De Mikelis in Durrës In addition to economic aid and cooperation, we are ready for temporary and controlled migration on the basis of agreements. After the collapse, Albania must also think for itself about its own problems. Italian Foreign Minister Xha-ni De Mikelis held a press conference for foreign and Albanian journalists in the hall of the third pluralist Executive Committee of Durrës, concerning the purpose of his visit on the eve of the first session of the new Parliament and the formation of the new government after the elections. In this hall, and during the continuation of his visit to the city where Operation «Pelican» was based, on Durrës beach, he answered questions from foreign and local journalists, which we publish below. De Mikelis, on behalf of the Italian government, expressed his satisfaction with the election results, with their transparency and fairness, and with Albania’s turn toward democracy. This, he said, will mark an important step toward Europe. We support further intensification of relations and economic cooperation between the two countries, and Italian economic aid to Albania. Starting next week, an Italian government delegation will come to Tirana to discuss all economic, social and political issues and review all the agreements we have made in the past. It is very important to have a stable government, so that it can address not only emergency needs but also the country’s economic and social development. From this point of view, I offer not only financial guarantees for political success, but also for that success to be deepened into economic success, with further structural reform. The Albanian people have placed their faith in democracy, and it is for democracy to respond to the grave and difficult problems; they expect it to solve these problems. We also discussed political issues of shared interest, with a view to turning the Adriatic into a sea of peace, cooperation and stability for the common good, including that of neighboring Yugoslavia, and to finding a European solution to the problems of the communities living there. Naturally, the problems are numerous and complex, but a stable government in Tirana will help solve these difficult problems in this region. I came to Durrës to convey the thanks of the Italian government and of our men in Operation «Pelican» to General Kuintana, who is leaving Albania after truly outstanding work. I guarantee that Operation «Pelican» will continue; it is a peace operation. (Continued on page 4)

For several days, the folk group of instrumentalists and singers from Përmet, the «Familjes Lela», has been touring France, introducing the wider French public to some of the gems of our folklore, including songs of exile and mournful songs, urban and historical songs, love and erotic songs, music from southern, central and northern Albania, as well as songs from Kosovo. Last night, the musical group performed in one of the concert halls of Montmartre in Paris, where enthusiasts of folk music, musicologists, folklore researchers, various journalists and Albanian emigrants were present. Also attending was Mr. Luan Rama, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Paris. As part of the «Musique vivant» (living music of the day) concerts, organized by the French company «Run Production», this group is attracting particular attention with its performances. The president of the folk music festival in Ganat, France, Mr. Zhan Rosh—the festival at which Albania also participated several years ago—said after the performance that Albania possesses great spiritual and cultural wealth, which it preserves and cultivates and must not lose, as is happening in other countries. This is true art, bearing witness to the originality and spiritual identity of your nation. Be proud of it. After performances in Muluzë, Anzher, Strasburg, Ruen and Paris, the group will also tour Belgium. Remzi Leles’ kaba, Myslim’s wonderful songs and Fatmir Leles’ lladet are increasingly captivating the French public. (ATSH)

Interview with one of the leaders of FRES and member of the new People’s Assembly, PANDELI MAJKO The Eurosocialists are the PS’s «destiny»; we need each other and are irreplaceable for one another. That is what those who know the youth forum of this alternative, and its convictions in particular, say. It is truly an internal opposition that ensures the Party’s rapid development, uninterrupted reform, hope and confidence. They are sincere; with their intellectual capacity they bring European concepts to the Socialist Party, and they have not been infected by totalitarianism, whose effects have left no party untouched. At many meetings and gatherings, Socialist Party members and supporters have noticed the Eurosocialists’ critical stance toward many practices and ways of thinking that appear in the party’s everyday life. It is becoming increasingly clear that their role is irreplaceable; it is «fate», as the Socialists themselves say. We conducted this interview with one of the forum’s leaders to convey its spirit more directly. Question: — The PS is now in opposition, and naturally FRES-SH has a new position too. What are the forum’s plans in these circumstances, both within and outside the party? Answer: — Things are going better than we had expected in the first days after March 22. With Eurosocialist MPs in Parliament, it is clear that the future, for us now, will no longer speak the language of dreams. With the PS entering opposition, we are considering changes and objectives that will consolidate new qualities and the good cooperation achieved over the past few months, since FRES was formed. In these difficult times, we in the Socialist Party ... Question: — At the first meeting after March 22, one of your comrades said verbatim in a gathering: «The Socialist Party must push itself to start.» How do you understand and comment on this thought? Answer: It is true. In opposition, this party has a great opportunity to take a good look at itself—not by shutting itself away in cafés, of course, but by getting to know itself and its condition. The PS now has the opportunity to recognize its mistakes while in power, to respond in practice to criticism, and to assess and demonstrate its maturity and intellectual capacity. It must show the maturity it possesses, measured by how long it takes to correct these mistakes, which are dialectical for a new party. It is true that the Socialist Party is also beginning with its presence in opposition, for the first time; it is the only one that had never experienced opposition. Our work begins to expose the shortcomings of those in power, to make them public, and to reveal the interests of the privileged majority. More and more people’s eyes will turn toward the current opposition, the PS. Many hopes, too. Finally, the people can judge a party fairly when they know both sides of the coin: its time in government and its time in opposition. Question: — Personally, have you previously felt yourself to be «in opposition» in your social and family circles? Answer: — No. This may be because (Continued on page 3)

A reminder to the mandates committee Neither of the two examples I will give below is my own. One is taken from an excerpt of a statement by the Social Democratic Party branch of Dukagjin, and the other—from a letter sent to our newspaper’s editorial office by citizen M. Floku, a resident of the «Salo Halili» neighborhood in the city of Shkodër. Both the statement and the letter converge on one point: the alleged misuse of humanitarian aid by the deputy for the Dukagjin area, Mr. Kolë Tonaj. We do not undertake to verify these claims, nor can we say how accurate the information they provide is. We have heard a great deal about the abuse of aid, and continue to hear about it. What interests us most in this case is that two issues have been raised which we believe are important and should be kept in mind by the mandates committee or other bodies of the People’s Assembly. Let us first present the following excerpts: Some time ago, the PSD branch in Dukagjin issued a statement about the deputy Kolë Tonaj. Among other things, it accused him of appropriating aid. Specifically, they say that 24 trucks carrying aid were dispatched from Tirana to Dukagjin and all of them got stuck at the Montenegro border crossing, which is controlled by the Serbs. The rest of the Dukagjin excerpt suggests that the aforementioned deputy was charged with the view that «the PSD branch in Dukagjin has been dissolved». This is as it is; under pluralism, we cannot prejudge those who believe that things must be done seriously (because they concern the fate and...) of people. There emerged people who fight vocally, but the alternative they have chosen. Many of those who a year ago told us, «Well done, we saw them joining those parties about which until yesterday they may have argued that they should be outlawed.» Whether they were right or wrong is difficult to judge. Under pluralism, one cannot prejudge the convictions of one person or another... [part cut off]

As part of the work to establish confidence- and security-building measures, as set out in the CSCE documents, today the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Kostaq Karoli, left for a working visit to Greece. During this visit, he will meet in Corfu with the Chief of the General Staff of the Greek National Defence, General Joanie Verivagia, to discuss bilateral issues in the spirit of the CSCE documents. Tirana, 3 April 1992

— The Socialist Party district committee of Durrës met — The Socialist Party entered the 22 March elections to win, fully confident that this victory would be in the interests of democracy, Albania and our long-suffering people. Nevertheless, we said, the defeat is real. In fact, as was said at the meeting, this is something relative, because it does not truly represent the feelings and opinions of the electorate. The fact that 6,000 ballot papers were invalid in Durrës, the fact that in many areas there were neither Socialist Party representatives nor observers, in addition to various other facts, proves this. However, both objective and subjective, internal and external factors contributed to its defeat. Speakers stressed that the defeat should be regarded more as a popular referendum on breaking away from communism than as a lack of confidence in putting the Socialist Party in charge of the country’s affairs. The propaganda of the former opposition forces fired all its guns at the Socialist Party, identifying it with PP, blaming it for the country’s miserable and devastated state, portraying it as an isolated force without support, and so on. Also, some concessions made by the Socialist Party in the interests of the people and the country, and in the interests of democracy itself, allowed others to take advantage. (Continued on page 3)

— Written on the eve of the formation of the Government — Today, the new People’s Assembly, the second pluralist assembly in the new democratic Albania, will convene. Albanian public opinion everywhere is interested in this important event. Parliament will pass laws and decrees to put Albania on a better course. But all of us, less out of curiosity than out of pan-Albanian national interest, are waiting for this parliament to approve swiftly the formation of the new government that will lead the country. This will be the fifth government within the short span of just two years. After all, we too have now become accustomed to the rules of a new game: resignations and changes of government. We Socialists will not wish this upon the new government, and I believe the people and the ministers who will be chosen are convinced of that. The new government will be formed by the Democratic Party, in its capacity as the winner of the 22 March elections. Keeping its promises and acting honestly is the greatest obligation that the times demand of it and place upon it. In addition, the new government will naturally take on, but not without concern and responsibility, the heavy burden of overcoming the great difficulties confronting the economy and everyday life in Albania. If it succeeds in establishing itself as a force that came to power not for cosmetic changes but to get the country back on its feet, it will first serve Albania and then itself. Let us not forget that this new era, which we all want to shape with dignity, is full of challenges. Who will the new ministers be? People are bandying names and conjectures. The public wants them to be honest and dedicated people. Let them be new faces, but with commitment foremost; the Democratic Party has an opportunity to reward the people’s verdict in a worthy manner. The new government faces a series of economic reforms concerning the people’s food supply, employment and other matters. Above all, the privatization of the economy. “You have solved the problem of ownership in agriculture, but not in industry,” the World Bank representative said at a meeting with the chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr Sali Berisha. When the new ministers take their seats in power, they will bear the heavy burden of economic hardships on their shoulders. What economic alternative will the new government implement and announce? The accelerated path of “shock therapy” toward a market economy, with the state’s powers limited and prices liberalized to the greatest possible extent? This will be no small test for it. Nevertheless, the new government to be formed has considerable advantages. First: it will face a political force that will not obstruct it, but will be critical and act as an opposition... (Continued on page 3)

By means of this statement, which I am communicating today through Radio Television and ATSH, as state information agencies, I wish to inform the country’s public opinion and the entire population that [I have] decided to resign from the office of President of the Republic. I will submit the corresponding request officially, in writing and publicly. publicly. I will submit the corresponding request in writing to the new People’s Assembly tomorrow. A year ago, I accepted this duty as head of state in the name of what was best for the homeland, in the name of the unity of the people, in the name of the country’s political progress and the consolidation of democracy. For reasons and motives that now lead me to resign, while first expressing my conviction that the People’s Assembly will entrust the leadership of the country to a personality capable of leading Albania toward peace and [the people’s] will ... [the lower part is faded and illegible]

Radio-Kroacia reports that the Autonomous Republic of Ilirida of the ethnic Albanians in Macedonia has been proclaimed. The Assembly for the political-territorial autonomy of the Albanians in Macedonia, based in Tetovë, proclaimed the Autonomous Republic of Ilirida. In the territory of the Autonomous Republic I- (Continued on page 4)

The Socialist Party has the strength, ability and maturity to assert itself at any moment as one of the largest and most organized forces, and to contribute with dignity to the country’s democratization processes.

Time passed quickly. The transformations we have experienced today brought great changes. In these processes, time also sifted through people’s characters, honesty and sincerity. Those who fight wholeheartedly, with complete conviction in the alternative they have chosen, came to the fore. Many of those who a year ago used to tell us, «Well done, we saw them joining that party, about which until yesterday they may have expressed opinions that it should be... the text was

Today is the Bajram holiday. On this occasion, we wish all Muslim believers a happy holiday for many years to come. May the coming year bring greater abundance!