Every May 9, antifascists and progressive forces around the world celebrate and remember. They think and reflect, always. Every May 9 that comes calls on us not to forget. It calls for sound reasoning. There is no disputing the celebratory significance of May 9, 1945. It is the day of the antifascist victors over the Nazi and fascist hordes. There were economic and social developments that paved the way for fascist forces to come to power in several European countries and in Japan. Those factors certainly had a specific content and character, but history shows that the threat posed by fascist character is imminent. Their slogans, their organizations, their actions, their violence are recognizable and must not be underestimated. Nazism and fascism represented the most regressive force of their time, the most dictatorial, inhuman, criminal, absurd, and destructive force. As a typical manifestation of right-wing extremism, fascism itself is the most inhuman phenomenon in the modern history of mankind. It is the most decadent, antidemocratic, antihuman, and socially dangerous force. Despite these qualities, fascism contained within itself the possibility of being defeated and annihilated, since it opposed progress and was in irresolvable contradiction with it. But it could not destroy itself. The determined struggle against it was the effective means that made possible the destruction of this evil, yet highly resilient, force. The unity of progressive forces, the creation of national liberation fronts and national liberation armies, and the formation of the great antifascist coalition were the necessary forms of organization for resisting fascist attacks and destroying fascism. The great struggle between progressive forces and the regressive forces of fascist darkness ended with the victory of the former, with the victors’ flag being raised over the Reichstag. Our small people, suffering and burdened by the shackles of history, deservedly and unquestionably did not lose their nerve. They did not kneel or retreat. From the outset, they joined the antifascist forces and united with the antifascist coalition led by the three greatest progressive and democratic powers of the time: the Soviet Union, the USA, and Great Britain. The Albanian antifascists—communists and patriots—deserve credit for making the right choice, for bringing our people together, organizing and uniting them, and leading them through a determined struggle and great sacrifices to victory. They placed our people among the victors, among the most progressive forces of that time. The value of our people’s national liberation war can never be denied. In the face of the fascists and Nazis who occupied our country, our people emerged victorious. But within our country, too, those who fought are clearly distinguishable, regardless of their different political convictions, from those who were collaborators with the occupier and tied their fate to the occupiers. They placed themselves among the defeated, among the bloodstained. And shame can neither be concealed nor washed away. The objective truth about the history of our people’s national liberation war requires that facts and events be assessed and all distortions, subjectivism, fabrications, cover-ups, old and new one-sidedness, and politicization be cast aside. We cannot move forward by replacing old subjectivism and politicization with new versions. The victors cannot be turned into the condemned, defeated, and disgraced, nor the disgraced into victorious, defeated victims. All those who have tried to make such distortions have made themselves ridiculous and have failed. Civilized and cultured peoples and nations have not allowed such mistakes; they have always recognized those who fought against fascism for their particular merits, including the war criminals. Hidden fascists have not hesitated to expose and condemn them, even at this end of the century. The antifascist victors in all the countries that fought against the Nazi and fascist hordes feel proud, but they are also concerned. They are concerned because violence, crime, and violations of human freedoms and rights in various countries around the world have become alarming. The resurgence of fascist forces in some countries, their xenophobic actions, new fascist organizations, and the periodic revival of old fascist nostalgia, etc., have become deeply troubling. This makes the call not to forget, not to let our guard down, and not to underestimate the fascist virus all the more necessary. And May 9 is an eternal day of appeal not to forget.

At the invitation of the United Association of Social Democrats of Slovenia, a delegation of the Socialist Party of Albania, headed by its vice-chairman, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, set off yesterday for a two-day visit to the Republic of Slovenia. Press and Information Office of the SPP.

Socialist Party MPs take part. On 6 May 1995, the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity organized a conference in Prague, Czechia, on the theme: “Society, the Economy and the Future of Europe.” At this conference, attended by social democratic and socialist parties from Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, a detailed analysis was made of economic developments in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, the course of economic reform to date, and development strategies for the future in these countries. In particular, issues and prospects for development were discussed in areas such as macroeconomics and future developments, public administration, unemployment, privatization, industry, agriculture, etc. Also taking part in the conference, at the invitation of the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity, were Socialist Party MPs Ass Prof. Dr. Anastas Angjeli and Dr. Shkëlqim Cani.

These days, an SPP delegation consisting of MPs Ylli Bufi, Shkëlqim Cani, and Anastas Angjeli, at the invitation of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, made a working visit to Bulgaria. During their stay in Sofia, the delegation was received and held meetings with the BSP deputy chairman and chairman of its parliamentary group, Krasimir Premjanov; BSP deputy chairman Georgi Panvanov; the chairman of the Bulgarian Parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee, Atanas Paparizov; the chairman of the Finance Committee, Georgi Nikolov; the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Todor Todorov; the Prime Minister’s economic adviser, prof. Dr. Ivan Angjellov; the chairman of the Privatization Agency, Dimitri Stefanov; and the organizational structures of the BSP. During these meetings, views were exchanged on issues relating to the progress of economic reform, fiscal and budgetary reform, privatization and the relevant legislation, the pre-election campaign, the situation in the Balkan region, and relations between the SPP and the BSP. Press and Information Office of the SPP

TIRANA Medals awarded by Russian President B.N. Jelcini to Albanian veterans are being distributed

Tirana: The first private theater opens

As part of the $30 million in aid that the U.S. government has promised to Albanian businesses, the U.S. ambassador, Lake, and the director of the American fund in Albania, Sheglione, were in Korçë on Saturday. The two met with Korçë businessmen and local government officials, and later visited private production enterprises. Mr. Mishel Vëll, an adviser at the Eastern Regional Business Agency based in Korçë, says that the aforementioned fund will be used for long-term loans that the U.S. government will grant to support Albanian businesses. He says the visit to Korçë by the two American dignitaries, the first of its kind, was intended to give them a closer look at the enterprises best suited to receiving loans to develop their businesses.

On Sunday, at the premises of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Tirana, a ceremony was held to present the jubilee medals, «50 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War», awarded by President B. Jelcin to 36 Albanian veterans who took part in this war. Former partisans, representatives of the Presidency, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, journalists and other guests attended. Your heroic deeds are of great significance, and your merits before your homeland will never be forgotten, it was said at the beginning of the welcoming address. You embody the finest qualities of the Albanian national character—nobility, courage, solidarity and readiness to fight for freedom and independence. In remembrance of this, before the memory of those who fell on the battlefields, we sacredly preserve their memory and honor all those who are alive today. And together with you, tens of thousands of brave partisans, fighters of the National Liberation Army, who rose up without sparing their lives to defend Albanian soil, so that, whatever the cost, the word fascism will always remain the embodiment of evil, hatred and the most heinous crimes. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of victory, we are fully determined to unite the efforts of all freedom-loving peoples, to prevent a world conflagration, and through joint efforts to strengthen peace and security in every corner of the world. Afterwards, the decorated veterans «received their medals in a very warm and friendly atmosphere, which accompanied the entire event. By decree of the President of the Russian Federation, B. N. Jelcin, the following veterans were awarded the jubilee medal «50 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War»: 1. Bedri Spahiu 2. Ymer Dishnica 3. Nexhip Vincani 4. Kadri Hoxha 5. Arif Hasko 6. Manol Konomi 7. Piro Dodbiba 8. Sadik Bekteshi 9. Muhamet Prodani 10. Ndreko Rino 11. Hamit Keci 12. Qazim Kapesyzi 13. Zeqeri Mero 14. Nikolla Sallabanda 15. Muharrem Kokomani 16. Vitori Titani 17. Drita Kosturi 18. Dhora Leka 19. Rahman Perrlaku 20. Anton Sheti 21. Llazi Angjeli 22. Dilaver Radeshi 23. Maqo Como 24. Edip Ohri 25. Tanush Shyti 26. Adnan Qatipi 27. Qamil Poda 28. Myqerem Fuga 29. Shahin Ruka 30. Minella Dalani 31. Sali Verdha 32. Njazi Çepani 33. Beqir Minhozhi 34. Sulejman Baholli 35. Josif Xegali 36. Gjergj Titani

SHKODER There was particular interest and broad participation in the commemorative meeting for May 9, devoted to the 50th anniversary of victory over Nazifascism, which took place on Sunday morning in the central auditorium of «Luigj Gurakuqi» University. It was organized by the district committee of veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War, in cooperation with the political parties that responded to this call, such as PUK, (if [sic] PS, PAD, PSD, PDSD, PA, the trade union confederation and associations, etc.), «Kosova» and the cultural association «Çamëria». After the opening remarks by Mr. Dahamur Uruçi, chairman of the «Kosova» association, and the playing of the national anthem, the commemorative address was delivered by Doctor of Sciences Xhavit Gjylbegaj, who recalled aspects of the heroism of the forces of the global anti-fascist coalition in this war, to which Albania also aligned itself from the outset. He also highlighted Shkodra’s contribution to the struggle against Nazifascism, describing it as a blazing center of this movement, at whose heart the youth of Shkodra were fervently active. Representatives of the participating political parties also offered greetings. They stressed that we should commemorate together the struggle against Nazifascism and its martyrs, because they fell for the ideal of the future, and expressed their belief that the right-wing political forces, which today did not respond to the invitation to this meeting, would take up [ ? ] in the future, MUSA KURTULAJ

— The first operation since the Second World War — As of the first day since the Second World War, 1,000 people are being deployed inside the Albanian border. The police launched its first operation within [?]. Their tasks will be carried out in teams of three, who will be responsible for guarding an area 10 km long. They will ... (Continued on page 8)

The citizens of Peshkopi and the committee of veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War joined together as organizers of Sunday’s gathering, devoted to the 50th anniversary of victory over fascism and the activities connected with this historic event. On this occasion, the city cinema-theater hall was occupied by active participants in the battles for the liberation of Albania and other territories beyond its borders, family members of martyrs, representatives of political parties, Eurosocialists, etc. Vasfi Xheladini, chairman of War, after emphasizing the role of Dibra and ... (Continued on page 2)

Last night, in a warm and intimate artistic setting, Albania’s first private theater was inaugurated: a bold yet beautiful initiative by an artistic group from the National Theater, led by Petraq Xhillari. The very well-known novel by our distinguished writer Dritëro Agolli, «The Rise and Fall of Comrade Zy-lo», inspired the creative instincts of directors Alfred Bualoti and Andon Qesari, who, with stage design by Merited Painter Shaban Hy-sa and on a stage where actors Roland Trebicka, Elvira Diamanti, Mërkur Bozga and Anastas Kristofori performed, presented the show titled «Zylo Kamberi». Through carefully chosen, colorful language, and with Dritëro Agolli’s familiar irony and sarcasm, «Zylo Kamberi» appears once again, bringing the message that such types continue to be present in our environment and to become a highly harmful obstacle. Without in any way questioning the work’s inherent merits or the actors’ interpretive skill, which form a charming and appealing ensemble, this is indeed a genuinely bold step, but also a beautiful and promising one for Albanian theater, which is thereby given a new dimension with the first Albanian private theater. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit» Gunfire at the Hani i Hotit customs post Gunfire was heard during Saturday night at the Hani i Hotit customs post. This caused the ... Yugoslav side to withdraw and block entry and exit for several hours. It is important not to underestimate the fact that shots are being fired toward the customs post, and for what reasons [?] ... the incident, so that undesirable events can be prevented.

SARANDE On Sunday, in the presence of hundreds of citizens, a ceremony was held in the city of Saranda for the reinterment of the remains of Bilal Xhaferi, patriot and prominent figure in Albanian literature. The remains were placed in the garden beside the main seaside promenade, next to the bust of the distinguished scholar Hasan Tahsini, as a sign of gratitude for the contribution made in service of the nation by Bilal Xhaferi, son of Çamëria. Mr. Kolec Topalli read the greeting from the President of the Republic, while the commemorative address on Bilal Xhaferi’s life and work was delivered by Mr. Uran Bukata. On this occasion, a dinner-cocktail was held, attended, in addition to representatives of the Çamëria association, by many residents of the cities of Saranda and Konispol. PANAJOT ZOTO

Philatelic exhibition, after 29 years This is the second exhibition by the well-known Gjakova philatelist Tajar Kokalari, after the one held in 1966; it opened on Wednesday afternoon in a hall at the «Cajupi» hotel, under the auspices of the municipal library in Gjirokastër, and was honored by figures from public and state life, people of culture and officials. The exhibition was introduced by library director Petraq Qurku, while the great enthusiast spoke about the discipline of philately and expressed his thanks for the event. RTV signal from the direction of Shmarje It is now a well-known fact that entire areas in Dibër, because of the indifference shown toward repairing the television transmitter, cannot watch Albanian RTV, except «with a pan» during satellite broadcasts. In the city of Peshkopi, the Albanian RTV signal from its main transmitter, that of Mali i Bardhë above Homesh, is growing ever fainter and is on its way to disappearing. In the city of Peshkopi, the Albanian RTV transmitters continue [...] for hours with disturbances and severe image-color problems [?] Theft using a neuroparalytic agent Recently, the number of private vehicles seized in the city of Durrës has risen significantly. A few days ago, the perpetrators, having kept watch at the scene and equipped with a neuroparalytic agent, managed to steal the «Benz» car belonging to the citizen T. M. 1 in the city of Durrës. A phenomenon has also appeared within the city of Durrës, where, in front of the city courthouse at midday, several people [for a car?]. These actions do not receive attention dur[?] ...