FREE ELECTIONS MEAN ACCEPTING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE Meetings at the headquarters of the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party — The SPA will respect the will of the people in the March 22 elections — Today, the Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, received at the headquarters of the Party’s Steering Committee the delegation of the European Parliament, the delegation of the Council of Europe, the delegation of the Parliament of the Republic of Greece, as well as Italian Senator Michele Achilli, who have come to our country to observe the March 22 elections. Fatos Nano briefed them on the electoral program of the Socialist Party of Albania and on the SPA’s position that the elections should truly be free and democratic, allowing the people to freely decide which party they will vote for. The Socialist Party of Albania values the assistance of the various delegations that have come to our country on this occasion and appreciates their commitment to monitoring the conduct of the elections in accordance with the approved electoral law and international standards. As it has declared, the Socialist Party of Albania 22 elections. Free and orderly elections, without violence, will open the way for reforms and international support.

Written for March 22 — Will we win or not? — Yes, yes, yes. The honest Albanian is filled with wonder when he hears from any patriot the powerful “yes” for Albania, for democracy. And in this wonder, the glory of those who value true democracy rises high, as does the courage of the magnanimous people. In 24 hours we will see the nation’s celebration. Beat the drums, sound the trumpets! I would like the songs to pass through windows, doors, streets and boulevards. Surely no one will sleep in their homes tonight?… Tomorrow the singer and the dancer will wake up to sing the song and dance the dance; the lawyer will rise to defend the case with dignity before the judge; the policeman, courageously, together with the citizens, will establish order; the wise farmer will put an end to disorder and work the land… And if this is so (and there is no reason it should be otherwise), none of us—including us journalists—will waste time on excessive outbursts; we will pay no heed to the insults of the big talkers, and we will turn our backs on the cowards… Let the drums beat powerfully, to raise the voice of victory. — Will we win or not? — Yes, yes, yes. We have a long road ahead. Will you, gentlemen of the opposition, come and travel it together with us?! Will you agree to govern Albania together? Will we stand shoulder to shoulder with one another for a lifetime, as Albanians? This is what the homeland demands. It is a sure road. Europeans have traveled it and are enjoying its fruits, so let us not waste time: let us set formulas and scenarios aside and put a “stop” to revanchism. My colleagues and I will strive harder through our example and our words. From now on we do not want to leave anything unfinished; I would like us to be rid of bitter criticism. Strong and content, you will walk with your comrades along the road to freedom, knowing that this road will take me where my heart desires. Only those who do not flinch join together to solve their troubles and keep pace with freedom, with challenge, with joy, with democracy. Tomorrow, once again, the irresistible calls will summon us all: — Will we win or not? — Yes, yes, yes. PAVLLO GJIDEDA

Free and orderly elections, without violence, will open the way for reforms and international support for reforms and international support The Helsinki Commission appeals: — The authorities and all those participating in the governance of Albania, whatever the choice may be, must respect the free choice in every election — Yesterday was handed [text unclear] by the delegation of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission) [text corrupted]. The forthcoming elections represent a new step in Albania’s economic and political reform process, which over the past year has encountered difficulties in overcoming [text corrupted]. [The authorities and all participants in the elections] must respect the free choice in every election, and all participants in the elections must refrain from using or threatening to use force as a means of securing political power. Instead, they must respect the free choice of the citizens of Albania, A letter from Helsinki Commission) was delivered yesterday to Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, by a delegation from the Commission. It states: The Helsinki Commission calls for the March 22 elections in Albania to be free, fair and peaceful

COMRADE XHEMAL SELIMI WAS MURDERED Yesterday morning, on March 21, 1992, at 7:00, Comrade Xhemal Selimi, a veteran of the National Liberation War and a leading official in the government and economic institutions of the Shkodër district, was shot dead by several unidentified people. Comrade Xhemal Selimi was born in the city of Shkodër into a well-known National Liberation family, distinguished by its great spirit of sacrifice. As an active participant in the war and in its partisan formations, he was admitted to the ranks of the Albanian Communist Party on June 18, 1944. He was among the first veterans to embrace with enthusiasm and patriotism the program, line and statutes of the Socialist Party of Albania. In various government, economic and People’s Defense organizations, as a leading official in different districts, including Tropojë, Pukë and Shkodër, etc., he was always distinguished for exemplary honesty and integrity. As one of the activists of the Socialist Party, a year ago he had been listed on the “Blacklist” that a hostile hand had put up in the city of Shkodër. During the years following liberation, Comrade Xhemal worked in various government, economic and People’s Defense institutions and Shkodër, etc. In a family with patriotic traditions, and from his early youth, he was one of the first to become closely connected with the move-

March 17, 1992 WASHINGTON: Representative Steny H. Hoyer and Senator Dennis DeConcini, respectively Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), make the following comments regarding the March 22 elections in Albania, which will be observed by Commission staff: WASHINGTON: Representative Steny H. Hoyer and Senator Dennis DeConcini, respectively Chairman and Co-Chairman of the make the following comments regarding the March 22 elections in Albania, which will be observed by Commission staff: “On March 22, new national elections will be held in Albania. These will be the second elections in Albania since the country was swept up in the wave of political liberalization that transformed the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The Helsinki Commission observed the first elections of this kind in March 1991 and concluded that they could not be considered free and fair, although they represented a firm step forward for Albania. encountered difficulties in overcoming the legacy of the brutal communist regime that ruled the country for more than four decades. “In the year between the two elections, Albania joined Europe by becoming a full member of the CSCE. As a full member, Albania committed itself to holding free and fair elections, as detailed in the many CSCE documents. Nevertheless, we are concerned that the March 22 elections may not be conducted in full conformity with these documents. “We call on the Albanian authorities currently in power to honor the commitment made to the CSCE to allow the will of the people to be expressed freely and fairly through periodic and genuine elections, so that these may form the basis of the authority and legitimacy of all government. This can be achieved if participation in the electoral process is made equally possible for all individuals and groups, and every stage of the process is conducted peacefully and honestly, without voter intimidation or acts of fraud. “Most importantly, the authorities the citizens of Albania, whatever that choice may be, as expressed in the results of properly conducted elections. It would be unfortunate if the elections were accompanied by irregularities and violence, which would seriously jeopardize the future of reform efforts in Albania, as well as Albania’s international standing, at a time when external support is so crucial to the country’s future. “As part of the international effort to encourage democratization in Albania, a Helsinki Commission team will once again join other foreign groups observing the elections. We sincerely hope that, later this year, they will be able to report that improvements have been made compared with the situation a year ago. The people of Albania certainly deserve such improvements, given the extraordinary economic situation and the other troubling problems facing their country, and they will need these improvements if they are to provide satisfactory answers to these problems.”

«Kongresi Përmetit» Street We learned with deep sorrow of the tragic murder of the honored veteran of the National Liberation Antifascist War, the steadfast fighter for democracy and progress, the simple man and tireless worker, honest patriot of the city of Shkoder, member and secretary of the Socialist Party of the «Kongresi i Përmetit» neighborhood, Xhemal Selimi. The bloody black hand that killed our beloved Xhemal is a heavy blow to democracy, dealt by genuine fascist forces, which have for some time threatened to burn and kill those who work for the Socialist Party and vote for it. This highly significant criminal act, committed one day before the elections, appeals to all honest people of the city of Shkoder and all of Albania, and especially to members and supporters of the Socialist Party, to reflect and become aware of the great danger threatening the people and democracy. The Socialist Party considers this murder an act of political terror intended to frighten democrats and genuine fighters for freedom, such as Xhemal, into abandoning their struggle and ideals. This new martyr of democracy, who bears the sacrifices of the National Liberation Antifascist War, is an open accu[e?] against all those forces seeking to establish a right-wing dictatorship in Albania; it is an ominous sign of their intent to cause new bloodshed in the city of Shkoder and beyond. We, as the Socialist Party, together with our deep and sincere condolences for this hideous and grave crime, will use every lawful means and avenue to ensure that the murderers and instigators of this crime are identified and receive the punishment they deserve. The Presidium of the Socialist Party calls on the family of our dear and unforgettable comrade, Xhemal Selimi, his relatives, his comrades in war and work, and his extended family to rise above their great sorrow and show restraint, and not to fall prey to provocations engineered by this fascist black hand. Unable to be among you in these difficult moments of grief, I once again express my sincere condolences for the loss of our dear and unforgettable comrade. Presidium of the Socialist Party CHAIRMAN FATOS NANO Tirana, 21. 3. 1992

The statement by the U.S. Department of State says that the United States welcomes the progress Albania has made toward democracy and the creation of a free society, and expresses confidence that this progress will continue with free elections, which are hoped to be held without fear—that is, fairly, without violence and without threats. The statement emphasizes that the United States is interested in elections in Albania and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe being free and democratic. — Statement by the U.S. State Department on the elections in Albania — The statement by the U.S. Department of State says: “We welcome the progress Albania has made toward democracy and the creation of a free society, and express our confidence that this progress will continue with free elections, which we hope will be held without fear—that is, fairly, without violence and without threats.” The statement emphasizes that the United States is interested in elections in Albania and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe being free and democratic. Helsinki and, more generally, human rights. Free and fair elections are a fundamental step in Albania’s democratic transformation and in securing domestic and international support for the implementation of reform in that country. “We hope,” the statement continues, “that the government of Albania, the election authorities and the political parties will take all necessary measures to ensure that the elections are held freely, fairly and peacefully.” The statement also says that election observers … are important, and that external observers of the elections, including those from the United States, as well as delegations from the American Institute and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, are present in Albania to ensure that citizens’ right to vote freely is respected in the electoral process. “We welcome all Albanian political parties,” the U.S. State Department statement concludes, “for conducting a peaceful election campaign, and call on all citizens of Albania to exercise their right to vote on March 22.”

Yesterday a grave incident occurred in our city. Comrade Xhemal Selimi, a veteran of the National Liberation War and a former official in the district’s government and economic bodies, was shot and killed. Yesterday a grave incident occurred in our city. and a former official in the district’s government and economic bodies, was shot and killed. His tragic murder, by a bloodthirsty hand, is a grave crime against democracy itself, which we are all striving together to deepen; such criminal acts incite revenge. His murder is not simply, as they are trying to portray it, a blood feud. At the root of this hideous murder of the secretary of the Socialist Party organization (Continued on page 2)

The Socialist Party hopes that today’s free elections will serve only true democracy, only Albania.

Yesterday, March 21, we, the journalists of «Zëri i popullit», opened the doors of our offices in sorrow. In the flower of his youth, while on duty protecting public order in the «Studenti» district of the capital, he fell as a martyr of de[mocracy?], the son of brave Vlora, pu- (Continued on page 3)

STATEMENT BY THE COMMITTEE OF VETERANS AND DISABLED OF THE NATIONAL LIBERATION WAR OF THE SHKODER DISTRICT