Those in power celebrate in isolation Liberation Day, designated by Enver Hoxha and Tito. Sabit Brokaj brings Chinese fireworks out of the army’s storerooms

Yesterday, Albanian communists celebrated their ideological day, 29 November. Declared an official Albanian holiday by the former-communist majority and organized by the Socialist government, 29 November was commemorated yesterday only by government officials and a handful of their relatives, as well as the PS’s appendage, the Enverist veterans. Although the remaining Chinese-aid fireworks were set off in the evening, yesterday was no different from an ordinary day, apart from a few intersections and roads reinforced with a heavy police presence on the way to the Martyrs’ Cemetery, the Officers’ School, and some apartment buildings in various Tirana neighborhoods. In fact, the Marxist ideologue, Academician Rexhep Qosja, who deserved a prominent place in this ideological celebration, was not seen at yesterday’s events at the cemetery or the United School. In practice, the citizens of Tirana and the whole country lived yesterday as an ordinary day, treating it as a normal weekend day and showing that the ideological holidays of the Albanian communists make no impression on them. Many familiar elements from the Hoxha era were missing from yesterday’s commemorations by our country’s communists of the date of Yugoslavia’s liberation: rallies, parades of people with empty stomachs, bringing people in from the villages to fill city squares, and many other elements—despite the state propaganda and police machinery being mobilized with partisan songs, ideological films, and ideological documentaries. Almost all Albanians, going about an ordinary day yesterday, felt even more annoyed by RTSH and the programs and broadcasts it served up, while the communists’ holiday in the marketplace reminded them of the “happy life” of 50 years ago. The Albanian communists’ ideological holiday, organized in the name of the state and by the state, was nevertheless a good opportunity for the citizens of this country to pause and reflect on the communist politics that have returned and whose consequences could be fatal for them. If the communists failed this year to stage grand parades and ceremonies from days gone by, that does not mean they did not wish to put on such displays. The return of ideological ideas in the name of the state and under state organization, witnessed yesterday on the Albanian communists’ day, is meanwhile a positive signal for this country’s future. By living yesterday, Saturday, as an ordinary day, Albanians showed that they do not agree with the ideology, even when it is that of the Albanian communists. At martyrs’ cemeteries across the country, tributes were paid to those who fell on 28 November, Friday. Yesterday, only communists were present at the martyrs’ cemeteries, along with teachers bearing the name of the Albanian state, which they have trampled on so much throughout their history and this spring. This country’s communists’ ideological day remained a lonely one, although the state took great care to provide the brass band, the army, the police, the Defense [Ministry], applause, flags, television cameras, and photographic cameras.

A criminal sect invites the Albanian president to the USA The wife of the Albanian president, Lydra Meidani, was the guest from Albania in Washington, invited by one of the world’s most dubious sects, the “Unification Church.” Albania’s “First Lady” attended a celebration organized by the Korean Moon’s sect in the American capital. The “Unification Church” is known around the world for the court cases and investigations launched against it by police forces and prosecutors in many countries across the globe. In many countries, the activities of this sect have been banned because it has been considered criminal. The Reuters agency reported yesterday that thousands of people from all over the world had been invited to the wedding ceremony of numerous couples belonging to this sect. Sources from the presidency say that Moon’s invitation had been addressed to President Meidani, but the latter was unable to respond because of several meetings with veterans of the National Liberation War, and therefore sent his wife. This is why Mrs. Lydra Meidani was the “VIP” from Albania who attended the ceremony of this “Unification Church” in Washington. Meanwhile, the Meidani couple’s connection with the sect remains a mystery.

Berisha meets Bukoshi. Political forces in Kosovo should cooperate Yesterday, Berisha called for greater cooperation among political forces in Kosovo in order to avert a certain apathy that could have dangerous consequences. At a meeting yesterday between the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, and the prime minister of the Kosovo government, Mr. Bujar Bukoshi, they discussed both the current situation in Albania and developments in Kosovo. The DP leader stressed that, as international interest in resolving the Kosovo problem grows, the political forces of the Albanians in Kosovo should respond with greater readiness to make this interest concrete. The leader of the Democratic Party, Mr. Sali Berisha, and Mr. Bukoshi condemned Serbian violence in Kosovo and expressed deep concern about developments in Albania. The commitment of the friends of the Albanian nation to resolving the escalating Kosovo problem must necessarily be met by a willingness to cooperate among the political forces in Kosovo, so that the situation can emerge from a degree of apathy that could have dangerous consequences.

Minarolli: There are no maps or entry visas for Democrats ON PAGE 3 Minarolli: There are no maps or entry visas for Democrats The DP’s map is the map of Albania ON PAGE 3

“Vllaznimi” of Shkodër finds support in Tirana ON PAGE 3 “Vllaznimi” of Shkodër finds support in Tirana The Rightists move toward unity ON PAGE 3

The USA sends the Albanian community its wishes for November 28 President Bill Clinton sent a congratulatory message to the Albanian-American community on the 85th anniversary of Albania’s independence. President Bill Clinton sent a congratulatory message to the Albanian-American community on the 85th anniversary of Albania’s independence, stating that throughout the extremely difficult years of Albania’s communist isolation, Albanian Americans contributed to keeping the struggle for freedom alive and preserving strong ties between the two nations. “Since 1991, the United States has worked hard to consolidate Albania’s fragile democracy and market economy. America remains committed to helping Albania on its path toward joining the family of democratic nations. America is aware that Albanians in the former Yugoslavia, and particularly in Kosovo, are still fighting for their rights. The United States supports the human rights of all peoples and is working to help the Albanians of Kosovo win the rights they deserve. “The United States is grateful for the many contributions Albanian Americans continue to make to America’s freedom, prosperity, and well-being. Their strong commitment to family, community, and homeland helps create a happier future for all of us,” Clinton said.

The DP condemns the violence and mistreatment inflicted on journalist Engjëll Serjani The Democratic Party condemns the violence and mistreatment inflicted on journalist Engjëll Serjani, correspondent for the newspaper “Dita Informacion” and director of the newspaper “Dita” of Gjirokastër. On Friday, 28.11.1997, at 13:30, three unidentified people approached journalist Engjëll Serjani and struck him with hard objects, causing bruises and wounds to his body, head, and limbs, in the presence of members of the Gjirokastër law-enforcement forces. It should be emphasized that the law-enforcement forces remained indifferent toward him, although he had requested in his letter that they cooperate with senior government officials in combating smuggling. The mistreatment and serious injuries suffered by journalist Serjani are another act of violence and terror perpetrated by state elements against opposition journalists and those working for the independent press. This disgraceful incident comes after the killing, for unclear reasons, of Ali Uka, a journalist for the daily “Gazeta Shqiptare”; the serious wounding of journalist Muje Buspapapa in a hail of automatic gunfire fired from a police car; and the beating and physical injuries inflicted on Bejdo Malo, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper “Bulevard.” Attacks on the independent and opposition press are part of the policy of eliminating opponents pursued by the current government. Condemning this disgraceful act of violence against journalist Serjani, the DP calls for an end to violence against citizens and for those responsible for this act to be held accountable immediately.

The Journalists’ Association of Albania protests the beating of Seriani The Journalists’ Association of Albania protests the barbaric beating of journalist Engjëll Seriani, correspondent for the Reuter agency and the newspaper “Dita Informacion” in Gjirokastër. The beating of Seriani, who had recently filed several reports on smuggling and those responsible for it, is an unprecedented case of violence against media representatives. His being attacked by “unidentified” people in broad daylight, in the center of Gjirokastër, in the presence of two police officers who remained completely indifferent, gives reason to suspect that state elements may have been involved in the violence against him. The Journalists’ Association of Albania reiterated its call for the government to ensure the safety of press workers. After the beating of journalist Ali Uka, the shooting of journalist Muje Buspapapa with a firearm, and the barbaric beating of “Bulevard” newspaper editor-in-chief Bejdo Malo, the time has come for the Albanian state to put a stop to violence against the press. The Journalists’ Association of Albania calls on the President of the Republic to exercise his institutional authority and compel the Ministry of the Interior to find those responsible for beating journalist Seriani and bring them to criminal justice.

President Mejdani greets the people on the November holidays

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The Italian police uncover the drug route. ON PAGE 4 The Italian police uncover the drug route. The Albanian mafia, heading toward perfection ON PAGE 4

Greece. Presidential decree on the legalization of immigrants ON PAGE 4 Greece. Presidential decree on the legalization of immigrants Refugees waiting for documents ON PAGE 4

A bloody week: More than 30 killed and around 100 injured