The 4th anniversary of the formation of the DPA is being celebrated . The Democratic Party is not merely a political force, but a historic opportunity, a national mission, a road well begun toward freedom and human rights, toward success and national progress. Yesterday, many of those brought together by December ’90, the formation of the Democratic Party, and the democratic ideals that united them throughout Albania, gathered at the International Center of Culture. The welcoming address was delivered by the Chairman of the DPA, Mr. Edmond Selami. Honorable Mr. President! Honored guests! I welcome you to this commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the creation of the Democratic Party, as the leader of this popular anti-communist movement. Through struggle and efforts, through persecution and the dedication of its people, the Democratic Party very quickly became a nationwide force. The outbreak of anti-communist revolt after 50 years, the first meetings and rallies organized throughout the country, undoubtedly remain indelible memories for all of us who experienced them. March 22 is a special day for us and for Albania. It marks the beginning of the legal break with the communist dictatorship; it marks the beginning of the construction of a state governed by the rule of law, a market economy, and our union with progress and advancement. Democrats have a short, but very intensive history in Albania. We have taken on a mission. On this anniversary we are proud of what we have done, but also obliged to consider our future. On this memorable day, I want to send my wishes to Democrats everywhere; I want to express my hope and confidence that we will know how to justify the trust people have placed in us. Thank you, and I wish you a happy fourth anniversary of the Albanian Democratic Party. (Photos: A. Babani) …another [contribution] to the drafting of new laws that will help increase exchanges and relations between our countries. (Continued on page 2) …each side’s positions regarding their resolution show at what stage each country is in drafting its legislation and what experience we can draw from one another. (Continued on page 2) The peoples of the member countries of the Black Sea initiative belong to different cultures and have different backgrounds and origins, and they are spread across a vast geographical area. But they are all connected to one another by millennia-old historical, cultural, political, economic, and other ties. Throughout their long history of proximity and coexistence, they faced and experienced common challenges. During the second half of this century, most of them had the bitter fate of experiencing communist dictatorship, but at the same time they demonstrated the strength, energy, and indomitable spirit to free themselves from it. The history of the peoples (Continued on page 2) Albania. They gathered yesterday to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Party. Among those present were the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha; the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Arbnori; members of the government; representatives of political parties, trade unions, associations, etc.; representatives of the diplomatic corps; intellectuals; members and supporters of the DP, etc. Albanians, of the first opposition party, of the political force that [text unclear] I want to offer my greetings to Democrats everywhere; I also want to express my you a happy 4th anniversary of the Albanian Democratic Party. From the outset, the Democratic Party set out to be a party of human freedoms and rights, a party that united Albania with the dream of freedom and progress that emerged after the Cold War in Europe. Just four days after the outbreak of the nationwide protests that began in the “Student City,” the Stalinist myth was shaken. The events of June 16, 1990, and November 1990, when religious institutions reopened, had stirred up the revolt that was bound to break out. The frightening days of December ’90, with the student movement, the founding of the PDSH, and Shkodra’s refusal to wait any longer or endure any more. staged a farce in the institute’s auditorium (now a students’ support and their loyalty to the Party. It was the courageous words of lecturer Kolin Gjoka that would strike the spark. The shadows of the tyrants, such as N. Abdiu and Dh. Dhora, would wander about in a frenzy, trying to restore the Party’s authority. These were red stratum members who, through their servile services forge red commissars with Enver’s teachings; in that building the red communist vampire would forge its bloated belly of self-satisfaction. We mention December 12 because it set the stage for the outbreak of the greatest anti-communist revolt in Albania on on page 2) Albania. Yesterday they gathered to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Party. Among those present were the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha; the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Arbnori; members of the government; and representatives of political parties, trade unions, associations, etc. Albanian, of the first opposition party, the political force that brought down the harshest communist dictatorship in Europe. From its beginnings, the Democratic Party was born as an embodiment of human freedoms and rights, as a party that united Albania with the dream of freedom and progress that arose after the Cold War in Eu-

Yesterday in Tirana NDREKE GJINI Yesterday at 10:00, the 4th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation opened at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. Members of 11 delegations, as well as invited guests, are taking part in it…

Honorable Mr. President of the Republic, Honorable Mr. Chairman, Honorable Heads of the PABSEC Delegations, Dear friends and guests, It is a special occasion that Tirana, the capital of Albania, has within four months become the organizer and host of over [meetings] of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC). It is an honor for Albania that the Fourth Session of PABSEC opens here today. Among other things, this demonstrates our desire and willingness to contribute to strengthening and ensuring the successful functioning of these organizations for the benefit of progress in the Region. I think that the more multilateral and bilateral meetings take place between the parliaments of our countries, the better. Getting to know one another helps create a positive climate. This climate helps us find common ground on which we can reach agreement; discussions bring to light the problems and we can draw from one another… Photo: A. Babani

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a particular pleasure for me to take part in this fourth plenary and to wish you fruitful work and success in carrying out the tasks we have set ourselves. I want to assure you that I have followed with interest the work carried out so far by Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the commitment of the parliaments of our countries in the General Assembly of this Union, because I believe you are making a valuable contribution not only to strengthening economic ties between the countries of our region, but also to the understanding and rapprochement of our peoples. This is important both for the region around the Black Sea and for the European continent and beyond. Dear friends, The photograph shows the speaker at the table; inscription on the table: Il. Mr. Sali BERISHA

To speak of the fall of communism in Albania, of the establishment of democracy, of the struggles and martyrs, makes it impossible not to recall dates that the atrophied brains of the communist rags remember with shudders. December 13 is the date that always makes them leap up in alarm. When had they ever seen such a mandate as the downfall of the man-god, thrown down together with his ideology? The massacred city of Shkodra, its dreams killed, its awakening cut short, poisoned in its ears, had always been confronted by a dictatorship that left no method unused to subjugate it. The group of deputies, Postriba, January 14, 1990, when the Stalinist myth was shaken; June 16, 1990; November 1990, when the institutions of faith reopened—all had fueled the revolt that was certain to erupt. The terrifying days of December ’90, with the student movement and the founding of the DPA, meant that Shkodra could no longer wait, could no longer endure. On the afternoon of December 12, the PP henchmen had staged a farce in the Institute’s auditorium (today the University), with the young communist Ali Laçja, who wanted the students’ support and their loyalty to the Party. It would be the courageous words of the lecturer Kolin Gjoka that would provide the spark. The shadows of tyrannosaurs such as N. Abdiu and Dh. Dhora would wander in a delirium, intent on restoring the Party’s word. These red bureaucrats, through their abject service to the dictatorship, had filled their chests with “honorary” titles and communist doctorates. In that venerable building, they wanted to forge Enver’s commissars with his teachings; in that building, the red communist Dracula would forge itself a belly full of self-satisfaction. We mention this day, December 12, because it gave rise to the outbreak of the greatest anti-communist revolt in Albania: December 13. Shkodra would spread its anti-communist voice throughout Albania. The courage of Paulin Pali, Gjon Maranaj, Roland Thepi, (Continued on page 2)

- Halil Lalaj, in the sphere of propagandistic surrealism, gets tangled up in his own feet. - Lalaj’s illogic at the limits of political hallucination- DUKAGJIN HATA The Socialist Party deputy H. Lalaj, who from time to time engages in journalistic séances of spiritualism, takes on the role of the “impartial” judge of the political parties’ roundtable in the newspaper “ZP.” There, as if he were rebuking politicians, all manner of speculation is transformed into consensus for the adoption of a democratic Constitution. Despite his commendable desire for “bare commentary,” the impassioned Lalaj cannot escape party militancy, which leads him to make fantastic “discoveries” in “favor” of the sovereign, whose name he passes along between elastic lines, but which, because of its misuse, cannot get beyond the bounds of propagandistic surrealism. Mr. Lalaj is right to say that the matter is not an experiment for observations, assessments and generalizations about it, but first and foremost, as he says, it should serve action in many directions and from many points of view. The two “famine” schemes, known to everyone, have for the third time been put on the political parties’ debating table, as the honorable deputy well knows, along with certain extreme positions: one concerning the drafting of a Western-level constitution by a commission that satisfies all political forces, and then action in accordance with

DYLEJMAN KARAJ Decision no. 306, dated 30.6.1994, as has already been written, obliges the Ministry of Agriculture to determine the areas of land that will compensate for the lands flooded by the I/H/C enterprise in the districts of Has, Kukes and Tropoje. At the same time, pursuant to the decree of the President of the Republic, the amount of the loan has also been set at 150 thousand lek per person. Thus, a family of 5 people will receive 7 million old lek. Moreover, an addendum to Government decision no. 306 states that if the enterprise [text unclear] families from the flooded areas wish to buy houses in (Continued on page 2)

Albania, committed to building the rule-of-law state and a market economy and to integrating into Europe, gives priority to developing friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Italy, President Berisha said. I am optimistic about the very bright future of our bilateral relations. At the meeting in Budapest with Prime Minister Berlusconi and Foreign Minister Martino, we decided to give a strong impetus to our relations in every field. Prime Minister Berlusconi and Minister Martino assured me that Albania is at the top of the list of countries for cooperation and support from Italy. For my part, the President continued, I confirmed to you that relations with Italy are of great importance to Albania. President Berisha stressed that Albania views cooperation in the fiscal and financial sectors as a key guarantee for development and for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. The agreement to eliminate double taxation and other planned measures are concrete steps in this direction. Thanking their hosts for their hospitality, the members of the Italian delegation said that Italy considers the Adriatic Sea not a dividing line with Albania, but a link and a means of cooperation with it. We are ready to cooperate and contribute our experience to your financial and fiscal system and to its operational sector.

Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation and Friendship signed between Albania and France After a working breakfast yesterday morning in Paris, Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi and French Foreign Minister Alain Zhyupo signed the Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation and Friendship between the Republic of Albania and the French Republic at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The treaty between the two countries states that the French Republic and the Republic of Albania undertake to strengthen understanding, solidarity and friendship between the peoples of the two states. With this perspective, they will develop political, economic and cultural cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally. The treaty further notes that France positively views the prospect of the Republic of Albania joining the European Union. The French Republic believes that Albania’s membership in international organizations is an important factor for stability, taking domestic developments into account. It supports the principle of Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. The treaty further states that the parties will hold regular meetings between themselves within a bilateral framework (Continued on page 2)

- The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, also attends - In the presence of 5,000 Catholic faithful, the Bishop of Tirana and Durres, Monsignor rrok Mirdita, celebrated the first Mass on Sunday in the cathedral of the city of Shkoder, on the occasion of the appointment of His Eminence, Mikel Koliqi, the first Cardinal of the Albanian Church. Also present were the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha; the Speaker of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjeter Arbnori; Albania’s ambassador to the Vatican, Vili Kamsi; members of parliament, local government representatives, many members of the clergy and other guests. The entire Albanian episcopate was also present. Meeting Cardinal Mikel Koliqi, President Berisha addressed him with these words: “Today is a memorable day for all Albanians, for all those who have believed in God. Your work embodies the Albanian believer. Your elevation to this rank is an honor for all Albanians, for all generations.” The address at this religious ceremony was delivered by the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Ivan Diaz, who said, among other things, that the Pope’s dream of making Cardinal Pal Engjelli a cardinal 500 years ago had not come true. Pope John Paul II made it a reality by consecrating Mikel Koliqi as the first Cardinal. As you know, the Holy Father loves Albania and follows with interest the past and present achievements of the Albanian people. By appointing His Eminence Mikel Koliqi as cardinal, the Pope gives further proof of his goodwill toward Albania. Last year, during his visit to Albania, the Pope left four new bishops as spiritual shepherds. This is a great honor for all Catholics in the homeland and throughout the world, because he is the first Cardinal in all of Albania’s history.” At the beginning of the grand Mass, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita expressed his gratitude to President Berisha, who, he said, had never failed to attend important events of the Catholic Church. We are grateful to him for what he has done for the Church and for the Albanian people. He went on to say that God had worked a miracle by granting us the first Cardinal, and invited the faithful to sing to God for this special day, blessed by God himself for all Albania. This church, where the Cardinal is being celebrated today, he continued, has witnessed the joyful events of the rise of Catholicism as well as its destruction and greatest humiliation. Today it bears witness to two historic events: the importance of the Catholic Church hierarchy and the welcome being given to the first prince of the Albanian Church, Cardinal Mikel Koliqi. At his consecration at the Holy See, the Pope addressed him with these words: “With great joy and love I welcome you on the occasion of your elevation to the dignity of Cardinal. I wish to greet the authoritative representatives of the Albanian Church, which has offered courageous testimony of its fidelity to Christ, enduring the terrible suffering inflicted by the savage persecution of the totalitarian regime.” Taking the floor, President Berisha said: In the history of the spiritual life of the Albanian nation, as one of the nations that founded Christianity, your elevation, your appointment as the first Cardinal in the history of Albania, is and will remain one of the most memorable events in Albania’s history. (Continued on page 2)

PAGE 2 - GILMAN TO VISIT KOSOVO PAGE 3 - SO THAT AGRICULTURE MAY BRING PROFIT PAGE 4 - RURAL CREDIT PROBLEMS PAGE 5 - THE BIOGRAPHY OF THE DICTATORSHIP BY PJETËR PEPA PAGE 6 - MUSEUMS OR ART GALLERIES PAGE 7 - ADVERTISING FOR YOU PAGE 8 - TIRANA ONE WEEK BEFORE THE END OF THE FIRST PHASE WINTER CHAMPIONS PARTIZANI AGAIN 4 POINTS BEHIND