Yesterday the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, departed on an official visit to Romania at the invitation of that country's President, Mr. Ion Iliesku. During a brief stay in Budapest, President Berisha will meet with the Hungarian President.

The Albanian Democratic Party supports the statement of the DP branch in Kukës and considers the sum of the demands made by families displaced by hydroelectric dams to be lawful and achievable. But it calls on these families not to allow those who are the true causes of their plight, and who are now shedding crocodile tears, to manipulate their demands and economic hardships. It stresses that blocking roads and occupying government buildings are acts intended only to give the families’ legitimate economic demands political overtones. It also calls on representatives of these families and the hunger strikers to determine ways of resolving these demands through dialogue with the Government and in a constructive spirit, just as it calls on the Government to take all measures to speed up the preparation and implementation of the assistance program for displaced families and the resolution of their problems.

The press reported that the trial of R. Alia and Co. will begin on 21 May. Meanwhile, people rightly ask: “Will he beat his chest again, now as an accused, as he did at F. Nano’s trial, when he declared that he ‘felt proud’ of what he had done for this people?!” I would not be surprised at all; on the contrary, it would seem normal, reasonable, and even extremely humane to me if the former leaders of the Communist nomenklatura, when they now appear before the court as witnesses or defendants, were to bow their heads in shame and, as repentant culprits, seize the opportunity they have been given I would not be surprised at all; on the contrary, it would seem normal, reasonable, and even extremely humane to me if the former leaders of the Communist nomenklatura, when they now appear before the court as witnesses or defendants, were to bow their heads in shame and, as repentant culprits, seize the fortunate opportunity they have been given to apologize to their people for the monstrous crimes they committed against them, among other things to ease, even a little, their unbearably burdened consciences. I may be wrong, but I saw elements of such an exception in M. Yftiu, A. Çarçani, and perhaps someone else. But, from what we are seeing, their half-century-old paradox, verging on the grotesque, apparently has to continue still. It is not easy to break with the party line. To tell the truth, I could scarcely believe my eyes and ears when I learned of R. Alia’s testimony at F. Nano’s trial. “How is it possible,” I said to myself, “for him to take this position?!” Nevertheless, if some reader might also [cut section]. Let us not concern ourselves with the former words of our “honored” president, but we cannot refrain from putting a few rhetorical questions to him: Can it really be that you do not feel guilty for having been a co-author of this people’s tragedy for more than forty years, even if only for the simple fact that you raised your hand to approve the dictator’s massacres?! You stated in court that “you saved the people from catastrophe.” But who brought this people to that state, if not the party-state that you and your predecessors led?! Wasn’t the fact that the Communists—and you—were even more compromised by the fact that the Stalinist dictator, whom Nero and Caligula could have envied, after eliminating all possible candidates with fire and sword, removed many of them as successors, knowing that he did not do this for your beautiful eyes, but because you were the most obedient in his flock?! And when you took the helm of the state, why were you so zealous in continuing his path of crime and destruction? Did you do that, too, for the good of the people and the homeland? And the opportunity ... The truth is quite different: throughout that time you opposed them by every means, even using force and not sparing the tanks, to crush the uprisings of revolt in their infancy. And if more blood was not shed, that was because of the “message” delivered by Ceaușescu’s severed head (to whom, I repeat, you should be extremely grateful): if it had been up to you, nothing would have stopped you from releasing the “valves” a little at a time, to avert the explosions of half-century-old grievances—as did happen, and at such a terrible cost. Especially since other countries of the East had provided you with models for this long ago! And as if all this were not enough, a year later you also sent the students a congratulatory telegram, praising them for their Movement, which, in other words, seemed to say: “Thank you for overthrowing me!” Oh God, how vast can duplicity and hypocrisy become?! But I do not blame you too much for this, because that was your ethical and moral code, the one that ensured your survival in the leadership circle of which you were a part. Seen in this light, we are wasting our time being surprised by your courtroom conduct: it is entirely consistent with the “code” mentioned above! Nevertheless, intentionally or not, you also let slip a few truths, for example when you pointed out that “This people [illegible/cut]...” [The article continues below the visible frame.] I noticed no such exception in M.Mytiu, A.Çarçani or some others. But from what we can see, their half-century-old paradox, now turned grotesque, apparently still has to continue. It is not easy to escape oneself. To tell the truth, I could hardly believe my eyes and ears when I became acquainted with R.Alia’s testimony at F.Nano’s trial. “How is it possible, for heaven’s sake, to take this position?!” Since some readers may not have become familiar with it either, I will reproduce just a few lines: “I served this people with a clear conscience. I saved it, and I am proud of this, from a catastrophe that could have had serious consequences for the Albanian people. I worked to save this people from hunger. I did not use the power I had, and which the constitution gave me, either to become a neo-dictator or to halt the country’s democratic processes” (“ZP” 13.3.1994, p. 3). If some inhabitant from outer space heard these words, the first thing they would would say, as I understand it, would be: “Who is this person speaking?!” Speaking about himself, this person would surely say: “It’s me, it’s me.” But you so eager to continue along its did you also trample on the German opportunity for that reason?! You stated at the trial that “you were happy when Italian aid began, because relations with this powerful neighboring country were growing stronger.” But what had prevented you from doing this earlier, sir, when you yourself held all the cards?! Much has been said, by you and by others, about the role you supposedly played before and after the events of December ’90 that brought about the change of system. You claim that you prevented bloodshed and did not obstruct the democratic processes, whereas the truth, for all those who saw and heard them, is... ...mandon...kujton...krahasoh...” Beautiful! (Regardless of the fact that during your rule you treated it—the people—as a robot without mind or heart, let us believe that at last you have understood that even that exhausted, alienated mass, whose face has been erased, has feelings and thoughts, just like all other peoples.) If that is so, then only a slave’s mentality, now in a democracy, could express everything it feels and thinks about you “with love and warmth,” as you declared. If this were true, every honest Albanian would feel deeply insulted by the continued abuse you inflict on them. If the truth is otherwise, here is your chance, while it is not too late, at the trial awaiting you, finally to speak in the only language that retains even a little dignity for you: that of a repentant sinner! You have so much to tell this people! ANDON DEDE

“If Meksi comes to Pogradec, I will drown myself in the lake.” This expression of N. Dokle has now become “famous,” all the more so because it has been quoted and requoted. When the chairman of the PS parliamentary group uttered this declarative phrase, some people took it seriously, thinking that a “personality” of the PS like Dokle must know something (perhaps some weak point of Meksi), since he was making statements so dangerous to his own life and to the Party. The misfortune of these people is that they do not know the comic nature of Dokle, and of some PS leaders in general, and now, after Meksi’s visit to Pogradec, they really expect Dokle to keep his word. They will wait in vain, as it is written, for Dokle to go “like a man” and dive headfirst into Pogradec Lake. I am so certain (since I cannot speak for others) that Dokle will not keep his word that, if the opposite happens, I would agree to put my name in the very same place where the journalists of “ZP” publish theirs. But I am sure I will never have to undergo such a humiliating sacrifice, because I know very well that statements like Dokle’s are associated only with clowns: their antics do not make people laugh; in fact, when someone laughs, they become enraged and attack them (strange, isn’t it?). But let them be sure that no one else is to blame for their naivety, transformed as it is. We understand quite well, biologically, what complexes dominate a creature that is compelled by its kind to be impregnated with hatred for another kind (that of clowns). This is the familiar phenomenon that prevails among “xitelat,” but no one is to blame for it, least of all “RD.” Likewise, no one Clowns don’t make people laugh with their tricks; indeed, when someone laughs, they go mad and attack them (strange, isn’t it?). But rest assured, no one is to blame for their metamorphosed naivety. We understand quite well, biologically, what complexes govern a being that is compelled by its kind to breed with hatred for the other kind (the clowns’ kind). This is the well-known phenomenon that prevails among the “xitelat,” but no one is to blame for it, especially not “RD.” Likewise, no one that Dokle does not keep his word; otherwise, I would agree to put my name in the I am quite sure I will never have to make statements like Dokle’s are connected only with the “comic” nature of some PS leaders. Wasn’t it the PS chairman who once declared to journalists that he possessed documents proving the corruption of the PD chairman? Yet no one ever saw his documents. Wasn’t it also he who talked about “secret files” that would “destroy the accusation”? And again, the “naive” people waited for the file to appear, without understanding the chairman’s subtle humor, while in the meantime he was doing “brain gymnastics” in cell 49. After all, aren’t they the ones who think...”kjüton...krahasoh...” to tell this people! others who take jokes for serious statements. The real misfortune lies with a group of “naive” people whose naivety has metamorphosed into a deficiency: not only do they believe their leaders’ statements, they also publish them enthusiastically. And so the day comes when the “statements” turn into “pluff,” while the “publishers” are left having to clean up after their bosses. It would not be surprising if one of them sacrificed his pseudonym once again to save Dokle’s life and honor. Then the “publishers” will start bringing out some of their strange arguments, which make them look like “publishing clowns,” to convince public opinion that Dokle should not be drowned in the lake. The trouble with these “publishers” is that, unlike everyone else, biologically, they fail to understand what complexes govern a person who is compelled by their kind to breed hatred for the other kind (not the clowns’ kind). This is a well-known phenomenon prevalent it, and especially not “RD.” Likewise, no one is to blame if nature has so badly discriminated against certain biological beings, even within their own kind, that they cannot fulfill their instinctive desires. Nevertheless, if these “publishers” feel relieved and forget their biological misfortunes by insulting and cursing those who bring the zepist humor out into the open through publication, then, humanely, I will take no notice of them. After all, it is better for them to snort and rage than to drown in the lake. E.P.

—Attending are the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Aleksander Meksi, Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Kopliku, and Ministers Manushi, Bitincka, Teliti and Shehu— A flash entrance and ... Kavaje. The asphalt factory has begun operating. Tirane. The brewery has been put into operation. A new NPV has started work. Coca-Cola is nearing completion. The construction industry is becoming efficient, and there is also a new hub for producing construction materials. Work is proceeding without interruption at two large tourist complexes. Every day, guests arrive at a tourist village in the south. And further on, several hundred new residential apartments are almost ready and awaiting their residents. The market is full. Transport—not only by road, but also by rail and air—has never before been as active and competitive as it is today. These were some of the news items and reports that the Albanian mass media has brought to the public’s attention, and not only to the Albanian public. The economic revival has begun. A new economy, oriented toward production, liberalization and competition, is taking shape on the Albanian horizon day by day. ...Albania’s first highway ...relocation to a junction that has just (Continued on page 2) PHOTO: G.XHIENGO

On Saturday, May 7, 1994, the National Council of LDGSH met at one of the meetings of PDSH. The chairwomen of LDGSH from all the districts of the country took part, along with activists and supporters of this association, as well as many invited women. This meeting of the National Council of LDGSH is taking place at an important moment in the country’s democratic developments, said Ms. Flutura Hasko, Chairwoman of LDGSH, at the beginning of her address. —After the national rally, many new sections of democratic women have been established in both towns and villages. Work (Continued on page 2)

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