Minutes of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the PPSH, dated 2 and 3 July 1974 From the PS heritage collection p. 7

February ’91 What was Gjinushi doing, hidden for 2 hours in the WC of Ramiz Alia’s office? The day before the dictator’s monument was toppled, Skënder Gjinushi appears at Alia’s meeting with the PD delegation, coming out of the WC of the office of the former First Secretary of the PPSH What can you expect from a man who entered Albanian politics by coming out of Ramiz Alia’s WC Witnesses speak Gjinushi: The PPSH is the most powerful and most democratic political force in the country. Only the PPSH can save Albania p. 3

President Berisha’s visit to Germany continues The first day of President Sali Berisha’s visit to Germany concluded with a dinner hosted by German Federal President Hercog in honor of the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, and the delegation accompanying him. In his remarks on this occasion, German President Hercog emphasized that in the months since our meeting, relations between our two countries have continued to develop. Albania has also made good progress on its path toward integration into Europe. In July of this year, your country became a member of the Council of Europe, thereby becoming part of the family of states founded on democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. President Hercog went on to say that Germany would continue to support Albania on its path toward European structures, and assured us that this assistance had been used efficiently. He emphasized that German projects cover the road network and water and energy supply, and that joint projects to create new jobs have produced results. President Berisha asked the Federal Minister of Finance for support in attracting German investment to Albania, as well as assistance in establishing an efficient banking system. He said he would welcome an increase in Germany’s contribution to bilateral projects and to the World Bank project for the secondary-road network, which provides substantial assistance to rural areas and the marketing of agricultural products. President Berisha expressed his gratitude for the assistance the Christian Social Union had given the Democratic Party. It should be emphasized that Albanians will not forget the contribution of Mr. Franz Josef Strauß, which was the first signal members of the family of states that rely rights. President Herzog Albania on its path toward European and Atlantic structures. Albania, as a factor of stability in the Balkans, is important for Europe. This remains unchanged even after the signing of the Peace Agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina, he stressed. Sustainable peace and stability are prerequisites in this region, where people are persecuted and discriminated against because of their language, nationality and religion. And all the Balkan states must be ready to respect national minorities and grant them the rights to which they are entitled. “We know of your concerns about the ongoing oppression in Kosovo,” the German President said. A solution to the Kosovo problem, which must include broad autonomy within Serbia and Montenegro, remains a condition for the country’s full integration into the community of states, even after the peaceful settlement in Bosnia. German private companies have discovered the opportunity offered by Albania’s progress, President Herzog observed, also mentioning their growing trade and investment relations in Albania. After 50 years of dictatorship, isolation and a backward economy, Albania continues to suffer serious consequences, but has great opportunities to catch up economically. His visit to Albania is an important opportunity in relations with the country. [text cut off at the upper edge] Your country’s progress since you took office, Mr. President, makes a strong impression on us. The ever-intensifying relations with the states and path toward the future. President Berisha, in his speech visit by a head of state to Albania. It peoples are truly great, but greater still are the feelings of friendship, respect and the values we share. They are being called upon to show true resolve; and history has repeatedly proved—Albanians in opposing the most brutal is…” a strong impression on us. The foundations here are [text unclear]. And for this, the Albanians and other suffering nations will be forever grateful to Germany, Chancellor Kohl and all those who brought about the fall of the Wall. But this did not happen merely proved—Albanians in opposing the most brutal is… Gensher was the first to call me after our victory in March ’92 and also the first to visit a free Albania. “Albania has a different face today,” Berisha continued. “For four years it has been developing democracy and building the rule of law and its institutions, some of which you have personally helped establish. “There is a positive turning point in the Balkans today,” President Berisha said. “We all hope that the newly established peace in Bosnia will be lasting. I have always been convinced that Germany should play a greater role in resolving the crisis. With Germany’s growing role in the Balkans and its greater influence in the EU and NATO, we see the possibility of a faster resolution of this crisis and of the Albanian question,” Mr. Berisha concluded his speech. Yesterday’s program during President Berisha’s visit to Germany began with a working breakfast with prominent figures in German politics. President Berisha then met with Federal Finance Minister Dr. Waigel, who is also chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU). President Berisha outlined the difficult situation inherited from the past, spoke about the far-reaching economic reform our country is undertaking, and about its achievements. He expressed his gratitude for the substantial and generous assistance Germany has provided to Albania. Social Union has will not forget the contribution of Mr. Franz Josef Strauss, which was the first signal from the West in support of Albania’s opening up. For his part, Mr. Waigel stressed: “Albania is an important country for us. Personally, I admire your achievement in attaining macroeconomic stability. You have economic indicators that one would not expect a country emerging from profound isolation to achieve. We will continue our economic assistance to Albania,” he noted. Assuring him that economic cooperation with Albania would grow, he gladly accepted President Berisha’s invitation to visit Albania. Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vrioni, who was present at the meeting, thanked Germany for its assistance in resolving Albania’s foreign debt and requested German support in reaching an agreement to eliminate double taxation. President Berisha then held meetings in the Bundestag with representatives of the parliamentary groups of the CDU, CSU and Social Democratic Party. They assured President Berisha that Germany would support Albania both bilaterally and multilaterally. Yesterday at 12:00, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, was received by the President of the German Bundestag, Ms. Rita Sizmuth, who said that she fondly remembered her visit to Albania and her meeting with President Berisha. The same with interest (Continued on page 3)

The normal functioning of the sections guarantees victory in the coming elections Strengthening all party structures remains an ongoing process, conditioned by the pace of democratic developments The DP is the only political force capable of carrying reforms through to the end and finally achieving national reconciliation The Albanian socialist opposition is unacceptable to the European left The Secretary General of the PDSH, Tritan Shehu, took part Meeting of the Pogradec branch of the DP

“We hope their results will be different from the results of the elections in Russia and Poland. I will come to celebrate the DP’s victory with you in the next elections.” “We hope their results will be different from the results of the elections in Russia and Poland. I will come to celebrate the DP’s victory with you in the next elections. Our taxpayers have given hundreds of billions of marks to these countries. They are rightly concerned because those benefiting from this aid are the people who brought destruction to these countries.” [following text, printed in columns] ... and the institutions of Europe and the Atlantic Alliance show you that Albania has good friends who will accompany it on its path toward the future. President Berisha, in his remarks on this occasion, said that this was the first official visit by an Albanian head of state. This is a historic event for our nation and our country. I come to Germany with an open heart and convinced that the differences between our two countries and our two peoples are indeed great, but that even greater are the friendly feelings, respect, and values we share. And this forms the foundation for the bright prospects of our friendship, cooperation, and relations. Albania and the Albanians, President Berisha continued, are facing the most difficult time in their history. They are being asked to show greater steadfastness; this is also because, as a distinguished dictator once said—and history has repeatedly proven—Albanians are people of strong initiative. They [text unclear] their responsibilities against the harshest regime in Europe; they will not allow their country to remain the Cuba of the Adriatic in the 1990s. Albania is Chancellor Kohl was the first prime minister of the West to receive me when I was leader of the opposition, the minister

Being called left-wing does not mean you are a social democrat, and you cannot be a social democrat simply because you call yourself one. Regarding the break with dictatorship, I can say that Germans have their own experience. A criminal must not be given a chance, and domestic peace must be preserved. the minister

Interview with Parliament Speaker Pjetër Arbnori on the anti-genocide law, given to BBC radio p. 2

The Ministry of the Interior refutes “ZP” EDITORIAL NOTE: Motivated by the hope and good wishes that the 24 Albanians lost at sea are still alive, “RD” published a report from an Italian news agency saying that the missing people had returned. But apparently “ZP” does not like this fact either, and last night it hastened to declare gleefully that all 24 had drowned. This is the clearest expression of the “humanitarianism” of the journalists of “ZP”. p. 3

A bloody memory: Nearly five years after the events at the United School, a witness to those days recounts what happened A bloody memory: Monsters who wanted to kill democracy Nearly five years after the events at the United School, a witness to those days recounts what happened p. 3