The referendum is aggravating the political climate. DBSH: Legal proceedings at the Constitutional Court. Velo against the Alliance for the State. Berisha’s challenge: Another constitution is ready.

Political reactions to the constitutional draft are reac-

The caricature of the Albanian Medi

Political reactions to the constitutional draft are reac- tions typical of political capital. The forces of “Union for Democracy” aptly describe the Constitution as “left-wing” and, with this “argument,” hope to legitimize the boycott, while ignoring that they themselves lost the vote on their own draft. With such a priori declarations, they are in fact damaging all political relations. The draft Constitution, now approved also by the Venice Commission and Albanian constitutional experts, establishes relations that are not tied to partisan positions. In this draft, the state is not an appendage of politics, but a guarantor of freedom and democracy, without racial, ethnic, or political distinctions. The draft omits nothing required for the institutionalization of a modern democracy, favoring no other political system over democracy. If they call the Constitution left-wing simply because the left is in power, then the country will not become a mature nation through a constitution, since the left, which came to power through this same little game, will boycott again the referendum that is to ... (text cut off at the edge) Continued on page 2

Page 13 The cartoon by the Albanian Medi BELORTAJA was awarded a Special Prize at the Istanbul International Competition “Nastradin hoxha”, October 15–18, ’98

The Prosecutor’s Office: There were ten of them. Investigations into the “uprising,” September and March together. The videotapes of the unrest are outside Albania Page 2 THE MURDER OF HAJDARI: It is the witnesses’ turn. Tirana: We have the names of those who were in contact with Hajdari on the day of the murder Page 6

45-million scandal at TELEKOM. Instead of building 30 apartment blocks, 8 are bought for the privileged.

Lazarat: how the right-hand man of the gang boss was caught. Others are uncovered. Page 7

Prostitution: Uncle reports his niece for abducting his daughter Those dismissed from the Police accuse Minister Koçi Lundra drowns in accusations Page 2 Xhabafi’s father is killed The account of the 15-year-old killer Majko swears: I did not order the dismissals — Page 6 The “Mandela” trial fails in Elbasan Rare: Want a bride? Drink a kilo and a half of raki A bridge leaves 300 children without a school — Page 7 TVSH Director-General Klosi vetoes the Festival. Tender for the festival’s directing platform. The director assumes the powers of the Governing Council Page 13

• TANJ-UG journalists themselves made the Serbs disappear • The US also blames the KLA • The agreement turns Kosovo into a semi-colony Page 11

Alibali: The law is in conflict with the Constitution itself Garuli: The death penalty, between reality and demagoguery The PR executive committee meets, Tirana Pages 3–4