IN LINE WITH THE RUSSIAN CONSERVATIVES Harsh attacks in Parliament, in the press and at Enver’s volunteers’ rallies in the districts intensified, along with the unanimous social-communist absurdity of F. Nano’s deputies against the Meksi government during discussions of the 1993 draft budget. The newspaper “ZP” publishes a statement by the communist deputies, according to which the Meksi government should leave not only Parliament and the government, but Albania as well. They accuse and insult, and in an incomprehensible ecstasy one cannot tell whether the statement was signed by Dokle, Nano, Agolli, Zeneli, Lakrori... and company, or by Enveri, Ramizi, Driteroi, Lilo, Lefti, and company... calls for terror, calls for genocide, calls for resignation... Why accuse the Meksi cabinet and the DP of genocide, when all the democrats endorsed the President’s quote: “Good morning, opposition.” They accuse the government of incompetence in carrying out reform, while the IMF, WB, EC and, most recently, Albanians themselves, through a barometer survey, have expressed full confidence in the government’s work and in the success and continuation of the reform. They accuse it of obstructing local government, while Nano and company organize rallies and issue statements calling on socialists to sabotage government decisions. They call for the uprooting of the DP through strikes and protests... They accuse it of purging socialists, while the bureaucrats who were removed were precisely those who had put into practice the centralist rule tactics of Hoxha-Alia-Nano, while in the areas where the socialists won on 26 July, the leaders of the illegal association “Enver’s Volunteers” parade through key positions, in place of the dozens of democratic intellectuals elected on 22 March. They accuse the government of a no-confidence motion, while the Russian conservatives presented such a motion against the democrat Boris Jelcin just the day before. Accusation... accusation... accusation... while honor, truth, commitment to democracy, the people, the press, emigrants, Albania... are asking them to be quiet, to be quiet, and quiet again. They want them to be silent because of the communist past. First: they have no moral right to demand power when, after 50 years of genocide and isolation, the Nano cabinet failed to govern the country even for one month. They have no moral right because they are directly responsible for the Shkodra massacre; because, while all Albanians celebrated the overthrow of the dictator Hoxha, the socialists renewed themselves with all the leaders of the February 1991 civil-war threats as delegates; because, while the whole world stood against dictators, F. Nano declared that he carried Hoxha’s bust in his heart. Second: the PS has no political right to call for the resignation of the democratic government because it has lost its political opportunity; it was swept from power by the nationwide popular march of 22 March. They do not come directly from F. Nano’s blacklists, having gathered votes from Tropoja to Saranda across all the cliques Third: the PS has no civic right to demand the government’s resignation, because no one believes the children of the persecutors, the executioners of E. Hoxha, any longer; because, while in power, the PS destroyed the economy, culture and education, spread corruption and unemployment, and brought about 80 percent impoverishment. Fourth: the PS has no legal right, because by popular referendum it was removed from the right to govern for four years; because behind it lie the mysteries of the massacres in Shkodra, Tirana, Fier, Korçë, Elbasan, Fushë-Arrëz... Behind it lie the gold theft, the tobacco trade and toxic waste; behind it lie the Sejdia scandals, the Bufi scandals, the Ahmeti scandals... Behind it lies Albania’s foreign debt of millions of dollars, which it left at the DP’s door on 22 March... Behind it lies the scandal involving EC aid to Albania through the company “Levent-Co” and the third member of the PS, Betino Kraksi... Fifth: the PS has forfeited its right to be a democratic opposition. Five days after entering opposition, it triumphantly celebrated the cancellation of millions in aid that the EC had given Albania; it continued to divide the diaspora by raising the cult of E. Hoxha; it accused and insulted the state administration, demanding so far the resignation of five ministers; it kept the falsifiers and criminals on its side and even held rallies with them on the platform... For these and many other reasons, the PS would do well to be silent, to be silent and silent again; it must learn to remain in opposition. It must learn that democratic opposition does not mean only criticizing, but also offering solutions. It must understand that neither Jelcin’s overthrow nor Milošević’s victory can reverse democratization and the European-style state Albania is building. It must learn to respect Europe, the IMF, the WB, the EC... because, given its conduct, it will never be accepted into the Socialist International. It must learn the fair play of democracy. Otherwise... otherwise Albanians will never accept a return to the road they began travelling 50 years late. A. KRASNIQI

ELECTIONS OF THE YEAR 1996 Uuuuu... I want EARLY elections Uuuuuuu

DEAR DIRECTOR , Today I am leaving Albania, after two years of an intensive diplomatic mission aimed at serving the interests of the two countries and the two peoples by finding forms and ways to achieve ever closer cooperation. Unable to congratulate and bid farewell to everyone I have met and valued, I am pleased to perform one final act of friendship toward Albanian citizens and my compatriots residing in Albania through this open letter addressed to them. I am proud to be able to tell you that, in these two years, we have made up for time lost during almost half a century of official relations between the two States, though these relations were of little substance in the process of economic, social and cultural integration. Everyone can see the contribution Italy has made to the birth of democracy in Albania: thanks to the steady provision of food and medical aid distributed by Pelikani, it was possible to hold free democratic elections that defeated communism without bloodshed. The second harsh winter has also passed, and today the prospects are certainly better than they were in the period we have left behind. Throughout my time in Tirana, I have worked with the sole aim of restoring smiles and hope to people’s faces. When I arrived two years ago, people looked sad and worried; now they have the vitality of freedom and [unclear: advisers, brother, father, son, seeking relief?], wherever possible, I tried to solve their problems. More than any civic recognition, the warmth shown to me spontaneously by the people of this wonderful country, without orders from above, has been a special encouragement and a pleasure. I have received evidence of such a profound and selfless human feeling that I will always cherish unforgettable memories of it. With much affection, and a big embrace to everyone, TORQUATO CARDILLI Ambassador

“DEMOCRACIA” Printing House - USA “DEMOCRATIC” Press Tel / Fax: 355 42 28446 Tel: 355 42 28478

... in a name that زروع الاسلامي سري العالمي TIRANA-ISTANBUL- We are pro... to serve Alb... Tel. 042/ 230... Impressions of the march. Are THESE not THOSE...? —By MP P. PETER PEPA, regarding the discussion of the ’93 draft budget— Regarding an important issue, such as the project... how could they not fall into... linked to the opposition: Yesterday they took part in the se... PS deputies ask questions, but the answers... fewer than half of them in total), since the others left... Today, in the discussion of P... they offer neither suggestions nor cri... they send back that d... ‘the same’ against. Here one could... destructive, but for whom... changed their clothes, the sheep... !it matters! 1. THESE are not THOSE, forgive me! They maintained the dictatorship, nor are they: I... who tortured for 50 years... the innocent... They may be their own, but... THESE are not THOSE. 2. THESE are not THOSE prime ministers or ministers who... ... took, seized, or will... be arrested for embezzlement in two... the grave consequences they brought... 3. THESE are not THOSE who... the schools and universities, who killed... (April) and did not rise up for their... They may be part of them... THESE are not THOSE... 4. THESE are not THOSE... ... parliamentary members of the PP were exposed... of an opposition party, shamelessly with... most of them, the Israelis of the two... THOSE... 5. THESE are not THOSE ...and from the Council of Çarçanin, Raline, [?] of Labour and the Government ... of scholarships, a group of them, ... of Education, THOSE... qualifications to be completed, biotechnology, by the deadline and in the Directorate of Education; ... 6. THESE are not THOSE deputies who were caught [?] in Greece, Italy, carrying stolen goods, among other things... 7. THESE are not THOSE who openly organized Enver’s famous rallies to drown out democracy [?] in the east and now organize other village rallies, at least now while there are children... Their relatives may be among them, but THESE are not THOSE... 8. THESE are not THOSE who want to cover up destruction and theft, destruction and theft, and keep it going... They may be their own... their sector... but THESE are not THOSE... 9. THESE are not THOSE who speak only for themselves and Ush. Jorgo, and in the “Zenith” newspaper... They may be... THESE are not THOSE... 10. THESE are not THOSE who confiscated, rejoiced and continue to enjoy houses with villas [?]... their fathers belong to the classes... THESE are THOSE, but Kar[?] governs... Even then, it is said that a mistake was made, it is released... And it is even... “THESE are THOSE who are asking to take Power and Government [?]...” “...THOSE are not THOSE...” D. VINA

—The Italian government will support the cause of Kosovo— —We and international organizations have valued the work of the Meksi government— Following a successful visit by the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Ibrahim Rugova, to Italy, a press conference was held yesterday at midday at Rinas Airport. Mr. Rugova, after emphasizing the difficult circumstances through which the people of Kosovo and the other regions of the former Yugoslavia are passing, said that his visit to Italy was part of the diplomatic cooperation between the Republic of Kosovo, Italy and European diplomacy. He said that during his very cordial meeting with His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Italian Prime Minister Giulio Amato, head of Italian diplomacy Colombo, and the chairman of the Italian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Antonio Karilo, they discussed in detail the situation in Kosovo and the surrounding regions. At these meetings, Rugova called for the deployment of UN troops in Kosovo, the lawful delivery of humanitarian aid to Kosovo’s population, broader cooperation with Kosovo, and efforts to avert conflicts. Rugova highlighted the Pope’s message that he would continue to support the cause of Kosovo and the other Albanian regions in the former Yugoslavia. He described Italy’s position on Kosovo as positive. During his conversation with journalists, Rugova described the Meksi government’s diplomatic efforts to date on the Albanian issue as a whole as very fruitful. Responding to a question about the PS’s demand for the resignation of the Meksi government, Rugova stressed that, as the first government, it should be given a chance to work. So far, its work has produced good opportunities, for which we and international organizations value it. In a pluralist system, demands for resignation are normal, but only when facts and arguments are presented and the stage of developments is respected in terms of the national aspect. The opposition should be better supported by arguments and should be guided by the national interest. Finally, President Rugova wished the journalists well, inviting them to meet again soon in Prishtina. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

“Francesco De Carli, former socialist MP, arrested for taking bribes.” This news was broadcast by RAI a few days ago. What interest does this news hold for Albanians, when it is known that, in connection with the “kickbacks” scandal in Italy, well-known politicians are arrested almost every day? What significance, then, does the arrest of a former PSI MP have? The point is that Francesco De Carli is not an unknown figure in Albania; of course, he is known to Albanian socialists. This former MP, promoted as a sitting deputy, “was the guest of honor” at the Eurosocialists’ congress in Tirana. An honored guest because he and the representative of PASOK were the only ones who agreed to take part in that congress. But De Carli became “famous” for the bombastic speech he delivered at that congress, a speech that “ZP” featured on its front pages in large letters. It is only natural that “ZP” acted that way, since De Carli’s speech praised the PS’s “mentality” as a constructive opposition defending national interests, while attacking the DP and the democratic government, accusing it of being revanchist and making other attacks that had become tiresome by then, because you saw them in every issue of “ZP” and heard them every day from socialist leaders. “ZP,” in order to boost the PS’s credibility and importance, presented De Carli as an MP, whereas, according to all the specialists, he had lost the most recent elections held in Italy (these facts were also set out in an article that “RD” published a few days after De Carli’s speech appeared in “ZP”). That article also provided other clarifications about De Carli, such as the fact that he had expressed a desire to form ties with the DP before attacking it at the Eurosocialists’ congress. So, a few days ago, this loyal friend of Nano—loyal to an astonishing degree, because, as I wrote above, his “accusations” against the DP were identical to, and even harsher than, those of the PSSH itself—was arrested. I do not think he will be the PS’s guest of honor again now, nor will he give us any more democracy lessons alla Nano. By coincidence, on the very same day F. De Carli was arrested, the Italian parliament’s junta accepted that the accusations against Kraksi, Nano’s other friend, were well-founded and allowed proceedings to be brought against the former PSI chairman on all the charges. The “ZP” journalist who published De Carli’s speech will surely not bother to write about his arrest and his ties to the PS. And Nano surely feels the loss of his friend’s speeches keenly at this time; nevertheless, as “busy” as he is with the campaign to overthrow the government, he surely will not have time even to send condolences to his friends. But what interests did De Carli have in being such a fervent PS militant? In the coming days, “RD” will publish some facts that “coincidentally” link the former MP with former ambassador Kardili and others. Perhaps these facts will say something. EDI PALOKA