-Interview with Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi- Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, we are on the eve of the vote on the constitutional amendments (kor- nikes?)[?], where we often deal with different opinions, different inter- pretations, different positions, differences in language, even with similar positions and interpretations. First of all, what is your opinion of the current constitution and of its articles, which in many cases cannot be applied and are difficult to interpret? Meksi: It is known that the constitution of the Albanian state is like many constitutions of the countries of the former East. It concerns the relationship between the powers and the concepts of the separation of powers. Its articles are, to a large extent, drafted on the basis of a different concept of the state and of the organization of powers. Therefore, we have encountered difficulties in implementation in many cases. We have needed clarifications and successive interpretations. There have also been gaps. There are several articles that no longer correspond to the new democratic reality and require change. This is also the reason for the proposals for amendments. Mr. Meksi, do you have the impression that during these first years of democratic government the difficulties of a political nature have been greater or the economic ones? Mr. Aleksandër Meksi: We have never clearly separated this line. Political and economic difficulties have gone hand in hand. The transition in the economy has brought important social consequences, while the political challenges have directly affected the pace of reforms. The most important thing was the restoration of order and the state, as well as the creation of the institutions of a free society. Then came the economic problems: privatization, prices, unemployment, the drop in production. These cannot be separated from one another. Do you think the Albanian state has entered a phase of stabilization? Mr. Aleksandër Meksi: There are clear signs of improvement. But we should not be euphoric. We have achieved a lot, but we have not escaped errors either. Some reforms could have been carried out more quickly, others with greater care. In any case, we have entered a phase in which institutions are being consolidated, the economy is giving some signs of recovery, and relations with the world are becoming normalized. (piece)[?]

Tosi writes to the socialists of Vlora to do everything possible so that they do not place themselves and their party in extraterritoriality. The party has promised suspension for both chairmen of the social democrats! Tosi in the role of Vlora’s “lawyer”! Just as he cooked up and aggravated the declaration of a state of emergency. In any case, the cause could not be sought in the government, nor in the parliamentary majority or the President of the Republic. It was clearly established that the government’s only “fault” was not stopping the courts and the independent judges from making fair decisions against the creation of armed gangs. Among these criminal groups, the “Cërrik gang” stood out with great publicity, taking advantage of many privileges and even some protection. They know very well what happened when the arrests of such people began. It is enough to note that in Cërrik, the deputy chairman of the Socialist Party, Zamir Dedej, on the orders of the prefect of Elbasan and with the full approval of the local PS secretary, Alush Cako, not only cleared out the offices of the PDSH, but himself, on the prefecture’s orders, sealed them. In Cërrik, as the press shows, the prefect of Elbasan together with Cazi Sula of the police station, with dozens of police officers and rapid intervention forces, blocked the vehicle of the democratic deputy prefect. The socialists of Cërrik would deny in vain that the blockade ordered by the prefecture was lifted. This is proven by photographs and a videotape. On Monday, after, according to some officials, the special commission of the PS was “keeping the chairman of the 1st anti-communist forum spinning around,” they replaced him and summoned him to Tirana to “clarify” the situation. According to our newspaper’s information, the local socialist representatives of Vlora have not been cold at all, and some of them have not even heard anything about the invitations. Names of militant socialists, young and old, are mentioned. They are mentioned because they have been actively involved with the “popular crowds” in the anti-constitutional wave. Some have occupied offices, others have hindered institutions. This is the climate that has brought them into conflict with the state. For that reason, Tosi has called on them not to lead themselves and their party into extraterritoriality. Meanwhile, the party has promised suspension for both chairmen of the social democrats! Tosi in the role of Vlora’s “lawyer”!

Glosco: We pledge that my country’s democracy will provide as much help as possible for the self-government of the cities of your suffering country. Our help will not be lacking. Supporting this session of the Presidium of the Municipal Council of Tirana, the chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Eduart Selami, also took part. Asked by journalists about this meeting, Mr. Selami said that American aid would be very effective in this respect and would create conditions for the normalization of life in Albania. Mr. Eduart Selami: The government’s efforts to develop pluralism and the market economy need support. This aid, for cities and communes, is especially important. It will help create a modern administration and improve services for citizens. Mr. Glosco: I am convinced that the democracy of my country will provide as much help as possible for the self-government of the cities of your suffering country. Our help will not be lacking in the future either. This meeting was welcomed as a positive step in strengthening local ties and cooperation.

The General Council of the Association meets in Tirana. Decisions taken On 8 March 1994, the General Council of the Association of Political Persecutees met in Tirana. At this meeting, the situation that had arisen and the violent acts of the far left, which have appeared in several areas of the country, were discussed at length. The General Council expressed its deep indignation at these actions, calling them unacceptable for a country that aspires to democracy and the rule of law. At the end of the meeting, several decisions were adopted and a call was made for the preservation of the constitutional order, for support of legitimate institutions, and for the condemnation of every form of violence. The Association also demanded that state bodies act decisively against the instigators of unrest. FOR THE PERSECUTED OF THE POLITICAL PERSECUTEES OF THE MUNICIPALITY? BASHKIM HIDA PERNIK? [?] The Directorate of the Association

What does Nano say in an interview with “Dita Informacion”? Nano — the leader of the opposition and the one who changed his manipulated mentality — the seriousness of the former head of state. Such, [text partly illegible][?] “the accused,” “the social democrat,” “the left unity,” “leaving office,” “governance,” “the internationals,” “the crisis,” “the constitution,” “the president,” “the parliament.” Nano tries to present himself as a mature opposition figure, but from what can be read in his answers, he often falls into contradiction with himself. He tries to avoid responsibility for the past and shift attention to the government’s mistakes. However, his interview highlights confusion and the lack of a clear political line. Question: What do you think about the political confrontation in the country and about the role of the opposition? Nano: [illegible text][?] This way of speaking and of presenting oneself publicly shows that the former prime minister has still not made a true reckoning of his political past. Cartoon of Fatos Nano with the caption: “NANOS ZBULOHEN PËR TË TRETËN HERË MARRËVESHJA: PER IKAN NO COFTE” [?]

Newspaper of the Democratic Party of Albania YEAR IV OF PUBLICATION No. 609 Thursday 24 March 1994 Price 5 lek 1 USD (USA) 150 DPK (Greece)

NANOS ARE EXPOSED FOR THE THIRD TIME AGREEMENT: PER IKAN NO COFTE Përve. (continued on page 8) Political cartoon with a caricature portrait and scattered sheets.