TIRANA, Dec. 30 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting to mark the New Year with Albanian WWII veterans and former dissidents persecuted under the communist regime that followed.
The two groups often have different views on the legacy of communism, and reconciliation is a goal.
War veterans usually belong to the former communist party that came to power after the war. After the fall of the communist regime they have felt some kind of discrimination due to the harsh words against their political party from the new political groupings of the right and center-right that have not set a clear distinct line between the atrocities of their former government and the pride that the veterans should have for fighting against the Italian fascists and German Nazis alongside the big winning alliance.
The former political persecuted, on their side, had hoped a better treatment and compensation after the fall of communism. But they have often been exploited for political purposes and have had very little compensation.
Rama’s new cabinet has pledged to quickly compensate them and they have already distributed three installments to them, mainly to those who are older and those families whose members were executed by the communist regime.
Rama also said that history should include everyone who has left traces and not discriminate anyone, adding that politics should stay apart in that effort.
The premier said they were determined to proceed with the opening of the files of the former secret police Sigurimi. He said that should not be politically exploited as it has been done in the last 24 years. The premier said they have chosen to use the German model, which uses a transparent process in their opening letting known the past to the persons and their families. That will help the reconciliation efforts which have been delayed so much in post-communist Albania.
