History is not a cow for the DP to milk as it pleases - In the name of the DP, parliament puts forward laws that lump genuine idealists together with ordinary criminals, - Pjetër Pepa of the DP turns collaborators of the occupier into heroes and those who liberated the homeland into culprits, - Will Pjetër Arbnori receive his father’s pension? The initiative to grant innocence to all those people who have suffered and have repeated their grievances because of their children’s political views, which are opposed to communist ideology in Albania, is a very humane initiative that I do not believe anyone in today’s Albania would oppose. Since the issue of political prisoners is very difficult, with many known and unknown aspects, parliament has returned to it several times. Nevertheless, unfortunately, not only has this issue not been fully resolved, but in many of its aspects unjust and unconstitutional solutions have been adopted. For example, from the very beginning parliament yielded under direct pressure from political parties such as Balli Kombëtar and Legaliteti and their representatives, who are in the majority in the Democratic Party and its parliamentary group. The Socialist group in parliament has called for the issue of political prisoners to be resolved justly and prudently. It has called for the statute of the political prisoner to be brought before parliament. At the beginning of January, Namik Dokle asked the government to take all necessary measures regarding this issue by the end of February 1993. At the time, the majority rejected this request and, in practice, the government dragged out its resolution. On the contrary, [the text is unclear/truncated] those who actively took part in partisan actions, terrorist acts such as robbery, looting, arson, and espionage, etc. This proposal was fully supported by the Socialist group in parliament. Here, rightly, it was decided that a category of people who committed crimes punishable under every regime and in every country in the world should not be declared innocent. It should be said that this was the formal aspect of the issue, because in practice the opposite happened. We are all witnesses to how television shows ceremonies every day involving people, some of whom the public has known as criminals. The law itself also leaves room for manipulation. Thus, it gives some revanchists, now calling themselves democrats, the opportunity to do so. Pjetër Pepa asked that all those who fought alongside the occupier against the National Liberation Army and their own people be declared innocent. Since, according to Pepa, the collaborators of fascism are supposedly innocent, the blame falls on the 28,000 martyrs and 70,000 partisans whom Pepa calls forces of the dictatorship. With the votes the people gave his party, Pepa can crown with laurels the sadists who massacred the Albanian people alongside the occupier. People are still alive. The people do not forget Çen [unclear] and Pepa’s “brave men” during the winter operation, and especially in June 1944. Despite the firm objections of deputies such as Ulqini, Aposto... [The text is cut off at the bottom of the column.] Apostoli, Zego, Milo, the proposal was put to a vote and immediately approved by the majority. The Socialist group voted unanimously against it. Pjetër Arbnori himself was also interested in having the proposal approved as quickly as possible. They say his father, Filip Toma, was also killed in a clash with partisan forces after August 1, 1943. So, after receiving his gold, Arbnori should also receive his father’s pension. With the majority of the votes the people gave the DP, it is making history as it pleases and milking the cow of “democracy” all the same. BEQIR SKRELI

Papulias: “I am very well informed about the realistic and reasoned positions being pursued by the Socialist Party of Albania.” As we have reported, a delegation of the SPA, headed by its chairman, Fatos Nano, set off for Athens at the invitation of the chairman of PASOK, Mr. Andreas Papandreu. The delegation also included the chairman of the SPA Parliamentary Group and its deputy chairman, Namik Dokle, and MP Anastас Angjeli. On their way to Athens, they were welcomed and held a warm, friendly discussion with the mayor of Janina, Mr. Filipos Filipos, who spoke about the desire of the bodies and institutions of this Municipality to comprehensively expand relations with several municipalities in Albania, as well as to establish twinning arrangements between some municipalities and Janina. It was agreed that a detailed, concrete programme would soon be drawn up for this purpose. Yesterday the SPA delegation met with the MP for Janina, member of PASOK’s Central Committee, and well-known Greek political figure, Mr. Karolos Papulias. “I am glad to welcome you here in Janina,” Mr. Papulias said, “the place where the positive developments in Greek-Albanian relations began, and I believe they will be reactivated in the near future.” Opinions were then exchanged on the political situations in Albania and Greece, in the Balkans and beyond. “The authority and trust of the Albanian people in the Socialist Party are growing,” Fatos Nano said as he took the floor. “It has put forward political, economic and social alternatives that are realistic and in the interests of the working masses, which has turned the political balance in its favour and enhanced the authority of the Socialist Party. The development of the situation in our two countries, in the Balkans and beyond,” Fatos Nano said, “makes it necessary to undertake joint political initiatives to increase the role of the left in the Balkans and Europe, and to successfully confront the attacks of the right, inspired by certain international circles against Albania. It is of great value that you enjoy the people’s ever-growing confidence after the recent events in Albania. Peoples understand realities quickly. There is no doubt that relations between our two parties, especially after the elections—which I fully believe we will win, both you and I—are an opportunity to reactivate Greek-Albanian relations, so that our two countries can play an even greater role in the Balkans, for its peace and stability and in the interests of our peoples.” “In this context,” Papulias said, “we will also be able to resolve those problems that are not being resolved between our two current governments, and here I also have in mind the humanitarian aspect of relations between our two countries represented by those many thousands of Albanian refugees in Greece.” “It is important,” Fatos Nano said, “that the role of the left and of parties aspiring to democratic socialism is also being reaffirmed in Europe. In this context, we appreciate the victory of the Spanish socialists, who won despite the barrage of attacks from the right, which are carried out everywhere according to the same script.” “I think,” Mr. Papulias added, “the time has come for us to undertake initiatives that will strengthen the left, especially in the Balkans. It would be a good idea—and I am thinking of a joint event that could be held in Athens between the socialist parties of the Balkans and representatives of the Socialist International.” The conversation took place in a friendly atmosphere and with complete mutual understanding. The SPA delegation was also received by the Secretary-General of the Epirus Region (representative of the Greek government for this region), Mr. Fotjos Gupas. Views were exchanged on the great opportunities for developing economic relations between this region—which includes 13 municipalities and around 500 communes—and the neighbouring areas of Albania. However, Mr. Gupas emphasized, there are still obstacles, particularly in the field of legislation. Fatos Nano stressed that the Socialist Party and its parliamentary group would undertake a legislative initiative to overcome these obstacles and establish friendly relations and full cooperation, including in the field of emigration, etc. “We,” Fatos Nano said, “are extremely interested, at this time of the many difficulties our country is going through, in doing everything possible to ensure organized emigration between municipalities and communes.” In the afternoon, the SPA delegation, accompanied by the mayor of Janina, took part in the opening of Janina’s first Pan-Greek Fair, where it held meetings and discussions with local authorities and representatives of the Greek government. The delegation visited the Albanian pavilion at the Fair. SPA Press and Information Office

The Socialist Party defends the lawful rights of Albanian lawyers, while their association remains silent. Lawyers who defend citizens’ lawful rights hesitate to defend themselves. Interview with the chairman of the Commission on Rules, Immunity and Mandates, Fehmi Abdiu, given to Hamdi Jupës, journalist of the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit”. Question: Mr. Fehmi, the Constitutional Court recently annulled the appeal lodged by the group of Socialist Party deputies concerning the above-mentioned law on Bailiffs. Can you offer a position regarding this law? Answer: As a specialist, I was convinced this is how it would turn out. As you say, how would the change happen, and another… [text cut off/unclear] … since it was not rejected even when I considered it an annulment. I am convinced that it was rejected by the Constitutional Court because of the injustice in the law. For… Question: What was the position of the Socialist Party parliamentary group regarding the law on bailiffs? Answer: After the country’s democratization processes began, all Albanians supported the creation of the Bar, in the hope and belief that this institution would contribute to the lawful protection of citizens and expand the human dimensions of our society. But not much time passed before prejudiced tendencies became apparent, representing serious attempts to restrict and curtail the legal profession and damage the professional, moral and material interests of thousands of lawyers. The Socialist Party parliamentary group has repeatedly set out its position against the content of the above-mentioned law on bailiffs, which is unconstitutional. This law conflicts with the content of Article 6 of the law on amendments and additions to the law “On the Basic Constitutional Provisions,” according to which the legal profession is exercised as a free profession. The law on bailiffs conflicts with the democratic spirit of international legal instruments, which do not permit the imposition of restrictions on the exercise of a free profession. The lawyers’ position regarding such instruments is significant… Answer: … The wording of the second paragraph of Article 1 of the aforementioned law, according to which, “The Minister of Justice chairs the commission and proposes its composition; the commission is made up of the High Council of Justice,” conflicts with the provisions of Article 13 ‘On the Basic Constitutional Provisions,’” according to which the High Council of Justice is the only authority that decides on appointments, transfers and dis-

As one of the newspapers of “Koha jonë” informs us, today, at 9:00, the trial of the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Koha jonë,” Mr. Aleksandër Frangaj, is being held at the Court of Appeal in Shkodër on the charge of “Disclosure of a state secret.” The request for this second trial was made by the Prosecutor General himself, Alush Dragoshi, who disagreed with the outcome of the Lezhë trial, which, as we have reported, released Aleksandër Frangaj from house arrest. As one of the newspapers of “Koha jonë” informs us, today, at 9:00, the trial of the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Koha jonë,” Mr. in Shkodër on the charge of “Disclosure of a state secret.” The request for this second trial was made by the Prosecutor General himself, Alush Dragoshi, who disagreed with the outcome of the Lezhë trial, which, as we have reported, released Aleksandër Frangaj from house arrest. We will report the outcome of this trial in the next issue.

From the clashes in the People’s Assembly To verify the issue raised in the Assembly by Azem Hajdari a few days ago, parliament formed a special commission. On Tuesday afternoon, the chairman of this commission, Socialist MP Adem Zyberi, presented to the deputies what they had found during their meeting with the head of SHIK, Mr. Gazidede. According to Zyberi, Bashkim Gazidede had denied the accusation made by Hajdari and had stated that Hajdari had not been under surveillance by SHIK and that no file had been opened on him. When the commission asked Gazidede to check the documentation, he refused, saying that this was secret, even though SHIK reports to the Assembly and the commission had been appointed specifically by it. In his discussion with the commission members, Gazidede had said that when SHIK investigates a deputy in order to uncover a crime within the scope of its work, it obtains permission and informs the presidium of the People’s Assembly. At this point, deputy Zyberi stopped reading the report. The presidium’s chairman, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, intervened in the discussion and asked whether he had known about the matter of whether Azem Hajdari was under surveillance. Arbnori also put this question directly to Hajdari. Meanwhile, there was uproar in the chamber. Hajdari told those who were speaking that he did not want to use his parliamentary immunity to give someone in the chamber what they deserved, but those who wanted to test themselves could go outside. Arbnori, at the podium, to whom a direct and legitimate question had been put that called for an open answer, said something about [unclear] instead of restoring the honour of a deputy. Hajdari intervened again and told him, “I don’t expect you to restore my honour according to the State Security Service, people like you.” Pjetër replied that one could not restore the honour of someone who did not have any, and immediately declared that the session was closed. As he was leaving the Assembly, a Socialist deputy said: “As you can see for yourselves, however much we Socialists may want to keep this [parliament] going, the Democrats are destroying it, and they themselves will destroy this parliament.” violated one of the most elementary principles of democracy, namely the separation of powers. The People’s Assembly can neither convict nor acquit. This is an exclusive right of the judiciary. One can be convicted or declared innocent only by a court. On three occasions, specifically on 30.9.1991, 14.1.93 and, most recently, the day before yesterday, the People’s Assembly has encroached on the powers of the judiciary. Through these laws, alongside granting innocence to people who truly were innocent, the Assembly has also declared many genuine criminals innocent, although their punishment was deserved. This is In the latest debate in parliament, Namik Dokle denounced attempts to lump together and regard as innocent both political prisoners and collaborators of fascism, rapists, spies, etc. On behalf of the PS-Democratic group, a proposal was presented according to which those convicted of murder cannot be declared innocent, nor those who ordered imprisonment, internment or forced displacement, nor those who tortured, …unknown… [the column text begins cut off] … the status of a political convict. From the very beginning of January, Namik Dokle, we have been witnessing how television shows ceremonies every day for people, some of whom the people have known as criminals. Even the law itself encourages speculation. Thus, some revanchists today are given the opportunity to declare a terrorist, or someone who has committed a cold-blooded murder, a hero simply because he held anti-communist beliefs. In Parliament, Democratic Party MP Ndue Gjika demanded that all those who collaborated with the gangs in Mirdita be declared innocent. Another Democratic Party MP, Pjetër Pepa, whom we have often seen at exhumations, proposed that «all those who were killed in clashes with the forces of the dictatorship be declared innocent, that is, from 1 August 1943 and at the border [until] 1945. It could not be expressed more clearly. In the name of the Democratic Party— …ours, Fatos Nano, put forward the need to undertake joint political initiatives so that may grow, in order certain international circles with particular interests in keeping the Balkans destabilized. The more the authority of the left grows, the more, Mr Papuas, the intensity of the attacks against it increases. If it were a party representing 3–5 percent of the people, no one would bother with you. The same thing happened with the attacks against PASOK: they began when confidence in it grew, and then those very attacks further increased our party’s prestige. The same is happening to you. I am very well informed about the situation in Albania and about the realistic and wise positions being maintained by the Socialist Party. On this occasion, we once again reaffirm our political support for Pa-