— Interview with the Chairman of the Socialist Party, Comrade Fatos Nano, given to editor Hamdi Supe — QUESTION: We would like to know your opinion regarding Albania’s admission to the CSCE. COMRADE FATOS NANO: It is truly a singular occasion for representatives of the principal political forces in Albanian life to share in this act of special historical importance: Albania’s admission, with full rights, as a member of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize my views on several main aspects: First, this moment was not prepared in a single day, but crowns an important phase of the democratic reforms undertaken in Albania over the past two years. Although very late, for reasons that are already known, this act marks the end of an era: the era of the single party in power, the monist era of judging and developing the processes of democratization and human rights within a closed shell, cut off from the European processes and standards that were advancing. Therefore, the rapid developments in the country’s political and democratic life in recent times seem to have accelerated, with the commitment of all political forces, in anticipation of this noteworthy historical moment, so as not to miss the long-awaited Berlin meeting as well. I also have in mind the consensus we recently reached on forming a government of national stability, with the participation and support of the main political parties, which, in my view, constitutes the clearest message of cooperation and realistic commitment by the country’s political forces to integrate Albania honorably into Europe. I believe this degree of political maturity must be consolidated and further developed through the continued reform of the political parties themselves, in the name of democracy and the national interest. In the official contacts we had, and in other natural meetings during the two days of the June 3–5 Berlin meeting, the leading figures of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and of the participating countries (particularly in Mr. Gensher’s speech, in Chancellor Helmut Kol’s address to the Conference, in the meetings we had together with Mr. Bejker, and in separate meetings with representatives of the European left in government, such as De Mikelis, Andrjesen, and other figures in contemporary European political life who have also visited our country), I noted their appreciation that this historic act was achieved with the contribution and in the presence of all the principal political forces in Albania’s present-day life. Second, I would like to stress that the fact that Albania’s admission to the CSCE was achieved, so to speak, on the last train in Berlin has its own symbolism and expresses the need for an entirely new political commitment—not only by the Socialist Party—to the future of the democratic processes in Albania and its genuine integration into the civilized world, without losing its identity and

No one would have dared to offer such a greeting in Albania two years ago to a representative of the world’s greatest economic and political power, the most democratic country in the world; still less would anyone so short-sighted have thought of publishing it in “The People’s Voice,” the organ of the monist party in power. But today, thanks to pluralism and comprehensive democratization, we can freely express our thoughts. The arrival in Albania of Mr. Bejker, this distinguished representative of the American people, is further proof of that people’s great heart and broad, democratic spirit. It is highly significant that Mr. Bejker is coming immediately after the meeting of the CSCE Foreign Ministers, where Albania finally became a member of the European family once again. If I am not mistaken, this is a sign that the American people and government have picked up the SOS signal from the Albanian people, caused by the anti-national monist rule of corrupt leaders. Albanians have not forgotten, and will not forget, American President Willson, who after the First World War put a stop to the further partition of Albania. Likewise, regardless of how they have been described in various books and partisan publications, Albanians have not forgotten the humanitarian aid given by the American people to Albania, devastated by war. Perhaps even today someone still keeps, as a relic, a tin of food, a blanket, or some other item of postwar American aid. Remembering these and many other things, Albanians expect much more from the American people and their assistance at this moment, when their faith has been shaken as to whether Albania will ever be rebuilt—especially since the flower of the country, its youth, has taken to the roads of emigration as never before. That is why Albanians today await Bejker’s arrival as the coming of a Messiah, as the arrival of a friend from a great country, first and foremost to restore their faith that the world has not forgotten Albania and the Albanians, and that through work—honest work—and with the help of friends and various partners, it can become a “lady,” as the national revivalists wanted it to be, as those who gave their lives for this Albania wished and dreamed. Albanians believe in Mr. Bejker because he has proven himself a highly distinguished and active diplomat who, once he takes up an issue, sees it through to the end. It is enough to recall the agreements reached around the world in recent years to stop conflicts and fratricidal regional wars in Southern Africa and Angola, South Africa, in Nigeragua and Salvador; he is also fighting against drugs, etc. He has committed himself, as few others have, to freeing our continent from the heavy burden of nuclear and conventional weapons, and has known how to find common ground for closer relations with Soviet officials. He has committed himself wholly and courageously to finding ways and means of bringing an end to the century’s longest conflicts in the Middle East. At the same time, at the head of American diplomacy, he knew how to bring together in a special alliance those who had never before united, in order to tell dictator Sadam Husein to stop and to liberate occupied Kuwait. After the victory, American diplomacy, headed by Mr. Bejker, did not forget the suffering people of Iraq, but immediately organized an unprecedented humanitarian operation in scale to save the people

People call for transparency and trust — ELBASAN — A feature of the work of Socialist Party members in the Elbasan district after the 10th Congress has been putting the initiative into action and establishing a clear perspective. …? Precisely at a meeting organized by Ndue Rexhepi, chairman of the district Socialist Party, with its members and supporters in the city of Puka, they asked him for further clarification on this. They put more than 40 questions to him. Regarding the meetings being held on the basis of…

— PUKË — The 10th Congress was also welcomed in Pukë with great interest by all sections of the population. But what will the perspective be for looking at present-day problems and the future? A stance was taken against the privileged, but are there still others who have not yet come to light, even in the district? It was the city of Pukë, that they asked him for more him. Meetings are being held on the basis of the work of all members of the executive committee, members and supporters of the new party that is growing and has now distanced itself from its past. The 40 questions put to the chairman of the executive committee centered on the paths the Socialist Party would take to build the new society; the ways it would cooperate with other political forces; the figure of Enver Hoxha; what action would be taken from now on; and numerous questions about village problems, the privileged people in the district, and the stance toward them. Explanations were given, but concrete action is being called for. Is there con-

. Yesterday morning, President of the Republic Ramiz Alia received at his offices the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhamet Kapllani, and the delegation consisting of representatives of the political parties: the chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano; the chairman of the Steering Committee of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha; the chairman of the Steering Committee of the Social Democratic Party, Skënder Gjinushi; and a member of the Initiative Commission of the Republican Party, Hysen Ço-… The efforts made over the past two years to integrate into the Helsinki process, the President said, have finally been crowned with success. This is a great victory for the Albanian people. It is a victory for their work to democratize our society, which, with the positive contribution of all political parties, has also found expression in the pluralist People’s Assembly and in the establishment of the Government of Stability, which … our diplomacy. Undoubtedly, the President stressed, admission to the CSCE will encourage the deepening of democratization processes and the taking of further steps toward integration with European countries and institutions. The government and all state bodies must work tirelessly in this direction. Albania’s entry into the CSCE, the President stressed, is a victory for our diplomacy. (ATSH) What position will the Socialist Party occupy in political and social life under pluralism, from now on? It should become more transparent to the Socialist Party’s membership. What stance will the Socialist Party take toward the intelligentsia in the future? What place will our new party occupy in the European left-wing alternative, and how will it develop ties and cooperation with them? A great many such questions, as well as valuable opinions, have emerged in recent days at meetings organized with congress delegates in several grassroots organizations, both in the center and at locality level: the oil workers’ organization in Cërrik, in the town of Peqin, in the industrial zone of the wood-processing plant and in the freight depot area, with workers and … … in practice they are told that they belong to the Socialist Party. Organizational change is also needed. How will this be carried out? Ways and means are being sought both to explain matters to people and to take measures to prevent confusion. Thus, after the congress there is a new situation, but this situation must be better understood and followed up; it calls for greater commitment not from a small staff, but from everyone. These and other problems are encountered every day in meetings to discuss the materials of the 10th Congress. What stands out is the workers’ justified response to the positions taken at the 10th Congress of the Socialist Party. This has further strengthened their confidence in its future. further strengthened their confidence in its future. GJON GJONI The delegation, composed a member of the Initiating Commission of the Republican Party, Hysni Çobani, who took part in the CSCE meeting in Berlin on 19–20 June 1991. The President heard the report of Minister Muhamet Kapllani and the briefings by the other members of the delegation to the leaders of the political parties on the proceedings of the meeting, and especially on Albania’s admission to the CSCE, and expressed to the participants the joy this historic event had aroused among the entire Albanian people. A It is a victory for their efforts all political parties, has creation of the country’s Government of Stability. Naturally, this is also a victory for our diplomacy. Undoubtedly, the President emphasized, admission to the CSCE will encourage the deepening of the with European countries and various emphasized, is a victory for their efforts all political parties, has also a victory for our diplomacy. The President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia, expressed the Albanian people’s thanks and gratitude to all the participating CSCE states, which unanimously gave their consensus for the admission of the Republic of Albania to this important institution, comprising 35 European countries, the USA and Canada. He assessed that this act is also a significant event for Europe.

At the first session yesterday, chaired by Aleksandër Meksi, deputy chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, consideration continued of Decree No. 7450, dated 5.1.1991, “On certain amendments to Decree No. 7393, dated 12.6.1990, ‘On the issuance of passports for travel abroad and the granting of visas.’” At the outset, the deputies approved it in principle. A report on this decree had been submitted by the Standing Committee on Foreign Policy and International Relations of the People’s Assembly. Among other things, it noted that the committee considered well-founded the suggestions made by the Council of Ministers for several further additions to the above decree—additions that would help facilitate the travel of our citizens to other countries and the arrival of foreigners in Albania. These additions consist of removing Albanian exit-entry visas from the passports and documents of Albanian citizens who hold them, submitting applications for entry-exit visas at border crossing points as well, etc. The deputies discussed at length the articles of the decree containing the amendments and additions made to the articles of the earlier decree. They stressed the need to make it easier for our people to travel freely abroad and for foreigners to enter Albania. It was said that priority should be given to CSCE member states and neighboring countries. Specific proposals were made in this regard. Meanwhile, the Legal Committee of the People’s Assembly had also submitted its views. The deputies approved, article by article, for the third time, the decree of visas.’” It was agreed that additions and corresponding wording would be made to some of its articles by specialists, and that these would be supplemented by the subordinate legislation to be issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Order, as well as by agreements our country should sign with other states on these matters. The Assembly will resume its work today at 12:00. (ATSH)

U.S. Secretary of State James Bejker arrives in our country today. . This is the first visit by a senior American official to our country since the visit of Herolt [?] Beker, who will be escorted [?] Skënderbeut, by Prime Minister Ylli Bufi. Afterwards, the American Secretary of State will hold a meeting with members of the [?] and will be received at [?]. He will be received in [?] of Kosovo; those attending the meeting included the chairman of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, and the chairman of the Parliamentary Party [?]. (Continued on page 4)

. The meeting was attended by and the chairman of the Parliamentary Party, [?]. (Continued on page 4)

From 18–20 June 1991, talks were held in Tirana between delegations of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the USSR on cooperation between the two countries in the field of air transport. At the conclusion of the talks, the text of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the USSR on air transport was presented. On the Albanian side, the Agreement was initialled by the head of the Albanian delegation, Leonard Zisi, and by the head of the USSR delegation, Leonard Zisi [?], and on the Soviet side, by the deputy [?]. (Continued on page 4)

These days, a working group from the Croatian Democratic League, headed by its vice-chairman, Mr. Muharrem Nexhipi, arrived in our country. The group includes League officials, its activists, as well as various businesspeople. On 20 June 1991, they held a meeting at the headquarters of the Democratic Party. Explaining the purpose of this official visit to Albania, Mr. Muharrem Nexhipi emphasized that not only the Democratic League in Croatia, but also the Croatian government itself, are ready and willing to help the Albanian people in every way and in many areas of life and the economy. He stressed the need to increase cooperation between the two states in the fields of culture, sport and tourism, etc. Our Albanian brothers from Croatia made concrete proposals for cooperation and understanding in Albania, and for strengthening bilateral relations, etc. (According to ATSH)

Yesterday in Tirana Yesterday morning, the citizens of Tirana, not without surprise, noticed that the statue of Lenin was missing from beside the “Martyrs of the Nation” monument, in front of the National Gallery of Figurative Arts. It had, as was said, been removed during the night by municipal workers. (The ATSH report notes that the previous evening in Tirana, hundreds of residents gathered in front of Lenin’s statue and called for its removal. The official authorities who came to the site made it clear to the people that this would be done in an orderly manner. Thus, during the night, the statue was removed.) Albania, which has embarked on a path of profound democratization and wants everything to be as it should be, apparently now regards these symbols of the era of monism as foreign bodies. Lenin was indeed a great theoretician, as well as a great practitioner of the theory of socialist revolution. But, in the context of his time and country, his theory and practice did much for socialism, to which he devoted his life. Therefore, without nostalgia, his cult should be placed in its historical context, as Albania at the end of the 20th century demands. We have suffered enough from the cult of personality. When the whole world had rejected Stalin, we still had him in the middle of Tirana. This was a paradox, but also a symbol of the fact that Albania neither knew nor wanted to keep pace with Europe. Albania, which on this day experienced the joy of being accepted into the great family of the civilized nations of Europe, the CSCE, when the time came also knew how to respect Lenin, still demonicon [?] did he make that secret treaty of London, the Albanian parliament of the 24th and also the partition of the border. We erase no generation from history. But today, when one considers how much the country we live in has changed, lingjendrasi will restore its former name, beyond the [?] when, this action in Tirana is entirely logical. Democracy, joined to the freedom-loving spirit of the Albanian people, [unclear] [?] [unclear] p[?] the figure from [?] one with [?] of the Albanians. (Byline: A. Sh.)

Friendship, [incomplete] the sea also [?] Taouz[a?]n, and the creation [?] Albania-Ki[?] an encouragement to [?] strengthen the [unclear] between the two peoples[?] [text cut off and illegible]