At the press office of the PS, a document titled “ZP” has been distributed in an unfounded accusation against the President of the Republic and the parliamentary majority. It says that in yesterday’s parliamentary session there was “pressure on the deputies” to vote against the “candidacies” proposed by the associations of former political prisoners. As an example of this “pressure”, a false claim has been used, also made public in the above-mentioned document, according to which all the associations of former politically persecuted persons have proposed Mr. Simon Mirakaj as the sole candidate for Ombudsman. In fact, in the votes held in parliament in favor of Mr. Simon Mirakaj, opposition deputies also voted, which proves that this was a free and personal approval of the candidacy and not a “dictate”, as the PS document manipulates. Today the socialists seek to “resurrect” dictatorship, in their own style, the very dictatorship they once represented. It is astonishing that this political force, which for 50 years caused the country suffering, internment, imprisonment, extrajudicial executions and poverty, now seeks to manipulate through labels and rhetoric that do not hold up. Why does the PS not carry out a genuine analysis today of its role during the 50 years of dictatorship? Why does it not apologize to the Albanian people for what it did to them? Instead, it tries to create new alibis and even uses the name of the politically persecuted for political purposes. Mr. Simon Mirakaj is a well-known figure from the former politically persecuted stratum, and his candidacy has been supported by various associations of this group. The document distributed by the PS does not serve the truth and cannot hide its historical responsibilities. We believe that instead of raising unfounded accusations, the PS should speak clearly about the crimes of the past and unambiguously distance itself from the dictatorship that ruled Albania for half a century.

DIED TURKEY'S PRESIDENT TURGUT OZAL IS NOT AMONG THE PEOPLE OF ALBANIA The Turkish news agency ANADOLL XHANAS reported that Turkey's president Turgut Ozal died yesterday morning as a result of a heart attack. Turgut Ozal was born in the province of Malatya on 13 October 1927. He studied electrical engineering in Istanbul and later specialized in development economics in the USA. He served as a senior official at the World Bank and held several government posts in Turkey. In 1983 he founded the Motherland Party and after its victory became prime minister. In 1989 he was elected President of the Republic of Turkey. President Ozal was known for his reformist views and his open orientation toward the Western world. His relations with Albania and the Albanians were extremely warm. He was considered a friend of the Albanian people and made a special contribution to bringing Turkey closer to Albania. His death has caused deep sorrow in Turkey and throughout the world. In the condolence telegrams sent by Albanian authorities, his figure and his contribution to peace and cooperation were highly praised. In the published photo: President of Turkey, Turgut Ozal.

CONDOLENCE TELEGRAMS SENT TO THE 2 FAMILIES OF THE CENTER BY THE FUNCTIONARIES OF THE PRESIDENT OF TURKEY With the deepest sorrow I learned of the death of the President of Turkey, Turgut Ozal. He was for the Turkish nation an outstanding leader and for his country a personality with an important role in the democratic processes. For the Albanian people, President Ozal was a great friend. He gave precious help to Albania in its difficult moments and worked to strengthen the traditional bonds of friendship between our two countries. In the name of the Albanian people and in my own name, I express the most sincere and deepest condolences for this great loss and ask you to convey them to the family of the deceased and to the entire Turkish people. EDI VLAOKA President of the Republic

After "The Testament", which PS leader is next? THE THIEF SHOUTS “CATCH THE THIEF” -After “The Testament”, which PS leader is next?- The irresponsible accusations of the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit” against the President of the Republic and the parliamentary majority are an attempt to divert public attention from its own internal problems. In its article, this newspaper, by distorting the truth, tries to present as “pressure” a completely democratic process carried out in parliament. Why is the left trying to hide the shameful sessions of its past, when certain names were approved with applause and without any objection? Why is the language of slander being used today against those who are trying to build democratic institutions? “ZP” has no moral right to play the role of guardian of democracy, when for decades it was the mouthpiece of a regime that persecuted thousands of citizens. Today it seeks to cover up the past by attacking anyone who does not fit the old logic. This well-known tactic of propaganda — accusing others of what you yourself have done — is at the heart of the article it published. Therefore, the proper title for this behavior is precisely: the thief shouts “catch the thief”. Instead of dealing with empty accusations, the Socialist Party should clarify its position on the crimes of the dictatorship and stop the divisive language. Democracy is not built with slander, but with responsibility and respect for the truth.

The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, also expresses condolences The President of the Republic Sali Berisha, the Turkish Foreign Ambassador, Mr. Turgut [?], Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi and the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Ylli Vejsiu, made visits to the Turkish Embassy in Tirana to express their condolences for the death of the President of Turkey, Turgut Ozal. After the condolences, Sali Berisha, speaking on behalf of the Republic of Albania and the Albanian people, praised the figure of Turgut Ozal as a great friend of Albania and the Albanians. He stressed that with his passing Albania lost an outstanding friend and Turkey a statesman with vision. Messages of condolence from various political and state personalities were also expressed in the book of condolences. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

Mr. Dr. Izet Haxhia, chairman of the parliamentary group of the Republican Party, sent a condolence message yesterday to the family of President Turgut Ozal. The message says: “With deep sorrow we learned the news of the death of President Turgut Ozal. The Albanian people lost in him a precious and unforgettable friend. Turgut Ozal was a personality with a broad vision, who contributed significantly to strengthening relations between our two countries and to supporting the democratic processes in Albania. In this difficult moment for the Turkish nation and his family, please accept our most sincere condolences.”

“ZP”... “MR. NOTI AND A LADY” “ZP” and Mr. Noti have fallen in love in a strike and in dedication, not to the democratic process nor to recruiting from the “opposition”, but for more intimate matters. So their version in the description of that strike — that it was said the strike was being carried out in the name of the students — is just as true as the dimensions of their story. If they had been able to tell the truth, they would have had to admit that the strike was a propagandistic act, tied to the interests of “ZP” and some of its people. Instead, half-truths and insinuations are served to the public. VERHOUHSE [?]