The President of the Republic of Greece, Kostandin Stefanopullos, concluded his two-day visit to Albania and left for Athens yesterday afternoon. At Rinas Airport, those who had come to see off the President of Greece included the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. Members of the government were also present, as was Greece’s ambassador in Tirana, Kristo Caligis. During this visit, the treaty of friendship, cooperation, good-neighborliness and security was signed, opening a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

The day of Nevruz is celebrated President Berisha sends his wishes to the Bektashis p. 2

Celebrations marking 22 March, the victory of democracy 22 March: the day of freedom 22 March 1992 is the day of freedom and the death of dictatorship. Four years ago, through the free vote, Albanians put an end to extreme poverty, prolonged isolation, and the suppression of every human right and freedom. The Albanian citizen had been turned into a voiceless slave by the inhuman machinery of the communist state, unmatched in post-Second World War Europe. Today, after four years under the leadership of the DP and its government, Albanians live better. They have shown that a free person can make up for lost time by building a multifaceted identity, like every other citizen of Europe. “Never in our history have we moved more directly and more quickly, and in a more stable way,” President Berisha said of these four years. Unlike many countries with new democracies, Albania enjoyed stability based on the bonds of freedom. New institutions of the rule-of-law state and the market economy were built. For the first time, Albania had local and central governments elected by free vote. The old legislation was replaced with new legislation, and the institutions of the rule-of-law state were established according to European standards. The administration, which had been filled with petty bureaucrats, was reformed, and distinguished specialists and experts took their place. During these four years of DP government, economic reform revived the country’s economy on the basis of the market. More than 800,000 families became property owners, and a market like those in other countries was established. The lek demonstrated its stability. Per capita income quadrupled. Albania, once a country of hyper-collectivization, hyper-isolation, hyperinflation and anarchy, is today a country with a stable macroeconomy, with a On the occasion of commemorating 22 March, the fourth anniversary of the day of democracy’s victory, the Tirana branch of the DP and the Municipality of Tirana, in cooperation with RTVSH, organized a series of festive ceremonies yesterday morning entitled “Democratic Spring.” The celebrations began with the democracy torch relay. The torch was lit in Democracy Square in the Student City, from where groups of young people carrying flags made their way along the road beside the lycée; a group of scouts had pitched their tents, while a group of young volunteers dressed in folk costumes danced. From there, the celebrations moved to the summer amphitheater on the hills by the artificial lake to watch the grand festive concert. A fair had also been set up there for the occasion, and its stalls attracted many visitors. Today, for the first time, the hang-gliding association organized flights over the hills by the lake. At midday, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, arrived to attend the concert with his wife, along with the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, and representatives of political parties. The concert featured musical performances by well-known groups and singers, as well as numerous comedy acts. The DP Youth Forum and RTVSH will organize the show “Vision 2000” at the Palace of Congresses, featuring the best-known names and groups in music, choreography, comedy and the performing arts. the new legislation and the institutions of the rule of law were established, in accordance with European standards. The administration, filled with apparatchiks, During these four years of PD rule, a market on a par with those of other countries was created. The lek demonstrated its stability. Per capita income quadrupled. From a country of hyper-collectivization, hyper-isolation, hyperinflation and a super-exodus, Albania is today a country with a stable macroeconomy, annual inflation of 6% and annual economic growth of 10%, with a private sector accounting for 70% of gross domestic product, and trade conducted 82% with EU countries. Today, after four years of PD rule, Albanians have become property owners for the first time in fifty years. Per capita income quadrupled. Major investments were made to improve the life of the individual and of every [unclear] over the 25 years taken together. Around 220,000 apartments were given away free; around 160 million dollars were invested to improve the supply of water and electricity. Healthcare services were maintained, the five-day workweek was introduced, along with many other social measures. March 22, 1992, divided [unclear] into two steps and opened the gates of freedom to Albanians. In four years, PD fulfilled the promises made to Albanians and reflected in its program. The country’s [unclear] was achieved. Albania’s membership in the Council of Europe, the Partnership for Peace, the Central European Initiative and the Black Sea Initiative. Close and friendly ties were established with the countries of Western Europe, the USA, etc. PD was admitted to recognized European structures such as ECDU and EDU. Thus, the great message of the Democratic Revolution that had led to the victory of March 22, 1992, was realized: “We want Albania to be like all of Europe.” Thus Albania was integrated into Europe. [Unclear] In addition to the country’s backwardness, during the four years of PD government the Albanian government and state were also confronted with a destructive, Marxist opposition, directed by a state of the former secret police. They tried to defeat the democratic state, but in fact they failed, ending up shut away in the isolated “Red Front,” scorned by the world and by Albanians themselves. For the coming four years, PD has presented the safest alternative for Albanians and for their future and that of the country. Alongside employment and increases in wages and pensions, we aim for PD to bring improvements, primarily significant improvements in education, healthcare and culture. Freedom is the gateway to democracy. For this reason, the ’96 battle is a battle for democracy and its consolidation, for prosperity and its achievement, and for the country’s final integration into Europe. This is why Albania needs another victorious March 22, which PD is determined to guarantee. during the morning, a series of festive ceremonies entitled “Democratic Spring.” The festive ceremonies began with the relay of the torch of democracy at Democracy Square in the Student City. The torch was lit by a student, way along the road past the art lyceum toward “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard and on to the center of Tirana. The victory of the Democratic Party is closely linked to the Student City, where the student movement that led to the overthrow of the communist dictatorship began. The celebrations then moved to Skanderbeg Square, where thousands of Tirana residents had gathered around the square, where a sports event was held by the capital’s eight-year schools. There were competitions in roller skating, cycling and running, while in prominent parts of the square ball games were taking place, as well as football, ha-

Remnants of a bitter past, or the farce of repeating ugly historical events. To claim that Marx is still at the forefront of a party’s guiding philosophical ideologies, in a country whose philosophy contributed so barbarically to its total economic and spiritual poverty, means being nostalgic not only for Marx and Marxism but also for Hoxha and Hoxhaism. p. 4

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The grassroots of the SP refuse to be used by the Enverists p. 3

One day before the Congress Gëlçi of “ZP” Confirms the split in the SP Who will win, God or comrade?! p. 3

Mallakastër: The chairman of the SP terrorizes his fellow villagers ZP praises the state because the district’s socialist chief is boxing The olive tree—the plant of peace—provokes a quarrel p. 3