— Mr. Selami meets German Bundestag members — Yesterday morning, at the ADP headquarters, ADP chairman Mr. Eduard Selami received German Bundestag members, representatives of the Germany–Albania parliamentary friendship group, Messrs. Peter W. Reuschenbach and Dr. Erich Ridel. “I am pleased to meet with you,” Mr. Eduard Selami said at the beginning of the meeting. “First of all, I would like to thank you and express my party’s gratitude, as well as that of its government, for your assistance and contribution to the democratic processes in Albania. Cooperation and action with Germany, and the support you have continually given us, are of particular importance to democratic Albania. I belong,” Mr. Selami continued, “to that political group which sees Albania’s accession to Europe, figuratively speaking, through Germany. Nevertheless,” Mr. Selami stressed, “to be frank with you, we are not yet at the level of relations we would like to have. This is also due to difficulties and factors that take time.” Dr. Erich Ridel, thanking them for the reception, noted that he was also in Albania as director of the “Heins Zeidel” Foundation. “This is my fifth visit to Albania,” Mr. Ridel continued, “and I continually observe changes. I have respect for the talents of the Albanian people, particularly in agriculture, crafts, and so on. But it is unfortunate that the new developments in Albania coincide with the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, while the Albanian people face a number of obstacles, such as a lack of information about the opportunities Albania offers for cooperation with European countries. I think Albanian embassies in the West should have a special department covering this area. Secondly, a solution must be found to Albania’s debt so that banking transactions with established banks can be normalized.” Later, Mr. Eduard Selami thanked the German political forces for the fund approved to assist Albania. “I insist once again,” Mr. Selami continued, “on the support that must be given to Albania because of its particular circumstances—circumstances connected with its past and additional difficulties, as well as the difficulties facing the region. There is another special factor: if we look at the geopolitics of the former communist countries of the East, we see a return of the old forces in Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, and elsewhere. Recent developments in Russia showed that communist political forces are resisting. In Albania too, the former communist forces have been aggressive and destructive. That is why economic support is important, since its results are also more tangible. We do not want to live on aid,” Mr. Selami told Mr. Reuschenbach. “We want assistance to get started, and we are confident that very soon we will repay you by strengthening democracy in Albania, increasing stability, and making Albania a country of peace in the Balkans. As for the debt issue, he made known,” Dr. Erih Ridel, thanking his hosts for the welcome, emphasized that he was in Albania also fifth time in in agriculture, handicrafts, etc. coincide with the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, for which the Albanian people bear no blame. Under these normal conditions of development, tourism would be a great help. I would like to inform you that the German parties share a common view on the assistance that should be given to Albania. The state budget for next year is currently being presented to the German parliament, and we have approved an aid fund for Albania. This fund is separate from Germany’s obligations regarding assistance from the European Community.” Mr. Reuschenbach emphasized that real assistance would consist of cooperation between entrepreneurs. “But the results of this will be more lasting. we are convinced that very soon we will repay it a country of peace in the Balkans.” On the issue of debt, he pointed out the Albanian government’s sincerity in this regard, although it was not our fault; it was one of the many difficulties the Communists left us. The discussion then turned to this matter in practical terms, to the law on foreign investment, the issue of property ownership, etc. Also present at the meeting were Mr. Tomor Dosti, Secretary-General of PDSH, and Dylber Vrioni, a member of the PDSH leadership. The meeting was friendly and cordial. PDSH Press and Information Office

At 18:00 on 5 October, the Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Army, General of the Army Doan Gyresh, met with the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha. At the beginning of the meeting, the President thanked his guest from Turkey for the assistance and support his country has given Albania, both bilaterally and through other organizations. The President then briefed General Gyresh on the progress of reform in Albania, specifically in the army. “The establishment of professional criteria was the basis of this reform,” he said. After conveying to President Berisha the best wishes and regards of President Demirel, and expressing his pleasure at the meeting, General Gyresh spoke about the good relations between our two countries and armies and emphasized his willingness to assist the Albanian army in every way. The conversation then focused on the situation in the Balkans and, in particular, the crisis in the region. (ATSH)

The night before last, at 23:00, the Albanian government delegation, led by Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, arrived in Turkey for an official visit. Invited by Turkey’s Prime Minister, Tansu Ciller, the delegation will meet a large number of senior Turkish figures during its three-day visit. Turkey’s Minister of State, Xhemil Erhan, and a large number of senior officials came to Ankara airport to receive the Albanian delegation. “It is a special pleasure for me to come to Turkey, this friendly country with which we have traditional relations and which we hope to develop further in the future,” Prime Minister Meksi said on arriving at the airport. For his part, Mr. Xhemil Erhan emphasized that “Mr. Meksi’s visit will further advance relations between our two countries.” The Albanian government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, went to the Mausoleum of the distinguished Turkish statesman Mustafa Qemal Ataturk, where it laid a wreath on the grave of this respected man and great friend of Albania. After this visit, Albanian Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi and the delegation he headed were received by the Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Mr. Kamer Genc. During the meeting, Prime Minister Meksi spoke about strengthening relations between the two countries. Both sides emphasized the importance of the fact that Turkey is one of the first countries to have helped the democratic government and the Albanian people. At the meeting, Mr. Meksi raised the issue of abolishing the visas required of Albanian citizens visiting Turkey, just as the Albanian government has abolished visas for Turkish citizens; increasing Turkish investment; and eliminating double taxation. Mr. Meksi added that all the documents for this had been prepared. At 11:15, Albanian Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi held a working meeting with Turkish Minister of Defense Nervzat Ajaz, with whom he spoke at length. During the meeting, after expressing their pleasure at the visit and the meeting, both sides stressed the need for cooperation in the field of defense as a factor in preserving peace and security in the region. The Albanian delegation then visited a military factory producing armored vehicles. At 13:30, official talks began between the Albanian delegation, led by Prime Minister Meksi, and the Turkish delegation, led by Turkey’s Prime Minister, Tansu Ciller. The meeting included an exchange of views on strengthening relations between the two countries. Asked about the meeting, Turkey’s Prime Minister, Ms. Tansu Ciller, said: “I am very happy that the Prime Minister of Albania is here in Turkey. We are two neighboring countries with longstanding ties. We hope Albania will embark on the path of reconstruction, and we will help it restructure its economy and in other areas. We will discuss the Eximbank credit and other possibilities to meet Albania’s needs. We will do our best to help Albania.” (ATSH)

The DP presents itself as an open party — On 1 October, in the town of Ersekë, Mr. Dosti declared the campaign for the Second National Congress of the ADP open — — PS members also took part in the meeting — On Friday, 1 October, the Democratic Party meeting for this district was held in one of the halls of the Kolonjë District Council building, in the town of Ersekë. Those present included the Democratic Party’s Secretary General, Mr. Tomor Dosti; the area’s Member of Parliament and chairman of the parliamentary committee for the Media, Mr. Uran Buka; and ministers Rexhep Uka and Tritan Shehu. The meeting took the form of an open discussion in which, besides members and supporters of the Democratic Party and its allies, unemployed intellectuals as well as members and supporters of the Socialist Party also took part. The meeting was opened by the chairman of the Democratic Party in the district, Mr. Dhimitraq Lula, who said that the meeting was being held today with the strengthening of democracy and restructuring of the Democratic Party as its main agenda items. “Let this meeting also serve as a spark from the people who have gradually supported us since 22 March,” he said. Mr. Lula went on to comment on the work of the local authorities: “The socialists have done very well in this district, while the PD should have done more.” — “Our anticommunism consists solely in the institutionalization of Democracy”; our motto: brotherhood, understanding, love for one another — Mr. Tomor Dosti then took the floor. Expressing his pleasure at the invitation, he also expressed great satisfaction at the participation of Socialist Party members in the meeting. “The PD thus shows that it is an open party and that it has cast aside the archaic, medieval mentality of ‘class struggle.’ It regards democracy as a field of action for all forces taking part in society’s historical evolution. Let our political opponents understand this too, and we hope their people here will listen to us so that we can discuss things openly with them.” Continuing, Mr. Dosti said that they had come to this meeting after the meeting of the PD National Council, where both their achievements and shortcomings had been identified. It was decided there to convene the Second National Congress of the Albanian Democratic Party. “Today we are launching the campaign for this event. In this campaign, we must select dedicated people with a sound democratic culture, free from unhealthy party egotism and from the mindset that democracy is someone’s ‘individual property.’ We must fight the pernicious ‘disease’ of paternalism, expressed in the symptom: ‘We are here, and there is no one else!’ Let us fight it on both the left and the right. Addressing those in the hall, Mr. Dosti added: “People of Kolonjë! You have an ancient tradition of intellect and arms. Today, more than ever—love for one another... We have the mind of a rooster, but we must have a sword...” (Continued on page 2)

On 6 October, the Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Army, General of the Army Doan Gyresh, arrived in our country at the head of a military delegation for an official and friendly visit. On 6 Army, General of the Army Doan Gyresh, arrived in our country at the head of a military delegation for an official and friendly visit. The Turkish military delegation was received by the Chief of the General Staff of our army, Lieutenant General Ila Vasho; the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Agim Baruti; and other senior military officers. The Turkish ambassador in Tirana, Metin Ornekol, was also present, together with the Turkish military attaché, Colonel Denis Jeshirlimak. The Turkish military delegation, headed by the Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Doan Gyresh, was received by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Albania, Safet Zhulali. “Your visit is of particular importance at this time,” Minister Zhulali said at the meeting. “It has always been our wish to expand our relations further,” he continued. Speaking to his Turkish guest about the situation in the region, Mr. Zhulali emphasized the extremely threatening situation in Kosovo. “NATO countries,” Zhulali stressed, “should support Albania more so that its role in ensuring stability and peace in the region can be more substantial.” “At every NATO meeting we attend,” declared “I have insisted, and will continue to insist, on the need to resolve the Kosovo problem.” Later in the meeting, the Turkish guest said that Turkey would help Albania and its army without reservation. He also noted the good progress of Albanian military students studying in Turkey, saying that other students would continue their studies in Turkey in the years 1991–1995. The meeting then continued behind closed doors. (ATSH)

For days, the propaganda of the former Communists in Albania has been making a fuss about the so-called “Polish challenge.” Referring to excerpts from analyses by foreign analysts, or trying to produce some botched analyses of their own, they attempt to draw parallels between the situation in Poland and the situation in Albania today. I will not undertake a counter-analysis of the situation in Poland, but I will try to mention some facts that the “analysts” of “ZP” have forgotten. First of all, I would mention a fact that is well known in Albania too: the former Communists’ electorate is the same as it has always been, or has grown very slightly through the addition of a group of people with unclear ideas who waver. The “high” percentages for the former Communists in Poland actually represent the votes they received among the 54 percent of voters who turned out, since, as is known, 46 percent of the Polish electorate did not take part in the elections. We encountered a similar phenomenon in the July 26 elections, when some people did not vote in protest because they expected money to fall from the sky at the hands of the democratic government. Nevertheless, it became clear then, and continues to become clearer today, that those who did not vote did not belong to the left-wing electorate; on the contrary, everyone said they would never vote for the Communists. I have emphasized this fact because “ZP” propaganda may present the left’s victory in Poland as an increase in the former Communists’ popularity, which is not true at all. It was known from the outset that economic reform would create discontent, and this is understandable, given the aim of moving within a short time from a centralized socialist economy to a country where the market economy alone determines everything. The rising cost of living and unemployment, being unavoidable phenomena of the transition, are also factors that cause people’s discontent. In Poland, this discontent went so far as to allow the former Communists to return to power. But can a parallel be drawn between Poland and Albania? Absolutely not. The PS “analysts,” seeking to magnify the impact of this event, emphasize that Poland was among the countries that struggled longest against Communism. This is entirely true. Solidarnosti, as an anti-Communist organization, fought against the Communists in power for years using various methods. But this fact points to another fact that is true of many Eastern European countries: dictatorship in those countries was never as savage and inhumane as it was in Albania. The reality is that there can be no comparison between the victims of the Communist dictatorship in Albania and those in any country in Eastern Europe. Another factor the PS “analysts” forget is that, with the beginning of the Gorbachev era, positive changes began to appear throughout the countries of the East. Meanwhile, in Albania, R. Alia once again reaffirmed his loyalty to E. Hoxha and his Stalinist line. Nevertheless, the most important point in this regard is that, while the fall of the Berlin Wall brought down the last Communist governments in Eastern European countries, in Albania, under the so-called first free elections, the Communists won again. A few days later, these Communists would change their name. (Continued on page 4)