Many journalists or politicians have said that the paradoxes of Albanian democracy are numerous. Without wanting to speak about the old ones, or remind readers of the more recent ones. Every democracy has a government and an opposition. We have them too. Every democracy has a partisan and an independent press, a free press, and independent associations and parties. We have them too. Every democracy has its foundation in the will of the people. Their vote decides the winners and the losers. We have their vote of confidence too. Every democracy considers the law and dignity sacred. We have them too. In every democracy, a swindler is called a swindler, a criminal a criminal, a thief a thief, and everyone is brought to justice. We have that too. In every democracy there is freedom of the press and thought. We have them too... But unfortunately, we also have things that, in a democracy, are called paradoxes, if not misfortunes. With the will of 70 percent of the people, the DP and PS came to power, respecting their own programme and the democratic coalition. The communist party, transformed into the Labour Party and later into the Socialist Party, passed into opposition for the first time in 50 years. This was a chance for it to renew itself. In a post-communist country, everyone’s contribution towards progress is essential. Things happened differently here. The communist opposition began an anti-reform campaign. Leader Nano declared that the Meksi government would last until the cherries ripened. They ripened and Nano failed. The PS declared that it would form a government in winter. Winter came and went, and the PS failed. Nano announced an anti-liberal campaign to break the DP in March. But March passed, and Nano, as always, failed. Then the PS chose the summer months. It boycotted parliament and announced a boycott of local government. Summer passed, the Socialists returned to parliament, the others continued in local government, while Nano found himself facing corruption allegations. The third paradox: In every democracy, the law is the law and is sacred. The PSSH sacrificed so much that it identified all Albanian Socialists with F. Nano. It gathered signatures and petitions. It called on Greek, Bulgarian and Serbian friends for help, all so that Nano, accused of 9 million dollars, would not face justice. When it lost everything and Nano became aware of the accusation against him, he backed down. The PS leaders erupted with illegal, ultra-fascist rallies with K. Islami, Ruçi and ... The fifth paradox: In every democracy in the world, national glory and identity are unanimously respected. But here, unfortunately, F. Nano’s clique tore it apart: not only did they oppose the international community’s political campaign for forceful intervention against the Serbian demon, but they reached the extreme of national treason by voting against Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. And an Albanian-speaker like Dokle could hardly have acted otherwise, given that his brother, as an independent youth newspaper writes, legally defends the rights of Serbian «minorities» in Albania. The sixth paradox: The opposition’s black cats line up together, chanting a funeral refrain. They prophesy, seek, create, sing and hymn mourning. For them there are no bright days, only black ones. Unfortunately, there is nothing constructive in their accusations against the democratic government, only demagoguery and extreme nihilism. For example, L.S.H. of «ZP» accuses the government of being anti-national and having fa... failed, on the grounds that «it apparently moved its own office from the second floor to the fifth floor». («ZP», 5.11.93). Just imagine if the government had moved them to the sixth floor—what would have happened? Imagine what «macabre» democracy the USA has, having moved the UN children’s section to the 84th floor?! Is there any greater paradox than the PSSH, which presents itself as a European party, having voted against the law on human rights, now shrieking in defence of human rights and calling the arrest of citizen F. Nano, on charges of an ordinary crime, a human-rights violation? Is there any greater paradox than their own extreme inquisitors, such as Ruçi, Braho, Tozaj, etc., talking about human rights? AFRIM KRASNIQI PD came to power, respecting its own program Party of Labour and later into the Socialist Party, entered the a chance to renew and restructure itself in every respect. But the Enverist and Fatosist communists are unfortunate and incorrigible. At the very moment of their defeat, they called for the resignation of the first democratic government. The first paradox: The Albanian opposition was unfortunately usurped by a characteristic clandestine clan, corrupt and steeped in sins against the people and God. Within a short time, the Institute of Marxist-Leninist Studies was transferred to the Steering Committee of the PSSH. The State Security service was transferred to the PSSH Coordinating Council, while the most loyal pupils and collaborators of the N. Hoxha–R. Alia duo were transferred into leaders of the PSSH. The second paradox: They seek help from and cultivate friendships with Greek, Bulgarian and Serbian friends, solely so that Nano, accused of 9 million dollars, will not face justice. When he lost everything, Nano, aware of the accusation against him, withdrew. Islami, Ruçi and Dokle at the forefront, to stir up trouble. They threatened to drag people through the streets and smash skulls, but they were defeated and dragged their own bodies and public witnesses through the streets. The fourth paradox: The opposition calls itself socialist. Indeed, in districts far from the ultra-left conservative stronghold, there is a body of honest socialists. But the Nano–Dokle–Ruçi clique left them without a party. They turned the PS into Nano’s property. They turned “ZP” into Nano’s bibliography. They turned the PS parliamentary group into Nano’s sergeant. On Nano’s behalf, they spent millions of PS dollars paying foreign lawyers. They spent millions of dollars sending the Zenels and Pëllumbs Dokles abroad on shameful missions, to seek allies for Nano. The Coun-

— BARONESS CHALKER CONFIRMED THIS AT HER MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BERISHA — At the reception that President of the Republic Sali Berisha held on Monday for Baroness Coker (Chalker), he noted that relations with Great Britain, severed after the war by the unlawful communist Government—I say this because that Government did not come to power through free elections—were re-established over the past two years and have been steadily growing ever since. I thank Her Majesty’s Government, institutions, humanitarian associations and the citizens of Great Britain for the great assistance they have given us, both bilaterally and through the European Community. We believe that Albania, despite its difficulties, should use this assistance efficiently. It is very interested in broad and close cooperation with Great Britain. We also seek British support in our efforts to integrate into the Council of Europe and other Western European institutions. Albania is determined to work for peace and stability in the region. It is determined to continue along the path of dialogue. But what Milošević seeks to conduct with certain discredited, pro-Serbian figures whom nobody trusts cannot be called dialogue. Dialogue must be established with the leaders of the political forces in Kosovo, with President Rugova and others who have the trust and mandate of Kosovo’s Albanians. Representatives of third parties, such as the Geneva Conference, should also take part in this dialogue. Unfortunately, Milošević has not only refused dialogue, but prevented Mr Rugova from engaging in dialogue with Europe by not allowing him to respond to the invitation extended by the French Foreign Minister, Mr Zhype, and by you. I express my appreciation to you and the British Government for the invitation you extended to Mr Rugova. We do not support changing borders by force, but rather a solution to the Kosovo issue in accordance with the principles of the UN. For Europe, Albania is a reliable partner in this troubled region, struggling amid great difficulties to defend the values of its civilisation. Albania is and will remain a factor for peace and stability, and will seek a constructive policy with its neighbours. Albania also aims to have friendly and correct relations with Greece. We hope that Minister Papulias’s visit will make an important contribution in this direction. Baroness Chalker confirmed the commitment of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain to helping Albania on its path. She highly praised the changes achieved in the country over the past 18 months in establishing the rule of law, respecting human rights and carrying out economic reforms. She confirmed the growing interest of British companies in investing in Albania. Baroness Chalker handed the Albanian President a letter from British Prime Minister Joh Meixher (Major), in which, among other things, he invites Mr Berisha to visit England during 1994. (ATSH)

Tomorrow in the People’s Assembly: Once again on PROPERTY OWNERSHIP 20,000 VOTERS AND THE «PROPERTY WITH JUSTICE» ASSOCIATION SUBMIT TO THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY A DRAFT LAW ON THE RETURN AND COMPENSATION OF PROPERTY AND OWNERSHIP OF LAND — Meanwhile, the ASSOCIATION OF FREE ALBANIAN PROPERTY OWNERS addresses the CONSTITUTIONAL COURT as follows: — As you are aware, on 1 and 10 September of this year, that Court considered the lawsuit our Association had filed against Articles 12 and 17 of the law «On the return and compensation of property to owners». Although the judicial inquiry has been completed, that court has not yet issued the relevant ruling. In the meantime, we learned that the court has suspended the proceedings after being informed that the People’s Assembly has placed a new draft law concerning the return and compensation of property to former owners on its agenda for November of this year. For this reason; Considering the fact that during this period, from the adoption of the law until today, cases have been observed that have seriously infringed the activity of property owners, we have been compelled to address you with the request we submitted on 12.10.1993. Given that you yourselves have suspended the proceedings, in view of the new draft law expected to be introduced in parliament, this action ipso jure gives us the right, by analogy, to request that the continued application of and compensation of property to former owners» also be suspended. We submit our request once again, stressing that: The situation is very serious in the municipalities of the cities and the relevant commissions established to implement former owners», but they also act contrary to the spirit of the law. (Attached to this request, we submit the most typical case we have documented.) On the other hand, it is well known that when a higher court takes up a matter, suspending the legal action concerning the subject under review is a necessary legal step; otherwise, procedurally, both interested parties may act arbitrarily. This is the practice and this is also the spirit of justice. We must also emphasize that the legal argument put forward for suspending the proceedings—that a new draft law is being introduced in parliament—is the same as the one we raise: suspending Articles 12 and 17 of the law we have challenged before you. We do not believe that this court will fail to act with due balance and reason, since this is the very constitutional principle on which that institution was founded. We are facing such chaos: there is a new draft law expected to be introduced in parliament, a draft that has reconsidered Articles 12 and 17 of the law challenged before you; there is a judicial process undertaken by the Constitutional Court concerning these articles; and there is a suspension of the parliamentary consideration of the law itself. Therefore, ipso jure, there must also be a suspension of the application of the aforementioned articles, since otherwise the spirit of the law is violated: if the two articles are not amended in accordance with the request on which the constitutional trial is proceeding, the initiation of proceedings is unavoidable, while the administration of justice is in fact taking a one-sided position. Therefore, for all these reasons, relying on Article 24/10 of the law on the Organization of Justice and the Constitutional Court, we request: Suspension of the application of Articles 12 and 17 of Law No. 7698, since these are still known to be under consideration before that court; while the Constitutional Court itself, pursuant to the aforementioned article, is entitled «to take such measures as it considers appropriate for the matter it is adjudicating», at a time when it has itself suspended the proceedings for legitimate reasons, and is therefore legally faced with bilateral (two-sided) standing. Respectfully, For the Association of Free Albanian Property Owners President AZIS BORAKAJ P.S. Attached we are sending you the request of the angel dated 12.10.1993, as well as the case file mentioned in this request, as a typical example of the conflicts that the forced existence of a contradictory law has begun to create.

A former political prisoner writes to us: «ZP», that half-state, 50-year-old witch, throughout her life, with bombastic articles and editorials, has tried to convince national and international opinion that Albania was a democratic country and that human rights were respected in the country as in any other democratic country in the world. But what is the truth? No theft, no killings, only views contrary to the P. But which Nano and the bridge, only views contrary to the P. P. In Albania, camps and prisons, without lawyers, in every case with witnesses. What is this evil that condemns us on the very charge of agitation for democracy? Who knows whether they would have continued if Democracy had not cut them off? For all this, «ZP» not only said not a word, but sided with the Enver uprising; it supported such macabre actions as pure democracy. So, before you, ZP-ists, this is the harshest dictatorship in all the countries of the former people’s democracies. I wish—what a shame (though I do not know him)—that the application of today’s democratic law had been like the dictatorship of your time. But «ZP», with its daily articles defending the great chairman Nano, does nothing but prove how things are in Albania. 50 from today’s dictatorship as u 10h while accusing the democratic government at the centre. ... «ZP», in my opinion, is that democracy ... ... and Fatos.

BERAT, Exports of goods by traders from Berat are on the rise. Last month alone, around 35 tonnes of agricultural products were exported, such as tobacco, garlic, pomegranates, oregano, raw hides, etc. According to specialists, the export volume should also include products such as textile batteries.

SOS to the Ministry of Health - Around 40 people with chronic leukemia are fighting for their lives because of the shortage of the medicine LEUCERAN - His name was B.H., a citizen from Tirana. He came to the newsroom, worried and innocently distressed: “Our lives are now in question. There are around 40 patients in Albania with this diagnosis: CLL (chronic leukemia). For some time now, our pharmacies have been out of Leuceran, our daily medication, on which our lives depend. If a patient’s treatment with it is interrupted, they develop acute anemia and, within a few days, their life comes to an end. In fact, we receive it free of charge, but when it comes to the ‘price of life,’ every little bit should be valued. My supplies of this medicine are running out. We made inquiries at the Ministry of Health, and the deputy minister told us that it was unavailable both at the pharmacy depot and at the various pharmacies. The Ministry had apparently approached several humanitarian organizations and, according to the deputy minister, this medicine was due to arrive by October. October has passed, and it still has not arrived. Meanwhile, we were relieved to hear that Leuceran was available at the hospital pharmacies, but they told us it was for patients admitted there(!) (continued on page 4)

SHKODËR, Police in Shkodër have caught and detained the members of a group of thieves who, over the past two months, have robbed several of the city’s healthcare institutions, causing damage amounting to 200 thousand lekë. The four young members of the group, aged 15 to 18, are: Kujtim Vesel Pepa, Lec Pal Mejnshata, Nikolle Gjergji Shkembi and Altin Xhelli Billa. The group is believed to have carried out other thefts at state facilities as well. ATSH

TELEGRAM FROM MR EDUARD SELAMI TO MR MILTIADHIS EVERT Mr Mitjadhis Evert, It is a pleasure for me to send you my very best wishes on your election as chairman of the New Democracy Party. I hope that bilateral relations between our two parties, parties belonging to the same political spectrum, will embark on a path of further cooperation based on mutual interests. Yours sincerely, EDUARD SELAMI Tirana, 9.11.1993