EDITORIAL The unbridled arsenal of slanders of the Marxist communist command cannot diminish the role and mission of the DP Albanian communists are the great losers, and they will remain so For some time, the communist command of the SP has been waging a campaign against the Draft Constitution, and especially after its defeat, it has reactivated the darkest former figures of the dictatorship, compromised or kept in reserve for these days, in an unbridled attack against the DP, the Government, the President, the democratic forces, and democratic developments and achievements themselves. Never reconciled, even for a moment, to the result of the free elections of 22 March, to the will of the people enshrined in the parliamentary balance of power, to the creation of the first democratic government and the first democratic President, the communist command, converted into a socialist one, fought and strove only to destabilize, obstruct, slow down and discredit the reforms, to kill a people’s hope in democracy. And this last aim was the most dangerous, the most immoral, the most senseless. From the very first days of its founding, the DP, the leading opposition force, took a stand against the deeply destructive stance of the Albanian communist opposition. And when? At a time when society’s balance was so delicate, when the situation in former Yugoslavia had deteriorated into interethnic conflicts, when Kosovo felt more threatened than ever by a possible massacre at the hands of the Serbian aggressor. On the international front, Albania’s authority had to be established with dignity, and our historic allies had to be brought closer—the allies whom the Albanian communists had cursed for 50 years—which was in fact achieved. Everything was extremely difficult, but also extremely necessary, and the DP agreed to resolve it. Although it was a party with hardly any organization or consolidated structures, with no lists of shadow cadres and no experience, it accepted all of this, for the best. And it paid the price, accepting it in order to shoulder the burden; it was Albania, the nation and its progress that mattered. One example is enough to show the difficulties. The young leaders of Albanian democracy, and the economy. On this difficult road, with these achievements, a party would be proud—and all the more so a democratic party created only four years earlier. Without a doubt, there have also been wrong steps, mistakes, things that could and should have moved faster, and individuals who were not mindful of their duties and responsibilities. The DP is aware of them and has directed all its attention toward correcting them. But what has happened, and what is happening today, with the Albanian opposition? On 23 March ’92, they demanded a return to power. Those who knew in which holes to hide during those months to escape legal punishment were not, and are not, interested in socialist ideals. They did not heed Kadare’s message that Albania today does not need Albanian socialists, who must emancipate themselves. On the contrary, they mobilized their people, both hidden and in the open, to undermine democracy. Their propaganda and nihilistic stance toward achievements since ’92, the blindness of a section of politics inspired by careerist thirst and who knows what else, their failure to contribute to democratic processes on any occasion, the river of continuous slanders and accusations, the politicization of everything, and so on, ultimately aim to kill Albanians’ hope, kill their faith in democracy, and create the impression that everyone is the same. You, the champions of Marxism! We are not the same. You are the ones who plundered, stole from, massacred and persecuted this people; we are the ones who brought you down, you and your criminal clique—Hoxha, Alia and Co. You are the ones threatening to halt the reforms, turn back the clock and bring back the revenge of class struggle; we stand for continuing the reforms, for political and economic stability, for an Albania of pluralism of thought and ownership, for an Albania of the ideals of our great Renaissance figures. The differences are many, but they can be summed up this way: you want, we want; you cannot, we can; you have lost your moral and historical right, while we have only just earned it. You are defeated, and you will remain so after the next elections in ’96. Albania needs the democrats; they are building it and will continue to do so. The socialist cultural [movement?] for the people [Velin?] would destabilize, obstruct, slow down and discriminate against reforms, and kill a people’s hope in democracy—and the latter is the most dangerous, most immoral and most dishonest of all. From the very first days of its founding, the PD, the leading opposition force, set itself two missions that were both noble and historic: anti-communism and the building of a desired Western-style democracy, the establishment of a market economy, the independence of the branches of government and, above all, the legal recognition and practical realization of individual rights and freedoms. Both were very important. In cooperation with the other progressive forces, on March 22, through the free vote, the heaviest political blow was dealt to communism and its followers in Albania. But a host of difficult problems lay before the new executive. Everything had to be rebuilt; the institution of a new [order?] had to be established. The PDSH was aware of the difficulties and of the cost that the price of reforms would entail; the country’s fate depended on the determination with which they were carried out. The coalition government of democratic forces found Albania thoroughly paralyzed in every respect: institutions of crime and punishment, an inefficient, paralyzed economy, systematically plundered, and [people] openly watched and followed in broad daylight, with gunshots and killings in broad daylight, and so many other things. Everything had to be put right; one had to move forward as close as possible to the yearning of Albanians, who had by then discovered poverty and disappointment, but—in short, with [unclear] these things, one had to face [them] at every moment.

Meeting of the active members of the PD branch in Shkoder Messrs. E.Selami, Ali Spahia and D.Shehi, members of parliament, local government leaders, etc., take part Meeting of the PD branch in Shkoder Shkodra, always the pulse of democracy Present were Messrs. E.Selami, Ali Spahia, D.Shehi, members of parliament, local government leaders, etc. SELAMI: The DP will insist on resolving the problems raised by the National Council SPAHIA: We must prepare to remain in power SHEHI: We have three commitments: political, organizational and economic. Investments in 1995 will double compared with 1994 An analysis of the work of the PD branch in Shkoder was the purpose of the meeting of this branch’s active members of the Democratic Party. In addition to members and supporters, those present included the chairman of the DPA, Mr. Eduard Selami; the chairman of the parliamentary group, Ali Spahia; Deputy Prime Minister Dashamir Shehi; members of parliament; local government leaders; and others. In his speech, the chairman of the PD branch in Shkoder, Ludovik Dega, focused mainly on the shortcomings manifested in the branch’s activities, mentioning in particular the obligation to provide Albania with a Constitution. Regarding the way it was approved, Mr. Selami said that it had been done without permission. The agenda, in this latter regard, converged on the conclusion of every speaker that this was the meeting’s most troubling problem. Deputy Prime Minister Dashamir Shehi said that work had been done and that to deny it would mean denying our own dignity. But, he said, we are focusing on shortcomings and weaknesses because we need to restructure our organization. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the DP faces three types of commitment: political commitments, pursued in relation to the Council of Europe; organizational commitments to improve the branch’s work and make changes; and economic commitments to increase the efficiency of governance. Investments in 1995 will double compared with 1994, Shehi confirmed, adding that the law on the restitution of property must be amended so that former owners can be compensated to the greatest possible extent. The meeting concluded with remarks by the chairman of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group, Mr. Ali Spahia, who said that we must prepare to remain in power, in view of the historic mission entrusted to us, namely the consolidation of democracy. The meeting of the PD branch in Shkoder thus concluded with the message: “Shkodra will always remain anti-communist and a steadfast supporter of democratic processes and developments.” SHPETIM LUKU ILIR SECI [negative] ... Mr. Dega’s report was followed by a speech from Mr. Eduard Selami, who, at the request of the participants in the event, conveyed to them the messages from the proceedings of the PD National Council. “I put forward the idea of changing the political arrangement by combining the post of party chairman with that of prime minister, precisely because a disconnect can be observed between the PD and the executive, which is the government,” said Mr. Selami. Mr. Selami’s reasoning and argument received broad support from those attending the meeting. He then referred to the duties assigned by the National Council to the responsible structures, such as the distribution of value vouchers, the distribution of land titles by May, the review of the social assistance law, and problems with electricity, water, services, etc. The PDSH chairman focused in particular on the Constitution. Before the Democrats, he ... [They] escaped legal punishment; they were not and are not interested in [unclear] ... and the reprivatization of the branch, mentioning here the poor work with sections and sub-sections, the insufficient activation of intellectuals, the lack of natural connections between the branch and local government, etc. ... The obligation to provide Albania with a Constitution. And regarding the way it should be approved, Mr. Selami said he favored submitting it to parliament, where, as is known, we also have a majority, as he put it. Deputy Pepa, for his part, after emphasizing, among other things, shortcomings in the work and weaknesses in developing people’s awareness, but also the achievements, expressed his conviction that Shkodra had been and would remain the pulse of democracy. Another deputy from this branch, Gezim Luli, drew the government’s attention to the investments that needed to be made in Shkoder and supported the idea of submitting the Constitution to parliament. Various speakers, such as Andon Gjeka, Zef Mardoda, E.Perjaku, etc., were characterized by a critical and reflective spirit regarding the shortcomings and weaknesses evident both in the PD’s organizational structures and in the organs of government. Among the many issues were unemployment, the negative effects accompanying privatization, construction...

The Minister of Defence, Safet Zhulali, received representatives of the Organization of the Union of War Veterans and heard from them about its current problems. The chairman, Dr. Ymer Dishnica, said that the organization works for national unity and for the union of veterans. It has branches in more than 13 districts of the country, with thousands of veteran members. Work is now under way, he said, to further intensify its efforts to raise its standards, strengthen its organization, and so on. Further issues were raised concerning implementation of the Law on Veterans’ Status, the organization and functioning of commissions, coverage of the organization’s many activities in the press, and so on. At the meeting, the veterans supported the achievements of the Army and mentioned its successes: the signing of the Individual Partnership Program for Peace, the conduct of the joint Albanian-American exercise “Saraj ‘95,” and bilateral Albanian-American talks at the end of January. After hearing about the issues raised, Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali said that the Ministry of Defence would strongly support the Organization of the Union of War Veterans because it respects the rule of law. In this context, he raised the matter of strengthening and broadening its reach, enhancing its standing and reputation, establishing closer ties with counterpart organizations around the world, and so on. Institutionalizing the activities and rights of veterans, war invalids and army veterans, and speeding up and organizing the work to implement the Law on Veterans’ Status were among the instructions the Minister of Defence gave for resolving the issues raised as soon as possible. The meeting also discussed preparatory work and the program of measures for the 50th anniversary of the victory over the Nazi-fascists. P. RISTANI

American politician Jeane Kirpatrick has now taken up arms against Rugova Eduart Damish refutes the translation of the text published in “Koha Jone” in Tirana, “Koha” in Prishtine and “Albanian Herald” in New York, about a conversation between Ibrahim Rugova and the US ambassador to the United Nations, Jeane Kirpatrick. He is the highest-ranking Croatian official in the American administration, not a senior American official. (Drian Oseku, “national” correspondent in New York) The sensational story of a confidential assessment of Rugova by American politician Kirpatrick ends with a denial. Three Albanian media outlets, one in Tirana, one in Prishtine and another periodical in New York, have eagerly exploited Rugova’s political disagreements with a report that has now been refuted by the very sources to which they refer. No one expressed a negative opinion of the policy (Continued on page 2)

The 75th anniversary of the Congress of Lushnje also marks the 75th anniversary of Tirana as capital These were events that became the focus of historians’ studies and were presented to a specialized audience at the scientific session held yesterday in the hall of the Academy of Sciences. In the opening address, delivered by Mr. Besnik Petrela, Chairman of the District Municipal Council, the significance of this event was briefly emphasized; it is also the reason why the Municipality of Tirana, in cooperation with the League of Albanian Historians, organized this scientific session. The historians’ papers shed light on the most important moments of the role played by Tirana and its people during this period. Tirana on the eve of the Congress of Lushnje, the fundamental characteristics of the political and historical events, the general atmosphere created in Tirana on the eve of the Congress of Lushnje—one more opportunity for organizing (Continued on page 2)

Our main enemy is the SP with its secret communist alliances Press conference of the Albanian Right-Wing Union Yesterday, at the press conference center, the leaders of the “Albanian Right-Wing Union” presented to journalists for the first time the positions of the respective entities that make up the “Union,” formed on 7.2.1995. The Legality Movement, Balli Kombëtar, the Republican Party, the Association of Political Persecutees, the Democratic Union and the Association of Former Kulaks make up a grouping that appears on the Albanian political spectrum as a coalition which will oppose left-wing forces, to block their way and eliminate any possibility of communism returning to power, as stated in their joint declaration. In the next elections, the “Albanian Right-Wing Union” will present a common program approved by all its constituent entities. It will also field joint candidates in every electoral district, supporting those candidates with the best reputations. The leaders of the “Union” took a critical stance toward the DP and the government. “We are not denigrating the DP, but it should correct the mistakes it has itself acknowledged,” said the leader of the Democratic Union. “I hope the mistakes made by the DP will serve as a lesson,” emphasized the chairman of the Legality Movement, Guri Durrallori. For the Republican Godo, “our main enemy,” he stressed, “is the SP and its secret communist alliances, which are expected to be declared. We want the DP to stop its slide to the left.” The Albanian Right-Wing Union, its declaration states, remains open to all right-wing forces that approve the “Union’s” program without compromising their own programs. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

The remnants of a rotten trunk Page 4 Communism denigrated them through class struggle Page 5 Messages from Poland and Hungary, where former communist parties are in government XHEVAT MUSTAFA Page 2