Professor Berisha invited intellectuals to defend freedom and look to the future, so that we may nourish the minds of individuals and society with the world’s good hope, with the progressive ideal that builds, beyond the contours of the cold literature of the tragic intellectual’s lament and bad conscience, beyond the collective oblivion of the walls of learned Byzantium, which sacrificed the living intellectual fabric, turning it into a distortion of itself. The matter now concerns a qualitative step by the Albanian democratic state, which forcefully realizes the construction of national reconciliation and fraternal understanding, as a call from Albanian intellectual reason, which the President of the Republic called a necessity, a mission of their conscience and their ideal: universal freedom and universal cooperation of the intellectual mind, which lies at the foundation of all the institutions of today’s democratic state. The involvement of intellectuals in nation-building issues, their engagement in the broad aspect of institutionalizing freedoms and the return of the nation and homeland, are, according to the work, at the institution of order and law, of peace and creation, institution of order and law, of peace and creation, institution of order and law, of peace and creation. [The text continues in the column] The Albanian democratic state; they shape state and national policy and chart Albania’s road to Europe. This shows that the intellectual in a democracy is not endangered, is not deprived because of the consequences of being an intellectual. In the light of democracy, the intellectual has at their disposal the most sacred front of the democratic state: FREEDOM. God gave them the light of reason, talent and human genius to put at the service of the moral and social elevation of the community in which they live, while the rule-of-law state protects them (that is, the true intellectual) from the absence of freedom, from its loss, from mediocrities, pseudo-intellectuals, the intellectually poor and the street criers, who are generally the greatest nuisance to true intellectuals. This shows that intellectuals in Albania are important, not only to be visionaries of the future, not only to nourish the space of the state, but also to maintain a scientific stance toward politics, by subjecting state institutions to rational criticism. Intellectuals in Albania are important not only in freedom [text cut off at the end] the broad aspect of institutionalizing freedom to Prof. Berisha, missions of our intellectuals. Albanian intellectual thought, this product of the nation’s spirit, offered the most enduring resistance to the communist dictatorship. In the communist night, it created the vision of the Albanian democratic state; in prison cells, the outlines of freedom; in the fields of concentration camps, the challenge of the future. Albanian intellectuals created their own world of freedom, with which they overcame the complex communist state, poverty, and the deprivation of freedom and life. The figures of this universe, with Prof. Berisha at their head, the authors of the demonstrations and the drafters of the first platforms in the struggle for democracy, today nourish the giant spirit of … …-interruption are important, but not only for being visionaries of the future and nourishing the space of the state, but also for maintaining their freedom and in their universe, but also because they are the natural regulators of national spiritual peace, of the desired and longed-for tranquility. They raised our nation to the principles of freedom and tolerance through the well-known postulates of the Democratic Revolution: “We suffered together and share responsibility,” “Opponents, but brothers,” etc. They raised our nation to the height of confronting the world, to the gift of freeing itself from the past, to the divine power to forgive and reconcile. Our intellectuals raised this people, in a short and entirely negligible period of time, to the point of returning to … …always the policy of closed doors that ignored intellectual thought. This shows that the giant spirit of Albanian intellectuals is a call to elevate our nation, far from the syndrome of disappointment, far from the mentality of despair that accompanies the post-dictatorial transition. they are valued. Their great worth, in the service of the nation and democracy, will be recognized forever. But the nation and democracy continue to place many new hopes in them. It is their mission, a god-given mission, to go together with this people toward prosperity and progress, unity and European advancement. For all this, special care must also be given to the intellectual elite, to the distinguished people of the nation, to those who have dedicated themselves to democracy and progress. This was Mr. Berisha’s message to the intellectuals.

After his introductory remarks at the meeting with the intellectuals of the capital, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, answered the participants’ questions. Among other things, in response to a question about the education of young people, the President replied briefly: We will give young people the chance to go to school and take all the entrance examinations. “I have the impression that the reform is progressing slowly!” was one question, which Mr. Berisha disputed. “Should there be a unified program on the national question?” was another question. “Every party has the national question at its foundation,” Mr. Berisha replied. Regarding the question of whether intellectuals from the diaspora should contribute, Mr. Berisha responded positively, saying: The time has come for the state to create the necessary mechanisms so that as many intellectuals as possible come from the diaspora to help the country’s economy with their investments. In response to a concern raised by someone about the unregulated movement of citizens, Mr. Berisha replied that there should be no spontaneous movements. The movement of citizens should be organized and controlled. That, he said, is how the state should handle it. Asked whether intellectuals should have a status, the President of the Republic replied laconically: No intellectual asks anyone’s permission for their status. Asked whether his speech was a call for nationwide reconciliation, the President replied that we had supported this from the beginning. We were the only ones in the countries of Eastern Europe to issue the call: “Opponents, but brothers.” Regarding ultranationalism, President Berisha said that “it does not exist as state policy, but there have been sporadic instances of it appearing in certain contexts of statements, etc.” Later, in answering several questions, he spoke of a further increase in women’s role in the life of the country, special treatment for intellectuals in the future, better treatment of university lecturers and teachers, and great care for the younger generation. Asked what the relationship between the intellectual and the state is today, the President replied laconically: “That of a free citizen with the democratic state.” Regarding the question of corruption, he said: “Perhaps for the first time we see a government that is committed to fighting it without political distinctions, and this fight requires greater participation by honest people.” On the role of intellectuals in resolving the national question, President Berisha stated that for the first time in our history there is a genuine state policy, in Albania and Kosovo, for its just resolution. He further noted that developments in the Balkans will depend on the international community’s stance toward Serbia, underlining the need to continue the embargo against it.

From the activity meeting of the Tirana branch of the DP Strengthening the DP and the people’s confidence in it requires dedication and honesty from every DP member THE DP WILL IMPLEMENT ITS PROGRAM AND STATUTE CONSISTENTLY A REALISTIC AND CRITICAL REVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND SHORTCOMINGS — Mr. Eduard Selami takes part — On Saturday, 20 November 1993, held its proceedings in the hall of the Academy of Arts. Also present were the DP Chairman, Mr. Eduard Selami, Mr. Tomor Malasi and Mr. Dashamir Shehu, the chairwoman of the LDG, Mrs. Flutura Hasko, etc. After a brief debate about the agenda and procedure, Mr. Shaban Memia, secretary of the Tirana branch of the DP, in a manner of [text missing] increase and rapid progress are greater in the countryside. We all experience, feel and see these things, except for the self-righteous, the nihilists, and the opposition’s sowers of disappointment and pessimism, whether socialists or their allies. Naturally, as was clearly felt, these successes cannot conceal certain failures, shortcomings and weaknesses; they cannot be made into [text cut off] Several speakers also rais[?] the Kalakuza issue. Mr. Eduard Selami stated clearly, transparently and firmly that the DP would not tolerate statements and actions contrary to its program, which was supported by around 1.2 million voters on 22 March 1992. As a genuine democratic party, it accepts and cultivates diversity, but prima [?] The activities of the Tirana branch of the PD were held. Also attending were the Chairman of the PD, the chairwoman of the LDG, Ms. Flutura Hasko, etc. After a brief debate on PD branch for Tirana, read the draft report on behalf of the branch leadership. It provided a broad analysis, with a realistic, objective, critical and transparent view of the branch’s activities during the period between the two conferences. As the report showed, and as was also pointed out in the discussions at its third conference, this branch has made significant and meaningful achievements in its life and activities, and in every area of economic and social life in the capital. Tirana continues to be a driving force in reforms and in rapid economic and social transformations. Its private entities have paid 5.8 billion lekë in taxes, secured one third of national revenues, 38 percent of customs revenues, etc. So far, 30,000 people have been employed in the private sector. The figures that show ... Everyone experiences, feels and sees these things, with the exception of the self-proclaimed nihilists, the disillusioned and pessimists, and the opposition sowers, here, successes cannot cover up certain failures, shortcomings and weaknesses, nor can they provide a foundation for euphoria and complacency. Both the report and the discussions devoted considerable attention to identifying shortcomings, uncovering their causes and collective and individual responsibilities, and determining the ways and factors for eliminating them in the future. Multiplying the number of branch members by accepting as many people as possible from among intellectuals and women; structuring the sections in a more modern and dynamic way; revitalizing and increasing the effectiveness of their activities; carrying institutional reform through to completion, with dedication to democracy, professional ability and honesty as the basic criteria; and expanding and strengthening the fight against corruption were the topics that occupied a substantial part of the report and its discussions. It must be ... Eduard Selami stated clearly, transparently and resolutely that the PD would not tolerate statements or actions contrary to its program, which on March 22, 1992, was supported by around 1.2 million voters. As a truly democratic party, it accepts and cultivates diversity, but the will and vote of the majority come first, and the minority must obey them. Mr. Selami went on to point out several shortcomings observed in the work of the Tirana PD branch and elsewhere, both in the matter of new admissions and in their activities. He stressed that all those elected under the PD name, party and state officials alike, must always feel connected to and bound by it, and must never think that their obligation to it and to democracy ended on March 22 or when they took office. At the assembly, comments were made on the draft report, on improving the PD’s statute, etc. Finally, candidates for branch chairman and members, etc., of its leadership were elected. «RD» correspondent

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY ADVISER SPEAKS “EC aid in Albania is in order; no fraud!” Strasbourg’s accusations are rejected The story of the aid offered by the European Community to Albania continues to be discussed. After Albanian commercial enterprises denounced being excluded from tenders even though their bids were lower, their figures were cited by the Audit Commission, which accuses the European Community of having used very high prices for transporting wheat to Albania and per ton of wheat in Albania, and of not having carried out the proper inspections when the wheat arrived in Durrës. And now, from Tirana, the spokesman for the Ambassador of the European Community “does not dispute the Audit Commission,” he tells the newspaper, “but says they are surprised by the suspicions raised about the matter.” He is convinced, of course, but why surprised? “The Audit Commission, in the report published earlier by the newspaper, stated that the transport cost for wheat and flour was 34 ECU per ton. ECU per ton. That is not borne out by 1992: for transporting wheat from the supplying country to Albania, we never spent more than 20 ECU per ton. But for wheat, the transport cost is not paid in ECU but in wheat, as … Is it possible that the Audit Commission made a false statement?” “I am not saying that, but we will now ask Brussels for clarification.” The Commission also accuses you of carrying out too few inspections… “I am surprised by this too: the Commission has never come to verify things in Albania. How can you make claims about things you do not know? We carry out three inspections on the goods we supply and the aid… …for Albania: one inspection when the goods are dispatched, another when they arrive in Durrës (this is handled by ‘Albkонтrolli’), and a third carried out at random by our team of experts. So far, no obvious irregularity has been reported.” Weeks ago, the newspaper reported irregularities in the prices of raw materials supplied to industry through Italtrend. In this case too, the prices are said to be very high… “Precisely following the newspaper’s articles, the European Community’s Audit Commission decided to begin an inspection at Italtrend. And there it will find that everything is in order.” Reprinted from the newspaper “Shqiptare” 20.11.1993

From the Patos DP Conference — In the past month alone: 62 new members, including 28 intellectuals — Let us ensure effective ways for the DP to function. Amid a realistic spirit of debate and constructive dialogue, the 3rd Conference of the Patos branch of the DP held its proceedings on Thursday, 18.11.1993, in the ALBPETROL meeting hall. Representing the DP leadership at the conference was one of its members and the area’s deputy, Mr. Mitro Çela. The secretary of this DP branch, Mr. Arshi Sula, gave the floor to the chairman, Mr. Iljaz Vrioni, who at the same time declared the conference proceedings open. In his report on the activities of the Patos DP branch during the period between the two conferences, Mr. Vrioni gave a comprehensive overview of the achievements, problems and difficulties of the DP’s work in this potent region of the country. Following the successful reorganization of the DP into group sections based on geographical proximity, it now operates here through 20 sections divided into 3 groups, with around 620 members in total. The 62 new members admitted in the past month alone, including 28 intellectuals, are a significant indicator of the DP’s strength and prestige in Patos. The DP also deserves credit for neutralizing the anti-reform actions of this faction, as well as the pseudo-[unclear] group supporting I. Beqiri and F. Nano, in this area, where Enverist-Communist influences are strong. The DP has also helped resolve infrastructure problems at Albpetro, both by unblocking its finances and through reform and the fight against corruption. The first phase of administrative reform at ALBPETROL has been judged successful, as has the positive work of many managers and specialists; at the same time, however, it must be deepened and the observed shortcomings that reduce the value of the reform corrected. Later in the report, Mr. Vrioni assessed the positive results in the oil sector. Among other things, he stressed that, alongside halting the decline in production and physically and technologically regenerating damage in its various sectors, it is worth noting the improvement… (Continued on page 2)