Today, the farewell ceremony for the victims of Otranto begins in Brindisi, Italy. The pain of the tragedy will be honored equally on both shores of the Adriatic, which at its depths swallowed dozens of human lives in the search for survival. The case of Albania is considered special. The latest tragedy, like the tragedy before it, was also special. The advantages of the new economic system were perceived as such only by a minority of people. The extremely unequal distribution of national wealth left many citizens without protection guaranteed by the state. The economy did not precede politics, but was conditioned by it, closing off the prospects of an open society based on democratic principles and respect for human rights. The democratic processes that overthrew the communist regime did not institutionalize the widening of opportunities for every individual, but degenerated into the patterns of the old strategy of denying private initiative. The previous government did not respond to Albania’s specific needs. Its activity did not develop in all dimensions. The main attention was not devoted to people, no investment was made in them, and their participation was not encouraged by creating equal conditions for all. This neo... era very quickly erased the image of the democratic state. Faced with the breakdown of real dimensions, the state could not stand on its feet. The collapse of the state was a tragedy that gathered dozens of other tragedies. Otranto became part of the most painful Albanian tragedy of the end of this century. It must be remembered with the hope that it must not be repeated. Respect for human beings is a basic motive of every democratic government. Otherwise, tragedies will continue to coexist with Albanians for a long time.

BENVENUTO S. PRODI VLORA STANDS WITH YOU

: Alimuça: I feel tired. Cenaj hands over the company and runs off to Greece Page 8 The monster of Cërrik is arrested. Eight days of hunger in Patras Prison. Laci chooses Miss Cow Page 6 The factory of death, poison ready. Four “girls from the bars” are rehired Loses money in loansharking, throws himself into the river Page 7 Newspapers warn of a STRIKE Driza changes lawyer Grunasi reappears Page 2

On 15 November 1997, at 10:00 a.m. in the hall of the Palace of Culture, near Skanderbeg Square on the third floor, the first meeting of the National Assembly of the Republican Party will take place, with the following agenda: 1- Election of the presidency of the National Assembly of the PR. 2- Approval of the resolution of the third congress of PRSH. 3- Election of the Party Presidency. 4- Approval of the Program for the second phase of the conferences of the PR branches in the districts. All Assembly members are informed to respect the set date and time Chairman Fatmir Mediu

“REPUBLIKA”; “Sami Frashëri” Street, near the “Petro Nini Luarasi” high school, Tirana. Account No. 986/110, Tregtare Bank Tirana. Tel/Fax. (355 42) 259 88 Tel. (355 42) 230 90