NDREKE GJINI The perverse logic of interpreting political events and situations through overt diversion, deception and falsification is the clearest evidence that the PS has no credible platform or alternative in its political struggle. A nihilistic stance, diversion and speculation do not show the strength of the opposition but, on the contrary, the poverty of its political thinking. This is because political pluralism is, in itself, a competition among alternatives, not a denial of everything, diversion, slander, etc. The PS, operating in political struggle with the rudimentary methods of the former communist system, concerned only with the seats and absolute power it lost, did not—and still does not—work on developing new political platforms for its party, which has changed nothing but its name. Instead, by denying and insulting the governing majority, it seeks to regain its lost credibility by speculating in the most unscrupulous way on the pain caused by reform. Without wishing to provide a detailed analysis of the destructive course pursued by the opposition leadership, I will respond only to yesterday’s editor-in-chief of “ZP”, where the boot and [the text appears corrupted] democratic institutions, the creation of the rule of law and a market economy, privatization, integration into international structures and organizations, and the legal guarantee of freedom of speech, thought and belief—whose designers and implementers were and are the PD—are said to have left it with a great lack of political vision. So, according to the head of the PS, the new political ideas and visions would have to be a socialist centrally planned economy, “annulling the economic laws approved in parliament”, halting reform, “returning to being a tribe of martyrs of democracy”, appreciation of the work of the dictator E. Hoxha and cheers for him, the “bright ideas” of its leader to prevent Albania’s admission to European structures, making approval of the Constitution conditional on early elections, etc. Yesterday’s lead article in “ZP”, continuing the destructive political course pursued by the PS leaders, presents no concrete facts, merely manufacturing Bolshevik-style slogans, and portrays the PD as a party with no internal democracy or debate. It is hard to believe anyone would accept such fabrications. Debate and diversity of opinion are fundamental features of democratic parties, and the PD, as the first party of thought and [the text appears corrupted] it also speaks of factional battles and clans in the PD, supposedly reflected in the changes in government. I do not think this part of the article needs comment, although these few words or sentences clearly seem to be the product of a writer’s sick imagination, incurably afflicted by the communist syndrome. For while the PS loudly clamors for changes, it is now its own leaders who are shouting to high heaven against changes in the government and calling them a clan war. The article tries to display its most “original” ideas in the section about the PD’s alliances. Here, “forgetting” the political spectrum represented by the PD as a centre-right political force, it accuses the party of not cooperating with the PS, while prejudging the other parties of the right-wing spectrum as “parties with no future”. This does not stem from their political shortsightedness, but from the typically communist syndrome of judgment. As for the PD electorate, gentlemen of the PS, there is no need for you to worry! It is the electorate that crushed you on 22 March. It is the electorate you will have the chance to test again in 1996. It is the electorate that today lives better than it did when the red bosses reigned. It is the electorate they fear, and that… continue. ... lost, speculating in the most unscrupulous manner about the suffering caused by the destructive course followed by the opposition leader, I will answer only the chairman of “ZP” and the daily’s suspicions, where political narrow-mindedness and myopia go so far as to call the PD a party without a political vision, saying that its ideas have run dry. This is said by the PS, which still operates with ideas inherited from its mother party, the PPSH, and with its platform of violence and totalitarianism. This is said by the PS, which has never presented any alternative for a political solution. This is said by the PS, which even to this day has not distanced itself from E.Hoxha and the PPSH. So, according to the PS and “ZP,” the building and consolidation of ... lost, speculating in the most unscrupulous way and without the slightest hesitation, but acting like a Bolshevik, it describes the PD as a party that supposedly has no internal democracy or debate. Few people can believe of free thought and free people in Albania, has always had and continues to have a sacred regard for them. Meanwhile, it is the PS itself, continuing the tradition of the PP, that has not said a single word in response to Kastriot Islami’s revanchist statements about “smashing skulls and dragging people along,” or to other such statements; instead, in the name of a false unity within its ranks, it has declared that everyone who supported the Constitution would be expelled from the PS. In the course of the great “revelations” in this “ZP” article ... of the PS, without presenting a single concrete fact, merely manufacturing slogans of 22 March. It is that electorate that will have the chance to test them again in 1996. It is that electorate that now lives better than it did when the red bosses ruled. It is that electorate that frightens them and forces them to bring out everything, to insult and abuse the PD at every turn. They are wasting their time trying to falsify the result and claim for themselves the 53% who, for one reason or another, voted against the draft Constitution. As can be seen, all this political propaganda smoke they spread reveals their political poverty, their lack of a clear platform and alternative, and the cynicism and agitation of the inherited sentiments of the communist nostalgics who have taken over the PS.

After the PD–Forza Italia meeting Interview with the Secretary General of the PDSH, Mr Tritan Shehu After the PD–Forza Italia meeting A new contribution to strengthening Albania–Italy relations Interview with the Secretary General of the PDSH, Mr Tritan Shehu RD—Mr Tritan, relations between the PDSH and Forza Italia are expanding. Is this rapprochement conditioned by the fact that the two parties belong to the same political spectrum, by the proximity of the two countries, by their similar views on developments and foreign policy, or also by the fact that both are new parties embodying change in their respective countries? ANSWER—There is no doubt that relations between parties when they are in power contribute to overall relations between peoples. Parties represent the wishes and the will of particular groups of people, and when these parties are in government, these relations will undoubtedly be reflected more concretely in relations between the two countries. From this perspective, strengthening cooperation between the PDSH and Forza Italia will raise relations between the new democracies of Albania and Italy to a new level. I would also like to say that the Albanian Democratic Party has very good relations with other Italian political forces as well, and these relations are growing stronger. All of this completes a framework of relations and creates real possibilities for close cooperation between Albania and Italy. RD—Do you think that strengthening relations between the two parties, as governing parties, will be reflected in the further development of Albania–Italy relations? are in power contribute to overall relations between peoples. with other Italian political forces, which are emerging and growing stronger. All this forms an exemplary framework and creates real opportunities for close cooperation between Albania and Italy. RD—Thank you! ... for the gentlemen of the PS to become state officials! It is that electorate that crushed them and pushed forward at a normal pace the progress in these relations, which it does not wish to see, and that will work to strengthen and expand them and make them even more concrete in the future. RD—Do you think that strengthening relations between the two ... If the CSCE, established took place in Eastern Europe and Russia, especially in the field of human rights, its action has ... and the of the CSCE, but have significant disagreements over the place it should occupy (Continued on page 2).

According to the Press and Information Office of the President, we have been informed that President of the Republic Sali Berisha will attend the high-level meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, to be held on 6 December 1994 in Budapest. President of the Republic Mr Berisha will speak on the first day of the meeting to present Albania’s position on security issues in Europe. Mr Berisha will also hold talks with heads of state and government from various countries, as well as with heads of international organizations who will be present at the meeting.

Budapest.—Didier Poke writes: Fifty-three member countries of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) will meet on 5 and 6 December in Budapest, with the aim of strengthening the organization and enabling it to prevent and resolve regional conflicts on the Old Continent. Budapest.—Didier Poke writes: Fifty-three Europe (CSCE) will meet on 5 and 6 December in Budapest, with the aim of strengthening the organization and enabling it to prevent and resolve regional conflicts on the Old Continent. Although the CSCE, founded in 1975, played a historic role in the changes that took place in Eastern Europe and Russia, particularly in the field of human rights, its activity has remained slow since the overthrow of communism. Today it is criticized as a lethargic forum, based on diplomatic cooperation and consensus, which has failed to prevent or put an end to conflicts such as the war in Bosnia and ethnic unrest in the former USSR. The United States, Russia and European countries agree on the principle of strengthening the role of the CSCE, but have significant disagreements concerning the place it should occupy. (Continued on page 2)

“The Council of Europe has welcomed the publicly expressed wish of the political forces that legal experts from the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission should work alongside the commission to be established to draft the Constitution,” Hans Peter Furrer, Political Director of the Council of Europe, emphasized at a meeting in Strasbourg with Dervish Dumi, Director of Multilateral Cooperation and International Organizations at the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furrer, at whose request the meeting was organized, told the senior official of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs that we are ready to receive any notification concerning the start of the work of the Constitutional Commission. Referring to the atmosphere regarding Albania at the Council of Europe after the referendum, Furrer noted that “the prevailing view is that a convincing spirit of democratic freedom exists in Albania.” Albanian Foreign Minister Dervish Dumi, the work of the Constitutional Commission.”

—DECLARES THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC DURING A MEETING WITH THE ALBANIAN AMBASSADOR IN PARIS— “I do not want this institution to remain like some other European institutions, a club for the great powers of our continent. Albania, with the role it is playing for peace and understanding in the Balkans, will bring valuable experience to the meetings and debates.” With these words, the president of the Constitutional Council of the French Republic, Robert Badinter, addressed the Albanian ambassador in Paris, Besnik Mustafaj. During their meeting, the president of France’s Constitutional Council stressed to the Albanian ambassador the need for the Albanian government to ratify quickly the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the CSCE, which provides for the establishment of a Court of Conciliation and Arbitration based in Geneva. Robert Badinter expressed his wish for Albania to be involved in cooperation and included from the very beginning in the functional structures of this court. Albania is one of the first 31 countries to have signed the Convention in question, which has so far been ratified by 14 states. The court being established will begin its activities in April next year. Its organization will take place at the beginning of February, and Albania will have its own conciliators and arbitrators as members. Robert Badinter, initiator of the drafting of the Convention and the establishment of the court, is one of the world’s most prominent figures in the field of constitutional law. During his conversation with Ambassador Besnik Mustafaj, he asked about progress on drafting our Constitution and the situation in the country after the referendum of 6 November. Badinter expressed his satisfaction with the Agreement on Cooperation in the Legal Field between Albania and France, which will be signed in Paris by the justice ministers of the two countries on 13 December.

Many analysts are emerging from the PS or ZP, but what distinguishes them is that they do not analyze the party in which they are active and whose values they should know well; instead, they make an effort to analyze the PD. Of course, such analyses are not forbidden to them, but it would be better for the leaders of the PS first to analyze their own actions and speak out about them. In an editorial in the newspaper “Albania,” PAD discussed the rallies where people chant for E.Hoxha, thus maintaining, if only in appearance, a political position toward the meeting held by the nostalgics at the Academy of Arts. Meanwhile, it is well known that the chairman of the PS spoke at that meeting and people chanted. The chants, moreover, were for E.Hoxha. This fact, together with the other accusations that the PS conceals its continuity with E.Hoxha’s party, continues to ... speak out about them. Edi Paloka explains that the explanation may be the silence in the face of the ongoing accusations—in other words, that silence amounts to an admission. The leaders of the PS take the same position toward the official accusations made against them by a deputy from their own party. He accuses the leaders of the PS of having culturally embraced a delegation that signed in Thessaloniki in favor of lifting the embargo against Serbia. The accusation has been repeated several times in the press (certainly not in the press that the same deputy accuses of having lied about this matter), but not a single voice is heard from the PS leadership. In this case, however, silence is not merely an admission that they do not know about it; it is the truth that the PS accepts the accusation that it is pro-Serbian and pursues an anti-Albanian policy in pursuit of certain interests. In any case, someone accused of anti-Albanian activity might remain silent when the accusations come only from the press. In that case, silence may leave them in a more comfortable position. Perhaps, in such cases, it is justice that should compel the accused to speak.

Today, we encounter the word corruption in almost every daily newspaper and in every conversation. Although it is known to be a phenomenon found among various individuals, regardless of their beliefs, one truth must be acknowledged: when corruption crosses certain limits, it paralyzes the operation of many administrative mechanisms that ensure work is carried out in accordance with approved laws, and allows certain people to profit at the state’s expense. For precisely this reason, the SHKSH exists as an instrument for uncovering and reporting the elements of corruption, as well as corruption itself, in institutions, ministries, and elsewhere. A signal of dissatisfaction with corruption was also expressed in the vote against the draft Constitution. In fact, the PD pointed out that corruption is a phenomenon found among certain people in the state administration, and called for an ongoing fight against it. The loudest noise about corruption is made mainly by the PS. This is understandable, because it is part of its strategy to make people lose confidence in the state administration. There is no doubt that, faced with a choice between making a real, constructive contribution and being destructive, it chooses the latter, whereas a moderate opposition would be concerned with the former. For the “PS,” corruption must exist—and exists—only within the democratic government. Meanwhile, whenever financial violations or corruption by individuals or representatives of the PS are uncovered or reported, they claim that this is done with the intention of discrediting the PS. “ZP” cannot hear the word corruption when it concerns the government without putting it on its pages. But when its own people are corrupt and are exposed with evidence, it makes every effort to defend them as innocent, as upright people who have deliberately become the target of accusations for purely political purposes. So why does “ZP” do this in the case of the chairman of the Pogradec district council, Mr. Muharem Meko, when violations were confirmed on the basis of an SHKSHH audit in the administration of the Pogradec district council? For every violation, ZP finds something to do and denounces it as political persecution and a biased audit. The PD has declared that corruption has no color, neither blue nor pink; it is practiced by its representatives. ... corruption is concealed and protected by ... sacred!

The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council was held in Brussels, and an Albanian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova also took part. At the beginning of the meeting, NATO Secretary General Willy Klaes gave an account of the decisions taken at the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Council, held on 1 December. The ministers then reviewed the development of cooperation activities under the work plan of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and the Partnership for Peace. They discussed the steps to be taken to further strengthen consultations within this framework. The foreign ministers reviewed the evolution of the European security architecture, as well as ways of strengthening cooperation among the various institutions dealing with security issues. They exchanged views on regional conflicts, particularly the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. Albanian Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova also spoke at the meeting.

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