The Socialist Party must finally and unwaveringly show that it is a truly new party and not a made-up successor. For it, this is a historic moment. It must separate itself from the criminals who for fifty years exercised a destructive dictatorship over the Albanian people, and from those nostalgic for that dictatorship. Today the Socialist Party has the opportunity to clearly and decisively condemn the medieval dictator Enver Hoxha and his anti-national, criminal deeds, which brought the country to the brink of the abyss, of nonexistence. The Socialist Party must condemn Altine as the dictator’s éminence grise, who continued his path of destroying the country, of genocide, killings and imprisonment. Fatos Nano, as one of the leaders in power who opposed democratic processes with tanks and bloodshed, causing tragic victims such as the martyrs of democracy on 2 April 1991 in Shkodra; Dritero Agolli, who was not satisfied with his activity as chief persecutor of the creative intelligentsia after the infamous Fourth Plenum of the Central Committee of the PPSH, but who, as the oldest MP in Eastern Europe, cannot break away from the instincts of dictatorship and continues to call for mass confrontations, for bloodshed. The Socialist Party must break away from the Islamis who act as chief inspectors of State Security and call for skulls to be broken, from the corrupt Brokaj who “bumhasin” the humanitarian aid donated to a people left destitute, even physically. The Socialist Party must look to the future with confidence. It stands before a decisive moment. The moderate forces within the PS must show those who have criminalized and continue to criminalize the party where they belong. Our time belongs to people with democratic ideals. The Socialist Party must separate itself from those who want to prevent Albania from entering Europe, from those who are ready and act to sabotage democratic reforms at any cost. Only these forces will have the opportunity and strength to continue acting in this way and convincingly demonstrate that they share the ideals of true socialists and of European social democracy. The leaders of the Socialist Party’s far left, in their anti-national, openly violent game, assure the state. But this card is burning in their hands and will be burned there for good, which will also lead to their defeat. Our time is the time of democracy, not of criminals and bloodthirsty people. Therefore, we call on all true socialists to show the criminals where they belong: in the darkness of history. No Albanian follows them for the millions upon millions of dollars stolen, for the millions more appropriated through corruption, for the hundreds upon hundreds of persecuted intellectuals and writers, for skulls broken as in the days of Nazism, etc. True socialists, you have nothing in common with criminals, with the criminal past of the leaders of the PKSH or PPSH. Prove this today, and Albania will be grateful to you; the Albanian people will feel that fragile Albanian democracy can breathe freely.

— Meeting in the town of Burrel — Attended by the chairman of the DP of Albania, Mr. Eduard Selami — On Saturday, 5 February 1994, the third anniversary of the establishment of the Democratic Party branch in the Mat district was celebrated in the town of Burrel. Also attending the festive gathering were the chairman of the DP of Albania, Mr. Eduard Selami; People’s Assembly deputies Tomor Malasi, Lindita Prifti and Agim Cupi; the chairman of the Association of Formerly Persecuted and Politically Oppressed People, Mr. Kurt Kola; the chairman of the BSPMGJPSH, Mr. Gezim Kalaja; leaders of the PDDiber branch; and other guests. The original founders of the DP branch in Mat, as well as thousands of DP members and thousands of supporters in the area, filled the hall to capacity. Hundreds more, who could not get in because of lack of space, waited outside with pro-democratic chants and cheers for the DP of Albania, President Berisha and the Democratic Government, and welcomed Mr. Eduard Selami and the other dignitaries. THE FIRE OF DEMOCRACY WAS LIT IN GURRE; THREE WEEKS LATER, IT BLAZED THROUGH ALL OF MAT The third anniversary celebration of the DP branch was opened by Mr. Sami Selita, secretary of the branch… …many; it has been the region most persecuted by communism. Democracy gave us the opportunity to openly display our intellectual and physical abilities. The persecuted are convinced that everything will be achieved, only not everything can be accomplished with a magic wand. The gathering was also greeted by the chairman of the DP branch in Dibër, Mr. Shkelqim Hoxha, and other guests. AFTER THREE YEARS, ALBANIA HAS EMBARKED ON THE ROAD TO CONSOLIDATED PLURALISM Amid democratic December-style enthusiasm, reminiscent of the days of December 1990, Mr. Eduart Selami took the floor. “I am glad that this meeting, held on the occasion of the third anniversary of your branch, is an open, conversational meeting. I am convinced that this autumn, alongside the original founders, DP members and its supporters, there are also many representatives of other parties. I greet all of you, regardless of your party affiliation. “For all these achievements, the founders have the moral right to feel satisfaction, because when they came forward, people did not speak this way; they spoke differently. But we are glad that, consolidated pluralism and that the DP has its merit… “The PS is a political force with great national responsibility, and yet it rejoices and issues appeals when our armies prevent Albania’s integration into the Council of Europe even slightly. Ordinary PS members should react to those who are preventing Albania from joining these organizations. Nothing is more difficult than having foreigners say that this is not the first time a country has lacked consensus about joining the Council of Europe, and that the PS is the one disrupting it. “Such destructive positions do not harm the DP; first and foremost, they harm Albania. And because of these and other things, the PS is only losing voters. Several recent elections have shown this. But some shortcomings in local government, some problems involving the provision of water, housing, etc., must not be tolerated or allowed to drag on. Alongside financial difficulties, there are also organizational difficulties, which will be remedied. “Every increase in the DP’s membership, every show of support for the DP, is support for the country and for democracy, and helps us move forward faster. ALBANIANS WANT A PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC, NOT A KINGDOM”

The newspaper “Dita informacioni” published an article of its own these days. It wants to present to public opinion an interview with Mr. Mentor Nazarko, who only two months ago was in Belgrade to receive instructions from Italian MP Alesi. “Zeri i popullit” immediately reproduced and circulated this interview. It represents an attack by the Italo-Albanian mafia against the democratic forces in Albania and the head of the Albanian state. In fact, in this way, it does them a favor. The democratic government’s blow against intergovernmental Italo-Albanian corruption was fatal for all those who, by buying criminals such as Ramiz Alia and Fatos Nano, thought they had Albania in their pockets. It was a blow against corrupt Italian mafia circles which, by speculating on the generous aid given to Albania by the Italian people, thought they could turn it into their own estate, with Ajdin Sejdi as their steward. This blow turned to dust the dreams of the Alesis and all those who thought they would line their pockets as thieves in Albania. That is why, immediately afterward, the thieves in Albania and the corruption that followed them were suddenly accompanied on the scene by the lawyer of Nexhmije Hoxha and of corruption, which had taken root in his family through his own criminal and thieving connections. We tell Mr. Alesi that Nexhmije Hoxha, Nikolla Arsidi, F. Nano, R. Alía and he himself, as well as State Security agents such as “Miku,” are a gang of criminals and scum whose place the democratic government has shown them and will show them again. We tell the mafioso MP Alesi that the Democratic Party has exposed crime and corruption and has not used a single cent of the money stolen by his friends… In this way, the Socialist Party has chosen the prospect of honest and friendly cooperation between Italy and Albania. They will in no way diminish the gratitude of Albanians toward the Italian people and their true Italian friends, who have nothing in common with the corrupt, with those who organized the exodus and killed Albanians at the Bari Stadium, an unprecedented barbaric act that Europe will not forget. You, Mr. Alesi, belong to this category, after all. You, Mr. Alesi, claim to have raised the issue of aid with the Italian Parliament. To tell the truth, the people who profited from it, you and your friends, are the last people who can concern themselves with this issue. The fact that you defend Nano and the Hoxha family, and that from the position of a charlatan you seek to pin on the present government the actions of the PPSH government, which a democratic government has denounced, brings to mind the familiar Albanian saying: “The thief shouts, ‘Catch the thief!’” You, Mr. Alesi, claim that during your recent visits to Albania you saw that your reasons for your recent visits to Albania…

This third anniversary of the DP branch was opened by Mr. Sami Sejta, secretary of the branch. Democratic, the arrival of DP branch was opened by Mr. Sami Sejta, secretary of the branch. This anniversary is a momentous event for all of us, the members and supporters of the DP in Mat, and for its… Mr. Abdi Lozhi, chairman of the DP branch in the district. We see the DP members in Mat through dark glasses—as a social-communist force—which, being in control of local government, does everything possible to obstruct the inevitable course of democracy and the development of economic reform. “Not long ago, but three years ago, a group of intellectual and student founders who had come from Tirana, under social-communist terror and beneath the shadow of rubber bullets, lit the fire of democracy in Gurra e Madhe. From our… very soon these flames and this fire, never to be extinguished again, spread throughout the long-suffering region of Mat,” emphasized in his greeting one of the first founders, Mr. Shefki Çupi. “And over these three years, the DP in Mat has known nothing but …,” he continued. AN IMPORTANT DATE IN MAT’S HISTORY Deputy Tomorr Malasi then greeted the gathering: “In the ranks of the DP in Mat I found enthusiasm and pure, excellent forces for the party, so that the DP may move forward strongly and implement its program without wavering. You came and taught me, and I learned!” The chairman of the BSP/PSH, Gezim Kalaja: “The miners’ trade unions are entirely aligned with the democratic forces. Like Albania’s miners, the miners of Mat are all dedicated fighters. We were a powerful electoral force for the DP on 22 March. We must make an even broader choice for 1994 and beyond.” The chairman of the BSP expressed support for cooperation with Mr. Kunt Kola. “This is the most important date in Mat’s history. The date that overthrew the harshest 50-year dictatorship in Mat and brought true freedom and democracy. Like all Albania, but Mat more…” …alongside the DP’s founders and all these achievements, the founders have the moral duty glad that, consolidated pluralism and that the DP has indisputable merit for this. On this anniversary of the DP branch in Mat, I would emphasize that the growth in the number of DP members, which has begun and is continuing at a rapid pace everywhere, must continue. We do not want DP members only during election campaigns; we want them to support us, help us and take an active part in the many problems facing society. We are open to everyone who wants to leave the past behind and do something for today and tomorrow. The DP of Albania has been and remains the greatest pro-Albanian force. Above all, for us, there is Albania. The entire activity of the DP, President Berisha and the Democratic Government throughout this period has served Albania’s interests. Not long ago, in 1993—and not according to us, not according to the DP, not according to Berisha, but according to …—the World Bank said Albania was the poorest country, with the highest economic growth. We repeat that we are the poorest country in Europe, but having the highest economic growth is a beginning, and a good one at that. Therefore, when we are strict and do not tolerate the opposition’s calls for new elections and the destabilization of the situation, this is precisely what we have in mind: who does this serve? Let political forces that held power for 50 years and made the country what it is have the patience to wait four years. World statistics show that our country has progressed faster than countries such as Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, etc. And let us not forget that we had the seeds of communism, unlike them. The fact that Albania is progressing rapidly and enjoys political stability is a result of the majority we have in Parliament. We had inflation of around 30% a month; now this indicator has fallen to 20% a year, and in some months even below 0.1%. You can see how stable the lek is. We are joining NATO, the North Atlantic Assembly, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, etc. ALBANIANS WANT A PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC, NOT A KINGDOM The meeting then turned into a warm conversation between Mr. Eduard Selami and those present, who asked many questions about various economic, political and social issues. Mr. Selami answered a question about the future of the chromite sector, which has an important place in the Mat district: “Albania ranks among the leading countries in the world in terms of its chromite reserves and production per capita. The market economy has its own rules, and at present there are no suitable market conditions for this mineral on the world market. “But we must consider what should be done under these circumstances by the competent people—the miners themselves, the relevant ministry and the government. Soon we will sit down and discuss this problem, which is vital for many families.” “Why is the establishment of prefectures being delayed?” was another question. “There have been some unjustified delays in this matter. There are difficulties because this is a new experience, one we have not had before. “But we are confident that things will soon be put in order.” In response to a question about the former King Zog, Selami replied: “The democratic movement was born as a nationwide popular movement and received this support. We are against his return as king, because it does not correspond to today’s Albanian reality. It is the right of Albanians, at a given moment, to accept him or not. The elections of 22 March and this period have shown that Albanians want a Parliamentary Republic, not a monarchy.” The greetings and conversations continued over the festive lunch that the DP branch in Mat had organized for the anniversary. The lunch was sponsored by Mat’s democratic businesspeople and traders. DYLJEMAN KARAJ

Broadcast on the BBC — The PS propaganda bluffs are so numerous that they have turned to ashes — Nano, R. Alia and he himself, as well as the viewpoint in question, are not surprising; it is no wonder that you lack a manager for the interviews in Tirana, the criminals’ chatter and some Belgrade propagandist. But your time and theirs is over. Your interviews are criminal through and through. Albania has always stood for sincere and honest friendship with Italy. Neither slanderers like Alesi nor his bosses, who sought to build relations with Albania on the basis of intergovernmental corruption, will be tolerated or allowed to drag things out. Alongside financial difficulties, there are also organizational difficulties of this kind. The viewpoint in question is Your interviews are criminal through and through. Apparently your bosses paid you for this weapon; many of them are now in prison, convicted by Italian justice. We are convinced that no more enviable fate awaits you either. THE OBSERVER The PS propaganda continues its series, “Europe is concerned about Nano.” “ZP” publishes half-statements, imaginary resolutions, motions for resolutions, etc. These publications all have one thing in common: their headlines and ideas, in “ZP,” are deliberately crafted to create optical illusions for those who like what comes from Europe. This propaganda is aimed at someone who… when responding to the courtesies of European figures who declared that they were not dealing with a matter such as Nano’s, about which they “had confidence in Albanian justice.” The bluffs continued with the observations and requests for further information about the Nano case by Mr. Cornillon, who stated clearly in the letter he sent to Mr. Abroni that “the Committee’s intervention does not constitute support for the case or for problems relating to the MP, nor a condemnation of the authorities concerned.” However, the greatest bluff of nationalist propaganda came on Saturday with Miguel Martinez’s statement, broadcast by BBC in Albanian. Almost every day, “ZP” published a headline: “Albania will not be admitted to the Council of Europe unless Nano is released”—a phrase attributed to Martinez at a meeting with PS deputies, which in fact concerned the Nano case. I do not wish to …cast doubt on the truth of these words, although Martinez’s meeting was only with Socialist deputies, but I would like once again to expose the bluffs in the headlines and nationalist propaganda. They claim that Martinez’s comments on the Nano case show that Albania will not join the Council of Europe unless the case is resolved in Nano’s favor. But what does Martinez himself say about this? Commenting on recent events in Russia and on the impossibility of its rapid admission to the Council of Europe, the BBC also broadcast Martinez’s statement on this matter: “The only countries to be admitted soon to the Council of Europe are: Albania...” (and two Baltic countries). Thus, regardless of what Mr. Martinez may have said about the Nano case, it seems that, unlike “ZP,” he does not consider it such a matter as to cast doubt on Albania’s accession to the Council of Europe. Meanwhile, in its issue, “ZP” also publishes the “motion for a resolution” by several European deputies. From the way this motion is worded, it seems that these deputies merely signed a somewhat incomplete motion. One need only look at two points in the motion to understand that these deputies’ information comes solely from the “Dokle” version. Point 3 of the motion refers to a violation of Article 22 of the “Constitutional Provisions,” namely the immunity of MP Fatmir. Parliament met and decided to lift his immunity, thereby clearing the way for justice to act; as for the arrest measure, that falls within the prosecutor’s competence after immunity has been lifted. Article 22 says: “A deputy enjoys immunity.” In other words, a deputy enjoys immunity for a statement and cannot be prosecuted or arrested; but once Parliament decides to lift that immunity, it is no longer an obstacle to justice. Point 7 of the motion says that Albanian law provides for an investigation to be completed within two months. It is clear that these deputies’ information is incomplete, since Albanian law also provides for an investigation to be extended beyond two months at the request of the prosecutor and investigator. Moreover, Europe has seen cases in which an investigation lasted for years while the accused remained in custody. Seven or eight months ago, TGI broadcast news of the start of a trial after seven years of investigation, in the case of members of the “Red Army Faction” organization. During those seven years, the accused woman had been held in isolation in prison. It seems that, through their propaganda, the Nano supporters will give their boss only a little pleasure—but only that, because their bluffs are turning to ashes. EDI PALOKA

From time to time, certain Socialist Party leaders present supposedly scholarly or disinterested impressions, creating the idea that the PS is a new, progressive, moderate political party, politically situated on the European left. From time to time, certain leaders of the Socialist Party present supposedly scholarly or disinterested impressions, creating the idea that the PS is a new, progressive, moderate political party, politically situated on the European left, fighting to consolidate democracy in Albania and to advance its development in every sphere. With this demagogic shop window, the PS presents itself, at least to society and the international community, and to young people, as it tries to establish a base among left-wing people and the party’s supporters. Nevertheless, the PS leaders constantly change their tune when confronted with the far left, with the incongruity of State Security, and with Enverist groups. In this case, these things together constitute the integrity of its activities: the PS presents itself as a worthy continuation of the PPSH. Identifying itself with it, it defends its dark and destructive record, which brought Albania so much misfortune. Telling examples are Nano’s speech with his fellow travelers in Switzerland, or that of the writer Maksim Zogaj, who, although writing about Todi Lubonja’s book—which accuses Enver from beginning to end—does not dare mention the latter by name. Meanwhile, “ZP,” remaining faithful to its old, stubborn tradition, not only fails to denounce the PPSH, the architect of dictatorship in Albania; it not only failed to denounce and dares not denounce the dictator, but through its articles it unfortunately demonstrates that it shares the same dark bias toward Albanian reality, toward the line and activities of democracy. The central idea in this newspaper’s articles has been that Albania would collapse, that the dictatorship—one of the harshest in Europe—was, in this paper’s eyes, a gentle regime, whereas democracy is a destructive storm that has democracy is a destructive storm that has brought Albania so much misfortune. destructive storm that has brought Albania so much misfortune. For this newspaper, Europe was a gentle regime, whereas democracy was a destructive storm, one that throws people into the air and crushes them. This newspaper has systematically tried to kill the Albanian people’s hope, demoralize them and blunt their energy, stir up reality and create an artificially electrified atmosphere, blaming for this the course we chose, democracy, the DP and the democratic homeland. Meanwhile, on the other hand, it tries to create the idea that the PS alone is the political force (I will not mention the other political realities because they are not worth it) capable of establishing true democracy in Albania and creating a modern state, just as we saw in last year’s account. Almost the same lie was spread with great pomp the other day by Nami Alia, claiming that only the Party of Labour was capable of leading the Albanian people from one victory to another. But whose newspaper was “ZP,” the PPSH’s or the PS’s? If it was the PS’s, as it says at the top of the page, then it was difficult for the PS to distinguish itself from the PPSH. If a group of Enverists had seized the newspaper, that would be another matter. Woe to the PS! But the latter is quite impossible. The newspaper merely presents and defends the PS’s “moderate” alternative, serves it up to the people, weeping and lamenting over it crocodile tears. And the more democracy is consolidated, the more the reform deepens, and the more acceptable comprehensive change becomes, the more pronounced these tears become, and the more “historic” the accusations and regrets become. Apparently, this party has lost its ability to reason. They seem to have placed too much faith in Comrade Ramiz when he said that the only political force capable of leading was the PPSH (PS), and now they cannot accept reality; they cannot reconcile themselves to the fact that someone other than them can lead Albania and set it on the road to freedom, democracy, civilization and progress, integrating it into the family of civilized and developed peoples of Europe and the world. This is truly disheartening for this political adventure: on the one hand, they nurture the hopes and ambitions of nostalgics and those implicated in the dictatorial regime, while on the other they seek among people of every social stratum someone who will cover up the truth—like someone seeking salvation by pulling on their own hair. (Continued on page 2) more than they should have trusted (Continued on page 2)

Well-informed sources report that the State Security agent “Miku” knows how to imprison people, having done so once before, [??] honest people with a not-so-distant past, and has accused the Christian Democratic faction in his district of being guilty. His household has been implicated in concealing the documentation concerning the Arsidi matter. The investigations will reveal this criminal’s motives and his responsibility in this sphere.