Tirana, 6 August. (BIM) — One of the most monstrous phenomena, which democratic society has inherited and still continues to suffer from, are the ugly crimes committed during the 45 years of the communist dictatorship. These crimes, which are coming to light every day, have often been the subject of our free press. Such are also the cases denounced in the PD organ. This has rightfully provoked the anger of the social communists, who cannot rejoice in American money in order to desecrate the new democracy. In fact, shaken, they are trying to find justifications and invent alibis for the crimes committed. 'Zëri i Popullit' does this too with astonishing cynicism. At 6 p.m. on Monday, during a working meeting with the district secretaries, the chairman of the PDSH, Sali Berisha, denounced other crimes of communism, pointing out that it is not true that, as the falsifiers of history claim, the previous government did not know what was happening in the internment camps. Among other things, he said that, for example, in 1959, 9 children, aged from 6 months to 10 years, died in internment. The commentator of 'ZP' found that enough to lash out furiously against the President and, instead of arguments, he uses the usual language of insults and inventions. Calling the president's statement 'a bomb planted for foreign public opinion', he thinks that settles the matter. However, the facts emerging day by day tell a completely different story. Many Albanian families know very well what internment is, what death in camps is, and what nameless graves are. The attempt to hide the truth only makes the moral and political responsibility of those who ruled with terror for 45 years even heavier. The 'Zëri i Popullit' article continues in the same tone, accusing the PD of using the victims for propaganda. But it was not the democrats who killed these people, nor did they build the internment camps. Crimes have perpetrators, and the perpetrators had power, names, positions, and parties. If they had even a little human sensitivity, the social communists would apologize instead of attacking those who seek justice. Today, as Albania tries to build the rule of law, remembrance of the victims of communism is a civic duty. There can be no reconciliation without truth, nor democracy without the moral condemnation of evil. Whoever mocks the graves, whoever denies the internments, and whoever distorts history shows that they still dream of the old macabre deeds.

Problems and signs of improvement At 6 p.m. on Monday, together with a working meeting with the PDSH district secretaries, time was used to listen and discuss several current issues with the leaders of Durrës. Thus, in the presence of President Berisha, local government leaders, the head of the PD branch, the mayor, the prefect, and other district leaders took part. Perhaps its special characteristics make Durrës a more problematic city than the others. The country’s largest gateway, the wide coastline, the greatest movement of goods and people, and the links with Italy and other neighboring countries give this city a vitality and a larger influx of problems. The state of public order, occupations, uncontrolled trade, the property situation, and unemployment problems were discussed. The meeting stressed the fact that, despite the difficulties, steps forward have been made. Improvements in administration, in cooperation between institutions, and in efforts to keep crime under control were discussed. The President praised the democratic spirit of the city and the role of the PD branch in keeping that spirit alive. Durrës is presented as an important bastion of democracy, and according to the participants this is not only due to the city’s traditions, but also to the proper handling of problems. It was requested that work continue at a faster pace, especially regarding public peace, urban planning, and the handling of social issues.

- K. Islami, not only a mix of civilization, but also a highly deceptive man. Jody Schkib, member of parliament? K. Islami, sharpened without a point! The secretary of the PS, like a living parliamentarian, dressed in black clubs strikes! He rushes toward the "square", only to return to the "square", where his comrades were almost about to crush his future! What can the poor man do under the dictatorship of the old men, when their big cub, as soon as it gets frightened, in order to come out of the tunnel, turns again amid the darkness of yesterday. What protects this zeal of exhausted and noisy leaders? Fear that the past may be exposed, the loss of privileges, or the need to keep playing the opposition theater? And the PS itself does not know what it wants: improvement of political life or a return to the old scenes of verbal conflict. K. Islami appears every day in new poses, but the essence remains the same: noise, accusation, resentment, and no alternative. The public now knows this kind of politics very well and is not easily fooled by strong speeches and empty gestures.

TITINA SHEHU In the combine, which has been closed for a long time because production was interrupted, trucks carrying flour have started to arrive. Our correspondent from Elbasan reports that yesterday morning 100 tons of flour, as part of the aid from the European Community and the World Food Programme, entered the premises of the M.C. It will be used for the bakery unit. Within two months this combine will receive 500 tons of flour. The above aid will be distributed to the workers of the former metallurgical combine. It is reported that a certain quantity of flour will be sold using coupons distributed by the economic aid branch. Also yesterday, work began on repairing the bakery oven in the premises of the M.C. Under the direction of specialists from the Italian P.S., work is being carried out to put it into operation. For now, the oven will produce bread for the needs of the enterprise and later also for the community.

Embodiment of democratic force The propaganda apparatus of the social communists, set in motion to deny the truths that have come to light about the crimes of the past, is trying to turn everything into a political attack against the President and the democratic forces. At the center of this reaction is Fatos Nano, who appears as a defender of the very mechanisms that produced internment, prisons, and silence. This behavior is not new. Whenever the camps, the victims, or the responsibilities of the former leadership are mentioned, the social communists begin speaking of slander, manipulation, and propaganda. But public opinion knows that nothing can erase the traces of a system that built power on fear. Whoever defends that system falls under the weight of the past himself. Fatos Nano and the people around him seek to present themselves as reformers, but the language they use and the nervousness they show whenever a new fact emerges betray them. They do not distance themselves from evil, but from its exposure. And this places them politically on the wrong side of history. The democratic force, by contrast, has no reason to back down. It has the duty to defend the national memory, to seek moral justice for the victims, and not to allow the spirit of denial to return. Therefore, the question remains simple: are you with the truth, or with those who crushed it for decades? You are with them... comrade Fatos.

PUBLISHING HOUSE LUNGU