Knocking at the door • it has not yet worn out the red boots of the communist government of Brussels • it holds a scandalously anti-Albanian stance on property In addition to its constant cooperation with violence and dictatorship, the parliamentary PD leader has recently also demonstrated an anti-national and anti-Albanian mission on the issue of property. “Even if the communists of yesterday and today want to, they will not be able to stop the fair compensation and the lawful ownership of Albanians who were unjustly dispossessed and through no fault of their own by the former regime,” declared yesterday the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha. At a meeting with intellectuals from the Dibër district, President Berisha described the opposition’s position on the property issue as anti-national and anti-Albanian. “Thanks to a macabre demagoguery, the opposition has mobilized against the property law in Albania its miserable, blind followers, who, without understanding it, are becoming prey to a primitive hatred toward former owners, whom politics driven by primitive hatred presents as estate owners, as irresponsible feudalists, before an Albania with tens of thousands of families dispossessed and persecuted by the communist regime,” said President Berisha. He stressed that the Albanian government will do everything to establish the broken rights, because it is moving forward decisively in the spirit of the Constitution. (Continues on page 3)

For years now, the issue of language and national culture became today part of a special interest in the conversation that the President of the Republic had with the leaders and researchers of the 14th International Seminar on Albanian language, literature and culture. Present at this meeting with the President were academic Rexhep Ismajli, seminar leaders, and around 60 researchers and Albanologists from 12 countries around the world. After informing them about political, economic and social developments in our country, President Berisha thanked them for their contribution in the field of Albanology and our national culture. The professors, researchers and foreigners participating in this seminar were interested in the difficulties they encounter in their daily work with Albanian books. They expressed to the President their commitment to supporting, through their work and in the scientific centers where they work, the dissemination and study of the Albanian language, literature and culture. At the researchers’ request, President Berisha also elaborated on the problems of education and culture, the opportunities for the training of Albanian students, as well as the conditions and facilities created for foreign students, especially at the University of Tirana. The researchers paid special attention to issues of the development and affirmation of the spiritual and national identity of the Albanians of Kosovo, their cultural life, the equivalence of the educational and university system, and others. President Berisha expressed the readiness of the Albanian government to encourage all serious efforts made to recognize our cultural and scientific values in the world, while at the same time achieving modern standards in our culture. Photo: G. XHENGO

Today, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received U.S. Secretary of Defense Mr. Togo West. He is in our country on an official visit. During the reception, President Berisha expressed his satisfaction with the decision of the U.S. Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, to restore military assistance to Albania. During the conversation, the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the military field was highlighted, especially the training and qualification of Albanian officers in the United States, the implementation of the Partnership for Peace program, as well as generous assistance in the field of military infrastructure. Mr. Togo West said that he is very pleased with the growing cooperation between the USA and Albania and with the positive developments in our country. Sali Berisha informed Defense Secretary Togo West about the process of democratic reforms in Albania and its goals for Euro-Atlantic integration. The situation in the region was also discussed, as well as the issue of Kosovo, of Albanians in Macedonia, and of Albanians in Montenegro. Both interlocutors valued Albania’s stabilizing and peace-loving role in the region. (Continues on page 2)

Interview of the deputy chairman of the PDSH, Engjëll Hysenbegasi, given to the “RD” journalist Muho Bupçapi - Tyrants and participants toward the President of the Republic, which has never ceased; it does not give up, but continues tirelessly for more than a year against the head of state. - Engjëll Hysenbegasi: These are irresponsible actions and attitudes, which deepen the opposition’s crisis and move it away from the national interest. - Tyrants and participants toward the President of the Republic and the opposition’s political moves? - Engjëll Hysenbegasi: If some individuals in the opposition think that by denigrating the head of state, the institutions or the government they will gain ground, they are seriously mistaken. Such a policy brings no benefit to the country. - In relations with Kosovo? - In relations with Kosovo and more generally with the Albanian issue in the region, the opposition has often held unclear and harmful positions. (Continues on page 3)

Question: Did the PD and the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit” present yesterday’s parliamentary session as the opposition’s “success of failure”? Answer: Under the direction of the Work Committee of “Zëri i Popullit,” and with the guidance of other “former” mockers of the opposition, it “evaluated” it with a typical communist and failed manipulation. Moreover, this shows the lack of respect for different opinions and the continuity of the old ideological language. Question: Why is the opposition presenting this as a victory? Answer: Because it seeks to hide its moral and political defeat. Citizens clearly saw that the majority remains the decisive force in Albanian political life. (Continues on page 2)

What we’re reading in “RD” They declared it in vain! future recognition. The alternatives of the SP, = beach + rallies The internationalization and anti-nationalization of “ZP” Instead of the “pro-American” passport of the SP