With the judgment of time: The March 22 elections will remain a holier day in Albania’s history. The people voted for democracy, regardless of which force became its standard-bearer. Politicians, sociologists, economists, historians, even religious people will reflect on them. Psychologists will also have their share of reflections, especially since this campaign played heavily on the psyche of a people. Many are now asking: “How is it possible?! What is this paradox: the left-wing people voted for the right?” Indeed, one European who considered himself cleverer than the others asked that day: “Could this be a far-sighted strategy by the Socialist Party to leave the double six to the Democratic Party?” There is no strategic game here. Or at least, there was no such strategy. I am one of the 94 Socialist Party candidates who lost in the March 22 elections. I have visited all the villages in my area, most of them on foot. I met and spoke with hundreds of people. Dozens of them invited me for coffee, embraced me, and told me: “We love you, but we can’t vote for you.” That, too, may seem like a paradox to someone. But is it? I say no. The left-wing people voted with left-wing convictions. Entirely left-wing convictions. Disheartened by the bombshell of calm, exhausted by political debates, impoverished by the freezing of Eastern socialism, they entered the elections with the attitude: “Let’s give the DP a try.” A great dilemma! The trial was held. We hope that this trial turns out well, because we want what is best for the country, what is best for the people, what is best for democracy. But why did this trial give us this “political geography” in the second pluralist parliament? In my opinion, this is the final warning being delivered to the Party-state, and unfortunately only one party paid for it: the Socialist Party. No one listened to the words “we are together”... I will never forget the meeting in a half-mosque, half-cultural center in the village of Vile, when an old villager told me: “Here, in this mosque, a general beat 40 men from the village. Whose general was he, mine?! The Socialist Party’s?! Everyone knows that wasn’t the case. But... the horse that was caught ruined the threshing floor.” None of the hundreds of questions put to me shook me more than the questions “Will the dead have anything to eat?” and “Will we have salt for the sheep?” Meanwhile, some parliamentary candidates promised 24 hydroelectric plants, a tourist hotel even on the cliffs of Bushtrica, all kinds of things without planting even a single dynym of land, and so on. But that is not the point. The people are too wise to believe such promises. There were other reasons why they delivered the verdict of March 22. And again I say with conviction: they voted as leftists. The main causes of the Party-state’s failure are well known: “What the people want, the Party does; what the Party says, the people do.” It did so neither in time nor in space. Some positive realities, especially those of the early democratic period, were undeniable. I will never forget the first sentence in the diary of a villager with four years of schooling, who wrote in 1949: “We are a democratic state.” But later it paralyzed the preservation of one of its elements: “What the Party says, the people do.” That is where the great crisis between the people and the party bureaucracy began. The people remain, as always, in their left-wing position. The party and state bureaucracy moved ever further to the right. People lost faith in the coexistence of their aspirations with the ideals that had been offered to them. The entire propaganda machine worked to implant the opposite in people’s minds. But propaganda became like Cassandra; it completely lost its power to persuade. Inevitably. Two planets with opposing orbits will never meet. While propaganda spoke of great successes, many things were missing from the market, right down to black headscarves for mothers and shoes for women. Politics left the newspaper columns, the meeting halls, the ministerial offices, the works of Enver Hoxha and the speeches of Ramiz Alia, and entered the teachers’ ranks, the stripped-down trains, the pavements where dozens of unemployed people gathered, and the homes of political prisoners and persecuted people. Extremist actions were undertaken and called left-wing, but in reality they had a right-wing essence. “Tuzëfimi,” for example, was advertised as a left-wing ideological and economic model. (Someone even received an academic title for this.) Meanwhile, it was an entirely right-wing action, because bringing this problem to the fore means that it will be difficult to calm the situation in what may be called Yugoslavia. Sweden, Germany, the Vatican, and Austria have expressed their positive stance on the rights of Albanians. (Continued on page 2) ... ... in the Balkans, or in Europe, unless the Kosovo problem is resolved. Meanwhile, at a meeting with ... ... possible to raise this issue, because “there will be no peace in ...”. “One thing ...” visit to the Vatican. “Kosovo has not been forgotten at all by the State of the Vatican,” Çeli emphasized, according to the bulletin of the Ministry of Information. ... Macedonia, if it wishes to be recognized as an independent state, must treat Albanians in Macedonia as a nation with full rights.

The breakup of Yugoslavia makes it essential to resolve the Albanian issue, just as is being done with the other republics. Europe is expressing the objective view that without resolving this issue, There can be no peace without resolving the Kosovo issue, Sweden’s foreign minister states. Swedish Foreign Minister Margareta Ul - Uglas expressed her government’s concern over the tragic situation in Kosovo and the terror, violence, and oppression that the Serbian government is inflicting on Albanians. Speaking before the Swedish parliament, Ul Uglas denounced the oppression of the Albanian majority in Kosovo, where the university, radio and television, and the only daily newspaper, “Rilindja,” have been shut down. She denounced the poisoning of more than 7,000 children and the mass dismissal of Albanians from their jobs. “This is contrary to the conventions and documents signed by the former Yugoslavia,” she said. “As a European people (the Albanians in Kosovo), we must not allow ourselves to suffer because of oppression and discrimination,” the Swedish foreign minister declared. She stressed that Albanians have not been forgotten by Europe: “Kosovo and its issue will have a place in the discussions.” We, she said, will do everything peace in the Balkans, or in Europe, unless the Kosovo issue is resolved.” The Vatican supports the rights of the Albanian population in Kosovo. The Holy See has followed the Kosovo issue attentively and firmly approves and supports the peaceful path chosen by the Albanian people for a just resolution of their problems, Monsignor Claudio Maria Çeli, the Vatican’s undersecretary for diplomatic relations, told Nikë Gjeloshi, Vice-President of the Republic of Kosovo, who visited the State of the Vatican,” Çeli emphasized, according to a bulletin from the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosovo. On this occasion, Nik Gjeloshi officially submitted to the Vatican his government’s request for recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo. The European Parliament will adopt a resolution Radio Croatia reports that Mr Zhak Van Den Meriburk, a member of the European Parliament, held talks with Mr Harri, an official of the Party for Democratic Rights in Preshevë, Bunovc and Medvegjë, and with Belul Masufi, a member of parliament. According to this source, Mr Zhan Van den Meriburk promised his interlocutors that the European Parliament would soon adopt an urgent resolution concerning the blatant violation of the national and human rights of Albanians in Preshevë, Bunovc and Medvegjë. Alois Mok: Albanians in Macedonia must be treated as a nation the Republic of Kosovo, at a symposium of Eastern European countries, Austrian Foreign Minister Alois Mok stated that, while Croatia and Slovenia already have laws on minorities, full rights.” Reflections of the day AMETARE AND SYMPA-

In last Saturday’s issue, the newspaper “Zëri i Rinisë,” after giving the people’s three pages a hearty round of applause, also takes a swipe at its fourth page, accusing it of having spent years insulting American imperialism. The gentlemen journalists deserve congratulations for remembering to raise these issues now, like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted; however, they have forgotten to provide facts. And you know very well that facts are the “bread” of journalism and that without them nobody believes you. Nevertheless, those young people who are here this time are helping you with facts that you have forgotten, and do not even want to remember yourselves. Mr Lefte Veshaj. So you know, Mr Veshaj, the newspapers that spewed venom against American imperialism, for better or worse—take your pick—are no longer doing that work; they have been transferred to another newspaper. They are gentlemen Bashkim Trenova and the person responsible for the nation, Mr Napoleon Roshi. I believe you remember these two names, who tore imperialism to shreds. Don’t you, Mr Veshaj? For further details, these two gentlemen can explain it to you themselves; all you have to do is go to “RD” and ask for them. In any case, this advice is of no use to you, Mr Veshaj, because I know very well who writes on the fourth page of “Zëri,” but it seems that you and your “militants” are stuck in the old “art” and continue to fear the Party-state. P.S. As for the “miracles” that have happened among us with the salty ... [illegible section] ... ALBAN NIKOLLI

Yesterday at noon, President of the Republic Ramiz Alia received the commander of Operation “Pelikan,” General Kuintana, on the occasion of his transfer from Albania. The President had a warm and friendly conversation with the General and his close associates, during which he highly praised the work carried out so far by the Italian military personnel within the framework of Operation “Pelikan,” and in particular the excellent and substantial work of General Kuintana. President Ramiz Alia personally thanked them for this and said that this activity has contributed, and continues to contribute, to further strengthening the friendship between the Albanian and Italian peoples. General Kuintana noted that he was leaving Albania with the best impressions of the Albanian people and thanked them for the appreciation shown for his work and that of his Italian military colleagues. Also present at the reception was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Albania, Torkuato Kardili. (According to ATSH)

LAMEZIA TERME (CATANZARO), March 27 (ANSA) — Italian Foreign Minister Xhani De Mikelis, speaking to journalists at Lamezia Terme airport, confirmed that on April 2 he will go to Durrës, Albania, for a visit to our military personnel, who are doing gigantic work as part of Operation Pelikan, completing their work with community assistance. De Mikelis said that he would also meet representatives of the Democratic Party, who represent a political choice. The Foreign Minister denied that there was “an Albania case” in connection with some recent incidents reported by the press regarding the fact that Sali Berisha, leader of the Democratic Party, did not receive a delegation of Italian parliamentarians. “It is necessary to understand,” De Mikelis said, “the state of mind, the momentum that people in a party may have when, after 50 years in opposition, they come to power. Apparently, when this happens, things get greatly exaggerated.” “Sali Berisha,” De Mikelis added, “as prime minister, should speak in the way he ought to speak the truth, remembering the relations we have had in recent months both with the previous government and with the opposition.” (ATSH)

The US ambassador in Belgrade, Mr Urën Zimerman, gave an interview to the newspaper “Bujku”: Responding to a question about the Kosovo issue, he said: “We see it almost as a typical colonial situation, in which a people who are subjects have been denied their fundamental rights and are ruled by a metropolis located much farther away. Our view is that this situation cannot last very long. A combination of colonial authoritarianism and communism cannot endure for a long time in the middle of Europe. I believe that time is on the side of the Albanians of Kosovo. I think they will win their freedom. “The first point I want to make is that we cannot help the Albanians of Kosovo if they rely on force. Politicians in Yugoslavia have consistently been working to create peaceful solutions to problems,” Ambassador Zimerman says. As for the upcoming free elections, Zimerman says that if they are held, as you say those elections will be, he very much hopes the authorities will not obstruct them.

- A true democrat is one who abides by the rules of the democratic game. - March 22, long awaited, and its mission. Today marks one week since the day our people, within the span of a year, voted for the second time in the tenth pluralist elections. Albania took another step on the road towards a civilized democracy, a road on which, from now on, thanks to the will of the majority, the Democratic Party has the honor and historic responsibility of leading us, even though it has not yet passed its 15th month since its founding. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party, which received a little more than 25 percent of the votes, is Albania's second parliamentary party; it managed to win more than its sister parties founded before it, specifically the Republican Party and the Social Democratic Party. Fair political competition in a democratic and civilized country has two possible outcomes: defeat and victory. This was also borne out by the election campaign of March 22, in which all the parties entered the electoral contest to win. At least, that is what they declared. But what happened? As soon as the results were published ... (Continued on page 2)

Will enthusiasm be rewarded: What people are most interested in today is how the economy's productive structures will be set in motion. The blows they have suffered are severe, but regeneration must take place. Regeneration is vital, an inspiring improvement in material conditions. Whoever understands this has understood more than politics, perhaps even more than the «experts». They have understood that wandering the streets is nothing. But there are also cases where people have put work before politics. The brick factory in Lushnjë (the old one) is an example in itself. What happened there? Nothing extraordinary. Production has been stolen. Not a single brick has been produced through the work. The key driving force: privatization of the factory through the distribution of shares. Nearly 300 workers have joined together of their own accord and have made use of [unclear] more than before. But their machines. Things are different with the freight depot in Dibër, which is operating at full capacity. It fulfills all its contracts. It meets demand by traveling along the country's main roads; for them, this is better. But it is also better for the country when others act as they do. Something is moving, but it needs to move faster. Enough of wandering up and down. Enough of going abroad for no reason. Dozens and dozens of talks have been held with foreign agencies and firms, but nothing concrete has come of them. Let us set party politics aside. The best policy is the one that gives people the most enthusiasm; in this respect, the beautiful mass [unclear] must be rewarded differently. Let us wait for the disorder of despair. DEDË KOLA

By now, everyone understands and accepts that without the Socialist Party in parliament, without its parliamentary group, and without its dignified and constructive stance, pluralism in Albania cannot have a future. We are a party of the democratic left. Our alternative is the closest, most acceptable and most hopeful one for the interests and demands of ordinary people who work, produce and create. For everything we fail to do well, and for the things that most of the electorate cannot manage to understand or be convinced of today, they will certainly understand and be convinced tomorrow. Therefore, we express our conviction that through our work, strength and contribution, we will ensure that the same popular vote that has put us in opposition today will put us in charge of the country's life tomorrow. It is an extremely meaningful, joyful, and inspiring message for everyone that, from January through early March 1992, more than 1,100 new members—primarily Eurosocialists—were accepted into the Socialist Party of Albania, while in recent days, after March 22, requests to join the Socialist Party have been increasing even more.