NAMIK DOKLE What was expected and feared is happening. Sali Berisha has drawn his sword over the highly tense situation within his party, a situation connected with all the segments of the current governing apparatus in Albania. It was Sali Berisha who expelled the motionists from the DP. When did he do it? When he lost the elections of 26 July 1992. It was Sali Berisha who devised and carried out, through his criminal measures, the arrest and sentencing of Fatos Nano. When did he do it? When Fatos Nano led the campaign against the shameful medal «Arsilidi» that Berisha still wears on his chest. It is Sali Berisha who is calling for Eduard Selami to be lynched. When is he doing this? When he has finally lost the political battle with the opposition. He is flailing about as he has practically lost the foundations of his personal power, despite having done everything possible to win them. (He went so far as shamelessly to compare himself to Skënderbeu.) For Mr Berisha, it does not matter who stands in his way—Fatos Nano, the motionists, or the chairman of his own party. What matters to him is that no alternative other than the one born of «Zeus’s Head» should survive in Albanian politics. Only I am right!—shouts the voice of the customary chieftains. This is pure political chieftainism, a kind of unscrupulous totalitarianism in the world of democracy. It was said in European politics when, after a visit to Albania last year, someone remarked: «Albania’s leaders have no feel for democracy». But that is not all. Mr Berisha’s political chieftainism is increasingly endangering democracy in Albania. With his irresponsible statements and actions restrained by totalitarian remnants, he continues to inflame the political climate in the country. He imprisons and insults the opposition, labels its leaders «criminals» with unparalleled savagery, ignores Europe’s voice, refuses to accept the rules of the democratic game, and, strangely enough, after all this, appears on television screens to play the role of the «great democrat». A complete political comedy. Did you hear what he said last night? «20 February calls on us, Albanians, never again to accept any kind of ultranationalist, totalitarian, fundamentalist ideology, but always to remain united around our sacrifices, ideals and hopes for democracy, progress and integration into Europe». Fulsome and, at the same time, demagogic words! Who is practising totalitarian ideology? The people gave the answer on 6 November, when they told Mr Berisha: «Chieftain, get off your horse». Who is dividing the people? Berisha himself answered that when, after the events in Shkodër, he said: «Shkodër does not want the Socialists», or when, after the crime in Libofshë, he called it «a windfall for the DP». Who is extinguishing hopes for democracy? Our President, who seeks to command all Albanians, «brotherly opposition members», the leadership of the left and even Europe’s «chief allies», who obey only his will. He who does not allow alternatives to compete can no longer be called «the man of hope» for democracy. Who is obstructing Albania’s integration into Europe? Berisha’s political game, which has paralysed and continues to paralyse even the DP’s own missionaries. Mr Berisha knows all this very well. There is only one thing he does not know, or at least does not wish to know. Political chieftainism has no future in Euro-Atlantic politics and, consequently, in Albania either. I say «consequently» because I am convinced that the emancipation of Albanian politics and politicians naturally follows the Euro-Atlantic axis, not the «bridges of connection» Berisha proposes.

FROM THE SOCIALIST PARTY’S DISTRICT MEETINGS ELBASAN Dr. SERVET PELLUMBI: If the PS succeeds in winning sufficient support from the electorate, it will govern competently and honestly. Without clear ideas, one can in no way have the people’s support. This issue was discussed at length at the expanded PS meeting in Elbasan, where a concrete solution was proposed and several well-known specialists and activists set out their views. What is being discussed is the fear of our political opponents, who are creating the Front of the Union and regard the PS not as a partner in the political struggle, but as their principal enemy (!). Such actions are divisive and also profoundly undemocratic. Whether intentionally or not, they set one part of the people against the other. Servet Pellumbi then addressed several issues that could enable the PS to win support from different strata of the population. First, he stressed that the PS is a realistic and trustworthy political force. Its sense of seriousness and responsibility, and its placing of national interests above party interests, have also strengthened it in its discussions with interlocutors in Brussels. Alongside this should be listed other factors, such as the balance demonstrated by the PS—a precious asset for pluralism—and its clear, vital ideas, grounded in concrete alternatives. As for ideas, they may set us apart from other political forces, but that does not mean that common ground cannot be found, because we are Albanians, we share an identity, and we are brothers of the same blood. Numerous accusations have been levelled against the PS (Continued on page 2)

The Socialists of Kuçovë, it was stressed at the meeting held yesterday in one of the district KD’s premises, are optimistic and realistic about the victory of the socialist alternative. They are determined not to make empty promises and not to undertake unrealistic commitments for political purposes. The main concern was stressed

– November – Shortly before midnight on Friday, at the gateway to Albania’s entry into Europe, the country’s arduous transition continues. But the meeting, although it accepted Berisha’s version that the constitution would be approved only through a referendum, in fact amounts to the President signing a new defeat. There are several reasons for this conclusion. The first reason: it is a defeat for Berisha when the DP National Council is afraid of a secret ballot. By refusing this democratic norm, the members of this council allow themselves to become tools in the clan warfare within this forum. On the surface, the president fights with his cards on the table, but in fact, through this open vote, he controls every step each person takes and tells everyone, “I have you in my hands.” And indeed, many members of the DP National Council are in Berisha’s pocket. He has promoted them, given them positions and favours, closed and opened their files, and concealed and exposed corruption scandals involving them. Above all, through the ethos he has introduced into the DP and the conduct he has imposed within it, he has made a cult-like spirit dominant in the party. The tragedy of this truth is that Berisha embodies this spirit. What happened? The DP National Council met urgently to discuss the latest «crime» of the party’s chairman, Eduart Selami, who says that, in order to unblock the country’s political situation, among many other reasons, the Constitution should be approved by parliament—as the law requires, as logic dictates, as Albania’s fragile democracy needs, and as Europe accepted and recommended. Selami’s awakening has come late, but it is nevertheless worthy of appreciation. The DP National Council—the so-called «headquarters of the war for democracy» before and after 22 March—does not measure up to this standard and has no vision. Dominated by Berisha’s absolute power and rejecting Selami’s option, this council took upon itself the grave responsibility of leaving the country once again without a constitution. With this new step, Berisha continues to block everything, obstructs the difficult process of building democracy and keeps the country in a stranglehold. that Berisha embodies this spirit. (Continued on page 2)

– Reform is blocked because it continues to uphold chieftainism – «Referendum» still remains – have no constitution, nor human rights or political imprisonment Three political blows have caused unforeseeable damage to the face of the head of Albania’s political regime. Everything that has happened has now, clearly and in a very short, logically straightforward sequence, exposed a face fit to be embodied yet savage, which—to its misfortune—is preparing to receive a fourth blow. Eduart Selami, appointed chairman of the Democratic Party and the youngest member of the DP leadership, has, with his proposal to approve the constitution in parliament, put Berisha into a state of checkmate, even though Berisha was already going through difficult moments. The first blow: The people on 6 November Having come to power as the gravedigger of communism and turned into «the former communist president», Sali Berisha sought to destroy the opposition before voters could understand that the DP was not synonymous with dollars, that it was not synonymous with investment, work, competent government and immunity from corruption. The slogan uttered during the election campaign by an Albanian speaker, «We wish the Socialists a long life and long unemployment», became law for Albanians. Berisha brought tears and pain, but also disappointment, despair and hatred. Extremism—now stripped bare before the eyes of Albanians in the «darkest» striptease, showing that the anti-communists are more communist than the communists—clung to Albanian politics, placing human freedoms and rights, and the rights of the opposition, on the «enemy» notes of the score of Albanian life. Having been regarded by the communist party’s press chiefs as «the man of hope», the head of the Albanian state soon sought, through his extremism, to establish a strong personal power and govern for a long time. But inexperienced—as were his group and cabinet—in exercising power, and with no useful experience beyond running a party grassroots organisation, the Albanian leadership could not cope with the rapidly organised opposition. It had emerged from an extraordinary victory—in terms of (Continued from page 2)

At the meeting held yesterday in one of the district council’s premises, the socialists of Kuçovë emphasized that they are optimistic and realistic about the victory of the socialist alternative. council’s premises, the socialists of Kuçovë emphasized that they alternative. They are determined to give convincing shape to the socialist alternative in the district of Kuçovë by properly aligning needs and opportunities. Discussion and approval of the permanent commission at the district council took place through intellectual commitment to increase the active forces of the PS at district level, based on the goal and motto: to understand needs well and strengthen opportunities. It was emphasized at the meeting that the PS has not made claims or empty promises, and does not make and will never make unrealistic commitments for political purposes. It was emphasized at the meeting that the main concern will be strengthening the work of the commissions by activating the thinking and powerful intellectual potential of the district of Kuçovë. This would require drawing on intellectual thought to plan the economic and cultural development of Kuçovë beyond any sectoral divisions. The aim is for intellectual thought to serve the efficient use of natural resources and res- (Continued on page 3)

A report from Peshkopia This is a report by the inspection section at the municipality of the city of Peshkopia, denouncing as illegal the sponsorships made by the director of the Bukë-Makarona enterprise to the PD and its affiliates. Belkize Zeneli, chairwoman of the Democratic Women’s League of Dibër, received ten thousand new lek in cash under voucher 186, dated 8.10.1993, and a further ten thousand lek by transfer order no. 265622, dated 4.3.1994, to hold political rallies for the Democratic Women’s League. Under transfer order no. 125724, dated 23.12.1994, marked “sponsored—PD branch (for the youth forum),” ten thousand new lek were paid out of the state treasury for political activities. Although the enterprise did not meet its economic and financial targets in 1993 and reported a loss in 1994 (!), it took 80,000 new lek from its cashbox (of which 25,000 lek were paid in cash) for political activities and other events. These amounts were paid out by just one enterprise in the city. How much was paid by the other enterprises? What is the total legal amount that enterprises and institutions in Dibër have paid to the PD? And what about the “hidden” amounts—are there any, and how much are they? A. ASHIKU

Yesterday at the Tirana Court A bad anniversary this year for Arben Lika, one of the December leaders, a founder of the Democratic Party, organizer of the February ’91 hunger strike to bring down the monument to the dictator Hoxha, a member of the People’s Assembly, a doctor of sciences / decorated as a Torch of Democracy and chairman of the Federation of Albanian Youth—has been declared guilty of the crime of cigarette smuggling, and ten years’ imprisonment have been sought. The fact that he was caught in the act, which also compelled prosecutor Riba to seek such a measure depriving Mr. Lika of his liberty, is hardly convincing as a justification for the claim that the man who first rose up against corruption in the highest government circles has become its first victim. For the other defendants, and at the same time for the Federation’s secretary, Dashnor Shnaj, the prosecution sought the same sentence: 10 years’ imprisonment; while for the driver Halil and Meçe, specifically, it sought 8 and 6 years’ imprisonment, respectively. «Zëri i Popullit» correspondent

- The President has understood nothing of the message of 6 November - Shortly before midnight last night, on the night of 20 February, the members of the DP National Council left the hall of the Palace of Congresses and

- Reform is blocked because chieftainism continues to prevail - The constitution is blocked because the unconstitutional idea of a «Referendum» still remains - Membership in the Council of Europe is blocked because we have no constitution, such as guarantees of human rights and political bourgeois democracy Three political blows have caused—

After several agreements between Tirana Municipality and foreign firms, after the division of the area the Slovenes will clean the slums and ... and after the promi- SIHARIO: A machine is cleaning Tirana... After several agreements between Tirana Municipality and foreign firms, after the division of the area, the Slovenes will clean the slums and ... and after the promi- to clean the notorious areas of Sallu (?), Berisha, as he emphasized to me, but Kelmendi, in the end, keeps his word when he gives it, gives it, without the machine finally clearing away the rubbish. Because a machine is wandering the streets of the capital, gazing at heaps of rubbish and debris. So be amazed, people, and cheer with all the strength of your souls for the Democratic Party, which brings these bright days, and for our exalted leader, this ... of the Albanians, Sali Berisha, whom they call out to from our days.

On Wednesday, 22 February 1995, at 12 o’clock, all women’s organizations and associations will hold a protest demonstration in front of Tirana Municipality against environmental pollution, calling for the removal of rubbish and for a supply of drinkable, clean water. We invite everyone to join our protest. From the 11 Organizations and Associations of [women?]