— Reply to President Berisha — On 17 June, the Joint Declaration of the Socialist Party of Albania and PASOK was published in the newspaper Zëri i Popullit. The following day, an editorial article was published in the newspaper, presenting the Declaration as a new phase in relations between the PS and PASOK. Immediately afterward, the Democratic Party’s press and another newspaper, without any argument or logic, began attacking the Socialist Party, claiming that it had “betrayed” the national interest. We did not take the trouble to reply to these newspapers because we had made our position clear. But President Berisha’s statement at his press conference the day before yesterday made an impression on us. Mr. Berisha spoke like a jealous monist, like a DP militant, and not like the president of the country, trying to create the impression that he was the “consistent defender” of the national question. “It is evident,” Berisha declared, “that party colors were placed above the national interest” (that is, in the Declaration of the SPP and PASOK). There is no reason for us to go through the president’s statement point by point, with all its attacks and resentment toward the PS, because, first, the positions of the SPP and PASOK in the Joint Declaration are perfectly clear and, second, because, for better or worse, Mr. Berisha is extremely inconsistent with himself—not only in what he says today or tomorrow, but also in what he says within Europe. These matters have also been made public. It is the party you represent, Mr. President, that has speculated and continues to speculate about parallel events. Recall your first statements that the Democratic Party’s victory meant success and the fall of the Berlin Wall, and that the artificial fence between Albania and Kosovo would also come down! And recall your subsequent statements, continuing to this day, and those of your party: with ever-changing political formulations, your manoeuvres to prevent—or at least to avoid appreciating and participating in—all the meetings of the political parties of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia, held in Tetovo (2) and in Tirana! The Socialist Party of Albania was the first, and perhaps the only, political force that refused to accept the “Joint Action Program” of the USA, Russia, France, Britain and Spain, which denies Kosovo the right to independence. We published our position on 30 May in the newspaper Zëri i Popullit. There, not only was the Albanian factor not ignored, but we stated openly that “no one has the right to assume the authority to decide and declare that the political rights of the Albanian people in Kosovo are not to be recognized. The Socialist Party of Albania cannot accept the denial of the right of the Albanian people in Kosovo to self-determination.” We have declared, Mr. President, that nothing can be done in Albania without the Albanian factor, with Albanians and all Albanians. All these positions, entirely clear, are also set out in the Declaration of the Presidency of the Socialist Party, published in Zëri i Popullit on 30 May 1993. Looking reality in the eye, we have the right to ask you, Mr. President: what position did your state take at the 22 May meeting of the five powers, which denied Kosovo the right to self-determination? The Foreign Ministry’s declaration, published on this occasion in RD and broadcast on television, makes it quite clear that it agrees with that decision! This becomes even more convincing if we consider the question put to you at the press conference about the decision taken by the five powers on 22 May in the USA. You made no comment at all, Mr. President, which means either that you agree with those five powers that Kosovo should not be recognized as independent, or that you do not dare to speak openly. You did not speak this way two years ago, Mr. President! We spoke in the same way; we emphasized that the principle of the inviolability of borders and the rejection of violence does not at all conflict with the principle self-determination. So you are inconsistent on the national question and on how it should be resolved. Mr. President, this realistic approach to the situation in the Balkans—to the need for peaceful solutions to conflicts, coexistence and understanding among the peoples of the region, and the guaranteeing of human and minority rights—is pursued in Albania, or that you do not dare to speak openly. of human and minority rights—is pursued in Albania, with Albanians and all Albanians. he says within a phase or during a press conference. We simply want to remind our president that his statement was completely irresponsible and tendentious, because the SPP has had and continues to have an extremely clear and unequivocal policy on the national question. It has expressed these positions publicly. And not only that: it has been deeply committed to beginning, realistically, work in the service of the national question. It has had a line, a framework for options to resolve the national question; it has had and continues to have consistency and a European outlook, and has regularly been regarded as realistic not only within the country but also in official circles…

A group of councillors from the Shkodër district and municipality, acting on behalf of all Socialist councillors, who represent 20 percent of the electorate that voted for the Socialists on 26 July, yesterday requested a meeting with President Berisha. They came to the Presidency to discuss with the president a number of pressing economic, social and political problems that are now a serious concern in Shkodër. First, more than 36,000 people in Shkodër are unemployed today, and their unemployment assistance is about to run out. Second, practically none of the city’s main economic enterprises is operating. Third, the people of Shkodër feel abandoned and are troubled by the marked lack of public order and security. In the countryside, serious concerns have arisen over the failure to allocate land in accordance with the law, and particularly over the low rate at which land-title deeds are being issued. Fifth, the illegal counter-rally of 18 June seriously damaged social peace in Shkodër. Sixth, the president’s statement at the press conference that “the people of Shkodër do not want socialist ideas” has stirred legitimate discontent among Shkodër residents who believe in the alternative of European democratic socialism and are members or supporters of the Socialist Party, as well as among other Shkodër residents who stand for democracy. The Shkodër Socialist councillors wanted to discuss these problems with the President of the Republic. But President Berisha did not receive them; instead, a lawyer from the Presidency met them. After hearing their concerns, he told the Socialist councillors that a reply from the Presidency to their request to meet the President of the Republic would reach them very soon, within a matter of days. Correspondent of Zëri i Popullit

At the outset, I wanted to say that perhaps there is no need to make a fuss about the events in Shkodër on 18 June, discussed at the last press conference; someone else has also taken up the pen to reply to the irresponsible things you said about Shkodër. But I believe the newspaper’s pages can also make room for some of my thoughts about your assessment of this event. That a lawful meeting of some PS leaders and MPs with members and supporters of the party was to be held in Shkodër on 18 June, and that this rally was sabotaged by an illegal rally, is beyond dispute. This is the truth, and you should take the position appropriate for a president—as an expression of the unity of the people. You did not do so, and this should weigh on your conscience. But why, while looking for arguments to defend an illegal rally, did you insult an entire city like Shkodër? This is the worst part, and as one of its citizens it makes me indignant. You, Mr. President, should know that long before your ancestors were born, we in Shkodër were among the first to celebrate May Day in Albania. And it was socialist ideas that brought together a group of craftsmen for this celebration. You should know that in the early 1930s a communist group was formed in Shkodër, one of the first in Albania, and communism was then a rightful aspiration, not a black cat, as you portray it today. You should know that Qemali and Vojua, Perhlati and J- nëdi i qeit (?) and another, as it was said in the south that an Albanian… [text damaged] But by declaring that Shkodër does not want socialist ideas, you took another reckless step, almost declaring that Socialists in Shkodër are abandoned, unprotected, outside the law. But what if tomorrow the Socialists in Shkodër want to hold a meeting or rally of their own? According to your logic, a counter-rally against them would be entirely justified, while you and your party would indirectly declare one party outside the law in Shkodër, even as you talk about freedom, individual rights, the high level of democracy achieved in Albania, and so on. By the same backward logic, you and the leaders of the Democratic Party have no reason to go to Gramsh or Skrapar, because, according to this reasoning, people there would not want the ideas of the DP. Mr. President, you have often disappointed us, and many times we have seen you in roles that are not yours to play. So weigh your words; do not insult the people of Shkodër so gravely. They owe you nothing. You are the one who owes them. You promised them prosperity, and today there are 50,000 unemployed there. You promised organized emigration, and young people are being cast onto the pavements. You promised security and peace, yet killings, like scenes from mafia films, are taking human lives almost every week. You promised a land law, but you have given them a law that breeds conflict over land. I know my words may not trouble your conscience much, already somewhat troubled as it is. Nevertheless, as a Shkodran, I feel it is my duty to tell you: do not play games with Shkodër! Do not forget that you, too, have been whistled at in Shkodër, as has Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, and… …at first in the judiciary. The Socialist Party is a new socialist party; those who gathered some [unclear] at this celebration, you should know that at the beginning of the the first in Albania, and communism was then a just You should know that Qemali and Vojua, Perhlati and Jordani in Shkodër defended themselves with socialist ideas for which they were sentenced. In Shkodër, with just socialist ideas, despite the fact that different ideas are presented as just today, the people rose up on 19 January 1990, and also… …when you seek criminal liability for those who organised this illegal rally and set a bad example with the most archaic notions of democracy, notions that have nothing in common with true democracy. The Socialist Party exists in Shkodër, whether you like it or not. It has many members and supporters. The more mistakes you make, the more revanchism and tension you and the DP bring to the city of Shkodër, the more supporters socialist ideas will gain. Be sure of that. …[unclear], you have given them the law of strife over the land. I know that my words may not trouble your already quite troubled consciences at all. not forget that you too were [unclear] in Shkodër, as were Mr Pjetër Arbnori and other democrats; likewise, tomorrow Shkodër may not let you in. You are resolving that every day. ASIM SHKODRANI

Recently, the Socialist Party of Albania received a “Declaration on the War in the Former Yugoslavia” from the meeting of the Socialist International Committee for Central and Eastern Europe, held in London on 28 May 1993. The Declaration expresses very deep concern about the continuation of a dramatic war that has already caused great suffering among the peoples of Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia. The IS Committee for Central and Eastern Europe denounces the genocide, whose victims are Muslims, and Serbia’s policy of repression against the people of Kosovo and the region… …in Bosnia and the preservation of the multi-ethnic and multi-religious character of every country in this region. The rejection of faits accomplis is reaffirmed, as is the conviction that all war crimes will be brought to justice; at the same time, support is expressed for aid programs for the civilian population and refugees, organized by the UN High Commissioner and all other international organizations. The Declaration expresses the hope that all necessary measures will be taken to avert any possible continuation of the conflict in Kosovo and in the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In this context, the Committee of the Socialist International for Central and Eastern Europe is mandated to establish lasting contacts for exchange and cooperation with all forces inspired by democratic socialism in the various republics of the former Yugoslavia, to consider the possibility of carrying out missions in the region, and to help foster social-democratic or democratic-socialist ties in the region. …of Bosnia and of preserving the conviction that all war crimes will be changed, while at the same time programmes of assistance for the civilian population and refugees, organised by the UN High Commissioner and all other international organisations, are supported. be taken to prevent the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In this context, 1 deputises the Socialist International’s Committee for Central and Eastern Europe the former Yugoslavia, considering to help foster social-democratic or democratic-socialist links in the region.

TO THE DISTRICT PROSECUTOR For information: The Prosecutor General The Minister of Public Order. On 15 June, by our letter No. 165, we notified the Shkodër Public Order Protection Department in writing of a work meeting to be held by members and supporters of the Socialist Party of the district with deputies of this party. In accordance with Law No. 7403, dated 31.7.1990, “On meetings, gatherings and demonstrations by citizens in public places,” we notified the authorities of the meeting place, the number of participants and the nature of the gathering. In addition, to ensure that this meeting complied with the law and proceeded as normally as possible, we took measures to ensure that only invited persons attended and that it was held in an enclosed venue such as the “Republika” cinema. In reply to our request, the head of the Shkodër Public Order Protection Department, Mr. Nderim Muja, notified us by letter No. k-10/1, dated 17.6.1993, that he agreed to the meeting and the chosen venue, but reiterated that it should be held indoors. To ensure that the meeting proceeded as normally as possible, before 18.6.1993 we contacted the district police chief, Mr. Nikollin Thana, who gave the necessary assurances that the meeting would proceed normally.

1. A clarinet sounds After three years in the village, one Sunday afternoon a clarinet and a drum were heard. People tried to find a name for what they were hearing: music?! “What is it?” they asked. “Check whether Eduardi i Selamit has come to the village or something.” The clarinet player 2. The first training session in the hospital Despite the miraculous protection secured by strategist Zhu-Li, the new soldiers in unit No. 25 fell ill and were admitted to hospital. The beans had given them stomach trouble. Safet’s army, with their trousers in their hands, dared to let one go, but another covered his mouth with his palm to prevent panic from spreading. The soldiers do not want to leave the hospital, saying they are better off there than in the unit. The new recruit 3. Telegram to the Presidency They wish good health and write to the lawyer who drafts our bills, for the good of local government. The power of local government