-The speech of President Berisha on the occasion of the 550th anniversary of the Assembly of Lezhë- Ladies and gentlemen, Brothers and sisters, Citizens of Lezhë. The Assembly of Lezhë is the monument of resistance, brotherhood, nobility, and the European identity of the Albanians. On March 2, 1444, in the city of Lezhë, the princes of the Albanian lands gathered as free lords and united their forces in order to successfully confront the most powerful empire of the time and win the freedom of their country. Lezhë commemorated the 550th anniversary of its historic Assembly through nationwide events, splendid celebrations, and a truly festive atmosphere. This anniversary was honored with a series of activities by the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the People’s Assembly Pjetër Arbnori, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Aleksandër Meksi, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova dr. Bujar Bukoshi, the leaders of the Albanian political parties of Albania and Kosova, as well as leaders and representatives of the Albanian communities in Macedonia, Ulcinj and Chameria. The Chairman of the Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosova dr. Mark Krasniqi presented President Berisha with a flag bearing the emblem of Skanderbeg, which was, on this occasion, given to the historical museum of Lezhë. The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bosnia also took part in the commemorative celebration of the Assembly, whose republics today are fighting just as heroically as the Albanians of Skanderbeg fought in 1444 for their independence. The participants in the celebration were greeted, as the Italian newspaper called it, “the great festival of the Albanians.” This is the anniversary of such a distinguished event in the history of our country. Today we are gathered in this city on the day of the 550th anniversary of the Assembly of Lezhë to celebrate one of the brightest pages in our national history, the union of the Albanian princes in the strongest, most enduring, and most successful alliance in the entire history of our nation. Heroes and princes of peoples fought against the same enemy, but they gathered for battle. In Lezhë, the princes of the Albanian lands gathered in assembly, as free lords, and with judgment and high national responsibility decided to unite their forces in the name of freedom, dignity, and national identity. The Assembly of Lezhë marks one of the greatest acts in our national history. In truth, it is the most authentic, most powerful document of the Western and European vocation of the Albanian nation. If there is a historical event in which Albanians demonstrated in the most brilliant way their civilizational belonging to Europe, it is the Assembly of Lezhë. Here our nation declared before Europe that the lands, nature, and spirit of the Albanians, their freedom and dignity, could never be reconciled with Ottoman occupation. Here our forefathers courageously decided to choose the path of freedom. Lezhë and its immortal assembly are a great lesson in our history for the free nation and for the free state. It became an inspiration for our long resistance and gave our nation the awareness that freedom is won only through unity, sacrifice, and faith. This lesson of Lezhë is alive today as well. Democratic Albania, which emerged from a brutal dictatorship, found in this assembly the source of its own moral strength to return to Europe. Today, when the Albanian nation lives in several states and political spaces, the message of Lezhë remains clear: Albanians are united by freedom, united by blood, united by Albania. Neither unjust borders, nor violence, nor oppression can erase this bond. We are one nation with a shared history, culture, language, and aspirations. Kosova today is facing violence and the denial of its rights, but as Lezhë teaches us, the right of a nation to freedom cannot be extinguished. The Albanians of Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Chameria are an inseparable part of this trunk and will always be linked to the national ideal and to the European future of the Albanian nation. On this anniversary, we honor not only Skanderbeg, but all those princes who placed the ideal of national freedom above their narrow interests. This is where the greatness of the Assembly of Lezhë lies. There was born a covenant that gave our country glory, honor, and an indelible place in the history of Europe. Eternal glory to the fathers of Lezhë! Glory to Skanderbeg! Glory to Albania!

Recently, deliberately and under the stimulation of anti-Albanian forces and certain circles of extremism throughout the former Yugoslavia, rumors and malicious slanders have been circulating as if the Democratic Party of the Albanians in Macedonia were an organization with nationalist-chauvinist tendencies, as a component of the governing coalition supported by the PPD. This insinuation, repeated like a refrain, is intended to damage and undermine and, of course, does not serve the position of the Albanians in Macedonia. These insinuations come at a time when the PDSH is a political force of considerable weight in political life and contributes to democratic solutions, stability, and coexistence. Above all, the PDSH stands by the principles of democracy, respect for human rights, political pluralism, and equality among citizens without distinction of affiliation. It rejects any malicious labeling and considers it part of propaganda aimed at wrongly portraying the legitimate demands of Albanians as extremism. The Albanian Democratic Party will continue to work for the affirmation of the position of the Albanians in Macedonia, for full national and civic rights, as well as for democratic integration within European processes. It calls on all political forces, the media, and public opinion not to fall prey to these provocations and to contribute to a healthy political climate based on understanding, facts, and responsibility. Albanian Democratic Party

-During the last months and even farther afield, new members, including 100 intellectuals- -The act of burning the PD as a revenge of the democratic “old” against the unbearable “obstacle”- The secretary general of the Democratic Party of Albania, Mr. Tritan Shehu, takes part. The Democratic Party is carrying out an unprecedented act of sabotage against political pluralism and the normal functioning of PDSH. Within this framework it has begun a disinformation campaign, with the aim of creating a false opinion about the activity and orientation of the democratic forces. Through its statements and insinuations, it seeks to sow distrust and division among its membership. The Democratic Party of Albania considers it necessary to clarify public opinion about these developments and to reaffirm its determination to defend pluralism, the rule of law, and democratic reforms. At various gatherings, citizens have expressed their support for the PD and have condemned old attempts to bring back an atmosphere of conflict and political manipulation. This is a decisive period for Albanian democracy, and any attempt to undermine democratic institutions will receive the deserved civic and political response. Tritan Shehu

(Continued on page 2) For 50 years, in the most questionable way possible, the socialists of Albania did not dare to call themselves social democrats. The dust-covered apparatus of Enver Hoxha would not allow it. They did this only now, when they understood that with the Marxist name they no longer have anything to gain. Last Thursday, the PS presidium decided to convene an extraordinary congress, where it will formally reclassify itself and elect the new party chairman. In a short public notice, it was stated that the congress will be held on March 12 and will include changes to the program and statute, as well as the election of the new chairman. This development has been seen by many observers as an attempt to give the party a new image after losses and internal crisis. However, its opponents see it as a tactical move rather than a fundamental ideological change. In political circles it is said that the race for the leadership of the PS will be intense and that different groups are trying to impose their own candidates. The debate is expected to focus not only on the name and statute, but also on responsibility for the past and the relationship with the communist legacy.

At the conclusion of his visit to Tirana, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania and his counterpart held talks on expanding economic cooperation. The importance of agreements in the fields of tourism, trade exchanges, and oil exploration was emphasized. The parties expressed their readiness to deepen contacts and to create more favorable conditions for investment. The talks were assessed as a positive step in strengthening bilateral relations and in regional rapprochement.

-The speech of the President of the Republic of Kosova dr. Bujar Bukoshi on the occasion of the commemoration of the 550th anniversary of the Assembly of Lezhë- The resistance of Skanderbeg and the Albanian leaders in Lezhë remains an inspiring example for our nation. On this anniversary we bow with respect before that great work which gave the Albanian nation a sense of unity and dignity. Lezhë in 1444 was the place where Albanians showed that they know how to overcome divisions and unite for freedom. This is an enduring lesson for us today as well, especially for the Albanians in Kosova, who are facing injustice and oppression. We believe that the spirit of the Assembly of Lezhë must guide all our political and national efforts. It teaches us that unity is a condition for survival and victory. Glory to the memory of the fathers of Lezhë!

Newspaper of the Democratic Party of Albania No. 591 Thursday, March 3, 1994 Price 5 lek

NANO GENIUS OF THE FRAMEWORK LET IT DO IT CORRUPTION REVANCHIST 2 NANO MAKES A GOVERNMENT OF SAULES THE FRONT IS GOOD FULL OF GASOLINE! Political cartoon with an inverted figure and satirical text.