Today, the referendum on approval of the State’s fundamental document / A “YES” victory of over 60 percent is predicted

Minister Koçi: “Vote without fear; there will be no unrest” Pages 3–7

BY MARTIN LEKA Without wishing at all to go on at length about the establishment of a state for angels in Albania, today is considered by Albanians wherever they may be to be a “BLESSED DAY.” Today Albanians must bow with the deepest respect before the GOSPEL called the CONSTITUTION! In the democratic world, such an occasion takes on the true character of a wise and festive pilgrimage. All Albanians have this golden opportunity today. It is a solemn act in which they must engrave, with profound respect, before themselves, before the international community and above all before their future, the constitution of the MODERN ALBANIAN STATE. The country that symbolizes Western democracy, toward which we have dreamed for centuries of going, the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America, did not choose Constitution Day as the symbolic day of their country by chance. After so many centuries, Albanians too have such a fortunate opportunity in their hands today. Today we are voting neither for parties, nor for MPs, nor for officials, nor for state leaders. Today we are all voting for ourselves and for the generations to come. On the Balkan Peninsula, a small country, but one of the oldest on the continent, has a great opportunity today to show the civilized world that it is being REBORN from its own offspring. In this GREAT REBIRTH called the Constitution, we must all stand together. So that we may all become builders and not vandals; wise and not bloodthirsty; forgiving and not vengeful; believers in the law and not in gangs; listeners to songs and not gunshots; planters of flowers and not of fines... I don’t know what the devil made us believe that even today we should not be together?! Today, when everything is in our hands! Today, when “there are no parties or leaders, no state leaders or officials”! Today, when there is only the people. This “qofshlar” must not make us stand out as the “black sheep.” Tomorrow, when Albania awakens with its modern Constitution, no one should carry a burden on their shoulders. A great burden, weighing no more than a ballot paper,

Photo REUTERS Albanian children playing in the snow

“The organizers of the incidents are opponents of the constitutional process” Page 5 “I will tell people to go and vote calmly, because the constitution opens the way to building the state and will not allow events like those of the past to happen again.” The head of the National Intelligence Service, Fatos Klosi, explained in an interview he gave yesterday to the newspaper “KJ” that SHIK had been working for several weeks to identify the elements and special structures so that no incident would occur on referendum day to prevent people from freely expressing their will.

Who are the foreign police officers in Albania, and what do they do? Page 10 Europe helps MAPE, the police protectors Who are the foreign police officers in Albania, and what do they do? Page 10

How it set sail, who owned it, and who captained the ship of death Page 11 Investigation resumes Vlorë, Otranto reopened How it set sail, who owned it, and who captained the ship of death Page 11

The coach analyzes the team after three matches Page 22 The national team: history Hafizi: We play to win The coach analyzes the team after three matches Page 22

Serbs are trying to gain time against the Albanians Serbian authorities proposed yesterday a draft agreement for Kosovo, the first document of its kind responding to a plan drawn up in recent weeks by the American envoy, Kristofer Hill. In fact, this plan is considered a “counterproposal” to Hill’s American plan for the future of Kosovo. The plan in question, as is clearly apparent, seeks self-government for Kosovo and rules out the possibility of its independence being achieved. Page 8