“I am very pleased that recent developments have not had, and should not have, any repercussions on coexistence between Albanians and members of the minority in Sarandë,” said the President at a meeting he held on Friday, 2 July, at the Municipality of the city of Sarandë with representatives of local government and political forces in the district. He said that the situation that had arisen had nothing to do with the true nature of the Greek people. This is a short-sighted policy. If, in response to such an event, the Greek government chose revenge as its course of action, we are convinced that the Greek people did not choose this path—the Albanian young men working in their homes are not responsible. It is not the citizens, but the Greek police who are mistreating and expelling them. Secondly, it is important to stress that relations between Albanians and the Greek minority are very old, and time has shown that they can never be conflictual. They are relations of centuries-old coexistence in the region. If a referendum were held among the Balkan peoples, they would vote for understanding and cooperation, and against intolerance. To erase a series of undeniable achievements in Albanian-Greek relations merely because a Greek citizen was expelled for anti-constitutional activity against Albania—while in Albania as a visitor, with no official position in the Albanian Autocephalous Church, and distributing materials that presented southern Albania as part of Greece and preached religious division—and to undertake mass retaliation for this, I am convinced, disregards not only the interests of the Albanian people but also those of the Greek people. Those who think that worsening relations between the two countries serves to strengthen national identity are mistaken. Albanians and Greeks are two peoples and two cultures that have stood face to face, have nourished one another, and have given the finest proofs of morality; this does not make us forget the great assistance given by the Greek people and its government up to recent days. For this, he is and will remain grateful. But the events of recent days show how clearly certain Greek circles have made the psychology of Sebastianos their own; I am convinced that he represents neither Greece nor the spirit of the Greek people. I am sure you will not allow this situation to have repercussions here. I assure you that Albania’s policy toward the minority will not change. It will be a policy of affirmation and of safeguarding the cultural and ethnic identity of every member of the minority, because it is in our honor and dignity to adopt the principles and standards of a broad democracy, which will have a positive effect on coexistence between Albanians and members of the Greek minority. Albania does not need any outside opinion to impose this on it; it is an obligation arising from universal principles and values. …the Greek Church that is conflictual. They are relations of centuries-long coexistence, which will continue to grow ever stronger. In this regard, it is entirely unacceptable to us to create nonexistent problems and a climate of repercussion. The climate that has arisen in current relations between Albania and Greece will not change Albania’s efforts to build good-neighborly relations with our neighbors. I believe that coexistence, understanding, and tolerance are vital interests of the peoples of this region. We have believed, and despite the difficulties continue to believe, that fruitful cooperation and understanding between Albanians and Greeks, as well as with other neighboring countries, are of primary importance for peace and stability, not only for the Albanian people, … but also for the two countries serves the cause of strengthening and two cultures that have stood face to face, nourished one another, and demonstrated the finest resilience. If there are people who have no complexes toward one another, they are Albanians and Greeks. Their long history, with several periods that were not very significant, is a history of fruitful coexistence in which assimilation has posed no particular danger. In this respect, I am convinced that this situation will be overcome, because the interests of coexistence are greater than short-sighted policies based on alliances or Greek objectives that have been advanced. Everyone has the right to choose their own alliances, but communities have no right to use them as a basis for imposing their objectives on their neighbors. Albanians and Greeks are the oldest neighbors in the Balkans. The Albanian people appear to be a virtuous people … column etc. so that adolescents, with the principles and standards of a broad democracy, will have a positive influence on coexistence between Albanians and the Greek minority, and Albania is not doing this and will not do it because of any external imposition; rather, this is an obligation arising from the universal principles and values it has established and is consolidating as the foundation of democratic Albania, as well as from the centuries-old tradition and coexistence between Albanians and the minorities. Finally, I also wish to stress that, given the great importance of Albanian-Greek relations not only for our two peoples but also for peace and stability in the Balkans, the Albanian Government will continue to insist, through dialogue with the Greek side, on establishing a spirit of cooperation and understanding in relations between the two countries. MERO BAZE (ATSH) these chauvinistic aims; apparently it has not changed at all since the end of the previous century, when it cursed the Albanian language and schools, and killed Albanian patriot priests such as Papa Kristo Negovani, At Stath Melani, and patriots Naum Veqilharxhi, Petro Nini Luarasi, etc. It has fiercely incited religious quarrels, even though religious faiths here have always preached harmony. Our Renaissance figure Koto Hoxhi said: «The Muslim and Christian faiths in Albania are like two hands that wash each other». The notions that the Greek Church will… Continued on page 4

In yesterday’s issue, «ZP» reported on the front page, citing the BBC, that the secretary of the Central Committee of ...OK, Xo...opoulos, called “the Greek government’s current policy toward Albanian economic refugees” “xenophobic” and said it was intended “to preserve power.” But the chairman of this party, the friend and partner of Fatos Nano, thinks and speaks quite differently. On Thursday he declared that “he is in favor of deporting Albanian emigrants from Greece.” He called on the government to make “the measures more effective by placing part of the border on alert to prevent Albanians from returning to Greece.” Thus, it is self-evident that Xooxopoulos’s statement is a personal opinion, whereas Papandreou’s is official—the position of the entire PASOK leadership. And finally, a question: “Why did «ZP» search high and low for the PASOK Secretary’s statement, made 4–5 days ago, while censoring that of its chairman, Papandreou, made just two days ago?”

The National Committee for the Defense of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church expresses its profound indignation at the barbaric, medieval actions of the Greek government against Albanian refugees. Disregarding every international commitment, such as the Helsinki Charter and the Charter of Human Rights, as well as every norm of civilization, it has given free rein—and even inflamed to the utmost—old chauvinist passions against Albania, expelling, threatening, imprisoning and robbing our emigrants in Greece under the pretext of our country’s expulsion of the Greek cleric Kristovomos, who, instead of carrying out the Lord’s religious work, engaged in overt anti-state and anti-Albanian activity by propagating the union of southern Albania with Greece and distributing all manner of subversive materials. Under our laws and international law, he should have been brought to trial, but our government chose the more reasonable course of removing him from the territory of the homeland. It is regrettable that the Greek Church is passionately serving these chauvinist aims. It appears not to have changed at all since the end of the last century, when the beginnings of the great communities of nations, such as the European one, to which Greece itself belongs, ... When aid came to us from the brotherly Greek people, with whom we share many things as the two oldest peoples of the Balkans, it turned to disappointment when it became clear that nothing had changed in Greek chauvinist aims, at the vanguard of which stand many clerics. Along with Janullatos, who promised that he was coming temporarily to help revive our Church, groups of Greek priests poured into Albania after the triumph of democracy. It soon became clear that they had not come for religious purposes but with openly anti-Albanian intentions, bringing much propaganda material, maps of Greece incorporating Albanian territories, flags of the so-called «Vorioeipir», and especially the anti-Albanian works of the notorious Bishop Sebastianos, who has collaborated and continues to collaborate with Janullatos. From the outset they began fanning the flames of religious divisions and conflicts, which have never existed in Albania, and of Greek hatred against Albanians. On this occasion, we recall that when Albania was admitted to the League of Nations in 1920, a delegate said, among other things: «Today Albania is being admitted as a member, a unique country in the world which, although it has three religious faiths, has no such conflicts.» The Orthodox Bishop Fan Noli, although Ortho… …given the things that have happened in the past and up to now, can Athens have the moral right to be called a truly European capital, at the end of the 20th century and on the threshold of the 21st? The history of mass chauvinism and anti-Albanian sentiment shows that Greece is European only geographically, economically and legally. Mr. Pashko, Mr. Nano and the others who supported this statement silently or with applause should know well that now, in democracy, many routes to Europe are open to us. Athens is one. But there are also Washington, Rome, Berlin, Paris, Vienna… O, BARDHI

On the Albanian-language program of the B.B.C., the head of the economic policy department of AD, Mr. Pashko, declared: «Albania’s road to Europe passes through Greece. Both sides must make mutual concessions. In full agreement with the statement by Greek Foreign Minister Papakonstandinu: “Albania in Greece’s embrace.”» As always, the irresponsible Pashko thinks nothing of trading away [the] national interests. What prompted Mr. Pashko to make this statement? Why is Pashko not original, and why does he not enjoy the right of authorship for this “discovery”? Chairman Nano was the first to make it, more than a year ago, after a “successful” visit and one-on-one meetings with his friend in politics and corruption, Papandreou. But why, gentlemen, do you want to impose your detested or uncalled-for will on us? Why must Athens, of all places, be our bridge to Europe? Why do you forget that 250,000 refugees are enriching not only themselves, their families and Albania, but also the unjust Greek state and Greece? Why do you apply the first aspect and leave the second entirely unmentioned? How can Athens take us to Europe? By carving up our country, treating us like slaves, insulting us, discriminating against us, torturing us? And after all the barbarities it has committed in the past and continues to commit, true chauvinism and anti-Albanian sentiment shows that Greece is only geographically…

— 5,000 drachmas reward for the capture of every Albanian refugee, GIROKASTER, — At the Kakavijë border crossing, Greek citizen Dhimitros Vavros stated in the presence of Albanian journalists that “the costs of the operation to expel refugees from Greece are intended to be covered by the refugees themselves. To ensure this, the Greek police are carrying out checks … … around each refugee, taking all the money they have with them. Many refugees testify that the Greek police have offered a reward of 5,000 drachmas for capturing each Albanian refugee. According to well-informed sources in Greece, during the past week the Greek police mobilized a considerable number of reserve forces, who apparently will be rewarded with money violently stolen from Albanian refugees.

SARANDE, — On Friday afternoon, President Berisha attended the funeral ceremony of Colonel Luan Godo, commander of the Tropojë Division, who died on Thursday in a car accident. In his condolences to the family, President Berisha expressed his regard, as Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, for Colonel Luan Godo, who, as President Berisha stated, was always ready and capable of carrying out the military duties entrusted to him. (ATSH)

It is perfectly clear that the vast majority of the owners, entrepreneurs, merchants, and small, medium-sized, or large businesspeople in our country are former leaders of the PP (S) or their sons, who woke up one morning as major bosses without breaking a drop of sweat to create a capital asset. Much discussion has taken place about this problem, especially concerning the origins of the initial capital and the dubious enrichment of these individuals. There is also a presidential decree calling for this phenomenon to be brought to light. But so far no one’s peace has been disturbed; nothing new has happened in this area. The purpose of this article is not to state what is already common knowledge to every Albanian, but to analyze a statement by the PS, which insists on this perpetual monopoly over one of the pillars of the economy of the country, namely trade, and the unjust accusation it makes against the Democratic Government. In connection with this statement, we would highlight several points. First: The PD and its government have pursued a transparent path in the privatization process through open auctions, a method used throughout the world and based on a fair legal framework. Second: The Democratic Government has made it possible for the privatization process to take place with full publicity. This has been achieved through the press and RTSH, and this has been done for all those who wish to take part in these auctions. Third: In the privatization process, the Democratic Government has always been guided by full respect for human rights, viewing the individual as equal before the law and property, and giving every citizen the opportunity to become an owner. The accusation made in the PS statement published in «ZP» on 27.7.1993 has no factual basis whatsoever. It is a communist-style document that seeks to create confusion in order to slow down the privatization process. Fourth; this statement once again confirms the insatiability of the communist leaders in their pursuit of the perpetual exploitation of Albania, guided solely by the logic of enriching the red caste and maintaining a perpetual monopoly on capital—something that cannot be achieved. The democratic government will rigorously implement the opportunity that the democratic state has created for all Albanians to become owners, always on the basis of the rules and laws in force. MUJE BYTYÇARI

— 50,000 drachmas reward for the capture of every Albanian refugee The arrest … life Beqir… is the minimization of the aspirations that the Albanian justice system is pursuing against this anti-national remnant, which never wanted to listen to or converse with the men of the nation, but served Serbian-Slavic anti-national policy through patrol work. For the PUKISH of the district of Elbasan Chairman GANI THAÇI