I have understood your position regarding the events of the last few days in the country very well; it is also your feeling of indignation and revolt over the highly condemnable actions of some military units and especially the Shkodër unit. For this reason, it is necessary to clarify several issues. While expressing our indignation at the irresponsible actions of some military personnel, I wish to state clearly that any claim holding the entire Albanian army, or its command, responsible for these actions is unjust and unfounded. The Democratic Party of Shkodër, its citizens, have never been and will never be enemies of the army. The army belongs to the people and not to a particular political clique. But we say just as clearly that no one, even if dressed in a military uniform, can place himself above the law and above the people. The actions carried out in Shkodër, using weapons, military equipment, and terrorizing citizens, constitute serious violations of the law and must receive the punishment they deserve. The citizens of Shkodër, with their admirable maturity, did not fall prey to provocations. They showed that they want order, peace, and democracy. This maturity of our citizens is the best guarantee that Shkodër will never become a stage for blind political adventures. On the contrary, it will remain a city of culture, civic courage, and national dignity. We demand a full, public, and impartial investigation into the events. Those who gave unlawful orders, those who fired on the people or threatened them, must answer before justice. Only thus can trust in the rule of law and in the democratic institutions that are struggling to emerge in our country be established. Shkodër does not seek revenge, but justice. It does not seek division, but moral and political clarity. It does not seek privileges, but respect for citizens’ rights. That is why Shkodër’s voice today must be heard with attention throughout Albania. [OCR note: parts of the text are partially illegible in the image; a full word-for-word transcription cannot be guaranteed.]

Your position and your statements in this parliamentary session regarding the serious events that took place in Shkodër, which shook all Albanian public opinion, are unacceptable, because you tried to minimize them and justify the perpetrators. The people of Shkodër, and indeed all of Albania, expect from this assembly not evasion of responsibility, but a clear political and moral condemnation of those who ordered and carried out such acts. Events in which weapons and military equipment were used against citizens cannot be called ordinary incidents. Psychological terror against an unprotected people cannot be called maintaining order. This is a fundamental issue for the fate of democracy in Albania. If this parliament remains silent or relativizes the truth, it loses the moral right to represent the people. We are not asking for anything other than transparency, responsibility, and justice. The chain of command must be made known, the orders given must be clarified, the people who used force must be identified and brought before the law. Only thus can tragedies be prevented from happening again, and only thus can citizens’ trust in institutions be strengthened. Shkodër has been severely wounded, but it has not been broken. Its civic resistance, the calm and maturity with which it faced the provocation, are an example for the whole country. This must be respected and not desecrated with justifying statements. (Continues on page 6)

It should be noted that in Hot i Ri, near the city of Shkodër, a serious clash has occurred that has brought major moral and political consequences. The population has been deeply shaken and has demanded full clarification. Our editorial office considers that these events cannot be passed over in silence and cannot be presented as isolated episodes. They require a serious investigation and full transparency. From the initial information that has reached the newsroom, it appears that military equipment and weapons were used in circumstances that must be urgently clarified. Citizens have the right to know who gave the order, who carried it out, and on what legal basis the actions were undertaken. Only a public clarification can dispel doubts and restore calm. The editorial office considers it essential for the relevant authorities to act without delay and provide the public with accurate information. Democracy cannot be built on concealment, fear, or propaganda. It is built on truth. (Continues on page 6)

In recent months, a series of figures and promises about aid, funds, and economic support have been made public, but the concrete results in citizens’ daily lives appear very limited. The question rightly being raised is: where did the funds go? Who administered them? What criteria were used? Citizens, exhausted by shortages, queues, inflation, and empty promises, are demanding accountability. It is not enough to announce sums from political platforms; the destinations, beneficiaries, and real effects must be made public. Without this transparency, every fund remains a propagandistic shadow. The Albanian economy in this period of transition needs trust. But trust does not come from statements, it comes from public oversight, honest administration, and the political will not to allow abuse. If the funds have been wasted or have disappeared in the channels of bureaucracy, those responsible must be held accountable. This issue is not only economic; it is profoundly moral and political. The country cannot move forward if aid becomes an object of clientelism or narrow gain. There must be an independent investigation and full information for the public. (Continues on page 6)

The journeys leave, the sword leaves, Beside the lamb, the word slips away, The wanderers leave, the mountains move, You look at the sea and cast away longing. The fire is awaited, the hearth is waited for, As soon as it ends and as soon as it begins, The generation is awaited, the tables are awaited, The word leaves, our hope. Longing comes and longing leaves, Sleep leaves, night leaves, The voice of pain gathers us, Beyond the generations, our generation. When it gathers and is spoken, When the poor speaks again, Albania will not be lost, If it keeps one step alive.