President Sali Berisha attends the anniversary of the Elbasan Normal School Yesterday, a commemorative gathering was held in the city of Elbasan on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the Elbasan Normal School. Many former teachers, former students, representatives of the authorities, citizens, etc., took part in this jubilee. President of the Republic Mr. Sali Berisha also honoured the gathering with his presence. The Elbasan Normal School has made an extraordinary contribution to the history of Albanian education. It opened shortly after the Congress of Elbasan, when the patriots and scholars of the National Renaissance decided that the first normal school, which would train teachers for Albania, should open in this city. From the very beginning of this school, in December 1909, half of its students came from Kosovo and Cameria. Students from 60 years ago came to celebrate this day at the 85th anniversary jubilee; they came from all over Albania and the Albanian regions. The 85 years of the Elbasan Normal School are part of the bright history of Albanian education. Luigj Gurakuqi, the school’s first director, was also the first Albanian minister of education. The names of Aleksander Xhuvani and Eqerem Çabej are written in golden letters in the history of the Albanian language. The names of Sotir Peçi, Vasil Andoni, Ahmet Gashi, Sali Çeku, Emin Haxhi Ademi, Pjetër Elezi, and all the rest are the pride of this school. More than 70 students of the Normal School gave their lives to liberate the country from the Nazi-fascist occupiers. At the anniversary of this school, which President Berisha called “the first university of Albanian identity,” the President expressed his respect for all the educators currently engaged in reforming education. Meanwhile, in his speech, Minister of Education Mr. Xhezair Teliti praised the Normal School’s great contribution and that of the teachers who graduated from it to the development of literacy and the spread of primary education. The students of this school, with patriotic devotion, sacrifice and commitment, have left their mark in all the Albanian regions beyond the borders of the homeland as well. On this occasion, Ms. Kasapi from Tetova presented a list of teachers who had worked in Albanian-language schools in Macedonia. To mark this jubilee, the titles “Merited Teacher” and “Order of ‘Naim Frashëri’,” First and Second Class, were awarded to more than 100 former students and teachers of the Normal School. President Sali Berisha laid a bouquet of flowers at the monument to Konstandin Kristoforidhi, in tribute to the author of the first Albanian primer. President Berisha then went to the Normal School building. There, the President honoured another distinguished figure in Albanian education, Luigj Gurakuqi, laying a bouquet of flowers at his bust in tribute to his work. During the jubilee session at the Skampa Theatre, President Berisha said that the Normal School was the first university of Albanian identity. Addressing those present, he said: “I promise you that the Normal School will very soon rise to the level of the ideas of those who founded it. They set out to make the Normal School a university, and we will transform it into one.” Mr. Berisha went on to stress that, among the two philosophical currents of the time, the early National Renaissance figures “cooked up” Rousseau and Kant, because history has proved, President Berisha continued, that Marxism brings only dictatorship; therefore, we did not embrace the pure ideas of our National Renaissance thinkers as our progressive national thought. They envisaged Albania’s future through the development of the bourgeoisie and the development of capitalism. History has proved that without a bourgeoisie and capitalism there is no democracy, there is no future. In meetings with students, President Berisha held discussions and exchanged views about school-related issues. Thus, in a conversation with groups of students studying foreign languages, President Berisha agreed that a second foreign language should also be introduced in schools. On this occasion, the President pointed out that “foreign languages are a factor that accelerates the country’s development.” President Berisha also acknowledged in these conversations that, among the country’s major cities, Elbasan has many economic problems. Turning the Normal School into a higher-education institution is, in a way, a contribution to this city. He suggested that a business department also be opened at this higher-education institution, expressing confidence that it would succeed, since it is in keeping with Elbasan’s tradition, culture and experience. tradition, culture and experience.

The chief ideologue of the PS, one of the most distinguished Albanian env­erologists, in his speech at the PS gathering in Durres, launched an unrestrained attack on democracy, its institutions and values. Lacking facts, and with the composure afforded him only by the theory he worships—that is, the theory of deception—and with characteristically revolutionary-Marxist cynicism, instead of apologizing to the families of the February ’91 martyrs, he went so far as to insult his audience by saying that President Berisha accuses Nano and Ruci of the massacres of February ’91. With this statement, this Albanian M-L hierarch seeks to persuade the PS audience that Nano and Ruci are innocent. But unfortunately, this time the PS’s information was refuted not by President Berisha, nor by the PD or the Meksi government, but by the criminal legal acts of Ramiz Alia himself, his “former” master, and by the dates on which the martyrs of democracy were killed. Thus, although the bust of the Albanian dictator was indeed toppled on 20 February 1991, and that very The chief ideologue of the PS, one of the most distinguished Albanian env­erologists, in his speech at the PS gathering in Durres, launched an unrestrained attack on democracy, its institutions and values. Lacking facts, and with the composure afforded him only by the theory he worships—that is, the theory of deception—and with characteristically revolutionary-Marxist cynicism, instead of apologizing to the families of the February ’91 martyrs, he went so far as to insult his audience by saying that President Berisha accuses Nano and Ruci of the massacres of February ’91. With this statement, this Albanian M-L hierarch seeks to persuade the PS audience that Nano and Ruci are innocent. But unfortunately, this time the PS’s information was refuted not by President Berisha, nor by the PD or the Meksi government, but by the criminal legal acts of Ramiz Alia himself, his “former” master, and by the dates on which the martyrs of democracy were killed. Thus, although the bust of the Albanian dictator was indeed toppled on 20 February 1991, on that very day, as numerous documents prove, your Party, Mr. Servet, through its First Secretary, ordered that people be shot at. And these same documents prove that someone failed to carry out this order. During 20–21 February, a coup was organized whose principal actors were the leaders Alia, Nano and Ruçi, issuing orders, and Dokle, handling propaganda—a coup that was to be carried out through two criminal decrees announced on the morning of 22 February 1991. Thus, in response to the “vandalistic acts,” Ramiz Alia assumed extraordinary powers and, by Decree No. 7468, established the Presidential Council, whose members included, among others, F. Nano and H. Lleshi. Ramiz Alia also overthrew the government that was not carrying out his orders and, by Decree No. 7469, established the Provisional Government, headed by the criminal F. Nano, with G. Ruçi as Minister of Internal Affairs. Thus, Colonel Nano took the oath in the morning and that afternoon ordered people to be shot. The order was carried out. You, sir, are an M-L architect, and your collaborators are responsible for the killings of: -Ismail Çapari, aged 29, killed on 22 February 1991 at 18:15 -Lulzim Sullolari, aged 20, killed on 22 February 1991 at 19:32 -Arteur Delijaj, aged 15, killed on 22 February 1991 at 20:00 -Lulzim Barqaj, aged 28, killed on 23 February 1991 -Artan Lenja, aged 20, killed on 24 February 1991 at 18:00 -Spartak Deliu, aged 15, killed on 6 March 1991 -Mikel Lara, aged 28, killed on 30 March 1991 During this massacre by Alia, Nano, Ruçi and Dokle, with others certainly also operating behind the scenes, a further 32 young men and women were wounded in Tirana, Fier and Korce. The February 1991 massacre went down in history as the dark February of ’91. PD Branch Secretary, Tirana DR. HABAN MEMIA

Albanian Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali received the high-level Pakistani military delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Aftab Shaban Mirani. The talks between the two counterparts focused on the details of bilateral cooperation, which, in the assessment of the two defence chiefs, should be intensified. The meeting was also attended by the Minister for Foreign Policies, Alfred Moisiu, as well as the Minister for the Economy, Bashkim Shehu.

Albanian Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali received the high-level Turkish military delegation led by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, Army General Ahmet Gereçki. Describing the ties and ... as extremely important

DUKAJIN HATA Mr. Bollino, editor-in-chief of “Gazeta Shqiptare,” it cannot be said that a party such as the DP is in crisis when, at the Conference of the week, 536 votes were in favor, 19 against and 9 abstentions in support of the decisions of the National Council, while refusing to accept the denunciations against it. Those in crisis are the ones who would like the DP to be in crisis.

Mr. Meksi emphasized in his remarks during the meeting the Albanian government’s efforts to carry out economic reform, which will bring the country greater prosperity, and to increase foreign investment, which will be higher this year. which will be higher this year. Mr. Meksi also highlighted the growing importance being attached to relations with neighboring countries, as well as with those countries that help and contribute to Albania’s development. With Pakistan, Mr. Meksi said, there are opportunities for cooperation in industry, especially the textile industry. There are also opportunities in trade, banking and defense. In his remarks, Mr. Miran conveyed the Pakistani Prime Minister’s greetings to Mr. Meksi and thanked him for the warm reception. He emphasized the desire of the Pakistani government and his country to establish even closer relations between Albania and his country in all areas of mutual benefit.

Speech by the Deputy Chairman of the PDSH and head of its parliamentary group, Mr. Ali Spahia, at the Extraordinary Conference Honorable ladies and gentlemen delegates, The Democratic Party included in its program the demand to give Albania a new democratic Constitution. It is an undeniable fact that the DP is the political force that has made greater efforts than any other force to achieve this goal. It has always been, and continues to be today, the force most committed to giving Albania a constitution. Unfortunately, throughout this time the opposition regarded and used Albania’s objective need for a constitution as a tool for propaganda, in order to artificially create political tension in the country. Everyone remembers that when, in June ’93, the Government presented to the deputies the draft that you had prepared with the working group of the parliamentary constitutional commission, the opposition left the parliamentary chamber, boycotting its proceedings for more than three months in the hope that it could create a parliamentary crisis and force us into early elections. Just how immoral the opposition’s game with the Constitution was was also shown by its stance on the chapter of fundamental constitutional provisions concerning fundamental human rights and freedoms. Our “Socialists,” after giving their consent once, then went back on it and did not take part in the vote. Some time ago we had heard the unworthy excuse that supposedly the chairman of the Socialist group had not spoken on behalf of the group, but in his own name. Nevertheless, that chapter was approved by Parliament with more than two-thirds of the votes, thus marking one of the greatest achievements of our constitutional legislation. Meanwhile, however, it became clear to everyone that the Socialists would raise it

The speech by the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, delivered at the Extraordinary Conference of the PDSH and published in yesterday’s issue of RD under the headline “The PDSH has held the flag high and honored its contract with the Albanian electorate, with democracy, with Albania and with Europe” contains several technical inaccuracies. On p. 2, column 2, line 23, the words “cellular environments will be installed, the first phase of which ends this year next year” should read: “the cellular network year”; on p. 2, column 3, lines 42–43, the statement “Albania is the only country treated by this institution as a special case, that is, a special case that was initially helped with food and essential products worth 400–500 billion dollars...” should read: essential products worth 400–500 million dollars...”; on p. 2, column 4, paragraph 1, line 1, the words “agricultural specialists” should read: “agriculture specialists”; on page 2, column 5, paragraph 4, line 5, the words “I have also self-critiqued, just as I have requested the verification of the DP” should read: “I have also made criticisms, EDITORIAL OFFICE

Sunday’s parliamentary elections confirmed the rejection of parties committed to economic reform and opening the country to the West. In Estonia’s second free parliamentary elections, the center-right Coalition Party led by Tiit Vahi won a relative majority, with 41 of the 101 seats. The newly founded Reform Party, established by the former governor of the central bank, also succeeded, winning 19 seats; it has advocated a radical market economy. The other parties with left-wing orientations remained a relative minority. Estonia thus broke the trend first established in Lithuania, where the former Communists of Brazauskas won, and which was repeated in Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria.

Speech by the Deputy Chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Tomor Dosti, at the Extraordinary Conference Gentlemen delegates, We are meeting again, this time at an extraordinary conference to address unexpected issues, although for us there should be no surprises in this troubled Albania and democracy, in whose renewal and consolidation the DP has a decisive role. Nothing should surprise us about the current situation if we bear in mind the tragic legacy of the decades of Europe’s harshest dictatorship, as well as the grave situation in the Balkans, where old hostilities, once seemingly extinguished, are being rekindled, with negative effects also on our country. Let us bear these things in mind calmly, with will and determination. The DP, founded on the principles of freedom and democracy, is open; it is an arena of free thought and an exchange of ideas, a party where one feels the fervor of debate and where reason and logic continue to flow. The latest rallies are irrefutable evidence and proof. Those who have no eyes or ears and do not wish us well may dispute them, especially the SP and its offshoots. Even so, we do not claim a monopoly on reason and patriotism. Pluralism in Albania, where the DP governs, is a fact. But the SP, a failed offspring of the unscrupulous PP as always, abuses the situation and finds fertile ground in our country, which lacks democratic experience and tradition. In new clothes and finery, it tries to cover up the crimes of its own history. With demagoguery, unrestrained propaganda and destructive activity, it continues its work to the detriment of national interests. It is also aided by groups that are either its creations or are aligned with it (Continued on page 2)

Many things may happen, be said and be written, but none of this can excuse the leaders of the SP, who completely forgot their leader F. Nano. How could they forget March 4 so quickly?! Just one year ago, Nano’s supporters proclaimed March 4 “National Fatos Day,” the day of defending crime and corruption. The nostalgic supporters, far be it from us, still found no other way to describe March 4 except as Fatos’s day. Under the leadership of the specialist Ruçi, the group created within the SP spread across Albania to organize the State Security “straw men,” with “mass” protests in defense of comrade Fatos. The general of the deceased army, Ruçi, encouraged the comrades while holding the files in his hands. “Don’t worry, we’ll find them; we have accurate lists.” They were utterly convinced that the leaders would not only be released without trial, but also accused of … (Continued on page 2)

Greetings for 8 March for 8 March Greetings The editorial staff wishes all Albanian women a Happy 8 March, International Women’s Day! Rilindja Demokratike

ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL “Taking into consideration the serious political and economic situation created in recent days as a result of certain acts of vandalism and irresponsibility, which have also created difficulties in governing the country and maintaining public order, and with the aim of protecting freedom, independence and national sovereignty and ensuring state leadership on the basis of the unity of the people; Pursuant to Article 78 of the Constitution; THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA DECIDED: 1. To establish the Presidential Council attached to the Chairman of Republic of Albania. 2. The Presidential Council shall be responsible for considering the most urgent issues involved in overcoming the difficulties created by the serious political and economic situation, proposing the adoption of appropriate measures and the issuance of relevant acts. 3. The Presidential Council shall consist of the following members: 1. Fatos Nano, Prime Minister, senior scientific associate. ... 4. This decree shall enter into force immediately. Tirana, 22.2.1991 Decree No.: 7468 FOR REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRETARY SIHAT TOZAJ CHAIRMAN RAMIZ ALIA

ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS In order to address the resolution of the governmental problems created by the country’s serious political and economic situation and to ensure suitable conditions for the normal conduct of the elections of 31 March, DECIDED: 1. To accept the resignation of the Council of Ministers headed by Comrade Adil Çarçani. 2. To appoint a Provisional Council of Ministers with the following composition: 1. Fatos Thanas Nano Chairman of the Council of Ministers ... 6. Gramoz Kaso Ruci - Minister of Internal Affairs 3. No.: 7469 FOR REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secretary SIHAT TOZAJ Chairman RAMIZ ALIA