Former US President George Bush in Tirana Yesterday morning, former US President George Bush arrived in our country for a private visit, accompanied by his wife Barbara Bush. The distinguished American guest was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, and his wife. “I am happy and delighted to meet you and to be among you,” were the words Mr. Bush addressed to Mr. Berisha at the start of their meeting, expressing his particular pleasure at having the opportunity to visit Tirana. After the honor guard was presented by its commander and the Albanian and American national anthems were played, former US President Bush, accompanied by the Albanian President, met members of the government and other senior figures from Albanian political life who had come to welcome him at Rinas Airport. The chairman of the DP of Albania, Mr. Eduard Selami, was also present.

After the welcome at Rinas, Mr. Bush was received at the Presidency by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, who began his speech by stressing that Albanians will always be friendly toward those who have helped them. After President Wilson, you are the first and most distinguished friend of the Albanians; they are grateful to you and your administration for the assistance you gave for their liberation from dictatorship and the establishment of democracy. History will always remember your valuable contribution and assistance to Albania. Your stance and your support for the red line in Kosovo were of decisive importance in discouraging the aggressor. Albania is fully committed to developing a genuine democracy through the rule of law and a market economy, and we believe this is a major contribution it makes to peace and stability in the region, for which it deserves the support of all democratic countries. Albania sincerely believes in cooperation with the United States. This is a good opportunity to consolidate the values of democracy and the market economy in Albania. In addition to the difficulties inherited from the past and the conflict in the region, Albania has also faced several unjustified blockades and tensions, which we hope to resolve through dialogue. Mr. Bush, for his part, expressed his great respect and admiration for what is being done in Albania. “I care about you and democracy in Albania,” he continued, “and this is in the interests of the United States. We seek the highest-level relations with Albania, and we are proud of this.” Warm greetings from US President George Bush, Albania’s President Sali Berisha, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Human Rights at the headquarters in Prishtina. In Kruja Yesterday afternoon, former US President George Bush and the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, accompanied by their wives, paid a brief visit to the castle of Kruja. They were welcomed by representatives of the local authorities of the district. The visitors had the opportunity to learn at first hand about the life, culture and resistance of our people, from ancient Illyrian times, and about the figure of our national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu. George Bush paused in amazement before photographs and documents from the historic castle and Barleti’s manuscripts about the history and legendary struggle of Skenderbeu. It was a description of that moment when the Albanian cause was forged, where the national resistance of the leaders took shape; the 25 years of Arbëreshe would remain in the historical memory of the European continent and the world. As a memento of this visit, George Bush would sign the visitors’ book, where he would particularly praise the contribution of Gjergj, Gjergj Kastrioti, who defended Western European culture and civilization, just as George Bush, over the years he led a great state, contributed to building the foundations of democracy in the countries of the East. Mr. George Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush were deeply moved by their visit to this museum.

After the meeting with the President, President Berisha hosted a lunch for the former president and his distinguished wife at the Palace of Brigades. Taking his guest’s interest in the Palace as an opportunity, Mr. Berisha explained to him several episodes from the history of our people. In his remarks at the official lunch, President Berisha paid tribute to the figure of former US President George Bush. “It is a great honor and a beautiful day for Albania and the Albanians that today we have among our people this great friend of the Albanian people, a fighter and champion of freedom, the President and distinguished statesman of the United States, who helped them at one of the most difficult moments in their history.” Expressing the Albanians’ gratitude to former US President Bush for the assistance he gave them in freeing themselves from communist dictatorship and building democracy in Albania, President Berisha stressed that his contribution, and that of the United States, to the foundations of freedom would be remembered by the Albanians for generations. Mr. Berisha also highlighted Mr. Bush’s key contribution to the liberation of the peoples of Eastern Europe from a terrible Nazi regime. “For people and nations, when we ask what is most precious, it is freedom. Albanians, in particular, will forever remember the postwar period and today’s free Albania; its successes are linked with the name of Skenderbeu, who for five years was a true embodiment of freedom.” Addressing Mr. Bush, President Berisha said: “To honor you, Mr. President, I have awarded you the ‘Golden Order of Skenderbeu’ as a sign of the respect of all Albanians for you, your contribution and your great country.” President Berisha then decorated the former American President with the “Golden Order of Skenderbeu,” accompanied by the following citation: “To Mr. George Bush, President and statesman of the American people, defender of the great cause of freedom, friend of the Albanians and of Albania, for his outstanding contribution to the liberation and support of the Albanian people and other peoples who suffered for decades under communist dictatorship.” Mr. Bush expressed his thanks: “This is a very great surprise for me, and I am deeply moved to receive it from a person who is committed to freedom and democracy, such as your President. This makes me twice as grateful. I am grateful not only to him but to all the people of Albania, who have won their freedom, understand what democracy is, and work for it to improve their lives. I am very happy. Thank you.” Mr. Adem Demaci also attended the ceremony awarding the decoration to former US President George Bush, as did his wife. He is Chairman of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights at the headquarters in Prishtina.

Speaking about his impressions of the visit, George Bush said: “I am very happy about this visit and have great respect for President Berisha. Naturally, I received a warm welcome from people everywhere. I met a number of members of the government cabinet, parliamentarians, distinguished painters, and people who had lost many years of their lives in prison before freedom and democracy came. For Mrs. Bush and me, it was an emotional day to be here, as guests of President Berisha, who is a great friend and a leader of democracy and freedom in this part of the world.” Asked by TVSH about the changes in Albania, given that America and he had been symbols for the Albanian people, Mr. Bush replied: “Our country believes deeply in freedom and democracy, and our government administration works hard to support them. We are at the top of the list, while Albania is doing its part. I had the opportunity to see the progress made in your country along this path. Naturally, there are problems and there will be, but what may seem dramatic is the change—that is, freedom, which you must believe in.” Yesterday afternoon, George and Barbara Bush left our country, warmly farewelled by President Berisha and his wife, as well as representatives of political parties and historical figures.

-Albanians did not vote “to repeal all the laws,” as ZP writes -Socialist leaders used every kind of deception to abuse the people’s vote -Albanians did not vote to bring the criminals of communism back to power, who today seek to wash their hands like Pilate The Socialist leaders have no scruples; without hesitation, openly or otherwise, they are abusing the Albanian people’s vote today. They deceived the people by serving up a thousand and one lies in order to secure the rejection of the draft Constitution. Using their old, well-honed method, they now say that they inserted with difficulty and concern the words and measures needed to secure the passage of this Draft, and that others added the rest. But that is not the point; the experience is that, ultimately, Albanians judged and expressed their vote on the draft Constitution put before them by not approving it. There may be various reasons why they voted “against,” but, ultimately, Albanians voted on the Draft. Socialist leaders Pëllumbi, Ruci, Dokle and Hajdaga also drove their propaganda against this Draft. Whether their propaganda was honest or dishonest is for those who voted to judge. We ourselves have said time and again that Albania needs a Constitution and that it is necessary for entering Europe. Europe says the same thing; nevertheless, the verdict of the Albanian vote is respected. But today Albanians will not allow their vote to be abused. The Socialist leaders are reaching new heights of absurdity. “The people voted to repeal everything...” writes ZP in one of its editorials. On the other hand, abusing the result, PS leaders claim that this Albanian vote served their own purpose by giving them grounds to demand early elections, because, according to them, the people voted for PS. This is a classic deception. The communists of PS have revealed their true nature. Albanians did not vote to repeal all the laws, gentlemen. You have been demanding that for a long time, but that does not mean that Albanians want anarchy. They removed you from your dictatorial power after more than 12 centuries, honored democracy, and strongly supported—and continue to support—the freedom they won, while you disregarded it for your own ends. Your dream of restoring the past is over once and for all. Albanians voted on a draft Constitution, not to put G. Ruçi, the Minister of the Interior, back in power, as you are now trying to claim. Albanians did not vote to bring the criminals of communism back to power, who today seek to wash their hands like Pilate. The recent statements by PS leaders, who refuse to draft a new constitution unless new elections are unblocked, prove what their sole aim has been and remains. According to them, Albanians...

-From an interview with Prof. Nikolla Pano, Albanian-American scholar and head of the history department at Western Illinois University.- It is important that Albanians do not abandon the efforts to draft a constitution under any circumstances. The Constitution is vital not only for Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe, but also for Albania’s own fragile democracy. Nevertheless, as I have assessed, the political and government sides must agree on drafting a new draft. Domestic experts in legislation and political science should be broadly involved in drafting it, and it was stressed that involving Western experts also has advantages. Although the position of the Socialist opposition regarding... Greece “satisfied” by rejection of draft constitution Athens: Greece is “satisfied” with the result of the Albanian referendum that rejected the draft constitution, which could have limited the rights of the Greek minority and other freedoms, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said on Friday. The Greek government had sharply criticized the draft constitution that was rejected on Sunday. AFP

It is important that Albanians do not abandon the efforts to draft a constitution under any circumstances. The Constitution is vital not only for Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe, but also for Albania’s own fragile democracy. Nevertheless, as I have assessed, the political and government sides must agree on drafting a new draft. Domestic experts in legislation and political science should be broadly involved in drafting it, and it was stressed that involving Western experts also has advantages. Although the position of the Socialist opposition regarding... The CSCE envoy will present a report on the Greek minority in Albania on 18 November Athens: The CSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Maks Van der Stoel, has submitted a report by his representatives on the Greek minority in Albania, which he will present to the CSCE on 18 November, he announced during a stay in Thessaloniki. Van der Stoel, who was returning from Shkup on his way to The Hague, refused to answer journalists’ questions about the contents of the document. “I hope,” he said, “that the report will be published.”

-“Radio Voice of America”.- Aferdita Saraçini Kelmendi reports: The referendum and the rejection of Albania’s draft constitution are among the most current issues in Kosovo these days. They were also discussed at the LDK press conference. Its deputy chairman, Fehmi Agani, said that the tense political campaign preceding the referendum and its results best demonstrate the difficulties involved in the complex process of transformation, democratic reforms and European integration. The very complexity of this process and its difficulties, Agani said, make broad national consensus essential, as well as agreement on moving toward further social and political democratization and reforming Albanian society and the state. Establishing such a consensus would demonstrate the maturity of the Albanian political movement on the path toward Europe, rather than division and harmful confrontation, he said. He also said that, according to the text, the Constitution contains relevant provisions and that this support was not intended, nor was it able, to influence the outcome of the referendum.