Did you hear how the leader of the PDSH, Mr. Sali Berisha, spoke before this party’s supporters and curious onlookers in Gjirokastër? He pleaded for reducing the tension of the political struggle between the parties, for removing insults and abuse from political vocabulary and election propaganda. But who introduced the shameful jargon of insults into the political vocabulary of our people? We all know that this was done by several leading PDSH figures, first and foremost Sali Berisha with Azem Hajdari, and that their pupils, Shkëndër Gjinushaj, Sabi Godo and Lisen Bashkurti, continue it zealously. The PDSH, stuffed to the gills with insults, now wants to “give them up.” But will the zealous faithful who stand at the head of the PDSH be able to go long without insults, all the way to the “suhoor” of March 22?

“The Albanian people have never been, nor are they, a people that portrays their own country as the hell of the world.” “The Albanian people have never been, nor are they, a people that portrays their own country as the hell of the world. They forget [that we are] the poorest and most unfortunate in the world, as is irresponsibly declared here and there... Dishonest or anti-Albanian journalists still unashamedly deny today what Albania has done for its democratization. Several Albanians join this chorus. They are people who are greedy and think it necessary to lament day and night, to smear themselves with mud; their feverish self-accusation does not stain the regime, but the entire nation. And when so much mud is thrown, and destruction begins to uproot not only communism but all of Albania, that is cause for alarm.” ISMAIL KADARE Two nights ago we had the pleasure of watching on Albanian television a conversation between our journalists and two Kosovar brothers, Deputy Minister of Youth Tahiri and Professor Ali Alilu. It should be said that conversations of this kind have recently become familiar to us Albanians here, and have been quite frequent in the past—not only because it is our blood speaking to us, but also because these conversations bring us important messages from distinguished Kosovar intellectuals. Messages that make us reflect on the current condition of Albania and the Albanians, and on the positions we should take in order to meet the dangerous challenges of our time with maturity. Thank you, Kosovar brothers! Your words are welcome to all Albanians who truly love Albania and the Albanian nation. From the conversation on television the other night, I want to single out Professor Ali Alu’s assessment of the shocking events of recent times in Albania and those who inspired and incited them. Speaking about this issue, he said that there is a foreign hand inspiring and inciting the destruction and the exoduses. The press, Professor Aliu said, does not seem to be addressing this issue sufficiently. We Albanians in Albania, isolated from the world for around 40 years, now seem to have opened all four doors to it. Until yesterday we saw every foreigner who came to Albania as an “enemy.” Today we declare every foreigner a “friend,” without asking at all who they are or what their intentions are. Our propaganda has gone from one extreme to the other. Wanting to take an example from the achievements of the civilized world, we rushed, each trying to outdo the others, to throw mud at the country where we live. This intensifies to the utmost the complex of inferiority and distrust toward our homeland. Inferiority and distrust lead to the fading of the fa- (Continued on page 3)

These days, the political commission of the Socialist Party met and discussed the country’s political situation with concern. Particular attention was paid to the events of recent days in several districts of the country, such as Skrapar, Lushnjë, Pogradec, etc. These events, the speakers stressed, are very serious because they are further heightening the country’s internal tensions at this electoral stage, which has now begun, and because certain political forces are exploiting them deliberately and with forethought for electoral gain. These recent events are not, and should not be, viewed separately from the chain of actions undertaken by the PD and its allies, which are already well known but must be repeated: insults and acts of psychological terror; attempts to sabotage, through violence and hooliganism, meetings between Socialist Party leaders and their members and supporters; threats—which we have publicly denounced—made to PS members and ordinary people that their houses would be burned and they would be killed if they voted for the Socialist Party; and the seizure of food aid, in which, again as we have publicly denounced, PD leaders and members in Dibër were at the forefront, etc. It seems that the PD, which directs the opposition in Albania, feels its own weakness and the discredit it is constantly suffering in the eyes of ordinary, honest people because of the actions mentioned above, and is now seeking by every means to win the new elections and power. While its principal leader smiles on television, makes statements about tolerance and the elimination of tensions, etc., its specialists are preparing terrorist acts. Therefore, in principle, unless they distance themselves from such actions, we call on them not to become victims of the very dangerous game that the Democratic Party is playing at the expense of our people. We tell them that the opposition leaders threaten to use your poverty, anger and distress to achieve their dark aims: gaining seats for themselves and the clique around them. As was further stressed, the Socialist Party calls on its members and supporters to remain calm in the face of any pressure, threat or provocation that may be organized against them by hooligan elements, by specialists of the opposition. At the same time, the Socialist Party calls on the law-enforcement authorities to apply the law correctly and firmly and not to allow our people’s fate to be toyed with. The Socialist Party will under no circumstances allow or cause its members and supporters to violate the law; they have always shown themselves to be cultured, democratic and restrained, but also enthusiastic about their party. It will always rely on arguments and facts and has no need to slander, insult or organize illegal and destabilizing actions, because it is supported by the truth of its program and is convinced of the powerful support it receives, increasingly with each passing day, from the overwhelming majority of our people, who know how to distinguish the honest and cultured from the dishonest and malicious. The Socialist Party will proceed to the March 22 elections by organizing activities and meetings of this kind, [text as printed repeats the preceding appeal:] Further in the meeting, it was stressed that the Socialist Party completely dissociates itself from the recent events taking place [text as printed repeats the preceding appeal:] Party completely dissociates itself from the recent events and activities ... ...cratic Party! They were using the bogeyman of anticommunism to deceive and increasingly divide our people, who know well and malicious. The Socialist Party will enter the March 22 elections by organizing activities and meetings approved in accordance with the electoral law, with culture and tolerance. This position has always been, and will always remain, a distinguishing characteristic of the Socialist Party. And this is an expression of its strength, against which all malicious aims or attempts to isolate and eliminate it will be defeated. In the March 22 elections, the Socialist Party enters determined to successfully withstand the unscrupulous pressure of the opposition, and confident in its victory.

Two nights ago we had the pleasure of watching on Albanian television a conversation between our journalists and two Kosovar brothers, Deputy Minister of Youth Tahiri and Professor Ali Alilu.

. Recently, events have occurred in cities and various areas of our country that have disturbed public order and tranquility, as well as state and private property. The Council of Ministers has instructed the law-enforcement forces and local-government bodies to take all measures to prevent such actions, and to oppose any attempt at unlawful excesses in accordance with the law. It has recommended that the justice authorities cooperate with the law-enforcement and government bodies and, in accordance with the law, that the perpetrators of such actions be punished swiftly and severely—actions against the law-enforcement bodies, against the district authorities and the heads of enterprises, who not only failed to protect these facilities but, on the contrary, remained very passive toward them and were so [word unclear in source] that the vandalism could continue, leaving even families and ordinary citizens in a state of insecurity; these people are being threatened by dishonorable individuals who have nothing to do with Albanian patriotism. We also protest to the Directorate and the newspapers of Television, which ... the Television newspaper, whose television reports are more interested in politicizing issues than in giving the people and the nation real information. A case in point is the “Opinions” report about the destruction in our district, in which several people were interviewed and politicized the issue. In our opinion, the destruction, thefts and fires in Lushnjë were not caused by the people. They are organized by a group of 50–100 people (most of them unknown to us) who form the assault vanguard: they break into and destroy the warehouses and, after the crowds have looted everything, set them on fire. Around this core of vandals, many others also gather, mainly young people, who take advantage of the confusion and insecurity created. The extremely serious situation in Lushnjë is not only destroying the economy and increasing insecurity in people’s lives, but has also made it impossible to hold a fair election campaign, perhaps even leading to a boycott of the March 22 elections. From the war veterans, war invalids and pensioners of the city of Lushnjë. Lushnjë, 3. 3. 1992. ...and of its program; it is determined, supported by the powerful backing it is receiving in ever greater measure each well and eliminate it will be defeated. The Government calls on political parties, trade unions, social and religious organizations to use their influence to ensure that such events do not happen again. Let us unite our efforts to pass calmly and wisely through the period separating us from the March 22 elections, and create the conditions for the people to freely express their sovereign will. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA 2. 3. 1992

To the President of the Republic of Albania, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, Albanian Radio and Television TIRANË We, of Lushnjë, are deeply indignant at the vandalism and destruction that have been taking place in the city and countryside over the past two weeks. On February 22, 1992, in the city center, a group of people attacked two private commercial premises and easily stole and looted all the goods, meeting not the slightest resistance from the law-enforcement bodies; after completely destroying the premises, they shouted slogans that “tomorrow it will be the warehouses’ turn.” And so it happened. The next day, crowds began gathering at these warehouses. They were subjected to looting and arson one after another. For several days in a row, vandalism continued against all the city’s enterprises, including the food enterprise, the paper factory, the warehouses of the drilling and exploration enterprise, the forestry enterprise, the seed department, the railway district, the complex, etc., and those of the Savra, Graban, Çerma, etc. agricultural enterprises. The flour mill also became a target of attack, though so far it has escaped being looted and burned. Numerous social and cultural facilities were also targeted for destruction and looting, including the Fiershegan eight-year school, which was also burned; several nurseries in the city, where the children were taken outside and the materials were removed; the new building of the Court and Prosecutor’s Office; the PS Committee; and several offices of various enterprises. We cannot undertake to inform you in detail about the loss of material and monetary assets, but the damage is not on the scale reported by Television—20 million lek. It is tens or hundreds of times greater. In connection with these terrible, destructive events that have engulfed the entire district, we protest to all the competent authorities, in particular— ...the current officials. On February 22, 1992, in the center of the city, a group of people attacked two private shops and easily looted and robbed all the goods, without the slightest resistance from the law-enforcement authorities, then completely destroyed the premises and continued against all the city’s enterprises, such as drilling and exploration enterprise, the forestry enterprise, the seed branch, the railway district, the complex, etc., of NB Savrës, Grabanit, Çermës, and so on. The flour factory also became a target of attack; so far, it has escaped being looted and burned. Many social and cultural facilities became targets of were thrown out and the materials taken, the new Court and Prosecutor’s Office building, do not material and monetary assets, but they are not on the scale reported by Television, which put the damage at 20 million lekë. They are tens or hundreds of times greater. Regarding these distressing and to all the competent authorities, in particu-

After persistent preparatory work, on Sunday, March 1, the meeting of the eurosocialist youth of the district was held in Sarandë. Hundreds of young men and women from secondary schools in Sarandë, Delvinë and Konispol took part, as well as many young workers, farmers and intellectuals from throughout the district. The Eurosocialist Forum, the young people said, is a forum for all youth groups; it brings volunteers together and seeks every opportunity to enable independent judgment. In the tense situation as the election campaign is getting under way, the eurosocialist youth meeting is an important event in young people’s lives; it is an inspiration, support and source of optimism that we young people convey to the Socialist Party organizations and to every member and supporter of the party in the district. The prospect of the future encourages us to build this youth organization. At a time when people in Albania are fighting to establish democracy, we believe that no one can remain indifferent. All our peers have great energy, which we will put at the service of democracy and of Albania today. By becoming familiar with the organization and revitalization of our forum, we gain a clearer understanding of the reality that leads us forward. Eurosocialists are entering the political arena in order to help improve political struggle, keeping it as far as possible from the backward ways of street politics and backroom deals. We, the eurosocialists of Sarandë district, a district with particular geographical and demographic characteristics, adhere to the principle of strengthening unity between Albanians and minorities. Our position in relation to all political, social, religious and other organizations is clear. We do not agree with the destruction and vandalism that have recently taken place in Sarandë and Delvinë, with the burning and destruction of what we built with so much effort and sweat. We dissociate ourselves from every attempt by particular, interested groups to manipulate certain ethnic groups and social strata and turn them against one another; we dissociate ourselves from street politics and from every excess and act of revenge that harms unity among people. Our forum is open to cooperation with all other youth organizations. We declare to the people, to honest people throughout the district, that we will devotedly support the Socialist Party and its determination to contribute to the victory of democracy in Albania through lawful means, with wisdom and democratic methods. This is the enthusiastic and sincere message of eurosocialist youth. We are not afraid because we are the majority; we will begin because we are the only ones, justice. [Source text unclear.] From the meeting of the eurosocialist youth of Sarandë district

The PD, in its feverish pursuit of power, and also gripped by the fear that it may end up exposed as it did last year, has convinced public opinion that once it comes to power everything in Albania will change. It wants to erase everything achieved during a year of democracy, so as to attribute to itself the great achievements it will make tomorrow. It wants to pursue the same policy and speculate over foreign debts, which were incurred not only during the one-party regime but also in the years that followed. By declaring that we are taking responsibility before the country for resolving the foreign-debt problem, they dismiss all the work our finance specialists have done and are doing at the General Directorate of the Bank of the Albanian State. They dismiss the commendable work and highly worthwhile programs that the IMF and the World Bank are carrying out on this issue even now. This is not honest. To say “I will resolve this and that” when efforts have been underway for a long time is nothing other than megalomania, an attempt to claim other people’s work as one’s own. Just as the one-party regime concealed every achievement from before 45 years ago, saying that “Albania was born in 1945,” so the PD wants to conceal every achievement from before March 22. But the facts are different, and they need electoral support. Gentlemen of the PD, you don’t need to organize road development? Make the boasts you set out in your electoral program for this purpose, because others have already earned the premi-’s trust to resolve this problem on the basis of their contacts. The foreign banks’ suspension of banking activity with Albania, though not through their fault, was a blow to Albania’s economy. To resolve this, discussions have been held with many foreign banks and promising results have been achieved. We do not know whether this makes you sorry or glad, but it has been done. Perhaps we should have asked your permission, but as it happens, we did not. Do not forget that there are many honest people who put Albania’s interests above those of the PD. In an interview, the Director General discussing this issue, stated that the results achieved in resolving it are also the fruit of the work of previous governments. This is the one thing the PD would never want. Everything possible has been done to resolve this grave economic situation. Our foreign debts, which have reached almost 600 million dollars, are concentrated mainly in five countries: Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France, respectively, in around 28 banks in total. They are bank debts and were incurred for We do not have any government debts, although that is what they called them. We have no government debts. Let us not forget that Bulgaria has more than 1 billion dollars in debts to the West, while it also has government debts; with more than 100 banks and it has still not begun to unblock them. Fortunately, the foreign-currency balance of our specialists has been positive, and we should speak of this with due regard. Specifically, since you either do not know or are pretending not to know, we will tell you. In fact, the most satisfactory results have been achieved during this period with Italian banks, where the insurance company «Sace», without whose approval no Italian bank invests abroad, has undertaken to guarantee the unblocking of our debts with the banks of that country. If you do not believe us about this, then at least look through the newspaper and you will find that a ... (Continued on page 2) ku-zo-esh eve etu 3-4 am e uk fur im ësh ur në he rë, ...the damage it is continually suffering in the eyes of ordinary, honest people through the actions mentioned above, while also using every means to win the new elections and seize power. If its principal leader smiles on television screens and makes statements about tolerance and eliminating excesses, his instigators, specialized in these actions and now well known to the people, issue instructions, organize and incite destabilizing and terrorist acts, even an exodus, as in the recent case of the gatherings at the Port of Durrës. The divided front of the Democratic Party helps us very well to uncover not only its aims but also the actions it undertakes. Thus, at meetings organized in several different districts of the country, which, strangely, are broadcast by the “depoliticized” and “impartial” television, leaders of the Demo-

The night before last, on television, during an interview with the Director of the Bank of the Albanian State, Mr. Ilir Hoti, it was said, among other things: “I have not made a statement to ‘Zëri i popullit’.” We do not know what he means by the term “statement.” But the words published in his name in the newspaper “Zëri i popullit” were spoken by him on 25.2.92, at 11 o’clock, in the salon on the second floor of the Council of Ministers building, in the presence of two journalists, Prime Minister Vilson Ahmeti, and Finance Minister Robert Çeku. Since his position on the gold issue was the same as the one he also expressed on TV, we do not understand why Mr. Ilir Hoti is so concerned to deny the words he spoke? THE EDITORIAL OFFICE