Referendum in Albania—one of the most democratic paths —The Lord Chancellor’s Department in London says— Referendum in Albania—one of the most democratic paths Adoption of the Constitution: a decisive step toward Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe —The Lord Chancellor’s Department in London says— The Lord Chancellor’s Department in London, which includes Britain’s highest judicial bodies, has expressed its views on the referendum that will be held in Albania on the Draft Constitution. Representatives of this department particularly praise the way the Draft Constitution is to be adopted by referendum, “as one of the most democratic paths.” “The drafting and adoption of the Constitution will be Europe,” the department’s representative stressed at a meeting with the Albanian ambassador in London, Pavli Qesku. A. Milo (ATSH)

Read on pages 1, 2, 3 NDREKE GJINI SHKELQIM HAJNO Sunday, October 30, 1994. Delvinë, Sarandë, Gjirokastër, Tepelenë, Peshkopi, Burrel, Bulqizë, Mat, Rrëshen. Cities adorned with national flags, on streets, in cars, on balconies and in homes. People hurrying toward the squares of these cities, eager to show their unity with their President and their strong YES to the Constitution and everything connected with it. Cheers, flags, slogans, members of the minorities and Vlachs, “The Constitution is for the Nation,” “We want the Constitution,” and many more. In brief, this was the atmosphere prevailing at the meetings Berisha held on Sunday in the cities of southern Albania. Yesterday’s visit was magnificent and President of the Republic Sali Berisha made his first visit to the city of Delvinë. The meeting with the city’s residents, organized in the main square, was opened by the mayor, Dashamir Hado, who, after welcoming President Berisha, expressed his conviction that the democratic people of Delvinë would vote for the Constitution on November 6. Expressing his pleasure at the meeting, Berisha stressed that Delvinë is the cradle of patriotism and democracy, and that throughout history it has made all the divisions—the divisions of freedom and Albania. “I have come to you,” he said, “to seek your support for the Constitution, your consensus, for unity, the law of freedom, the law of freedom and tolerance.” Speaking of nationwide consensus, Berisha pointed out that every Albanian, regardless of political beliefs, loves freedom and will vote for freedom. After summarizing the freedoms that have been won, he expressed his support for the draft Constitution. President Berisha stressed that it would be adopted because Albanians are a people who love freedom, religion and God. It guarantees them freedom of belief and the inviolability of this freedom, and fully guarantees every Albanian the exercise of their rights and freedoms. The President further emphasized that this Constitution is a constitution of tolerance and respect for individual freedoms; it will ensure national unity and national cohesion, the most powerful guiding forces in the history of our nation. “Delvinë is the cradle of tolerance, coexistence and mutual understanding,” President Berisha concluded. With these qualities, it brings honor to Albania, freedom and democracy. After the rally, Dilaver Dajlani spoke on behalf of the “Property with Justice” association, along with the secretary of the municipality of this city, Abaz Arapi, Delvinë’s deputy Leka Toto, the chairman of the independent trade union, and the compatriot from the USA, Preng Oruda, who was present at the gathering … in Delvinë, where they stressed that adoption of the draft Constitution is a major step forward toward democracy and that November is a historic date. After the rally, President Berisha visited the family of the Greek minority member Fotaq Dodo, director of the Bistrica hydroelectric power plant. Expressing his pleasure at visiting the home of a Greek minority intellectual, Berisha stressed that the Constitution, in its chapter on human rights and freedoms and in its article on minorities, fully sets out the guarantees of the minority’s freedoms and rights in accordance with the most advanced standards. The body of human rights enshrined in this Constitution, Berisha said, creates real opportunities for every Albanian citizen, regardless of religion, ethnicity, region, and so on. During his visit to Dilaver Dajlani’s Cham family in Delvinë, Berisha also emphasized that the people of Delvinë have been a powerful source of support for movements for freedom. Speaking about relations between Albania and Greece, he expressed his belief that, although a certain factor has characterized these relations for some time, it will dissipate, since relations with Iran [?] ultimately benefit the two ancient neighbors. The historical factor of the participation of the Cham population both in the Greek revolution and in the war against the Nazis and Fascists, he added, is another factor contributing to understanding between our two peoples. The great beauty of Saranda and its people is tolerance. —President Berisha in Saranda— After visiting the city of Delvinë, President Berisha, accompanied by the area’s deputy, Leka Toto, and local government officials, went to the city of Saranda, where in the square (Continued on page 2)

BLEDI KASMI From the early hours of yesterday morning, an endless procession of cars and hundreds of people holding national flags had come out to welcome Democratic Party chairman Eduard Selami, far outside Kuçovë, at the place called Ura e Kucit. Accompanied by the endless motorcade, Selami was welcomed in Kuçovë by thousands of residents of the city. It was not easy for Mr. Selami to speak amid an unprecedented outpouring of enthusiasm in Kuçovë. “This meeting is the most wonderful surprise of all the meetings we have held about the Constitution. This means that Kuçovë has joined us; it has joined Albania,” Mr. Selami stressed at the beginning of his speech. “November 6 will be a memorable day for all of us, and especially for Kuçovë, because for the first time it will cast its vote for democracy and Albania.” Mr. Selami then appealed to the people of Kuçovë for consensus. “I want to address all the many enthusiastic participants gathered here. This is a memorable day for all of us, regardless of our political beliefs. Democrats or Socialists, come with us; let us unite around Albania, around the Constitution.” Mr. Selami described November 6 as the most important date in the Albanian democratic calendar in these four years. “The Constitution we are going to adopt will bring us even closer to Europe, to the civilized world. On behalf of all Albanians who have united in the name of progress and the Constitution, I thank you.” Speaking about the opposition’s accusations, Mr. Selami said: “They accuse us of turning to you. We turned to you because we trust you. That a (Continued on page 3)

Photo of the day: Burrel, full support for the Constitution

Democrats, Socialists, Social Democrats, Republicans, Legalists, EVERYONE, in their strong support for the Constitution Delvina, Saranda, Gjirokastra, Tepelena, Peshkopia, Bulqiza, Mati, Rrësheni, Kuçova, Berati, Prrenjasi say “YES” to the Constitution