December 13, 1990
Note-takers: Ilenja Mehilli, Sokol Tafaraj
Note-taking under the responsibility of Eduard Selami.
Podium comprised of Arben Imami, Azem Hajdari, Sali Berisha.
Prof. Sali Berisha spoke about the initiators of the movement, who will be the core of the Democratic Party. He spoke about students’ courage, which gave him confidence and was a lesson for him. It showed dignity. Prof. Berisha was impressed from their courage and bravery. Although they were only on the way to become intellectuals, they deserved the position (in the party).
Sali Berisha gave the floor to Andokli Xhaferri, a worker at military plant No. 91. He expressed his belief in the people. Then he spoke about some problems:
- He was of the opinion that the program should be read in all the enterprises. But the director decided the contrary.
Beni intervened saying that the Presidency of People’s Assembly would pass a new law as below:
“Citizens have the right to form a party. Party’s program and status has to be submitted to the Ministry of Justice. Fascist ideas are prohibited; foreign citizens are not allowed. The procedure to legalize it takes one month. At least 300 people’s signatures should be collected…”
A person in the meeting (a worker) was of the opinion that the time defined for the legalization should be shorter than one month to enable participation in the elections. “We have waited for 45 years, we can’t wait longer.”
Prof. Sali Berisha said that the party should work in democratic ways.
Then Azem said that there were saboteurs, but at the same time thousands of telegrams and letters had arrived. We should work hard and in democratic ways.
An organizational structure should be set up. Its center should be established in Student City. The chairmanship should be comprised of 14 people, of whom six should be students (someone from the audience said they should be six of the best students), the rest should be intellectuals and workers. It had to be extended in all the other districts of the country. We should take good concrete steps. Establishment of this structure is the main topic of the agenda for this meeting.
A student was of the opinion that students should not participate in these structures. But a worker said that this fact was not so essential. It was important to have the structure. He continued that the party should have its press. But his suggestion had to be discussed later.
G. Rama said that students’ courage should be appreciated. “These students declared in the meeting that the press was censured, but Comrade Ramiz said that no censorship exists. In fact, it is true that there is, but according to the existing law there is no censorship.”
E. Budina emphasized that Comrade Ramiz didn’t allow them to speak.
G. Pashko said that the founding of a party was declared yesterday. “The news caused a sensation in the world press. And the mistakes we make, regardless how small, can give an opposite impression.” He didn’t agree with the composition of the party; doctors, sportsmen, etc. should also be members of this structure. “Because like this we will have a party, which would resemble the existing party.”
A core structure should be founded based on four points.
How will the statute be organized?
It is not necessary for the workers to set up a party structure in their working places. All they need to do is to set up trade unions. To this end, the documentation should be submitted to the ministry as soon as possible.
The party program was put closer to that of Kavaja, as if we collaborate with them and the enemies.
A miner was of the opinion that there were two problems:
- The stand of the organizations,
- The necessity to read the status.
He also suggested to increase the number of intellectuals in the commission so that Sali Berisha and Gramoz Pashko could be included in it.
The commission should consist of:
6 students; 5 intellectuals; and 5 workers.
The lecturer Mr. Brojsi suggested two students instead of six. According to him, six students was a large number.
Beni said: “This is only an initial organizing commission. This program is very good and serious. These students developed it. They are the organizers and so it would be good for the other students also.” He asked the participants to raise their hand if they agreed. – Everybody agreed.
Nobody is against.
D. Leka (Deko) took the floor “We are not here to elect or to be elected. We are the representatives of democracy.” He was happy that democracy was finally established, and he didn’t want to support the bad declarations on this party made by the enemies. He suggested the party have many intellectuals, because Yugoslavia had claimed that day that Albania’s Labor Party allowed the formation of a students party, because it scared the other parties.
– Azem Hajdari approved – a student
– Alma Bendo approved – a student
– Arben Likaj approved – a student
– Blendi Gonxhe approved – a student
– Shenjazi Rama approved – a student
– Gramoz Pashko approved – a lecturer
– Sali Berisha approved – a doctor
– Prec Zogaj approved – a writer
– Mitro Cela approved – a journalist
– Arben Imami approved – a lecturer
Albert Shehu proposed Ilir Myftari. He said Ilir Myftari is one of the best intellectuals of the mine; he is the first partisan of the movement. Ilir Myftari was also approved.
A worker from “Enver Hoxha” Auto-Tractors Plant proposed Sokrat Vesturi, an engineer. He was also approved.
A worker from the Construction Enterprise said that he needed to have a copy of the program to read.
Fatmir Beluli, a representative from Durres and a member of an illegal organization founded in Durres, said that there was not sufficient food. According to him, the program of this party was excellent, and it was going to take very good economic measures. So, they should not hurry to make declarations. Durres is pro this party.
Prof. …….., a lecturer at High Agriculture Institute – Kamza said that there should also be a representative from women. He proposed Merita Zaloshnja. She is an activist, an intellectual, an excellent woman.
A worker supported his proposal making the same description of Merita.
Prof. Berisha proposed Zenel Hoxha, a lecturer.
Azem emphasized that this is an organizing commission and there is no need for too much discussion, but we have to work as best as possible. The group for the statute and the group to contact the Ministry of Justice have already been assigned. So, we have to think of having the best people in this party.
This party should be supported, but not from abroad. The staffs at different workplaces should give some modest contribution for the people who have already quit work.
Another task is deciding on who will be the candidates for the parliament, but this has to be done later. The memorandum with the signatures of 150 people had to be completed and submitted to the ministry.
Prof. Berisha said that everybody should be clear by the end of the meeting.
A worker from Elbasan Plant said that religion was not to be discussed. But it was a wrong thought, because it was included in that program. He also asked whether there would be fractions in the party. They answered that there would be, but not for the moment. That was only the beginning (it was too early).
Beni emphasized this is the initial organizing commission.
The participants were asked to sign before leaving, in order to have the 150 signatures.
They all approved the selected people unanimously.
Alma Bendo did not want to be, so she was taken out. The others accepted.
So, here is the organizing commission:
- Azem Hajdari
- Arben Likaj
- Blendi Gonxhe
- Shenasi Rama
- Gramoz Pashko
- Sali Berisha
- Prec Zogaj
- Mitro Cela
- Arben Imami
- Ilir Myftari
- Sokrat Nesturi
- Merita Zaloshnja
- Alma Bendo
- Tefalin Malshyti
The minutes were taken by Ilenja Mehilli
First Meeting of the Organizing Commission
Working groups have to be defined in this meeting. Present in the meeting are also some guests.
Prof. Gramoz Pashko said: This is the initial organizing commission and there are some guests representing different strata of the society.
The commission has to treat some problems to be resolved within 10-12 days:
- preparation of the statute.
- development of an electoral program to be presented just like that of the other party.
- establishment of a commission to lead/manage it.
- establishment of a commission to prepare the electoral program on the eve of this electoral campaign.
- establishment of the commission of the secretary.
- establishment of a treasury commission.
- a core group of people will deal with press and other things.
The tasks have to be assigned according to the groups, so that the work doesn’t fail. It is necessary to do it as well as possible. Our strength should be only the quality. We won only because of the existing hatred against the other (ruling) party.
Prof. Sali Berisha said that the most important groups are: the organizing and financial groups (commissions). The most important group for the life of the party is the organizing group. The press group is also very important. The organizational group should be set up.
Beni gave the vote to Gramoz.
A group, which will go to the Ministry of Justice.
Prof. Gramoz said that a separate group should also be established with separate places/positions for districts’ representatives.
It is necessary to set up a committee to deal with this problem.
Debate:
Is it necessary to assign persons at the head of these sections/departments?
The organizing group (commission), having also the support of other representatives (guests), will deal with the statutes.
A commission should deal with the organizational aspects; status, etc.
This commission should consists of 8 people:
- Azem Hajdari – chairman of the organizing commission.
- Arben Imami
- Sali Berisha
- Edmond Budina
- Gramoz Pashko
- Eduard Selami
- Leka Dr
- Edi Rama
- 4 other persons, whose names are not given.
It is necessary to define the organizing commission, which will be responsible for the documents, statutes; as the brain to think of organizing the work.
Merita suggested this commission be the principle one, and the others should be accountable to it.
Press group:
- Prec Zogaj – Chairman,
- Genc Pollo – Vice chairman, press conferences,
- Mitro Cela
Finance group:
- Merita Zaloshnja – Chair
- Arben Likaj
- Alma Bendo
Expenses, income could be high.
Electoral group:
- Edi Rama
- Arben Imami
- Blendi Gonxhe
- Shenasi Rama
- Zenel Hoxha
Group of organizational aspects of the second level.
Leka responsible for the scientific institutions.
Group of service (on duty group):
- Tefalin Malshyti
- Arjan Manahasa
- Ilir Dizdari
Group of the Secretariat:
- Eduard Selami
- Ilenja Mehilli
Later the meeting was suspended due to the TV announcements on a situation of disorder.
Working groups departed for different districts in the country.
The meeting to be continued another day in the morning.
The minutes were taken by Ilenja Mehilli.
Meeting of the Organizing Commission
Date: December 14, 1990
Time: 10:30
Azem discussed his meeting with Llambi Gegprifti who would help us with a telephone. The TV was also informed and asked to take another interview and air it on the all news editions.
Prof. Berisha said that the vice chairman for the press group, Genc Pollo, should give that interview. The idea was approved.
Prof. Berisha said that he had had a telephone conversation with the People’s Artist, Dhimiter Anagnosti, who had expressed his opinion to collaborate with us.
These commissions should work to attract the attention of people.
The commissions will report through their chairmen. Every commission will have an office. The chairmen have to meet every day at 9:00.
Prof. Pashko suggested the creation of an information group to inform all the newspapers and the radio.
Pr. Doni (!?) said that he was eager to write. He had a computer and he would help to publish a newspaper. We should be aware of what we publish.
The tapes of the interviews should also be preserved, in order to transcribe them and publish them later. We have the revenge of Xhelili, etc. information.
Doni said that he could provide information from the foreign radios. The archive of the state also helps us.
All the intellectuals who support us should come here and join us.
They decided to gather here at 9:00 and report on the work carried out by the working groups.
Each group left to carry out its tasks. While some people remained there waiting for the TV. Some were asked to explain for the people who were staying in front of the building.
Meanwhile people sent to the districts were coming back.
The minutes were taken by Ilenja Mehilli.
Speech of Two People from Elbasan
Date: December 14, 1990
Time: 16:00
Two people from Elbasan came and reported on the situation there. A religious ritual was going to take place in Elbasan that day. And everybody was there at the mosque in the castle, but many police forces were there showing their rubber batons, close the entry to the castle, and declared that the mosque was clear and they could not make any religious ritual there.
At that moment, many people were gathered outside. They began to shout: Nexhmie Hoxha should resign. And they appealed to face the police forces.
Another student came together with:
- Ibrahim Bicokun
- Agron Lajteri
- Pellumb …
