“The Albanian government is consolidating the basic components of agricultural reform” Tirana — The 16th session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) began in Rome on 20 January, with an Albanian delegation also taking part, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Serreqi, The session was greeted by the President of the Senate of the Italian Republic, Xhovani Spadolini, and Italy’s Foreign Minister, Emilio Kolombo, who, after praising the organization’s work, also welcomed Albania’s membership in it. At the session for statements by member countries, the head of the Albanian delegation, Mr Serreqi, also delivered a speech. He expressed the government’s gratitude for Albania’s membership in IFAD and its readiness to establish close and fruitful cooperative ties. During the session, Mr Alfred Serreqi held separate working meetings with the Fund’s officials, with whom he discussed the implementation of several agricultural projects to assist private farmers through the development of the credit system, investments in irrigation, and support for farming families in mountainous areas. To discuss technical issues concerning these projects, a mission of experts from the International Fund for Agricultural Development will come to Albania in February. (ATSH)

THE FRPD NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETS On Thursday, 21 January, the National Council of the DP Youth Forum met in the hall of the National Museum. The meeting was attended by members of the National Council elected at the 1st Congress of the FRPD and by invited guests. According to the agenda, the Forum’s chairman, Mr Lika, presented a report on the FRPD’s political platform, emphasizing the role young Democrats should play in promoting and advancing reform. One of the report’s main points was strengthening the DP with FRPD members. Concern was expressed that young people’s representation on the DP National Council and in Parliament is very small. Another issue raised was intensifying the fight against corruption and the communist mafia; among other things, the activities of ADA Air were highlighted. The report also emphasized the FRPD’s support for the President, but called for necessary measures to be taken in the government and against corruption. Speaking about the slow progress of judicial reform, the removal of a minister was called for. In this regard, the Shkodër trial and the trial of N. Hoxha were also mentioned and described as a farce: “N. Hoxha should have been convicted of genocide, not merely economic embezzlement...” The creation of new, honest businesspeople was advocated; they should form a new capitalist class and oppose the red businessmen who are becoming rich through illegal means. Afterwards, Mr Ganaj read out several amendments to the draft FRPD statute. Among other changes, the age limit for joining the FRPD was broadened to 15–35, with 15-year-olds to be considered supporters without voting rights. It was also proposed that the Forum not admit the children of former communist leaders. The representative of the Hans Seidel Foundation, Mr Mikail Kozmala, also spoke to greet the Forum. Supporting this democratic movement, Mr Mikail Kozmala also reaffirmed the Foundation’s support for the FRPD, both past and future, in the fight against communism and for the establishment of democracy. Among other things, Mr Kozmala mentioned the upcoming visits to Albania by Mr Alois Braun, a former Christian Democratic youth activist and the right-hand man of the Finance Minister in the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the daughter of Albania’s esteemed friend Jozef Shtraus. Both have expressed a strong desire to meet with FRPD members. (Text continues outside the image.) At the end, following the discussions, the Forum’s new leadership was elected. «RD» Correspondent At the end, after the discussions, the new leadership of the Forum was elected, Corr. of “RD.”

Tirana — On 15 January 1993, the Minister of Justice, having determined that the documents submitted by the Initiating Commission for the formation of the Republican Alternative Party complied with the requirements of the law “On the Main Constitutional Provisions” and the law “On Political Parties,” approved the establishment of this Party, Tirana — On 15 January 1993, the Minister of Justice, having determined that the documents submitted by the Initiating Commission for the formation of the Republican Alternative Party complied with the requirements of the law “On the Main Constitutional Provisions” and the law “On Political Parties,” approved the establishment of this Party. (ATSH)

Vienna — As the Austrian Foreign Ministry reports, the Land of Upper Austria and the Land of Salzburg have launched an aid initiative for several schools in the northern regions of Albania, Vienna — As the Austrian Foreign Ministry reports, the Land of Upper Austria and the Land of Salzburg have launched an aid initiative for several schools in the northern regions of Albania. The initiative has so far collected 1,000 desks, 700 cupboards and other school equipment, which are scheduled to be sent by truck to Albania next month. The Austrian side stated that it maintains ongoing contact with Albania’s Ministry of Education regarding (text continues outside the image) (ATSH)

From the People’s Assembly “We spend all that time on unimportant laws and pay no attention to others that are much more important,” said one “disappointed” Socialist MP on Wednesday, after the People’s Assembly’s marathon session on the draft law on the status of disabled veterans of the Albanian people’s Anti-Fascist War. (?) I do not wish to comment on the subtext of this statement, but I will give you the “text” of the debate in principle and article by article on this “unimportant” draft law. The draft law had arrived under the title Anti-Fascist National Liberation War.” To give the truth about the Albanians’ war against the Nazi-Fascist occupiers its full scope and scale, MP Rushen Golemi, also expressing the opinion of the DP group, proposed replacing the words “... Anti-Fascist National Liberation War of the Albanian people” with “... of the Albanian people against the Nazi-Fascist occupiers.” The reaction from the left was immediate: Dokle, Lakrori, Ulqini and Agolli launched an “attack” in defense of the “Enverian political legend.” “The National Liberation Anti-Fascist War is recognized by the world, and we have no right to revise it.” That was more or less the essence of their “defense.” To challenge this “defense” and communist political pseudo-history, DP MPs cited many examples exposing its political character and bias. We may mention

- The motion of no confidence in the RTV Governing Council is rejected; likewise, the motion of no confidence in the Minister of Foreign Affairs is rejected - The steering committee had ample time to meet and judge this case and, if there had been a breach of the law, to take measures within its powers and under RTV regulations. But the mission was hastily proclaimed as a eureka, as a predetermined objective, as a pretext for demanding the dismissal of the governing council. This is as tendentious as it is absurd. The purpose is clear and obvious: to attack and overturn RTV’s good work, to replace the existing governing council and RTV’s leaders with other people suited to them or their equivalents. No one has helped the new democratic Albania (indeed, no one has preceded it) more than Radio and Television. And, in this respect, this institution has not been a candidate. The DP for Albania, democratization, the future. Radio and Television has been and remains the voice and eye that bring Albania, the nation, culture, unity, perspective, and hope. Every day, undoubtedly all of us, having been covered in the mud of words and writings—often anti-national and anti-cultural—have hurried to cleanse our souls as much as the TV screen can do. But it depends on how you look at the screen, on how muddy you are, and how deeply the mud has sunk—in your flesh or in your soul. Still, there are people whom not even the Pacific can wash clean, let alone television. By MP NDUE GJIKA - Democracy is not made with marches - Even under these circumstances, they (RTV) have managed to give our domestic and international television and radio the right character. For decades, they broadcast more “marches and news,” as in Hitler’s time, than they gave space to information, entertainment, and intellectual development. Does RTSH have shortcomings? The nihilistic stance, class-based bias, and spirit of class warfare manifested today had the same effect they have had for 50 years: they also stifle those ideas that could have been put forward in a truly constructive atmosphere. As can be seen, I do not agree with the mud that the Socialist MPs and some others wanted to throw at this institution. This practice is part of a continuing pattern that reveals their aims and strategy: “to sow doubt, distrust, and discontent among the people.” They are trying to do the same to RTSH, just as the PS party press and other newspapers that beat its drum do. By MP TONIN ALIMEHILLI - “E pur si move” - A question for the masters of motions: Where is the distortion of facts when the historic July 1990 rally is shown on screen? What distortions were there in the television presentation of the alternative president’s statement before the communist-socialist president? And what distortions were there in the political trial of the DP in the government of stability, and in the account yesterday of the living conditions of 40-odd years in Fushë Arrëz? Gentlemen behind the motion! Do not look at things from your own position, or they will always seem distorted to you! In conclusion, I express the view that the motion against the RTV governing council is nothing more than a modification of the 47-year-old Inquisition. Therefore, the leaders of this institution need only respond to the unfounded accusations of the socialist chroniclers’ outlets with the well-known expression, “E pur si move.” (Continued on page 3) Thursday was perhaps to be devoted to the question session and a motion of no confidence in the RTV Governing Council, represented at this session by the Director General, Mr. Skënder Buxpapaj, in response to questions submitted in writing beforehand by the three main parliamentary groups: 25 from the DP group, 39 from the PS, and 7 from the PSD. The answers provided information about RTV’s current state, strategy, reform, prospects, relations with the world, its national role, and so on. The tendentiousness and disparaging nature of the PS group’s questions should be emphasized. It should also be noted that almost all 39 answers were followed by a reply from the Socialist authors of the questions. After a short break, the reading of the motion of no confidence continued. It was signed by Messrs. T. Keko, A. Imami, J. Jupe, G. Pashko, P. Teta, P. Milo, S. Gjinushi, G. Apostoli, K. Marakjardhi, and Sh. Vukaj—a “mixed” group, quite original in its own way. The motion accused RTV of failing to provide information, incompetence, distorting the truth, politicizing its leadership, the director violating employees’ rights, pursuing a personal policy, etc. After the motion was read, Mr. Keko spoke in a language marked by extreme tendentiousness and threats, the rattling of chains and calls to imprison the leaders, insults, disinformation, and sweeping accusations of feudal chieftainism at RTV. After him, around 30 other MPs from various parliamentary groups also spoke. Below we present excerpts from some of the speeches by DP MPs. By MP URAN BUTKA - “Neither the sun nor the moon is without a blemish on its face” - The motion is dated 15.12.1992, that is, two days after the broadcast of the program “Spring in Winter,” which prompted it. So, it was not…

FROM PRESIDENT BERISHA TO THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BILL KLINTON 20 January 1993 Dear Mr President, On behalf of the Albanian people, I send you my warmest greetings on the occasion of your inauguration as the 42nd President of the United States. The United States was a decisive factor in the overthrow of communism, the most tragic experiment humanity has ever experienced. During almost 50 years under the harshest communist regime in Eastern Europe, the Albanian people’s hopes for freedom did not fade, thanks to America and other democratic countries. And now, as we emerge from the ruins of a completely failed totalitarian system, the United States continues to offer us an example of freedom, initiative, creativity and conscience. Today’s generation and generations to come will always be grateful. I completely agree with you when you say that these changes brought spring. We hope and believe that the United States, under your leadership, will continue to help Albanians and the peoples of other former communist countries ensure that the blossoming of hopes and ideals, especially those of young people, does not wither because of the shadows left behind. For this, you will have God’s blessing and our gratitude. Mr President, the day after the signing of the North Atlantic Pact, the great President Truman was asked what NATO would do with those two states with which they had fought during the Second World War. He replied that the best thing was for them to become like us. I am confident that, following in the footsteps of your great predecessors Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy, you will help peoples who have experienced dictatorships build societies based on the universal principles and values on which American democracy was founded. The ties between our two countries also include the Albanian-American community, which throughout this century has been a major source of assistance and support. I think it is accurate to say that our countries have an old and special bond, especially since President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, saved Albania from disintegration after the First World War. American support for Albania has always been bipartisan, and I would like to have with you the same excellent relationship I had with President George Bush. I hope that in the near future we will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the pressing issues of the Balkans. Mr President, You are taking office amid a series of international crises, but I am confidently convinced that you will be successful in addressing them. I want to assure you that our position on the crisis in the Balkans is very clear, because for many reasons Albania is key to the region’s problems. Throughout their history, Albanians have been divided among four different states and are now the most threatened people in the Balkans. All we want is peace, stability, respect for our rights, and economic prosperity. But, unfortunately, the crisis is engulfing the entire outlook. We are grateful to the American government for the warning it issued to Serbia regarding Kosovo. We feel very close to the Albanians in this troubled land and support their peaceful struggle for national, human and democratic rights, and self-determination, in accordance with the principles of the CSCE and the United Nations. I hope to work with you to achieve a just solution. Now that you are taking the helm of the world’s superpower, I wish you success, peace and prosperity. Mrs Berisha and I send you our very best wishes. (The remainder of the message is outside the image.)