Although some surprise move by those in power cannot be ruled out, the normal date for holding the elections is approaching. Yet, despite the outcry from various political parties, one gets the impression that those in power and the president himself have not lifted a finger to discuss, draft and adopt an electoral law suited to the conditions created by political developments in the country over these past four years. Even the meetings held among the various parties—for example, the round table held about a month ago on this issue—have done nothing to raise the awareness of those who have the right to decide for now. This is a consequence of the authorities’ own mindset: they pay no heed to anything that is not done according to orders or directives. Judging by the experience of the PD’s governance so far, there is every likelihood that this will become reality, with the support of the PD deputies’ voting cards. The president justified this desire of his by invoking “the preservation of stability in the country,” since, according to him, “the majoritarian law, by enabling the representation of as few parties as possible in parliament, would narrow the scope for government crises in the future.” It does not take much thought to understand that the president’s thesis is intended for propaganda consumption, because in reality he and the senior PD leadership believe that the majoritarian system, with as few parties as possible represented in parliament, would enable them to win or to occupy a comfortable position as the opposition. Indeed, rumors are circulating here and there of raising the “threshold” for entering parliament to as much as 7–8%, whereas it has so far stood at 4%. This may explain… Continued on p. 5

One of the concerns arising in public opinion after the law on genocide was issued is the issue of collective punishment, and whether Parliament has the right to turn itself into a court and decide who may take part in politics and who may not. Although the great uproar in the press is more personal than principled in tone, it is worth pausing to consider concerns about the understanding of human freedoms and rights. This is not the first time Parliament has “collectively punished” by law. In 1992, the Albanian Parliament passed a law condemning all Albanian communists by not allowing them to organize into political parties. The organization of fascist parties has also been prohibited by law. These two cases alone are enough to “conclude” that there are democratic precedents in which Parliament has become a “court,” collectively “punishing” people. “Every law is, in itself, a collective restriction or prohibition. It is the existence of the law that prevents, for example, thieves from stealing. So, simply from the perspective of freedoms, this too is a collective restriction that prevents the race of thieves from pursuing its hobby. The restriction imposed by law on the participation in politics of the former senior communist nomenklatura, employees and collaborators of the former State Security service is no cataclysm for citizens. The circle is very narrow, and that is why the cries are heard more loudly.”

Besides Patricia Milloret, the magical judge from “The Octopus,” four other cinema stars Page 4

Tomorrow at 10:00, the meeting of the PRSH National Council will be held in Tirana to approve the Party Program and amendments to the Statute.

Yesterday our national football team suffered a heavy defeat in Bulgaria against the home team. The first half of this match ended 1-0, with a goal scored in the 18th minute. In the second half our players withstood a series of attacks by the home team until the 80th minute, when the well-known Stoickov, after a solo run, set up a teammate, who scored without difficulty. In this match, too, coach Bajko had problems assembling the players who play outside Albania. In any case, yesterday’s score does not reflect the play on the field. S. R

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of King Zog I, the Legality Movement Party is organizing a scientific session at the Palace of Congresses on October 8, 1995, at 10:00. The Presidium of the Legality Movement Party

The law on genocide prohibits any action involving active participation in the political life of the country. This is a two-handed stranglehold on individual freedom and a clear example that Albania is sliding towards a dictatorship of the center. The current leaders of the Socialist Party are making use of every minute to engage in electoral propaganda, while the law that grants them a seven-year term has not yet gone into effect. Gramoz Ruçi will once again take his holidays above Tepelenë. In Fier, he is quoted as saying that we will go into the farmers’ homes at night, supposedly to campaign. The 10% increase in pensions was the most unpopular action Mr. Meksi has taken during these years in government. If he had added a zero after the 10, then yes. The action would have become popular and democracy would have worked 24 hours a day. It is not true that our national football team lost in Bulgaria. We played with dignity and won morally. Speaking of morality, is there morality in politics? The Spies’ Party will be formed, and we will thrive on spies. The 30,000 signatures are ready. The Albanian electorate will gather in joy for the people of the pen and the gun. Today, in some places, the weather will be like it was 1,000 years ago. The wind will not blow in protest against the genocide law approved by the lawmakers. ...having contributed to raising for now. Such a thing is a consequence of the psychology of power itself: it takes no account of anything that is not done according to its orders or directives, or that is not in harmony with its interests. The president himself has stated that he supports a majoritarian law,

• The pastures of Konispol belong neither to the owners nor to the livestock farmers................p. 2 • Privatization of the energy system sought, regardless of ownership by around 6,000 landowners whose land is occupied by all KESH facilities...p. 2 • Capitalizing labor in Albania................p. 3 • The Christian Democratic Union Party accepts the 14 points of the Right-Wing League. Mr. Bushati, you do not represent the Christian Democrats........... p. 3 • Around 70% of emigrants find work abroad............. p. 3 • More families in the city, but more people in the countryside.............. p. 4 • Albanian emigrants “forget” their children in foreign maternity hospitals... p. 4 • 47% of Albanian city dwellers do not take holidays p. 4 • The Anti-Fascist War of ’39–’44 still holds many enigmas............. p. 5 • Without the active participation of intellectuals, the development of democracy is in doubt................. p. 5 • The venue for the Andreotti trial remains Palermo p. 7 • Kosovo is not an internal matter of Serbia................. p. 8