THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ANTI-FASCIST WAR — A GLORIOUS EPIC OF THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE (Greetings by Dr. Servet Pëllumbi at the Jubilee Conference marking the 50th anniversary, November 29, 1994) Yesterday, on November 29, the National Committee of Veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War and several political parties commemorated the occasion in Tirana—marking the 50th anniversary celebrations with a jubilee meeting dedicated to November 28, the 82nd anniversary of the proclamation of independence, and November 29, the day of liberation from the Nazi-Fascist occupiers and the traitors of the country. It must be said at the outset of this report that the hall of the Higher Institute of Arts, and even the corridor galleries behind it, were not large enough to accommodate the keen interest of the capital’s veterans in commemorating November 29, the half-century victory over fascism and its instruments. The ongoing efforts made in recent years to devalue and deny the National Liberation War, even calling it “civil” and “fratricidal,” the vandalism at the martyrs’ cemeteries, museums and memorials, the malicious distortion of historical truths, and even the denial of November 29 have further heightened the sense of responsibility among veterans, the war’s true participants, and their descendants to commemorate and defend this great victory. The jubilee meeting organized yesterday by the National Committee of Veterans and several mainly left-wing Albanian political parties showed that even simple historical truths are difficult to distort—let alone events of epochal importance, such as liberation from the Nazi and Fascist occupiers. Every… he said; he appealed to us not to forget! …the great war, not even for a moment. It is a special honor and pleasure to offer greetings on such an unforgettable day, which recalls November 29, 1944, when Albania’s finest sons and daughters, the brave partisans, liberated the entire country and brought the people the freedom they so ardently desired. The National Liberation War, which the Albanian people fought with fierce and unparalleled arms, is testimony to their patriotism and love of freedom, their self-sacrifice and heroism, and their legitimate desire to set Albania on the path of free and democratic development. As a monument to national pride, founded on the blood of 28,000 martyrs and the many sacrifices of 70,000 partisans and an entire people, the National Liberation War carries inspiring messages and values for all of us and for generations to come. It was a genuinely popular war in character, national and liberating in substance—a war that placed the small Albanian people among the victors, on the side of the great anti-Fascist coalition of peoples led by the USA, the USSR and Great Britain. Those who won the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War are entitled to eternal honor and glory! It is the undeniable merit of the Albanian communists and patriotic nationalists that, at one of the most difficult crossroads in the centuries-long history of our people, they did not remain on the sidelines, but understood the pulse of the times, knew how to harness the Albanian people’s aspirations for freedom, organized and led the National Liberation Front, and guided a people to the glorious victory of November 29, 1944. Any other alternative would have entailed great risks, since it would have brought with it a new partition of Albania. Those who say today that it was neither national nor liberating, and those inclined to see it as a civil war—that is, as something that would have been better not to have happened—do nothing but present themselves as heirs of those who tied their fate to that of the occupiers. (Continued on page 5) Then, on behalf of War and the political parties that took part in the anniversary gathering, the floor was given to the deputy chairman of the Veterans’ Committee, Dilaver Poci. The veterans’ speech was frequently interrupted by calls of “Glory to the National Liberation War! Glory to the martyrs!” and by the applause and cheers of those present. Amid the enthusiasm of the attendees… (Continued on page 3) … The anniversary historical truths are difficult to distort. The liberation from the Nazi and Fascist occupiers is an epoch-making event. Any attempt to conceal or alter it has made its authors ridiculous or hostile to the national interest. The anniversary meeting was opened by Hero of the People Haxhi Lleshi. November 29,

FIER Socialists want a consensus constitution that guarantees everyone’s rights and puts no one at risk These days, the Socialist Party’s district committee met in the cinema-theater hall in the city of Fier. The meeting was devoted to reviewing the work carried out by the Socialist Party in the district and the tasks ahead, so that it can further improve its work and be able to meet the objectives of the Party’s General Steering Committee. The meeting was also attended by PSSH deputy chairman Ilir Meta and MP Ylli Bufit. In the participants’ discussions, the generally good organization of work throughout the district was noted, as was demonstrated by the referendum result, in which the people of Fier said NO to the Berisha-backed draft with 65 percent voting against it. Particular note was made of the commitment of Socialist Party leaders and representatives in local government and on the voting commission to uphold the law and prevent manipulation. The work of Socialist Party leaders in the towns of Patos and Roskovec, and in Libofshë, Cakran, Seman, etc., was especially commended. Concern was also expressed about the conduct of elections in certain communes, such as Kumani. Those present likewise voiced support for all of the Socialist Party’s political efforts in the new situation created after the November 6 referendum. “Taking into account the long-term interests of integration, consolidation and the development of democracy,” said PSSH deputy chairman Ilir Meta, “the PSSH has identified as the main objective of its political struggle the resolution of the constitutional crisis and, as a second [unreadable] objective, general elections aimed at resolving the political crisis.” “That is why,” continued PSSH deputy chairman Ilir Meta, “the Socialist Party is investing all its efforts in finding a just and constitutional solution to the key problems of our democracy today: the Constitution. Accordingly, the SP is continuing and supporting negotiations with other parliamentary and non-parliamentary political forces so that Albania can have a constitution as soon as possible. Above all, we want a constitution that expresses the consensus of all political forces, so that no one feels excluded from it, much less threatened by it. There are now many opportunities for this, following the dignified stance of the Albanian people and the political forces that said NO to the unconstitutional referendum and to the DP’s personal and party draft constitution.” “Therefore,” said PSSH deputy chairman Ilir Meta, “I wish to express my deepest gratitude, on behalf of the SP leadership, for the work you did and for the excellent result you achieved. In any case, he will greatly value the SP’s work in Libofshë, which showed that it was … of May 29, was bloody, was …” [corrupt text] MP Ylli Bufit also spoke at the meeting and praised the good work of the SP in Fier and the result achieved on November 6. After the meeting, PSSH deputy chairman Ilir Meta, MP Ylli Bufit, Fier SP chairman Petro Koçi and district council chairman Robert Bitri went to Libofshë, where they met with residents and Euro-socialists and visited the homes of SP members and supporters. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

SHKODER Numerous activities The military-cultural event, prepared by the Shkodër Division in honor of the proclamation of independence and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Homeland, was held on Sunday at 11 o’clock in the square of the division. In addition to military personnel, those attending included the prefects for the districts around Shkodër—Pukë and Malësi e Madhe—Mr. Iljaz Vrioni, local authorities of Shkodër, representatives of parliamentary political parties, and representatives of religious communities. After the opening speech by the head of sociology of this unit, Mr. Bashkim Hoxha, on the message of remembrance and the landmark events in the history of our people, the division commander, Mr. Bashkim Cikalleshi, spoke. Combat-training exercises were then demonstrated. In the afternoon, a jubilee event was organized at the “Migjeni” Theatre under the auspices of the local authorities. On Monday at 9 o’clock, a mass was held in the Catholic church for the souls of the fallen. At noon, a concert was given in “Qemal Stafa” Square. Yesterday, on the morning of the 50th anniversary of… (Continued on page 2) … On division commander, Mr. Bashkim Cikalleshi, spoke. Demonstrations of combat training exercises followed. In the afternoon, an anniversary event was held authorities. Meanwhile, on Monday at 9 o’clock, a Mass was celebrated At noon, a concert was held 50th anniversary of (Continued on page 2)

KORÇE Activities in honor of November 29 On November 27, at the headquarters of the Socialist Party in the district of Korçë, the committee of veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War organized a jubilee meeting dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Homeland. The event was attended by families of martyrs, young people, representatives of the association and young women, representatives of the Party for the Fallen of the Nation, the Socialist Party, etc. The meeting was opened by the chairman of the veterans’ committee, Fazlli Shahinasi, who welcomed those present and spoke briefly about the historical and political significance of this event. He recalled that November 29, 1944, when the liberation of the country was completed, is one of the most important events in our history. This jubilee year, commemorated with many activities. Greetings were also given at the meeting by the chairman of the Socialist Party branch, the chairman of the branch of the United Communist Party, the chairman of the association for the fallen of the nation, etc. As part of the 50th anniversary, in the courtyard of this [text unclear], on November 29, veterans’ colonel and the district SP laid wreaths at the martyrs’ cemetery and visited the homes of the families of martyrs and war veterans. On this day, the respected Albanian veterans stressed that November 29 cannot be replaced by any other date. Veteran Rami Qeleshaj read a protest addressed to President Sali Berisha regarding the renaming of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War as a war against Nazi-Fascist occupiers, in the manner of the Balli-Zogist expression. the United Communist Party branch, and nation, among others, also offered greetings at this meeting. Also as part of the 50th anniversary, a symbol of this [text unclear] was made; on November 29, the martyrs and war veterans. MUHARREM MEKO

On November 29, the committee of veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War in the district of Durrës, as part of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Homeland from the Nazi-Fascist occupiers and their collaborators, organized a celebratory meeting in the square of the Socialist Party. DURRES Violence cannot diminish the grandeur of November 29 — Colonel Luan Hoxha orders the arrest of veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War — On November 29, in the district of Durrës, as part of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Homeland from the Nazi-Fascist occupiers and their collaborators, organized a celebratory meeting in the square of the Socialist Party. At this meeting, the bloody battles and countless sacrifices of the freedom fighters were remembered with respect; they will remain forever unforgettable in the hearts of the Albanian people. November 29, as a notable historical date, the meeting said, is forever linked with the names of those who sacrificed themselves for this country, becoming a symbol of pride. The veterans then headed to the city’s martyrs’ cemetery to lay wreaths and bouquets of flowers. Facing them were representatives of the public order police, led by Colonel Luan Hoxha, who from the early hours… (Continued on page 2)

PESHKOPI In memory of comrades who fell for freedom While a group in power was busy and eager to decorate the main boulevard of the city of Peshkopi with flowers and banners (as if these actions could uproot glorious partisan November 29 from people’s hearts), this only further added to the distortion that marked the 50th anniversary of liberation. Only 100 people were in the cinema-theater’s 400-seat hall, and 70 people were at the cemetery, facing the 148 heroes and martyrs entombed in marble. Former partisans, war veterans, socialists, etc., organized many activities yesterday. A group of veterans paid tribute in front of the busts of People’s Heroes Nazmi Ru-shiti and Gjak Doçi, climbed the hill of Pëgunjët and honored the partisan bravery of Rukie Roshit, and visited the families of war martyrs, among other things. A group of veterans, led by Mehmet Hajrullai, honored the brave partisan Aishe Hajrulla and the brothers among the city’s first partisans, went to the home of Haxhi Lleshi in Zogje, and on June 20, 1942, [honored] the martyr Irfan Hajrullai; they went to the district martyrs’ cemetery and paid tribute in memory of those people who did not spare their youth for the liberation of the country from the Nazi-Fascists and the collaborators who had joined them. A. ASHIKU

- Economic and political conditions imposed for granting the second part of the aid - Various information sources report that, at its latest meeting in Brussels, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union decided to grant Albania the first part of macroeconomic aid worth 15 million ECU, aid that had long been blocked by the Greek veto. As for the second part of the aid, worth 20 million ECU, it is reported that the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union has set economic and political conditions that Albania must meet before receiving it. In an interview given to the BBC last night, Ms. Rud Ollbeker, responsible for Albania, Bulgaria and Romania in the European Union’s Department of External Relations, said, among other things, that the European Union pays great attention to economic and political reforms in Albania. The rest of the aid, she said, will be granted after a report has been prepared on Albania’s macroeconomic development as well as the political situation in the country. On this occasion, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union issued a statement saying that the countries of the European Union attach great importance to the transition process in Albania and that it must respect the rights of the Greek minority and human rights in general. Ms. Ollbeker said that the European Union wants the Albanian authorities to adopt a more conciliatory stance toward the Greek minority among the population. Asked when it would be possible to grant she replied that, together with the first part of this aid, several macroeconomic conditions had also been set. The second part should normally be granted once these conditions have been met. However, in Albania’s case, another requirement must also be fulfilled: the preparation of a report on the progress Albania will make in respecting human rights and minority rights. If these conditions are met in the second or third quarter of next year, Ms. Ollbeker said in the interview given to the BBC.

Korçë. In recent days there have been mass returns of Albanian refugees at the Kapshticë Customs House. They say they were arrested by the Greek police at their workplaces and that the police are preventing as many refugees as possible from returning. Elbasan. 4 million and 284 thousand lekë—that is the amount owed by 1,870 families, among several debtors to the Elbasan Electricity Enterprise. The reason citizens have not paid their dues is their particularly difficult economic situation. Meanwhile, as payment of the dues is delayed, every family may increase. Gjirokastër. On the eve of Saint Catherine’s Day, in the Church of the Archangels in Varosh, the Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania, Anastas, delivered a lecture to Orthodox intellectuals and university students on the topic “The juridical-canonical framework of our Church today.” Lezhë. Three dead and one injured in the village of Torovicë, Lezhë. The tragedy took place last night, on Saturday. The family of Zef Sulejmani was preparing for the wedding the following day. At that moment, unidentified persons opened fire with bursts from an automatic weapon, killing Tir Sulejmani, 24, the groom who was to marry on Sunday; his uncle Mark Sulejmani, 54; and Ilir’s friend, Pajtim Fehati, 21. An 11-year-old child was also injured.