Lushnje Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the National Congress of Lushnje The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, attends [unclear text in illustration: KONGRESI ...] The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the National Congress of Lushnje began yesterday with the scientific symposium organized by the Institute of Historical Studies, which was also attended by the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, members of the government, MPs, representatives of political parties, the diplomatic corps, religious communities, etc. After the opening remarks by the mayor of the city of Lushnje, Mr. Kujtim Haxhiu, President Berisha took the floor and highlighted the historical importance of the National Congress of Lushnje. The symposium, which was chaired by Mr. Kasem Biçoku, continued with

Address by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, delivered on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Lushnja Congress Ladies and gentlemen, Brothers and sisters, Citizens of Lushnja, Honoured family members and relatives of the participants in the Lushnja Congress, Today, Lushnja, Myzeqeja, Albania and the entire Albanian nation celebrate, with particular respect, the legitimate pride arising from one of the most distinguished events in our history, the 75th anniversary of the Lushnja Congress. Therefore, from the bottom of my heart, I wish you, the citizens of Lushnja, the people of Myzeqeja, the families and relatives of the participants in this Congress, and Albanians everywhere a happy celebration. In our national history, the Lushnja Congress, for the decisions it made and the role it played, ranks alongside the Assembly of Lezha, the League of Prizren and the Declaration of Independence—in other words, alongside the great dates and events which, at the most critical moments, saved the nation and determined its fate. History proved that the Lushnja Congress was a Congress of national salvation. In the first quarter of this century, only 7–8 years after our nation had emerged from the ordeal of centuries of occupation and suffered one of the greatest injustices Europe had ever known, more than half of the ...most dramatic and difficult periods in our history. They saved Albania from further partition; their deed will always be honoured. But today, on this distinguished day, we honour with profound gratitude the great man of the American nation, President Willson, that great tree of freedom in whose branches small nations had built nests of freedom, as Fan Noli would express it—the defender of Albania who did not allow it to be partitioned. Albanians, as a nation, survived this evil, which has not been forgotten and never will be. We demonstrated this magnificently four years ago, when, after 50 years of ugly anti-American propaganda, we burst forth in a genuine flood of friendly feelings, affection and respect for Secretary of State Beiker, the USA, the land of freedom, with whom friendship has its roots in the act of saving Albania. Ladies and gentlemen, Looking today, 75 years later, at the situation in the region and the international factors, analysts and historians will observe, alongside undeniable similarities, that great and fundamental changes also exist. Thus, Albania today has the major objective of integration into Europe, and the comprehensive assistance of Western countries, especially the USA, overturns the ... [text cut off/unclear] ... During ever known, the division of its thousand-year-old lands. The predatory governments and circles of neighbouring countries, exploiting the chaos and the aftermath of the First World War, had secretly decided on the further partition of Albania and the destruction of the Albanian state—the state of the oldest and most freedom-loving nation on the peninsula, which throughout its distant and more recent history had repeatedly shed its blood and sacrificed its sons for the freedom of its neighbours. It was precisely in those years that Lushnja and all of Myzeqeja became the cradle of the events that would save Albania. Thus, 75 years ago, the most distinguished men of our nation—Aqif Pasha, Abdi Toptani, Hoxhe Kadria, Luigj Bumçi, Mati Logoreci, Sotir Peci, Eshref Frasheri, Shaban Blloshmi, Kasem Qafezezi, Mehmet Konica, Mihal Turtulli, Ahmet Zogu, Besim Nuri, Llazar Bozo and many, many others—chose your town and the region of your generous and brave people of Myzeqeja, gathered at the National Congress of Lushnja and took decisions that determined the existence of the Albanian state and Albania’s future. Here, in the heart of Myzeqeja, the leading men of the nation decided that Albanians should take responsibility for Albania, defend their flag and the integrity of their state, and establish a parliamentary democracy in Albania, unique at that time on the Balkan Peninsula. They formed a government led by the distinguished patriot Sylejman Delvina. In Lushnja it was decided that Tirana should be the heart of the country, the capital of Albania. Lushnja thus made history, and the people of Lushnja, all the noble, hardworking and freedom-loving people of Myzeqeja, and our entire nation are and will always be proud of the great achievement of your town. The most important decision of the Lushnja Congress was that Albanians should take their fate into their own hands and defend it, opposing the partition of the country by every political, diplomatic and military means. This decision, together with the efforts made on behalf of the Albanian cause by President Wilson and the US government, paralysed the ghastly plans to erase the Albanian state into the abyss of history. The greatest tribute is due to the men who gathered in the Albanian Assembly here in Lushnja, to the citizens of Lushnja, the people of Myzeqeja and the entire Albanian people, who defended their country in a momentous period ... [The middle columns continue the same speech/history] ... on 7 January 1920, at that great national moment, Ahmet Zogu, only 4–5 years after his meeting, would ... The Lushnja Congress gave Albania true independence. It created the Albanian state, appointed the government and established the country’s integrity. This was a message to all Albanians and to the whole world. ... and today we see that this great national act gave Albania the strength to create its institutions, defend its territorial integrity and become part of Europe. Furthermore, as part of the reform and the transformation of state property into private property, the Government has decided that soon around 160,000 Albanian families will receive permanent ownership of the land they have been using since the division of state farms. This will put an end to the state’s ownership of the land and the peasant’s status as a state servant, and will make all Albanian farmers masters of their homes, plots and land once and for all. This will also give a stronger impetus to private initiative in agriculture and to the growth of agricultural production. Another fundamental and immediate direction of this year’s reform will be the compensation for and return of property to former owners, in accordance with the laws. The Government and Parliament are examining every means and possibility of speeding up this process, which is at once essential to our society and our state. Hundreds of thousands of owners will receive their property or be compensated. All these measures are intended to expand the scope of free initiative, without which individuals cannot enjoy the freedom of achievement. Ladies and gentlemen, Once again, from the bottom of my heart, I greet you and all the people of Myzeqeja on this distinguished day in our history. I invite you always to bear in mind that, in the Lushnja Congress, the distinguished men of the nation who gathered there carried out a saving deed: strengthening national unity and developing and consolidating the values of democracy in Albania. Long live the people of Lushnja and Myzeqeja, who became the vanguard of history! Long live the Albanian people! Long live Albania! [Upper right column] ... [text cut off/incomplete] ... In this connection, we clarify that by a decision taken ... the public should distance itself from groups seeking to destabilise the country through slander and false accusations, and seeking to divert the fight against corruption from its true objective. It is for the justice system, to which we will turn, to protect the interests of the state and uphold the laws of the democratic country. It took the decision to liberalise the prices of construction materials. These decisions led to an increase in the volume of construction funded by the state and a reduction in the speculative profits of some private traders, an increase in profits for state enterprises and better meeting the needs of the market. The article is entirely wrong regarding kerosene stoves. No private individual was given cash to buy stoves; the transactions were carried out in accordance with the laws in force, through tenders, contracts and regular banking transactions. As for the reduction in the price of stoves, we clarify that until 1993 the state subsidised the fuels used to heat the population in some ... [unclear words] ... According to the records, these subsidies were misused, especially for firewood, resulting from its production, transport and distribution ... Subsidies for the use of kerosene and gas, as the prevailing fuels for heating, may also be used in the future if the Government considers this appropriate and beneficial to the population. Having made the above clarifications and recognising the difficulties we are going through, we wish to call on public opinion to democratic country. Such allegations are harmful to democracy, the rule of law, individual freedom and security, and, above all, are an attack on the free press. [Text cut off at the top.]

Continuing the campaign of disinformation and slander intended to thicken the fog of corruption and sideline the fight against it, the newspaper “Dita Informacion”, in its 19 January issue, published a malicious, insulting and false article in which, irresponsibly and with malicious intent, it accuses the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of corruption in the trade of cement and kerosene stoves during 1993. These attacks, coming from certain groups, have been increasing recently, and not without purpose. In this connection, we inform the public that during 1993, as the volume of construction began to grow, the production of construction materials, especially those for housing, ... [text unclear/cut off]. This decision undoubtedly curtailed the speculative profits of some private traders. With the start of private imports of these materials, and in order to ... [text unclear], following meetings with the heads of state and private construction enterprises, in August 1993, at the proposal of the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Territorial Adjustment, the Council of Ministers ... [text unclear] the population. Under the reform programme and in agreement with the IMF, the Government decided to raise the prices of these goods, with a view to rapidly achieving free competition, while transferring part of the subsidies directly into households’ personal income for heating. With the aim of implementing the population’s heating strategy by introducing kerosene and gas on a wide scale and reducing electricity expenditure, which ... this year, the policy of partial subsidisation was pursued. This subsidy was not transferred to enterprises by lowering the price of the stoves. This policy ... Having made the above clarifications and being aware of the difficulties we are experiencing, the Government calls on the public to against corruption from its true objectives. turn, to protect the interests of the state and protect individuals from such reprehensible attacks, punishable under the laws of every democratic country. ... the policy of partial subsidisation. price of the stoves. [Text cut off at the bottom of the image]

As part of the activities devoted to this significant national event, a ceremony was held yesterday to inaugurate the new name of the square in the city of Lushnja. [Text cut off at the top] ... the diplomatic corps, representatives of of the city of Lushnja, Mr Kujtim Hakhiu, President Berisha spoke and assessed the historical importance of the National Congress of Lushnja. Then, at this symposium, chaired by Mr Kasem Bicoku, papers were presented by historians and scholars. They assessed the Congress’s decisions as a necessity of the time, as well as the influence those decisions had on Albanian political life. A prominent place in these presentations was given to the distinguished figures who inspired and convened the National Congress of Lushnja 75 years ago. The first paper, “The Lushnja Congress: Albania’s national deposit and ...” [source wording unclear], was presented by Dr. Beqir Meta. The second paper, entitled “The Preparation of the Lushnja Congress by the Initiative Committee”, was presented by scholar Ylli Myftiu. The academic symposium devoted to this important national event continued with the other papers scheduled in the programme. The plaque bearing the inscription “Histo-ry of the Lushnja Congress” is unveiled As part of the activities devoted to this significant national event, yesterday a ceremony was held to inaugurate the new name of the square in the city of Lushnja. Unveiling President Berisha said: “This contribution was decisive at a critical moment in our history, but unfortunately it was left forgotten. But we will change that; all Albanians will change that. And the more we honour the Lushnja Congress, the more we will develop our democracy. And let us honour all the great citizens of the city and the people of Lushnja, who organised and welcomed the Congress delegates and ensured its success. Let us erect the obelisk of the Lushnja Congress to honour the generous deeds of this nation, to honour the Congress, Lushnja, Myzeqeja and all Albania.” Visit to the museum house President Berisha and the other dignitaries accompanying him visited the museum house where, 75 years ago, from 21–31 January 1920, the proceedings of the National Congress of Lushnja took place. During the visit to the museum house, President Berisha praised the work of historians, particularly their documentation of this great event in our history. (Continued on page 2) the historical importance of the National Congress of Lushnja. The scholars’ presentations were received with interest; time and discussed their influence paper, “The Lushnja Congress: Albania’s national deposit and ...” the other papers scheduled in the programme. [The column continues with historical text about the Lushnja Congress; the sentence at the top of the image begins mid-sentence.] ... proclaimed to the nation, of the greatest injustices Europe had ever known—the partition of its thousand-year-old lands—the of the Albanian state, that of the oldest and most freedom-loving nation of people, who defended their country in a momentous period ... [The middle columns continue the same speech/history] ... Zogu, only 4–5 years after his meeting, would ... whole world. ... to bear in mind that, at live Albania!

—SP Vice-Chairman S. Pëllumbi finally sets out in the PBDNJ newspaper what the SP’s alternatives are “for unblocking the situation” EDLIPOLAKA “PD has done nothing good since coming to power. It does everything wrong and does nothing as it should.” That would be the shortest possible summary of the opposition’s propaganda in Albania. Faced with such a situation, human nature itself compels one to ask: How would the opposition solve these things if the Democratic government has handled them incorrectly? This is a question that many journalists have quite reasonably asked about specific issues or in general. Specifically, the question asked most often has been: What is the left-wing opposition’s alternative on this or that issue? Because the left offers nothing but words in the air: “We’ll do it differently, we’ll do it better.” But how? What does “differently”, “better” mean? If someone keeps saying that something has not been done well and could be done better, then presumably that person should also say how it should be done better. The vice-chairman of the SP put himself in the position of having to answer such a question from a journalist at the PBDNJ newspaper during an interview he gave to that newspaper. In a page-long interview, S. Pëllumbi does not depart from the SP’s propaganda strategy. He attacks and accuses the government of almost everything. So, at the end, the journalist interviewing him is compelled to ask the SP vice-chairman: “Could you tell us, Mr Servet, what the SP’s alternative is for unblocking the situation?” The question was certainly not asked to embarrass the SP vice-chairman, because throughout the interview it is clear that the journalist not only had no such intention, but that her ideas must not be different from Pëllumbi’s. In any case, what matters is the SP vice-chairman’s answer to this very interesting question. “... We, as the SP, represent a more left-wing alternative; we stand for a social market economy, respect for human rights and the rule of law ...” The SP vice-chairman ideas must not be different from Pëllumbi’s. “... and the rule of law ...” Strangely, their alternative is not made concrete. Nevertheless, further on the SP vice-chairman tries to be more specific. “How do we envisage privatisation, industrial policy, tax policy, customs policy?” S. Pëllumbi asks himself, and then answers: “We want to move towards a market economy, for the reform to proceed normally, for privatisation to take place ... That is, we must move forward with a specific strategy that has been carefully studied ... We have made these things known ... In any case, we are clear that time itself, the future, will prove whether they are right.” Surely, even if Pikini had asked her this question, the journalist would have received a more serious answer. Thus the SP vice-chairman, after attacking and, in the course of their propaganda, accusing the government of everything that has not been done as it should, reaches the moment when he must offer the solutions the SP proposes for all the things the Democratic government is accused of not having done, and lets ...

Those who say that the DP has supposedly “gone up for auction” belong among the toxic remnants of the Dictatorship, who feel increasingly threatened the more democratic processes take hold in Albania. They are the most compromised voices of the communist regime, former heads of state security who attack in order to defend themselves, but lack the courage to come forward under their real names. Page 2

Pitkin’s exclusive interview for “RD” Page 2

ARBEN BLLACI Page 3

Page 3

Page 5

Page 8