Yesterday they gathered together once again, but this time in the dock: those who, with Hoxha, massacred and terrorized an entire people for years. Nine former crime chiefs faced justice yesterday. Ramiz Alia, former First Secretary of the PP; Rita Marko, for years a member of the Political Bureau and Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly; Simon Stefani, former member of the Political Bureau and Minister of the Interior; Hekuran Isai, Interior; Aranit Çela, former Chairman of the Supreme Court; Rrapi Mino, former Prosecutor General; Zyllyftar Ramizi, former head of State Security; Veiz Haderi, former branch chief in Sarande. Of course, many others are missing from this list, as they are no longer in this world. Thus, yesterday the trial of these figures began in the Tirana court—figures who, some more and some less, represent the dictatorship. The presiding judge is Mr. Andi PHOTO: A.Babani

After explaining the defendants’ rights and duties to them, the presiding judge asked whether they agreed to the trial beginning. The defendants agreed. Meanwhile, R.Alia’s lawyer, Kleanthi Koçi—former Chairman of the Supreme Court when his client was head of state—speaking on behalf of UN rights and principles, submitted several preliminary requests (even though it was not yet their turn). R.Alia’s lawyer asked for nothing less than the dismissal of the case against Alia because, according to him, the case against Alia had begun while he was President, which was illegal. But the prosecutor, who spoke after him, clarified that it was true that the first complaint against Alia had been filed while he was President, but it had been rejected precisely for that reason. The second complaint, under which Alia is now in the dock, was filed after his resignation. Attorney Koçi also requested that the panel of judges be of a higher rank, since “the former head of state, former prime minister and ministers” were on trial. It was not clear whether Mr. Koçi’s request was connected to the “personal standing” of people without professional qualifications, or to the seniority of the case involving Mr. Ramizi and V.Haderi compared with the others, since they had been military officers. After hearing the requests of all the lawyers, the panel deliberated and issued an interim decision rejecting the lawyers’ requests that the proceedings against Mr. Ramizi and V.Haderi not be held, giving its legal reasoning. The requests to dismiss the case against R.Alia and for a higher-ranking panel were also rejected PHOTO: H. Pustina

Prosecutor Neshat Fanaj read out 60 pages of indictment: orders to shoot at the border despite the change in the law; decisions to execute innocent people without trial; orders for internment without grounds; unlawful sentences; torture and killings in prisons; embezzlement of large sums. All these charges in the indictment were supported by documents and witnesses, as well as by the defendants’ own statements during the investigation. The crimes were numerous. Twenty-two innocent people were executed without trial by decision of the Political Bureau, and all the former members of the Bureau approved this decision without objection. Sadri Sokoli would die under torture in Qaf Bari prison during the revolt that took place there. Zyllyftar Ramizi had personally taken part in torturing the prisoners and later ordered this fact to be concealed. Manush Myftiu stated during the investigation

On the occasion of Bajram Kurbanit, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, and the people accompanying him paid a visit to the Muslim Community, where they were received by Haxhi Sabri Koçi, the head of this Community. THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, SALI BERISHA, RECEIVED THE CSCE HIGH COMMISSIONER ON NATIONAL MINORITIES, VAN DER SHTUL High Commissioner on National Minorities, Van der Shtul. “Albania,” the President said at the meeting, “is firmly committed to respecting, and does respect, the standards of the Copenhagen Document on the freedoms and rights of minorities. You, and anyone else, are welcome to come and see for yourselves how we are putting these rights into practice.” The meeting also discussed specific aspects of the freedoms and rights enjoyed by members of the Greek minority in Albania. President Berisha and High Commissioner Van der Shtul also discussed the rights of Albanians in Macedonia. The President praised the efforts of the CSCE and the Council of Europe for their contribution to carrying out the census in that Republic, which he considered an important step. Albania, he said, has insisted, and continues to insist, that Albanians in Macedonia support the position of the international group concerning this census. ATSH

Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi received the President of the Region of Puglia, Mr. Xhuzepe Martellota, who is in our country to give further impetus to cooperation between the two countries, particularly with the Region of Puglia. ATSH

The World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA), provided a loan of 12 million dollars for the construction of rural roads. For the same purpose, the Swiss Government has provided 400 million dollars in grants. “The project to build these roads began in January this year and is expected to be completed in the second half of June,” Faruk Kaba, Director of the Roads Directorate, told ATSH. Its implementation requires an investment of 25 to 30 million dollars, while so far only 12 million and 400 thousand dollars have been secured. The World Bank is exploring every possibility of having foreign investors participate in implementing this project. To give Albanian enterprises a boost, it has been decided that these very enterprises will implement the project. “According to the forecasts made, construction will begin at the end of this year; this delay is caused by the procedures required for their implementation,” Faruk Kaba concluded. ATSH

Interview with Nikoll Dode Pellumbi, father of Martyr of Democracy Pellumb Pellumbi 16 June 1990. Martyr Shkodra experienced a painful event, an unusual funeral ceremony. Around 50 young people carried the body of Pellumb Pellumbi, the 17-year-old killed at the border the previous night by the Border Forces, on their shoulders from his home to the stadium. At the square in front of Radio Shkodra, hundreds and thousands of Shkodra citizens had gathered to accompany their son to his final resting place. The funeral procession stopped in that square, and hundreds more joined the young people gathered around it. They stamped their feet on the ground and shouted: “Down with communism,” “Down with Ramiz Alia,” “Down with Nexhmije Hoxha,” and “Long live Xhorxh Bushi.” All vehicle traffic was stopped, and the funeral procession, under the arches of the security forces, crossed the square and set off on foot toward the cemetery, several kilometres from the city... Shkodra was now ablaze. Although months earlier President Alia had enacted a law stipulating that illegal border crossing was not a political crime and was punishable by a fine or up to five years’ imprisonment, he was secretly ordering the killing and merciless massacre of those attempting to cross the border. Pellumbi was also a victim of this Ramizian deceit. “RD”: Mr. Nikoll, could you tell our readers about some of the moments of this tragic event? Answer: We were poor and lived in a dwelling like a horse stable. Pellumbi, my son, grew up in such poverty until he was 17. Sometimes we had bread, sometimes we did not (Continued on page 3)

former chief of State Security, Veiz Haderi, former branch head in Sarandë. they are no longer in this world. So yesterday the trial against these figures began at the Tirana court; some represent the dictatorship more than others. The presiding judge is Mr. Andi Çeliku, deputy head of the Tirana court. The prosecution is represented by prosecutor Neshat Fajzi. The defendants are represented by their lawyers, among whom are names that could very well have occupied a different place at that trial. -R. Alia’s profession: ...? In accordance with procedure, the presiding judge introduced the parties to the trial and then asked the defendants for their personal details. After asking for their name, date of birth and place of birth, Mr. Çeliku asked R. Alia about his education. “Higher,” Alia replied. “Profession?” Mr. Çeliku asked. Strangely, this question left Alia without an answer; for several seconds he did not speak at all. Then, when murmuring began in the courtroom, Alia said: “Write down whatever you like.” Apparently, the former communist president has no profession other than crime. After Alia, the presiding judge did not ask the others about their profession, as it was clear.

“I want the people to see me,” said R. Alia, asking for the trial to be broadcast on TV, although RTV was present. . and V. Haderi from the others, on the grounds that they had been military personnel. withdrew and issued an interim decision rejecting the lawyers’ requests to separate the trials of Z. Ramizi and V. Haderi, deciding to examine them together. The requests to dismiss the case against R. Alia and to refer it to a higher-level court were also rejected as unfounded in law. The request by lawyer R.Permeti to change the detention measure against S.Stefani was also rejected. The request by Z.Ramizi’s lawyer, Luan Beri, to summon several other witnesses was granted. -R. Alia and Z. Ramizi request live broadcast of the trial “I want the people to see me,” said R.Alia, asking for the trial to be broadcast on TV, although RTV was present. Strangely, this was also requested by the former head of State Security, who called himself the head of Albanian counterintelligence. “Let the people see me,” he said too. So this criminal, who tortured and massacred innocent people at his own hands, wants the people to see him, convinced that the people “love him.” It would not be a bad idea, after the indictment was read, listing just some of the crimes he committed, for all the former prisoners, who consider him the chief criminal, to see Z.Ramizi

Manush Myftiu stated during the investigation that he had interned innocent people on E.Hoxha’s orders. The indictment would also reveal how the war against religion had been orchestrated by manipulating the youth. The initiators were R.Marko and R.Alia. -Alia does not understand the charge After the indictment was read, the presiding judge asked the defendants whether they agreed with the charge. R.Alia did not understand how he had violated the rights and freedoms of citizens, so he asked for it to be explained to him again, and Mr. Çeliku explained it again, although it would have been better for lawyer Koçi to do so, as he knew the principles of the UN well. Today, in accordance with the decision of the panel, which also took account of the parties to the trial, the proceedings will begin with the questioning of the defendants. EDI PALOKA

It must be said at the outset that these local-government elections in these municipalities are first and foremost an opportunity for their residents and for democracy in Albania. The three municipalities mentioned above, together with two others in the north, have a chance to show their preference for change, progress and prosperity. They have an unprecedented opportunity to express their appreciation of their own well-being and of the undeniable benefits democracy has brought them thanks to the program and alternatives of the PDSH, for which 1.2 million Albanians voted on March 22. In this small electoral arena, political parties campaign according to the law; this is their right before their electorate, to show and present, in the ways and forms they see fit, their faith in the past, their achievements while in power and, at the same time, their shortcomings and possible corrections as they move forward, based on facts and arguments drawn from life, and to inspire the electorate with a vision for the future. This vision, however, becomes credible only when it is supported by concrete figures, by what can be seen and touched as development, and never by abstract theoretical lectures that people are fed. THE PS ONLY HAS FRIENDS OF THE COOPERATIVES IN THE CAPITALS These municipalities, with the PS socialists, all private. Is this a reality, or an electoral slogan? It is worth saying again that for 50 years the Party of Labour left Libofshë just as it found it: muddy. Everyone knows! Now, in the second year of democratic governance, the PD government is paving the road from the village of Agim all the way to the village of Hasturkes, about 8 km. Not only that, but also the branch roads into every village in the area and up to every home. Work on this road is proceeding at a rapid pace without interruption; 3 km or more have been laid with gravel. At the same time, work is also under way on the Libofshë–Vanaj road, about 2 km. What matters is that the villagers will no longer have to travel through mud. What matters is that their livestock and agricultural produce will be marketed better and more quickly in Fier, Lushnje or elsewhere. This good fortune was brought to them only by the Democratic Party and its government. - THE SPACES OF FREEDOM ARE ENDLESS In Libofshë, until yesterday, in winter as well as in the hot summer, the long queues to fill up with water seemed endless. “When the Democrats told the villagers of the Libofshë District these days to open up the canal because they would bring them the pipes, they replied: ‘That’s how they’ve been fooling us for 50 years, you know!’ — Leave it, then, (Continued on page 2)

THE SPACES OF FREEDOM ARE ENDLESS In Libofshë, until yesterday, in winter as well as in the hot summer, the long queues to fill up with water seemed endless.

PHOTO: H.Pustina

PS PP PS PP PK Ab.Ko [?] Find the child.