— PS leaders far from the role of a constructive opposition — No matter how small a nation may be, in the history of earthly life it will not be remembered for its small size, but for the personalities it produces and honors; it will not be remembered for its narrow roads, but for its cultural and historical values, its political and scientific elite, its virtues, friendships and weapons. If the people of a nation cannot determine the aims of its weapons, at least they can determine the worth of its friends. Man and nation struggle to survive, even though survival demands hardship and sacrifice. Today the Balkans speak clearly of the opposing zigzags in people’s struggle to survive. If a Milošević or a Karadžić wants monarchy and Serbian violence against others, other peoples have the right to fight for existence and freedom. And if the peoples of the Balkans were to choose the alternative offering the strongest assurance of survival, they would undoubtedly choose friendship with the democratic West and the fastest possible development of their own countries. Albania entered the wave of reform last. The political pluralism won through the demonstrations of students ... for several reasons. First, the political class inherited from the past several political forces and alternatives that were badly compromised. The judiciary barred the former highest-ranking PPSH officials during the political transition, on charges of genocide, abuse of office and corruption. Chance made one of them the leader of an opposition political force. Second, people who had once held power, recruited by the State Security service, or enamored of the lucrative offers of the shameful anti-Albanian chauvinist axis of Belgrade–Athens, signed documents that cross the boundaries of national tradition. The declarations with PASOK; those against the human-rights law, against accession to the Council of Europe, in favor of the infamous «sfesna» operation against our emigrants; those calling for people to be dragged along the ground and their skulls smashed; those demanding that all the current senior leaders of the judicial authorities be punished; those who threaten people with anonymous letters and draw up lists of people condemned to death; those who travel throughout Europe propagandizing the «Albanian dictatorship»; those who call the USA and Germany enemies and attack their ambassadors; those who call for ... only failed. If even half of its energy, spent on efforts to obstruct democracy in Albania, had instead been devoted to contributing to democracy’s development, Albania would be even more civilized and developed. The world is astonished when the PS signs against its own plan for armed intervention against ultranationalist Serbia. The world is astonished when the PS votes against the human-rights law. The world is astonished when the PS calls Albanian democracy a dictatorship. The world is astonished when the PS wants to invalidate the votes of one and a half million Albanians through terror and violence. The world is astonished when the PS defends the old Hoxha–Alia–Nano dictatorial caste, accused of genocide or corruption. The world is astonished when the PS votes against Albania’s accession to NATO and the Council of Europe. The world is astonished that the PS leadership cares only about elections, without regard for its own members who have been tried, for its national betrayal, or for its denied democracy. They are against everyone, just as Hoxha’s clique and company appeared to be. Duties to the nation are forgotten. PS leaders abuse the trust of socialists; they abuse their own nation. They have never shown, or even suggested, that they are serious about their obligations to the nation. This sickness of theirs has become so normal that they call Cameria «Dhespoti», and describe the leaders of the Albanians of Kosovo as manipulated by Albania. Perhaps one day, when historians have completed their work, today’s communist opposition leaders will be ashamed of themselves, and judgments of shame will be written on their epitaphs. But it is absurd that until then Albania and Albanianism should have some Albanians among their opponents, because the consequences will be grave. Precisely to forestall this harsh judgment of history, anyone who loves the nation and progress calls on honest citizens, intellectuals and genuine students who belong to the Albanian political opposition to distance themselves from their corrupt leaders and from the politics of skull-smashing and dragging people along the ground, and to think and act as Albanians, as people of progress and honest political alternatives. Only then will they deserve to be called the opposition. Only then will Albania have a constructive opposition, rather than the destructive one it has today. ...of choosing an alternative with a more secure, strong existence, then undoubtedly they would choose the alternative of friends in the democratic West and the country’s fastest possible development. Albania entered the dance of reform last. Political pluralism, won through the students’ demonstrations, made it possible for the Democrats to dominate power no more than 18 months ago, when over one and a half million Albanians voted against communism. What communism had practised and barbarously destroyed through 50 savage years of isolation and torture in Albania, the PD undertook to eliminate within four years, in order to build a new democratic society. The economy, beset by inflation and unemployment, destruction and debt, emerged from darkness towards progress within 18 months of the democratic coalition’s rule. Work began, inflation was eliminated, debts were unblocked; instead of physical destruction, there was mass construction. The small market economy flourished, and within a few months the country embarked on the path of reform. PDSH established institutions for work and law, and institutions for free speech and justice. Freedom and the rule of law were won. Albania opened up to Europe and development. The economy moved to privatization. Citizens became owners of their homes and their own work, while farmers became owners of their land and of their own producer and consumer markets. The system began functioning for everyone, and everyone became subject to legal obligations. But the duties towards the nation, shared by every compatriot, did not receive the value and commitment they deserved from all Albanians. This... Those who call for the punishment of all the current senior leaders of the judicial authorities; those who send anonymous letters and draw up lists of people sentenced to death; those who roam all over for the violent overthrow of the government; those who defend murderers, criminals and the corrupt; those who call our emigrants “the nation’s excrement”; those who founded Enver’s association and call him “father”; those who, after years, hide behind the masks of 2 Prillit, Flutur -Arrezit, Malit me Gropa or January ’90—they can in no way be called a constructive Albanian opposition. In no way can they represent the opposition and democratic socialism; in no way do they represent the interests of underprivileged groups; in no way can they be called honest soldiers of the homeland. The misfortune of the Albanian political spectrum is that the Albanian opposition is led by people who espouse an anti-democratic, far-left alternative. Gensheri, Skalfaro, Ozal, Zhelev, Vërner, Gjon Poli II, Martinez, Lymier, Demirel, Karter, and others come to Albania. Clinton and Bush, Yeltsin and Mitterrand, Kohl and Vajçer, Valmajer and Tugjman, Klepsh and Karlos, Meixher and Havel, Kusan and Lilesku, Atali and Shirak speak about Albania... and they all highly praise the successes and progress of democracy in Albania, while the Albanian opposition has never once found anything good in the democratic developments in Albania. It only darkened, accused, attacked and opposed—and fortunately... ...the feet of all Albanians are to be the future; senior leaders of the authorities...

Visit to Austria by Minister Edmond Spaho At the invitation of the President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Minister of Tourism Edmond Spaho visited Austria from September 15 to 17. The purpose of the visit was to present to an audience of dozens of company executives and businesspeople in the tourism sector the opportunities Albania offers for investment in this field. Alongside financial support, Austria will pay particular attention to technical assistance in tourism, including specialist training, education, etc. At the Austrian Federal Chancellery, the Albanian Minister of Tourism was received by Ambassador Dr. Georg ... on projects such as the construction of Rinas Airport, railways, water supply systems, tourism, etc. by Ambassador Dr. Georg ... of the infrastructure needed in Albania. Ambassador Len[n]ki promised assistance with the most urgent needs and the funds that must be secured for them. Austria is interested in strengthening stability and bringing Austrian investment into Albania, he emphasized. At the meeting with investors, busi- ... Lennkh, Chairman of the OECD and Chairman of the Austrian Committee for supporting projects with financial resources from the countries of Southeastern and Central Europe undergoing reform. The OECD Chairman emphasized the Austrian government’s interest in financing Albania’s highest-priority projects, especially infrastructure, as well as Austria’s willingness to provide long-term loans to Albania. Minister Spaho presented projects in tourism, favorable legislation, tenders and privatization, requesting prompt support in releasing Austrian funds for improvements to Rinas Airport, railways, water supply systems and tourism in Albania. Ambassador Lennkhi At the meeting with investors, businesspeople and company executives at the Federal Economic Chamber, Minister of Tourism Edmond Spaho, after speaking about the promising start of tourism investments by Austrian companies «Rogner», «Hovva», «Horvat», etc., gave a comprehensive overview of the new Albanian legislation in this field, which creates favorable conditions for investors, as well as the opportunities provided for in the tourism development master plan. Mr. Spaho answered questions from those present and held talks with companies that have specific projects for Albania. ATSH

SHKODER. — 5,694 people from the Shkodër district are now employed in the private sector. The monthly income they earn from their work is higher than that of other employees in the state sector. There are 2,537 private businesses operating in this district. The largest number, around 1,660, are in the trade sector, which has developed significantly over the past two years. The private services sector, however, has lagged somewhat behind, without managing to meet people’s needs with a variety of services and adequate quality. So far, only 395 service businesses operate in this district, whereas the number should be higher.

During the meetings held in the municipality of Luzni, both with representatives of the local government and with the residents of Luzni, ... the problems that concerned them ... the deputy, members ... In the electoral council for the March 22 elections, Mr. Da- ... was elected. The people have a concern, concerns that they can discuss only with their own member of parliament. It is the duty of ... The People’s Assembly ... asked ... member of parliament ...

Statement by the Presidium of the Bulqizë District Council In August 1992, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, visited the town of Bulqizë, where he held an extensive discussion about the concerns arising from the implementation of economic reform. He considered the residents of Bulqizë’s request for a town water supply system reasonable, and in February 1993 the democratic government allocated 0.5 million lekë for this water supply system. But the local social-communist authorities kept the funds shut away in a drawer until April, by which time the project should have been completed. The malicious act was uncovered and reported in the press and to the government, and the authorities began to take action in May, but once again with the ulterior aim of dragging things out and carving off a portion of the funds. At the specific instruction of the former social-communist chairman, Meleq Beqiri, the funds were allocated to the construction enterprise, which, in order to delay matters, failed to build anything in Bulqizë. The latter deliberately transferred the funds to a private company, but then received the advance sum of around 1.3 million lekë, of which work worth only 40 thousand lekë was carried out. It is still unknown where the remainder went. The construction of this water supply system was reviewed three times by the district presidium, but the district ... was not ... At its latest meeting, on 16.9.1993, the presidium of the district council objectively reconsidered the reasons why this water supply system had not been completed by the September 15 deadline set for it. During the constructive discussions and debates among all the members of the presidium, it emerged that every opportunity had existed for the water supply system to be completed as early as May 1993. But the actions and inaction of the investor Afrim Cenga, as well as the misuse of the initial funds by Avni Dani and Hasan Deda, have left the town of Bulqizë without water again this year, for no reason. Unanimously, the members of the district council presidium, representatives of the PD, PR, PSD and PS, decided to ask the district prosecutor to bring criminal charges against Messrs. Afrim Cenga, Avni Dani, Hasan Deda and the other responsible persons, who have caused an extremely serious situation in the partial water supply to this mining town. The presidium of the district council, meanwhile, undertook to monitor the progress of the water supply works itself, with the aim of completing them as soon as possible, while coordinating with the relevant department to resolve the difficulties.

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA Letter of thanks To the President of the Republic Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. SALI BERISHA We, the members of pilot Idriz Hoxha’s family, have been living these days with the profound grief caused by the death of our dear husband, father and brother. Although he fell in the line of duty, although his great heart stopped in the aircraft’s cockpit, we feel and will always feel his absence; we will miss his voice, his spirit, and everything beautiful that we knew in Idriz during the 46 years of his life. But alongside our grief, we also feel your great care, Mr. Commander-in-Chief, in coming to see Idriz for the last time and say a few warm words to him, as children say to their father. At the same time, your care for Idriz is also the hand you extended to us, the family of the martyr, to help us walk with dignity along life’s path and ease our profound grief. Meanwhile, as we thank you, Mr. Sali, for everything you did for us and for Idriz, we assure you that we, the members of this martyr’s family, will be at the forefront of the struggle and work for the new democratic Albania. With deep respect, The VALENTINA HOXHA family

To the Minister of Defence, Mr. SAFET ZHULALI Mr. Minister, The grief caused by this untimely death of our dearest family member was so great that it pierced our hearts and souls. We say sincerely, Mr. Minister, that your personal care for Idriz, both before and after his death, was brotherly and humane; Idriz always spoke of you with respect and esteem. And today, we are indebted to you for the care and great concern you showed for the life and body of our deceased loved one. Even in death, you stayed so close to Idriz that you, too, were overcome by tears and grief for him. Mr. Minister, Through you, from the bottom of our hearts and souls, we thank all those who concerned themselves with recovering Idriz’s body. We thank the officers and members of the Naval Fleet who, day and night and tirelessly, tried to fulfill our wish to find Idriz’s body; we thank all the aviators and the Aviation Command, who stayed by our side during those days when our dear one was missing. Your gratitude and respect for aviators in general and Idriz in particular, as well as your high regard for him, honoring him with the high title «Martyr of the Nation», eased our family’s grief and gave us strength to bear this great sorrow within our family. With great respect and esteem, The VALENTINA HOXHA family