. At the invitation of the Socialist Party of Hungary, a SPA delegation headed by the Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, arrived in Budapest, where it will take part in the International Conference «International Conditions for Stability in Central and Eastern Europe». The conference is organized by the Hungarian Socialist Party and will address issues of stability in Central and Eastern Europe, the conditions and prospects for the consolidation of these regions and of individual countries. On this occasion, Fatos Nano will hold meetings with senior representatives of the Hungarian SP, as well as with representatives of the other parties participating in this Conference. Information Office of the SPA 10.3.1993

A brutal campaign of terror has recently erupted against freedom of thought and the free press. Those in power, unable to face constructive debate, take actions that are nothing but an abuse of official authority. In a broader sense, they express what is becoming institutionalized in Albania: the pretensions and arrogance of mediocre and inferior people seeking to clothe themselves in power. A policeman in Berat (who sniffs out the laws) goes so far as to summon journalist Luan Shmili to the public order department and demand an explanation from him for articles published in «Zëri i popullit». Not even the political police of dictatorial regimes gave themselves such powers. But this police did not stop there: after another article by the same journalist was published, they dragged him from his home in the middle of the night and subjected him to physical violence and psychological terror, openly abusing the law and their official position. And the President of the Republic, Mr Sali Berisha, says that the press is free. But today’s authorities, instead of an institution of censorship, have invented assistance and the courts. They throw journalist Hamdi Jupe’s wife out of work for no reason and tell him: «Mr Jupe, you are free to write!» They tell him he is free to write, while reminding him that he has a family to support, no home of his own, and lives in a dormitory room from which he too can be thrown out. Just as female journalists from «Zëri i popullit» were thrown out of their dormitory room onto the street by the police, and just as they can once again be thrown out by the police from the basements where they live with their families. Those in power have POWER. They are not satisfied with this. Through Safet Zhualali, they brought a lawsuit against Fatmir Kazani over the latter’s articles about the reform carried out in the army. Safet Zhualali is defending his doctrine in court. The fact that he has also included the editor-in-chief of «Zëri i popullit» in this accusation speaks to the political nature of this criminal complaint. This is not a matter of insults, abuse, or slander; it is another attempt by today’s authorities to put free thought on trial, punish it, and then bring people into line, one by one, like soldiers. The greatest test of an effective democracy is respect for the opposition. Even more important is the citizen’s right to think differently. Those mentioned above, along with many others, show that the new, so-called democratic authorities have set special instruments in motion against the opposition and independent press. The show trials against journalists are taking a different course. It is no coincidence that the authorities’ most prominent figures in the Koplik district, Zhali and Çela, have initiated dozens of lawsuits with their signatures against journalists who do not submit to «their military discipline». The new figures in Koplik, Zhulali and Cela, have initiated further to “their military discipline.” Nor is the President of the Republic, Mr Sali Berisha, lagging behind in this campaign. A number of journalists and literary figures who have expressed views differing from his political platform have been branded enemies, anti-democrats, and even fascists. Another expression of the inquisition against alternative opinion is the exclusion of journalists from the right to obtain information from official state sources. Journalists from the opposition press, especially those from “Zëri i Popullit” or the independent press, are not allowed to gather information in government offices. At best, they are asked to obtain special authorization from department heads, which leaves no doubt that directives about this ugly practice are coming from above. Our esteemed President, who rightly said at his latest press conference that information should be verified through two sources, perhaps knows nothing about these directives (!) Journalists are convinced they will withstand this new campaign too. They understand that today’s officials are going through difficult times, with their positions and chairs shaking. But since they call themselves democrats, we remind them that this is not the path of democracy. THOMA GELLCI

We invite the deputy and minister Zhualali, who was in Peshkopi on 7 March 1993, to comment on this . Mentor Bungari, chairman of the Dibër District Council, declares: - We have information from the law-enforcement agencies that Serbian diversionist and terrorist groups have entered Dibër. - I think this is not the time to hold rallies either in Dibër or anywhere in Albania. The scenario, it seems, arrived prepared «from above», from the state party and the party’s puppet. Smiles and expressions of readiness to place oneself at the service of the event. The fabrication of protests by setting fanfares, party members and officials in motion. A response that leaves no opening. The banning of activities. Attempts to reschedule them to «Greek calends»... This is what happened in Fier, in Koplik, in... The same scene was repeated in Peshkopi. The Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of Dibër requested in writing, in accordance with all the rules and laws, the organization of a peaceful rally on Sunday, 7 March 1993. On 3 March 1993, the chief of poli- [text continues in the source under another article] JOINT STATEMENT by deputies Mago Lakrori and Shkëlqim Cani in the People’s Assembly In recent days (5, 6, 7 March), in our capacity as deputies, we held several meetings in the town of Peshkopi and in villages in the Dibër district. Besides the major economic and social problems raised by the people with whom we spoke, we also encountered an important political issue, on which we asked to speak specifically. At the request of members and supporters of the Socialist Party in the district, the relevant steering committee planned to hold a peaceful rally on 6 March. This was again not accepted, this time on the grounds that the geographical position, the international situation and information about possible terrorist acts and confrontations did not allow the rally to be held in the open. We also made inquiries with the chairman of the district council. Initially, he answered us that «information from the law-enforcement agencies indicates that Serbian terrorist diversionist gangs have entered Dibër». Subsequently he gave us ... on your part, the admission of participants by invitation, with your officials responsible at the entrance. Do not bring parcels or bags, in order to prevent a possible incident. Such persons will not be allowed into the hall by the law-enforcement forces. Inform us of the hall where you will hold the rally by 5.3.1993. On 5 March 1993, two SP deputies in the Albanian parliament, who had «also» come to meet the people of the Dibër district, requested a meeting with district council chairman Mentor Bunguri. In response to a question about the ban on holding the rally, the chairman declared: terrorist groups have entered Dibër. The situation...» «Serbian terrorist diversionist gangs». He then also gave us his personal opinion that «rallies should not be held either in Dibër or in Albania». If the argument about terrorist gangs is valid, then, as parliamentarians, we express our concern that the law-enforcement agencies, SHIK and the defense authorities are not doing their duty to eliminate the violation of our country’s territorial integrity by Serbian forces and to guarantee the safety of our citizens. If that kind of argument is true, we are also displeased by the discrepancy it creates with the President’s statement about the order and calm prevailing in the country. If the argument about the gangs is not valid, that is, if these are irresponsible pretexts, then it follows that the authorities ... The [unclear] who presented the people we spoke with also brought to light an important political issue, on which we asked to comment Socialist Party in the district, the relevant governing committee planned to hold a peaceful protest rally against the ongoing decline and deterioration in living conditions and, generally, the economic situation, both in the city and in the countryside. We were also invited to that rally. On March 5, we learned that the rally had not been authorized. From the checks we carried out personally (and for which we also have the relevant documentation), it emerged that the requests to hold the rally complied with the law on mass gatherings and demonstrations. Nevertheless, the district law-enforcement authorities rejected them. The first request, for the peaceful rally to be held on March 7, was rejected on the specious pretext that «March 7 is Teachers’ Day and state activities would be held on that occasion» (the law does not provide for prohibitions in such cases). The second request, that would also be repeated in Peshko-pi. (Continued on page 2) In response to the question about the prohibition on holding the rally, the chairman declared: «We have information from the law-enforcement authorities that Serbian terrorist subversive groups have entered Dibër. The situation...» Asked to give his opinion regarding this incident, which runs counter to the law and human rights, Mentor Bunguri replied: in Dibër, or anywhere in Albania». The facts need no comment. They are written in black and white, signed and stamped, and bear a protocol number and the names of authoritative witnesses. They speak for themselves. The chairman of the district council of Dibër, in trying to cover up the truth, inadvertently exposed himself. The ragged blanket with which the PD and its zealous officials have thrown over Albanian truth is so short and so torn that it can hardly cover anything. Dibër is determined to seek its rights by democratic means, under the laws of democracy. DURIM MADHI created in the region, as well as to prevent possible clashes about which we, as an institution, have information, you may hold the gathering on that date and at that time in a hall that you consider suitable. In this case, we request

On 9 March 1993, students and people from Albanian territories beyond the borders who were in Albania gathered at the Palace of Culture for a memorial meeting in honor of the victims of the Skopje air crash. After a minute of silence, a telegram from the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, was read, as were messages from various organizations and associations, through which the students and their families expressed their feelings about a tragedy that ... the suffering and ... of Albanians living in their lands in the former Yugoslavia. The message of all Albanians is that a solution must be found as soon as possible, and as effectively and swiftly as possible, to end their suffering and the exodus of young people. On behalf of the Presidium of the Socialist Party and the Socialist Women’s Forum, Arta Dabulla expressed condolences to those attending the gathering. «Zëri i Popullit» correspondent 10. 3. 1993

Following the protest statement made in Parliament by Socialist deputies Maqo Lakrori and Shkëlqim Cani concerning the general attitude of the authorities in Dibër toward the announced rally of the Confederation of Trade Unions, there were reactions from two Democratic Party deputies. Natasha Shehu: According to her, a series of rallies throughout Albania will serve the Socialist Party’s feverish desire to seize power. Who knows how far these people will go with their demonstrations! This distinguished deputy says she is astonished. How can 20,000 people gather in Peshkopi’s square when even in Enver’s time no more than 5,000–10,000 people gathered, the deputy laments. To conclude, she declares that the people who did gather were members of the Democratic Party. Note: So Ms Shehu is concerned about two things: first, what these people will demonstrate about in the square; second, whether 20,000 people can actually gather. In other words, not a word about Serbian terrorist gangs. Uran Butka: When I heard Maqo (Lakrori) talk about violence, about coercion, about silencing people, I thought it was not Maqo speaking but Lefter Lakrori. Note: When I heard Uran Butka’s words, I was surprised at where Safet Butka’s son finds the courage to ... …to have someone’s father dishonored. The one who yesterday hid behind the surname A-licka now comes out into the open, sword in hand. Could such a vile time really have come to this?! The son of a Balli Kombëtar commander who collaborated with the Italian fascist occupiers (there are written documents to prove this), and who also killed himself in an unspecified place, boasts before Parliament! A note on the notes: State television distorts deputy Natasha Shehu’s intervention and does not have the courage to mention a single word of what Uran Butka said. Could it be that a Serbian terrorist gang of the kind the chairman of the Peshko-pi council talks about has infiltrated there too? BEQIR SHKRELLI

In Tepelenë, 97 percent of the land has been distributed. Seventy percent of peasant families have received livestock along with the land. 1 percent and ... employees. The comment that can be added to these figures is that the district, the municipalities and the association of communes here are run by the Socialists. THANAS DINO

I have an apartment in Shkodër with two rooms and a kitchen with a kitchenette, two balconies and a large hallway, at the following address: «Fahri Ramadani» neighborhood, «Çlirimi» Street. I wish to exchange it for one of the same size in Tirana. Interested parties should contact me in Tirana at telephone number 336-61.