President Berisha received a delegation of the International Association of French-Speaking Parliamentarians Yesterday, President of the Republic Sali Berisha received a delegation of the International Association of French-Speaking Parliamentarians, headed by Filip Sharlie, a senator in the Belgian Parliament and chair of this association’s “Europe” Mission. The meeting discussed democratic developments in Albania, its role in the region, and the need to resolve the problems of Kosovo. It was also noted that parliamentarians from this association could contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Albania and the countries in which they serve as deputies.

Pjetër Arbnori awarded him the “Order of Pjèjada” p. 3

I denounce some current leaders as usurpers of the ideals and of the PSDSh HAKI GUNI Long-standing member of the PSD in Krujë p. 3

That day entered Albanian history as the day of a decisive break with the symbols of dictatorship. That day, in Tirana’s main square, despite police violence, the courage of the students and citizens of Tirana brought down the statue of the greatest dictator of the East. With this act they etched into the memory of Albanians the fact that dictators can be overthrown, and that those who prepared half a century of suffering for Albanians are far smaller than the will of the people and their aspirations. This act marks in Albania’s history the greatest protest against those who inflicted the terror of violence and suffering on their own people in order to keep their ideology and their seats of power cemented in place. The days of revolt can never be forgotten: in the fiercest days of the communist regime led by Alia, Nano, Ruci, and others, the students defied death and went on strike. Never has any government managed to drive its finest sons and daughters to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the old order. This was done only by the regime of those days, which set death before the blood of a new generation of Albanians. The students’ heroism achieved its aim, and so on. What the Albanian people had wished for year after year became reality in those February days, when the cruel symbol was toppled and, lying shattered, made its final journey—that of eternal shame. By this act, Albanians showed that they are a people who cherish their history, who want freedom and not dictatorship, who want democracy and not the shackling of their lives. The fall of the dictator’s symbols not only in Tirana but also in all of Albania’s main cities was the country’s liberation from the dictatorial landscape that weighed ever more heavily on their freedom, which had only just begun to dawn. The toppling of the dictator’s statues throughout Albania was their pledge to crush the dictatorship completely, including the part that remained and still wielded the baton and the bullet. It was a turning point in the battle against communism, now more than ever fought with courage and confidence in victory. This act separated Albanians from the bloodthirsty communist beast, from great isolation, from captivity of thought and the absence of freedom. The dictator embodied all these great deprivations in the history of the Albanian people. Although his statue fell in disgrace, the dictator’s successors and all the mechanisms of the dictatorship did not abandon their aim of continuing their oppression and imposing their rule. The February days were the days of democracy’s coming of age. The weapons of the dictatorship grew even more brutal. Bullets spared neither little children nor young people. On this day we remember and honor 15-year-old Spartak, 18-year-old Edvin, 20-year-old Artan, Pellumb Tahiri, Mikel Larua, and all the others who became the first martyrs of democracy. “Let us go together” was a daily call for Albanians to remember. What now binds them to their suffering is memory alone. Neglecting it always creates risks for the future. Albanians have no mirror of memory. For a long time yet, we must devote part of ourselves to remembrance, so that one day we may be able to leave it behind naturally. The genocide inflicted on the Albanian people has no equal in Europe. A dictatorship set in motion by one dictator does not die easily. Even now it is using every means to draw people back to itself. The battle against it is still continuing. The rule of dictatorship is expanding day by day, but it has not yet disappeared. The Socialists have brought its representatives into their regime. It is the honor of Albanians to continue the courage and determination of 20 February ’91, so that no one can repeat a dictatorial history in Albania—so that no one can bring it back one day to the offices in Tirana. Albanians must commemorate each day, just as they did on 20 February 1991.

President Berisha’s congratulatory message to Muslim believers on the occasion of the Feast of Greater Bayram On the occasion of the blessed day of Greater Bayram, I wholeheartedly wish all Muslim believers in Albania and wherever they may be a happy holiday and many happy returns of Bayram. The Feast of Greater Bayram comes after the month of Ramadan, during which Muslim believers underwent the physical trial of the hardship of fasting. They shared suffering, generosity and charity, and overcame temptations. This is a holiday that unites people in the name of faith in God, goodness and human love. The day of Greater Bayram is a day of respect, harmony, understanding, tolerance and appreciation for everyone. This year we celebrate Bayram more united than ever on the righteous path we have chosen, on the path of God, steadfast in our national ideals and in our great efforts to build a better future for all Albanians. With faith in God, the path we have embarked upon is already bearing, and will always bear, its fruits. Once again, I wish all believers a happy Feast of Greater Bayram.

Coalition with the PS solely to get the spies into Parliament “We will form a coalition with the PS to repeal the law and then trigger early elections” Coalition with the PS solely to get the spies into Parliament Imami and Ceka admit they are burned by the anti-genocide law “We will form a coalition with the PS to repeal the law and then trigger early elections” Imami and Ceka have only one aim in all this: to get into Parliament. Nothing else matters to them. But the fact that the anti-genocide law approved by the PD does not allow them to do so is now pushing them toward absurd schemes. Imami himself has told members of his family how they might find a way out of the situation. Imami and Ceka’s plan is to enter into a coalition with the PS, with the sole hope that the PS will win the elections and immediately repeal the anti-genocide law. Then, “early elections,” he said. p. 3

Accused of defamation by SHIK, in the prosecutor’s office “I do not know of any law that prohibits a member of parliament from speaking about what people tell him directly or indirectly at chance or organized meetings, in open letters or anonymous letters. Therefore, my statement brought this reality to light by saying: ‘it is said that...’” p. 3

The Feast of Greater Bayram gives us the opportunity to address all Albanian Muslim believers, wherever they may be, with the wish: “Happy celebrations, Albanians, wherever you may be; may you enjoy prosperity and abundance, and happiness in your families! May all go well on the irreversible path toward strengthening Albanian democracy!” PDSH The newspaper’s editorial staff wishes Muslim believers many happy returns on the Feast of Greater Bayram! “RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE”