Many voices are being absurdly twisted by our opponents in order to exercise terror over the past. These are the people who, under this name, have taken upon themselves the entire banal mission of washing the conscience clean of a past that will always remain filthy. These days much was said about the trial of those responsible for the massacre of Tivar. Instead of supporting the judgment of an indescribable criminal act, which should above all have condemned its organizers, attention was focused on whether or not the names of certain individuals were present, on whether this would affect a particular political figure or not. This is a typical way of shifting the essence of the issue. In a true democracy, the trial of past crimes is a moral and political necessity. But democracy cannot be turned into an instrument of revenge, nor into a platform for rehabilitating criminals by erasing the collective responsibility of the system that produced them. The greatest irony is that those who yesterday exalted the cult of violence now preach legality only when it serves their interests. Some of them have even begun speaking about 'equality' before history, as if victim and executioner could be placed on the same scale. This is not democracy, but its caricature. Albanian society needs justice, not relativizing evil; memory, not obscuring it; punishment of guilt, not scattering it into the air. Only by looking the past in the face, without complexes and without speculation, can we build a future in which democracy will not be a paradox, but the natural order of freedom and responsibility.

Reports Albanian Panorama at President Berisha’s meeting At the reception given, Sali Berisha, accompanied by Bashkim Kopliku and Alfred Serreqi, was received by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, with whom he had a cordial conversation. The Albanian president expressed his satisfaction at having the opportunity to meet again the British sovereign and thanked her for the warm message she had sent him on the occasion of his assuming the leadership of the Albanian state. He conveyed to her the very best wishes from the Albanian people. In the meeting with Prime Minister John Major, President Berisha highly valued the support that the British government is giving to democratic and economic reforms in Albania. The British prime minister expressed his confidence that our country will move forward on the path of European integration and stressed that the United Kingdom is committed to helping Albania in this process. During the discussion, developments in the region, the situation in the former Yugoslavia, and the risk of the conflict spreading were also addressed. President Berisha emphasized the need for the international community to act decisively to prevent the escalation of the crisis and to protect civilian populations. The Albanian president’s visit to Great Britain was assessed as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and in increasing support for Albania in international forums.

Tomorrow in the People’s Assembly: Once again about PROPERTY On Wednesday, the ASSOCIATION of FREE ALBANIAN OWNERS sent the following to the CONSTITUTIONAL COURT: On Wednesday, the Association of Free Albanian Owners sent the Constitutional Court a request concerning the draft law on compensation and restitution of property. According to the association, specific articles of this draft law run counter to the spirit of the Constitution and to the fundamental right to property. The association argues that the resolution of the property issue cannot be based on political compromises that harm lawful owners. It calls on the People’s Assembly to seriously examine the objections presented and not to adopt provisions that create new injustices. In its statement, the Association of Free Albanian Owners emphasizes that respect for private property is a fundamental condition for building a market economy and the rule of law. The association’s representatives express their readiness for institutional dialogue, but oppose any solution that leaves in place the consequences of unjust expropriations from the past.

A former political prisoner writes to us... Mr. Fatos Nano recently visited Tirana prison. Instead of dwelling on the condition of the former political prisoners or the persecuted, he took a particular interest in certain special conditions that, according to the author of the letter, do not touch the essence of the human drama produced by the former regime. The author, a former political prisoner, writes with irony that human rights in Albania seem to 'extend even to Fatos Nano’s rooster', while the real wounds of the victims of communism still remain without justice or resolution. He criticizes the political class which, in his view, uses the language of humanism only when it suits them and remains silent in the face of the crimes of the past. The letter is a strong accusation of double standards and of the lack of sensitivity toward those who suffered prisons, internment, and persecution. According to the author, democracy cannot be built on forgetfulness, but on recognizing suffering and restoring the dignity of those who were harmed.

I. Mr. EDUARD SELAMI TO Mr. MILTIAHIS EVERT Our dear compatriot, Sinjifakou Fuli ATHENS, GREECE DEATH OF ILIJAZ VRETI AND THE WORDS OF THE SON DEATH OF ILIJAZ VRETI AND THE WORDS OF THE SON

A GROUP OF THIEVES FROM STATE HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IS AN OLD GROUP OF THIEVES FROM STATE HEALTH INSTITUTIONS

ATHEIST An old person who avoids the truth and deceives on purpose, lies knowingly, shamelessly, has all the qualities of a low and vile character. And so those who try to present themselves as prophets of the future while carrying the burden of the past on their shoulders cannot find trust in free society.