Police intervene and strike opposition leaders Dokle, Legisi, Majko, Imami, Gonxhe are taken to the police station... Tension in front of the Palace of Culture. At 11:40 a rush of people from the PS headquarters Yesterday during the police intervention in “Skanderbeg Square”

Armand Mero TIRANA - The scene that has caused shock these days in the square: politicians (almost all of them deputies) were battered by the police during the midday incident. Those politicians may have been wrong: they gathered at a rally that had not been authorized, and for that they perhaps should have been punished. But the question we have been asking ourselves since yesterday at midday remains another: was it unavoidable? Deputies, whichever party they belong to, do they not always represent not just themselves but a group of citizens? Could there not have been a further line drawn to put an end to a politician with his mandate precisely where he brought his electorate? Just as it would be an insult to that electorate when their deputy commits an offense. If the police were forced to stop the parties from arriving in order to protect themselves, then it means that only a few politicians were the ones who used violence; and more than anyone else they should answer for it. Because politics and violence (any politics and any violence) cannot coexist. But if the politicians did not raise a hand against the policemen, then we return to the question: was it really necessary for them to be beaten? A politician attacked in the square by a policeman wearing the state uniform, before the eyes of all foreign observers, does this not at the same time shock the image of the city and then of Albania as well? Albania needs less of this, though there are not a few who also seek just one pretext to attack it. From 22 March until today, no deputy had been beaten by a policeman in front of the people who, regardless of affiliation, are bound as representatives, and above all yesterday and precisely in Skanderbeg Square, where they were turned into a symbol of democracy. In these days that will remain in the history of our country we would like to offer a wish to you: the opposition must be respected, politics must respect it, do not criticize it when we do not like the leader, and the road that was mentioned by almsgiving votes to stir things up, you will understand, do not curse.

The President appeals for calm Strong reaction to the Socialists and Party leaders The President appeals for calm Berisha accuses Ruçi “He seeks to spread terror” Strong reaction to the Socialists and Party leaders President Berisha On page 5

Negotiations with the police last night The protesters left their party headquarters During negotiations between the Socialists and the police TIRANA - “They were a gang of thugs who used unprecedented violence.” Servet Pëllumbi, the Socialist deputy chairman, angered by yesterday’s events in Skanderbeg Square and around the Socialist headquarters, gave this press conference yesterday only a few hours after the violent घटनाओं. Pëllumbi presented a list of Socialist politicians and politicians from other opposition parties who were beaten, according to him, “they were savagely beaten by police units.” Pëllumbi and other Socialist leaders - alongside him appeared before journalists Dokle, Islami, and Hadaraga - appealed to their electorate. On page 5

INTERVIEW Tritan Shehu On page 5

Eleven representatives from England and Norway speak of violations A negative statement from a group On page 5

Diplomats: “Unstable situation” A marathon of meetings of Western representatives in Tirana Italian Embassy On page 5

New proposal from the republican leader: “The Constitution should be made” TIRANA - A package of measures to take the country beyond today’s voting. The proposal came yesterday from the offices of former chairman Sabri Godo after a meeting of the party’s central staff. New elections within ’97, a constitution by autumn and a government in a constituent assembly by September of this year. On page 7

“Those who went out into the square were former Sigurimi agents. Criminal proceedings against the organizers” On page 5

“Here is how they beat us. We will not even enter for the local elections” On page 3

Yesterday the Italian minister reacted ROME - Concern and skepticism about the situation in Albania. This time it is the southern neighbor that openly expresses its reservations about Albanian political developments. “We are concerned about the actions that have occurred after the election results.” The foreign minister said this yesterday, Dini, outlining a politically cautious stance. “We will continue to monitor the situation before taking an official position,” he assured the Italian agency. The first signals about the troubled Albanian situation may have reached the Italian top diplomat in Tirana, as well as the embassies of the EU country and other foreign missions that have intervened to help stabilize the Albanian situation. Italian diplomacy also reacted immediately amid the anxiety of a “we are closely following all the latest developments after the attack on opposition representatives,” as a diplomatically cautious position, the stance of the Farnesina may not pass without further reactions from the capitals. It was also yesterday that the Italian ambassador visited those who were to receive the PS leaders in “Shqipërive”? A strong meeting with some of the highest Socialist leaders was commented on as a clear stance by European diplomacy in the darkest moments of Albanian politics. More than the Italian ambassador, Foresti’s visit was seen as a sign of European concern over the latest unacceptable events. As the current EU presidency holder, Italy is seen, through this move, as sending the first diplomatic messages to official Tirana.

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