr edin Shyti falsified an official document, having previously prepared the circumstances of the leaders in it, an act provided for under Article 110 of the Criminal Code.” Then, for about 7 hours, the hearing continued with the testimony of the defendants Hajr edin Shyti and Çapajev Taçi. The next hearing of the trial begins today at 8:00.

The Minister of Health and Environmental Protection, Tritan Shehu, met with officials from Iran’s Ministry of Health. He presented them with the state of our healthcare system and the measures being implemented for its restructuring. (Continued on page 3)

On the occasion of 8 December, National Youth Day, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, awarded the “Torch of Democracy” medal, with the citation “For the contribution made to the December student movement and the establishment of democracy in Albania,” to Azem Hajdari; Alma Bendo; Arben L... Këni; Shënasi Rama; Pandeli Majko; Myflar Gjana; Arben Sula; Ilir Dizdari; Bardhyl Ukamen; Tatali Malyshtyn and Pal Serreqi. The decorations were presented at the cocktail reception held yesterday morning at the International Culture Center, on 8.12.1992.

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, received the group of Albanian parliamentarians from Macedonia. During the conversation, the arrival of our group in Albania was described as belated, but very useful. In his remarks, the coordinator of the Albanian parliamentary group, Mr. Mehmet Halili, said that we function as a single parliamentary group in the Macedonian parliament, even though we represent different parties. In our work as deputies, we have achieved little so far, but we have the desire and the necessary will to defend the interests and realize the legitimate rights of the Albanian population we represent. By majority vote, the Macedonian deputies reject our proposals and rational arguments and pass laws that discriminate against Albanians, beginning with Macedonia’s new Constitution, said MP Mersin Pollozhani; but we will not abandon our path toward achieving the option of recognizing Albanians in Macedonia as a state-forming element. In his remarks, Mr. Arbnori said that we favor good-neighborly and friendly relations with Macedonia. This is also the wish of the Albanians who live in their own territories in Macedonia; therefore, a just and timely resolution of their demands, which are fully consistent with international instruments, would create an atmosphere of understanding and friendship between our two countries. We support movement and dialogue, but this does not mean passivity or retreat from human and national rights. subjugation either. This logic, rooted in the heart of every Albanian, must be well understood by the aggressive Greater Serbian chauvinism, which still yearns desperately for a new massacre like the one in Bosnia, in Kosovo, and elsewhere.

«We are glad that our arrival coincided with the date marking the beginning of the student movement, which hastened the arrival of democracy in Albania,» said Mr. Mehmet Halili, who then spoke on behalf of the group of Albanian deputies from Macedonia at a meeting with the Albanian Prime Minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi. He went on to explain to the Prime Minister the many problems facing Macedonia and, in particular, the Albanians living there. «A key problem,» he said, «is the recognition of the independent Republic of Macedonia… because the future of the Albanians in Macedonia, who until now have not enjoyed the same rights as everyone else, depends on how this problem is resolved.» Mr. Ismet Ramadani, chairman of the parliamentary group for foreign relations, spoke about the peaceful and patient stance of the Albanians and the efforts of Albanian politicians in Macedonia to explain to international public opinion the rights of Albanians in Macedonia. Having praised the stance of the Albanians of Macedonia as just and peaceful, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi said that the only proper way to resolve interethnic and inter-national problems is the peaceful path and dialogue, and that recognition of the Republic of Macedonia must take place through respect for the rights of Albanians and their right to be a state-forming element. He told the parliamentarians that in the future there would be greater opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, while for now there could be more exchanges of information through newspapers published in Albanian on both sides of the border.