Epochs in human history are distinguished by the magnitude of the problems they pose and resolve. They set great social forces in motion and affect society’s vital interests. That is why they remain great and immortal and are never forgotten. The democratic-bourgeois revolutions of the last century also represent an enlightened epoch. Inspired by the Enlightenment ideas of the great French Revolution, they offered an excellent solution to agrarian problems, one that went down in human history as the most democratic solution known to the civilised world. One of the most positive experiences of agrarian development followed this path: the American and European experience, known as the most complete and effective capitalist path. By opening up a new road for agriculture, it created unlimited opportunities for the modern development of the countryside and agriculture on every continent of the globe. This was a true revolution that would transform the countryside, where most of the population worked, lived and made their homes. The outstanding results of European agriculture are well known, as are the astonishing achievements in crop-growing and animal husbandry in England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and elsewhere. The high level of agrarian culture, high yields in agriculture and livestock farming, the high income derived from agriculture and the dignified life of the so-called European farmer all have their origins in those sacred principles of democracy set down centuries ago in French, American and other democratic charters and constitutions, which were adopted at the time. The laws governing the capitalist development of agriculture were also written there; later, the entire civilised world adopted and applied them. Only the communists departed from them, with their infamous Bolshevik agrarian programmes, which—as life itself showed—led the countryside down a dreadful road and buried it and agriculture; they destroyed agrarian relations at their very foundations and drove the question of land and its ownership into a dead end. The victory of democracy in all the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe—and therefore in our country—opened new paths for the countryside and agriculture, just as it did for every sector and field. The DP, meanwhile, followed the principles and laws of democracy and the capitalist path of developing entrepreneurship. But while the SP has so far presented neither a clear agrarian programme nor a concrete alternative for developing the countryside and agriculture under democracy, the DP has acted quite differently. In its agrarian programme and policy, it has set out several key objectives, including: distributing land in accordance with the law; giving title deeds to the villagers who received land and creating small farmers who own their property and homes; rewarding and compensating former landowners; a law on the buying and selling of land, and so on. It later supplemented this programme with a series of other laws passed by Parliament and decisions and directives issued by the Council of Ministers concerning the restitution of property, pastures and meadows, and actual in-kind compensation for former owners with plots of land and other tourist areas. This was the democratic programme of a democratic party that came to power democratically, through the free vote of a free people, with the aspirations and principles of European democracy, in order to transform society into a new society, a ... in tourist areas Literature of Tirana and Prishtina. (It is known that it had previously been held in Prishtina, because it could not be held in Tirana.) But, President Berisha continued, the ... of its ... the Deans of the faculties and the individual organisers ... its greatest distinction lies in the fact that this is the first major gathering on the Albanian language and literature, at which Albanian scholars express themselves freely, without imposed direction or imposed self-censorship, and voice their scientific opinions and assessments on a problem as fundamental as the language and literature of our nation. Addressing the scholars, Berisha ... “it is true that they have done...” For Albanians, Berisha continued, there is, I would say, nothing more essential than their language, the most original and magnificent monument of ... (Continued on page 3) a more complete and effective capitalist [system]. By opening up a new path globe. It ushered in a genuine revolution that would change the face of the countryside, where a large part of the world’s population worked, lived and made its home, and of agriculture, one of the vital branches of human existence. The twentieth century, with its agrarian developments, brought a new era, with major discoveries and achievements in every field of science and technology in general, and in agricultural science in particular. Who does not know In the countryside and agriculture, which brought about and laid the foundations for dozens of others. This was the democratic program of a democratic party that came to power democratically, with the free vote of a free people, upholding build a new society, a true democracy, a state governed by the rule of law, and a contemporary market economy, where freedom, property and life are sacred. All of these would lose their value, and the market economy would no longer be what it is; economic freedom would be only a (Continued on page 3)

Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, received several distinguished figures and foreign Albanologists taking part in the 17th International Seminar on the Albanian Language, Literature and Culture. They had the opportunity to receive praise for the fruitful and valuable debate that has characterised the work of this Seminar. I am very glad to welcome you, and I want to congratulate you on the valuable contribution you made during this seminar, which in fact, in terms of the topics it addressed and its participants, clearly surpassed the scope and aims of a seminar and can be considered one of the most important scientific conferences ever held in the history of the Albanian language and literature, President Berisha told the scholars. Berisha noted that the seminar was being held in Tirana for the first time and congratulated its organisers, the Deans of the Faculties of Literature in Tirana and Prishtina. (It is known that previously it had in Tirana.) But, President Berisha continued, what is special about the seminar is not only the fact that it is being held in Tirana this year. at which Albanian scholars express themselves freely, without direction or censorship, not even imposed self-censorship, and voice their scientific opinions, assessments and views of our nation. Addressing the scholars, Berisha stressed: “Perhaps you have not had the necessary financial support during this period, but this time you have had the most essential condition for intellectual creativity, which is freedom. This time you have gathered together with foreign scholars as free scientists, and I want to assure you that Tirana will be the epicentre of Albanology.” Highlighting the seminar’s importance, he pointed out that it “has addressed issues connected with our language and national consciousness.” monument of (Continued on page 3) Photo: G. XHENGO

President of the Republic Sali Berisha received U.S. Secretary of the Army Togo West Photo: A. BABANI I am pleased with the growing military cooperation between Albania and the United States and the successes achieved, particularly in the general exercises held recently this year, said President of the Republic Sali Berisha, while receiving U.S. Secretary of the Army Togo West. During the conversation, they discussed further cooperation and its importance for our country, the strengthening of relations and their development. ... Clinton’s decision to continue the peace mission was undoubtedly a right, measured and very important decision for resolving the crisis. Belgrade, the President continued, by settling Serbian refugees in Kosovo, is not only committing a provocative and destabilising act, but through this political action it shows that it does not want to resolve the crisis; rather, it wants to further complicate the situation and increase the possibility of conflict there. Therefore, he stressed, it is essential that the Kosovo issue be placed fully on the agenda of the Contact Group, so that the Balkan conflict does not turn into a tragedy with many acts. For his part, the U.S. Secretary, after praising the Albanian government’s position on the crisis in the region, highlighted the value of the bilateral military relations and expressed readiness to develop them further.

- The members of the DP branch leaderships are their best politicians - The far left, led by the mother party and its offspring, is heading for complete disintegration. Meeting of PDSH Secretary General Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, Vice-Chairman Tomorr Dosti and leadership member Safet Zhulali with the leadership of the DP-Burrel Once again, the organisation and functioning of the party branch leadership has come to the fore. Mr Tritan Shehu reiterated this at a meeting with the leadership of the DP-Burrel. He called for the relevant meetings to be held fully and regularly, because, Mr Shehu said, the leadership bodies are and should be important elements in consolidating the situation in the district. Speaking about the importance, in the current circumstances, of restructuring the party’s grassroots, Mr Shehu noted that the party branch leaderships are in fact the politicians in their respective districts. From this perspective, he described the assumption of responsibilities, because only in this way, he said, can results be accurately measured. Mr Shehu stressed the need to revitalise sections and group-sections and to define duties precisely. In order to carry out the assigned duties consistently, Mr Shehu called for ... to rise above various prejudices, (Continued on page 2) The DP is a force Interview with PDSH Vice-Chairman Engjell Hysenbegasi

Interview with PDSH deputy chairman Engjell Hysenbegasi and “RD” journalist Mujo Bucpapaj - The unscrupulous attacks on the President of the Republic, which have never ceased, do not surprise me, but we should bear in mind who is making them and why - The two most important issues at this stage are accelerating privatization through vouchers and privatization bonds/money, and at the same time accelerating the return and compensation of property to former owners - At the National Council meeting I mentioned a little earlier, the issue of choosing and establishing alliances with anti-communist forces was ranked first - I support the position of our government, which expresses concern about the danger posed by the implementation of the Serbian plan to colonize Kosovo Question: The PD is entering the decisive phase of implementing its program. What do you think the PD should focus on most during this important phase, up to the new elections in 1996? Answer: At the beginning of this year, the PD conducted a detailed analysis and adopted the relevant decisions on this fundamental issue at one of its highest bodies, namely the National Council, which synthesized the comments, suggestions and proposals made at every level of the party, from the sections right up to its leadership. Bearing in mind above all these unanimous decisions, the the return and compensation of property to former owners, in accordance with the law in force and the amendments being made to it (physical compensation with land in tourist areas). This second issue is especially important, not simply because it concerns correcting, as realistically as possible, a criminal injustice perpetrated by the communist system, but also because in any privatization process, wherever and whenever it takes place, the first and most important question—the others are secondary and of lesser importance—is who is taking possession of this property. Making use of every opportunity to advance these processes as far as possible would provide the greatest guarantee of carrying out reforms in general and of preventing any reversal under any circumstances. Another extremely important issue, which concerns the overwhelming majority of people, is taking measures to ensure that laws are properly and promptly enforced. Paradoxically, the most serious shortcomings in this area, and the greatest number of complaints, concern the bodies whose primary mission is precisely to uphold the law and punish its violations. These shortcomings have caused no small amount of difficulty for the PD government and the implementation of its program, and have also been a source of considerable dissatisfaction and injustice for many people. Question: Following the renewal the PD underwent in the latest elections, what would be some of the main tasks of its party structures? Answer: At the grassroots level, I believe the main tasks should be to strengthen the sections where necessary and, in general, to invigorate their activities through better cooperation with the party’s other structures and branches, as well as with our officeholders, who in turn should be required to pursue and ensure this cooperation. above all these unanimous decisions, the and injustice for many people. (Continued on page 2)

Brozi and the state security service, Brozi and genocide, Brozi and the scandal involving his Benz. The newspaper will acquaint you with these and several other aspects of the charlatan Brozi in upcoming issues.

The SP’s alternatives = beach + rallies The internationalism and anti-nationalism of “ZP” “ZP” more sincere than its own party Instead of the SP’s “Pro-American” passport