The Albanian state continues to lack its real identity, with which to present itself to its own citizens or to the other states of the world. Albania lacks a Constitution—the document that representatives of the German Bundestag rightly considered the “birth certificate” of a nation, and that the people themselves must sign. Everything revolves in chaos and emptiness. Relations among the branches of power are not respected—not only by state officials, but even by the representatives of the legislature themselves. The independence of the courts has fallen victim to political and ideological pressure; human rights come at a high price, since every day we encounter the denial and trampling of citizens as a force for development. Five years ago, efforts were made to restructure society, the economy and politics, but the advantages of the new political-economic process were exploited one-sidedly because of the absence of constitutional laws. Economic growth brought an unequal distribution of national wealth, an increase in social tensions and crime, the destruction of the environment, and the squandering of human values. The individual was left utterly stripped bare in the face of pseudo-freedom and unprotected against anti-state tendencies. The general strategy of fear, denial and destruction of state-individual relations resulted in the collapse of the social, economic and political organization inspired by the DP. People are challenging the past in order to build a new future, but they do not think to consult representatives of all political forces. To the surprise of many, certain segments of Albanian politics have an interest in continuing the constitutional drama, the absence of the state and the prerogatives that foster institutional development. At the Golo round table, convened to address constitutional issues, the political forces of the Union for Democracy were absent yesterday. This means disregarding the electorate’s interests. Albanians are demanding a Constitution because they feel its absence tragically. The spectacular disintegration of the DP’s state was not a process of transformation, but the destruction and degradation of national interests. Otherwise, Albania’s transition will be easy, long and tragic.

Democrats form a government in Paris. Companies rob their customers STATE ADMINISTRATION [Caricature illustration of a figure wrapped in ribbons marked «P.S.»; illegible signature?]

Page 2

Inside: Bomb at the embassy Where the doctor goes, the thief follows Page 3 Inside: Bomb at the embassy Where the doctor goes, the thief follows Parliament’s decision

follows Union leaders quarrel, Azemi intervenes Page 2 Killed in the marital bed; Zani i Skraparit sought Drugs in the tub of gjizë Page 7 Theatre—dead or dying? Kadare divides “Kadare” Page 13 The fourth estate takes power Page 3

Page 9