The arrest of journalist Ylli Polovina and repeated attacks against the newspaper “Koha jonë” are part of antidemocratic efforts to restrict human and political freedoms Pages 3–5 This is how the “Meksi” government of Berisha likes its journalists and meetings with the press (photomontage)

— Page 6

. Correspondent. I have dreamed of this land that never gives in, then singling out the virtues of Albanians: pride, courage and honor. These qualities, the “land of the eagles,” the President of the French Senate stressed, have been forged through suffering. You can trust France, he declared; it stands by you and will help you. Continuing his speech, Mr. Rene Monory described the relations France has with Albania and the existence of a genuine Francophone tradition. In the context of bilateral relations, the guest from France highlighted those in the economic sphere, mentioning the recent decision to send 3,000 tons of wheat as food aid. Your history, your culture—everything here speaks of Europe, the President of the French Senate noted in his speech. Albania is a member of the European family. Regarding Albania’s integration into Europe, he said it would take place in stages, “depending on the pace of the discussions on this participation.” The guest from France described the warmth of the welcome as the finest message of friendship toward a country. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit” The guest from France, Mr. Rene Monyr, delivered a warm and friendly speech in Parliament yesterday—

At the beginning of his meeting with Ambassador Tesoriere, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi praised the elevation of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic representation in Albania to ambassadorial level and expressed the hope that this would contribute to the further development of relations between our two countries and peoples. He praised the role and contribution of the United Kingdom, a country with democratic traditions, in the positive developments of democratic processes in our country. Mr. Pëllumbi also presented Mr. Tesoriere with the Socialist Party’s views on the situation in the country and reiterated the need for all political forces to join in the fight against every form of terrorism and crime. A calm situation without excesses is essential for the forthcoming elections to be free, fair and democratic. In response to the ambassador’s questions, Mr. Pëllumbi discussed several issues concerning the organization of the Socialist Party, the party’s platform, and its options for cooperation with other political forces, before and after the elections. The Socialist Party’s positions on foreign policy, relations with Europe and the acceleration of integration into Euro-Atlantic processes, good-neighbourly relations, the Kosovo issue and Balkan cooperation also featured prominently in the meeting. The meeting also covered the election law, the genocide law and the need for extensive international assistance in the forthcoming elections. The United Kingdom Ambassador thanked his hosts for their hospitality and expressed the view that the United Kingdom would cooperate with the government of whichever political force emerged from free and democratic elections. Press Spokesperson of the Socialist Party of Albania 1 March 1996

Denial Regarding the so-called “electoral map” or electoral study, published in the newspaper “Koha Jonë” on 29 February 1996 and claimed to have come from the offices of the Socialist Party, we declare the following: The Socialist Party of Albania has no such “map” or “study.” It is a party with a presence throughout the country and has its electorate in every district, in the North and the South, in the East and the West of Albania. This is shown by the results of the local government elections of 26 July 1992, in which the Socialist Party won the majority of votes, from the municipality of Konispol to the municipality of Tropojë. Similarly, in the referendum of 6 November 1994, the “No” option won in most of the country’s districts, in the South and the North. The publication of such “maps” or “studies” is a malicious fabrication with provocative aims. It incites national division and, as such, serves those forces that fan the flames of this division. The Socialist Party rejects such a provocation with disgust. Spokesperson for the Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania

— By Teodor Keko — Page 4

— Page 6

. Read his article “Recreating the Human Being” on page 9.