LIBRARY OF CONGRESS [?] From the ceremony marking the 3rd anniversary of the 26 March 1990 demonstration in Kavajë. President Berisha presents the “Martyr of Democracy” decoration for Qazim Demir Karrigi to his son.

MEETING IN THE HALL OF THE GJIROKASTËR DIVISION On 26 March, the President of the Republic of Albania and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sali Berisha, came to the Gjirokastër division, where he was received by the Minister of Defense, Mr. Safet Zhulali. The Commander-in-Chief was welcomed with a military ceremony. In one of the premises of the Gjirokastër Division command, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sali Berisha held a warm and [unclear in source] meeting. The army was large and dispersed, and consequently did not meet the demands of the times. But with its restructuring, the army, like democracy, which is based on truth, must break away from formalities, have genuine training and a high level of readiness. Then Mr. Sali Berisha touched on several aspects of the situation in the region, and especially the dramatic situation in Kosovo. The dictator Milošević, with a dictator’s way of thinking, could ignite the flames of war in the south in order to achieve his criminal aims. We cannot accept ethnic cleansing; we cannot accept being driven from our homes. Under these circumstances, he pointed out, new important tasks arise for the army: its level of readiness and training must be raised. To this end, the army’s new structure is very suitable. Yesterday, at a meeting with senior army officers, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Safet Zhulali, after explaining the necessity of moving to the army’s new structure, addressed several tasks concerning the practical implementation of the definition of units and their preparation for deployment in barracks, the conduct of concentrated training, and the protection and maintenance of military equipment and property. The transition to the new structure is a bold step. It will be achieved because the officers who have worked so hard are committed and will work selflessly to carry the army’s reform through to the end. The Minister of Defense then drew attention to the particular care required in dealing with personnel during this phase, so as not to allow any manifestation of subjectivity in assigning duties. To this end, he said, a working group of senior army officers has been established. They will insist on rigorous application of the requirements for evaluating officers, so that each person is assigned a duty according to their abilities, responsibility and qualifications. The aim is to make the best and most scientific selection of military personnel. The army is depoliticized by law, but it must also be depoliticized in practice. This will be achieved when officers rigorously observe military laws and regulations. Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Baki Shehi, outlined several concrete tasks arising at present and from the process of restructuring the army, while maintaining a high level of readiness. RD CORRESPONDENT “...because, even if we approve it, there is no guarantee that the law will be implemented.” Simple logic, isn’t it? Since there is a possibility that freedoms and rights may be violated, there is no reason to approve the law at all. The truth is that, if if if if if the law will be achieved when everything is in place, and it is precisely these laws that protect them; whereas, according to socialist logic, no law should exist as long as lawbreakers continue to exist. The strongest reason put forward by the Socialists and the motion’s sponsors for rejecting this draft law was that it should have been submitted to Parliament together with the Constitution. But this “reason” exposed their shamelessness because, no more than a week before the draft law was brought to Parliament, the chairman of the PS parliamentary group, N. Dokle, agreed that it should be submitted for approval and made only a few minor requests, which were met. At Dokle’s request, Mr. Meksi went to Parliament, and it was also agreed with him that the Constitution would be presented within three months. And yet, on the very day the draft law came before Parliament, they shamelessly opposed its approval. But let us suppose for a moment that Dokle was unable to reason and decide for himself, and that after “consulting” his chairman, he and the others were persuaded that approving the draft law separately from the Constitution was a grave mistake. They themselves then eliminate this excuse. M. Ulqini says that he will vote for this draft law if those in power provide proof that they will correct their grave and [unclear in source] mistakes. This is not only his condition, but also that of chairman Nano, who says the law should be approved only after the DP convinces Nano that Albania has emerged from the crisis of totalitarianism, that there is no class war, and so on. Nano even went so far as to say that the DP should repent for its mistakes (isn’t that the height of [unclear in source]?). From these words, it follows that even if the draft law had been submitted together with the Constitution, the Socialists would not approve it until they were “convinced” that those in power had corrected their grave mistakes—or, to put it more clearly, until Nano takes power, because only then will he abandon his propaganda about the “severe persecution” of the Socialists. But if we wait for such a thing—that is, for Nano to take power in order to approve “The Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms”—there is a strong chance we will be left with none at all. To demonstrate once again the absurdity and falsity of the reasons the Socialists gave for rejecting the draft law, we quote from the speech of one deputy on this occasion. M. Ulqini, after recalling the President’s words about the vacuum created by the absence of this law (and agreeing with them), says: “I am convinced that the delay in this law... is a deliberate act by the extremists who are making the laws today in the parliamentary majority.” And further: “I cannot vote for this law merely because someone wants to wave it around in Europe...” So, the majority does not want the law, but almost everyone will vote against it. Ulqini. When he spoke at the beginning, he was quite right, because such a law—which [source text becomes garbled and repetitive here] ... Nano will But if we wait for such a thing, that “The Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms,” there at all. we will be left with none at all. Therefore, the socialist leader’s celebration in Switzerland can mean nothing other than his desire to see himself once again in the role of prime minister, and the suffering writer once again out on the streets. [Further source text is garbled and repetitive:] From the other if we wait for such a thing, that “The Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms,” there at all. General of the Armed Forces Sali Berisha The Commander-in-Chief was received with military honors. In one of the premises of the Gjirokaster Division command, the and cordial meeting with the Division commanders and senior officers of the Ministry of Defense. Among other things, Mr. Berisha said that the army’s reform was now entering its second stage: its restructuring. This is a necessary process because our country needs a strong army to ensure our defense, an army that paves the way for its modernization. The market economy is working for Albania. The strengthening of our economy brings an increase in our defense capability. In one of the halls of the Division command, in the presence of commanders, officers from the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, and other staff from the southern units, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Safet Zhulali, on behalf of the Defense Council, announced the Council’s decision: “On the transition of the army’s... Republic of Albania decided that the army would consist of the ground forces, the air defense forces, and the naval forces, each with its respective staff. The articles of this decision define the elements of the structure that is being changed and those being newly created; they also define the limits of the army and the territorial forces. On the basis of this decision, the schools for the training and qualification of personnel will be reorganized, and the structure of the Republic’s civil defense will be reorganized and placed under the authority of the Council of Ministers. The specific articles of this decision stipulate that the existing army structure, the school youth structure, and the free military schools will be abolished. The Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, Sali Berisha, spoke again. After stressing the need to establish new structures in the army as decisive instruments for a democratic society, he underscored that the work of reforming the army had earned sympathy in all military circles of democratic countries. This has made it possible for us to secure close cooperation with NATO and its member states. Reform is vital for the army, to make it a powerful instrument American imperialism (S. Brokaj attacks the American ambassador)? OUR ARMY WITH A NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

From the meeting of the Council of Ministers

On Friday afternoon, several draft laws and draft decisions were examined at a meeting of the Council of Ministers. It was decided to approve the statutes of several economic associations in the oil, chromium, copper and geological industries, as well as the Albanian Electricity Corporation. The draft law on social assistance and welfare was also discussed; it aims to establish the welfare state under the conditions of a market economy. The draft law introducing several amendments to the law on compensation for the indexation of wages also was discussed; it makes it possible to raise the average wage in agricultural enterprises from the current 5% to 20%. (ATSH) From the meeting of the Council of Ministers

Interview with the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mr. REXHEP UKA RD: As we have been informed, from 17 to 21 March 1993 an Albanian agricultural delegation made a working visit to Israel. [continues outside the frame]

During a visit to the Albanian diaspora in Switzerland, the Socialist leader, Mr. Fatos Nano, publicly apologized for the monstrous behavior, the long imprisonment, the ruin and all the consequences his former party (a.k.a. the DICTATORSHIP) had inflicted on the well-known writer Kaplan Resuli. By... [text continues outside the frame] calling him a “constructive citizen” as well, he invited him to come and live and work in Tirana?! It is difficult to explain the Socialist leader’s behavior, except as his usual hypocrisy. It seems Mr. Nano will have forgotten that precisely during the period when he was prime minister, Mr. Resuli had just been released from prison and was living in Tirana, left out on the street and supported only by friends. again out on the streets. JOZEF RADI

—The Socialists oppose the draft law on fundamental rights and freedoms. “We are against it because someone might wave it around Europe to gain credibility.” “We do not approve the draft law because there is no guarantee it will be implemented.” “The DP must correct its mistakes and repent for its faults; then, if we are convinced of this, we will approve this draft law too.” “It is the majority that is seeking to delay this law.” The debate in parliament over the approval of the draft law submitted by the President of the Republic, “On the Fundamental Freedoms and Rights of Man,” once again (and this time quite unexpectedly) proved the irrationality of the Socialist parliamentarians. It proved that they have been anti-democratic and mad. Their rejection of this draft law goes beyond the bounds of logic, even Socialist logic. Through this conduct, the Socialists displayed a marked lack of intelligence and “fell into the trap,” badly discrediting themselves. Perhaps we should even thank them for this, because it is now hard to find anyone who still doubts that the Socialists are in parliament solely to oppose everything the majority does and to obstruct it as much as possible. But how did the Socialists justify their latest absurdity? The draft law is of European standard, but… we will not approve it. WHY? “...because this draft law is being put forward for demagoguery, so that someone can wave it around Europe to gain credibility.” So, not only are they fully aware that this law will also contribute, along with other positive factors, to the country’s further integration into Europe, but it is precisely for that reason that they refuse to approve it, especially because this law would enhance the prestige of President Berisha and the DP. Is this an “ambition” typical of the opposition, or a return to the instincts of a governing mania for self-isolation and, why not, a struggle against American imperialism (S. Brokaj attacks the American ambassador)? be violated, there is no need freedoms and rights are precisely what these laws protect; long as there are people who break the law. motion’s supporters been brought before law was brought before had agreed that it be submitted for approval and had within three months. And now, on the day the draft law comes before parliament, they shamelessly come out against was a serious mistake. They themselves then eliminate this objection. M. Ulqini says he will vote in favor of this draft law if those in power provide evidence that they will correct their serious and grave mistakes. He is not the only one setting conditions; so is say that the DP must repent for its mistakes (isn’t that the height of absurdity?). law had been presented their serious because only then will he give up if we were to power in order to approve “The Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of Man”—there is a very good chance we would of one of the deputies on this occasion. M. Ulqini, after mentioning convinced that the delay of today make the law in the parliamentary majority”; and further on: “I cannot vote in favor of this law simply because someone wants to wave it around almost everyone will vote against it. Ulqini. At the beginning, when he spoke, he was quite right, because such a law... [the source text continues with a corrupted and repeated passage]... which would make him give up if we were to of Man”—there is a very good chance we would be left with none at all. According to these words, even if the draft law had been presented their serious because only then will he give up his propaganda about the “severe persecution” of the Socialists. again out on the streets. Albania’s democratic parliaments approved the laws that had been carried out in writing; they should not have accepted this one in particular. But, as a DP deputy also said, we were being far too tolerant, because those responsible not only for the crimes of E. Hoxha’s era but also for the events of April 2 in Shkoder, for the victims of Fushe-Arrez and Pogradic, and for all the destruction of these years, instead of being in prison cells, are now asking the DP in parliament to “repent for its serious mistakes”! There you have it: that is how far their madness goes, since they even reject the amnesty being granted to them. It is a pity that Mr. Nano, who is considered an intelligent man, showed himself to be foolish this time, because the submission of this draft law only increased the prestige of the President and the DP, while the Socialists’ rejection of it shows everyone who the Albanian Socialists are. EDI PALOKA

“THE PS TALKS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS”