Today at 12:00, at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, the Chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, will hold a press conference. Journalists from the central press outlets, RTVSH, ATSH, foreign agencies, as well as representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Tirana, are invited. PDSH Press and Information Department

Yesterday in the People’s Assembly At the beginning of the session, Mr. Arbnori asked the deputies that the following items be placed on the agenda for the next session for discussion and approval under an expedited procedure. At the beginning of the session, Mr. Arbnori asked the deputies that the following items be placed on the agenda for the next session for discussion and approval under an expedited procedure: 1- The status of LNÇL veterans. 2- An addition to Law 7688 on the restitution of property. 3- The establishment of a commission to draft the draft constitution. On this point, the Speaker of the Assembly said that he was making this proposal on the basis of the consensus reached at the meeting between the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and the chairmen of the parliamentary groups, A. Spahia, N. Dokle and S. Gjinushi, where, among other things, we agreed that no political force would dominate this commission and that, in addition to Albanian specialists, its composition would include foreign experts, such as those from the Venice Commission and others. Albanian experts would also be proposed according to this criterion. After making this proposal, and before the discussion began, Mr. Arbnori gave the floor to Mr. Teodor Laço, who made a statement. In this statement, Mr. Teodor Laço announced his resignation as chairman of the PSD parliamentary group, because he and the majority of the PSD group had differences of opinion. A heated debate took place on the third item, the Commission for Drafting the Draft Constitution. The chairman of the PS parliamentary group, Mr. Dokle, displayed his aggressiveness. He denied and once again voiced his party’s demands, both regarding the commission and the referendum and the constitution. He and his party, together with the PAD, do not acknowledge the actual balance of political forces in Parliament. As if the Referendum had not been about the Constitution, but an electoral election. As always, he does not spare insults and absurd accusations, driven by political egoism and a desire for undeserved power. In response to Mr. Dokle’s remarks, Mr. Arbnori said: “We understand your difficult position, because it is possible that your parliamentary group, after hearing your account of what was said in the discussions at our meeting, may have criticized you for the consensus reached, and now you are denying what you accepted and agreed to. This is your usual practice, and it is not the first time. And you know very well that everything was agreed at that meeting, after lengthy discussions, and you agreed to it. It would be better and more honest to declare that you are withdrawing from that agreement because you do not agree; that is your right. But do not resort to such dishonest manoeuvres.” Continuing the discussion, Mr. Eduard Selami emphasized, among other things: “First, I would say that if we believe in democracy, it is unacceptable, and even more so immoral, for a politician to deny anyone the right to express their views, especially on such an important issue as the constitution, and even less so the President, who (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, a round table was held at the Palace of Congresses between political parties represented in Parliament by parliamentary groups and those represented in Parliament by independent deputies. The purpose of organizing this round table was to discuss ideas on drafting and adopting Albania’s new draft Constitution. At the beginning, there was extensive discussion about the procedure, and the idea was raised that these contacts should continue in the future, because, as participants said, they are necessary and essential to the country’s political life. PR Chairman Sabri Godo was proposed to chair this first round table on the issue, and he accepted the proposal. (Continued on page 2) Photo: G. Xhengo

Events marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the capital YESTERDAY IN TIRANA TIRANA YOUTH SPORTS FESTIVAL Athletics, cycling, etc. events began yesterday at 10:00, from “Skenderbej” Square to the central campus of the University of Tirana: a sports festival by hundreds of young men and women of Tirana, held to mark the 50th anniversary of the capital’s liberation from the foreign Nazi-fascist occupiers. In addition to local authorities, dozens and dozens of Tirana residents had also come out to watch this splendid sporting event. SCIENTIFIC SESSION Also yesterday, on the occasion of the capital’s liberation day, a scientific session began at 17:00 in one of the halls of the National History Museum. Participants included the Prime Minister of the Republic, Mr. Aleksander Meksi, Minister of Local Government Rexhep Uka, Tirana Prefect Rexhep Krapaci, Mayor Sali Kelmendi, etc. Sixty ... had also come, along with many researchers in the historical sciences, participants in the antifascist national liberation war, family members of the fallen, veterans, residents of the capital, etc. The commemorative scientific session was opened by veteran Hamit Keci. The commemorative address was delivered by Mr. Rrahman

The Battle of Tirana (29.10-17.11.1944) was among the operations with the greatest objectives at the operational-strategic level and of particular political and military importance. It is considered the most demanding and most effective operation carried out by the UNÇSH against two foreign occupying armies, especially the German forces. In the struggle for the complete liberation of the homeland, the battle for Tirana held first place compared with the other operations in Central and Northern Albania. It was prepared and conducted as a key part of this frontal offensive. It was the culmination and culmination-point of the entire ANC War of the Albanian people. The idea of attacking and liberating the capital in the political and military strategy of the LAF of the General Staff of the UNÇSH came to the fore a year earlier, as soon as Fascist Italy capitulated, and several attempts were made to carry it out. However, under the not particularly favorable domestic and international conditions of September 1943, an attack on Tirana would have been an adventure and a futile demonstration, with more negative than positive effects. The circumstances and timing for liberating and permanently holding the capital came about in the autumn of 1944, during the third and final phase of the LANÇ, as the Second World War was drawing to a close. The UNÇSH was successfully carrying out the strategic plan of the General Offensive and deepening the operational-strategic initiative it had taken. Units of the I Corps, together with the local territorial forces and the people, with the support of the population, operated in Central and Northern Albania and struck the Hitlerites and collaborators everywhere. The forces acting directly against Tirana were Br.3,5,6,S, setting out (Continued on page 5)

—Interview with the Secretary General of the PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu— QUESTION.— Today a round table was held among the political forces represented in Parliament concerning the completion of the drafting of the Constitution and the procedure for moving it forward. Can you tell us something about how this round table went? ANSWER:— Yes, today a round-table meeting was held between the parliamentary political parties and those that have independent MPs in Parliament. QUESTION.— What was the essence of the discussion at this round table? ANSWER:— The essence was how to establish the commission for drafting the draft Constitution. At first, agreement was reached on the procedure for holding the meetings. It was deemed necessary for the round-table meetings to be held without any political party becoming part of the meetings, as a matter of fairness and equality; this would ultimately be decided by the parties with fewer representatives in Parliament, and the decision would be made on the basis of a vote. At first, the representative of the PDD raised objections, suggesting that participation in these meetings should also be expanded to include other political parties that are not represented in Parliament. There was no objection to this suggestion, but it was said that certain criteria should be established for inviting these political forces. Next, all the political forces participating in the meeting expressed their views on the urgent necessity of the Constitution and the rules for its adoption. Constitution. It once again confirmed its desire for Albania to have a Constitution meeting European standards, naturally taking into account the Albanian reality and the stage of development of democracy in Albania, and one that would serve the present and the future of democracy in Albania. It was agreed in principle that the procedures for establishing the commission to draft the draft Constitution must be determined more quickly. The DP agrees that all the political forces in Parliament should be included in it according to their representation, along with Albanian specialists and experts from academic institutions. Interviewed by: MENTOR SHEHU On this basis, the draft Constitution is to be drawn up and then submitted to a popular referendum. The way has now been opened for such a referendum, which has shown itself to be the fairest democratic means of approving and deciding not only on the Constitution, but also on other matters of fundamental importance to Albania’s future and democracy. QUESTION.— Was there any party that opposed the majority’s idea of seeking consensus? ANSWER:— Surprisingly, the PS and the PDNJ rejected the consensus that had been reached at the meeting of the Presidium of Parliament and the parliamentary groups. As a result, the participants at this round table only expressed their ideas, without reaching any final conclusion. In conclusion, it was agreed that this practice of round-table meetings among the political forces should continue, so that the possibility of reaching a consensus on the commission and the Constitution can be explored.

I don't know in what place the unrestrained thirst for power of the Communists was hidden, where it had temporarily lain low, waiting to burst out after November 6, transformed into their dreamed-of revenge against the Democrats, against those who dethroned the fifty-year-old red kings, with dentures and white hair and their souls locked in darkness. On March 22 they were defeated, but the Communist spirit did not die, nor did its thirst for blood and victims. The list of former convicts and former political prisoners published in the newspaper “Liria” is not yet complete; the bones and graves of thousands of innocent people massacred by Communism have still not been found, and... the shadows have come alive and are threatening “the angry sovereign.” But against whom? Against his own sons, whom he himself chose and supported, and whom he continues to support in the noble task of transforming society into a new one. This call is made, and they wish for “anger” (the class struggle), by professors of the “theory of the dictatorship of the proletariat,” the “Eurosocialist” chosen by the chairman of the successor to the PP, former interior ministers, and ..., former State Security employees, former persecutors of this people, in whose name they call for “his anger,” so that later they themselves can become “angry” with Him. The euphoria, the fever for seats, the elbowing match for seats have exposed them today more than ever for what they truly are: the faithful sons and successors of their bloody and detested fathers. When the sovereign awoke on March 22, you did not know where to hide, so summon your memory. The sovereign voted for democracy and its laws, which must be felt and enforced against extremists who were not satisfied with the fifty-year-long horror, but are still seeking adventures with the fate of this country. ANXHELIN DARA

NDREKE GJINI The perverse and criminal logic with which the opposition leaders assess the current political situation is driven by this leadership’s nostalgia for the return of the lost “paradise.” Their outbursts, laden with the burden of macabre crimes, seek at any cost and by every means nothing but anarchy, bloodshed and destabilization. This is made clear not only by the scribblings in the Communist rag “ZP,” but also by the Bolshevik-style statements of the PS leaders. Aiming to restore the “paradise” lost on March 22, ’92, and to erase the traces of the crimes they have committed, they invent phantom bogeymen who, according to them, are violently threatening democracy in Albania. These leaders, who until yesterday were themselves the real bogeymen of this martyred people, now give the bogeymen they invent frightening names such as parliamentary crisis, neo-dictatorship, a complete coup, etc., etc. Indeed, these days their political perversity often goes so far as to proclaim themselves the saviors of this nation. The true scale of the final goal of this adventurous and criminal political course pursued by the PS leaders is revealed by the contradictions contained in their own statements. Specifically, this is evident in the Bolshevik-style statement by the General Executive Committee and the PS parliamentary group, published in “ZP,” where for the umpteenth time they reveal the paradoxical policies that only an abnormal mind could produce. After the November 6 referendum had been called a constitutional coup, unconstitutional, etc., etc., for weeks on end, yesterday’s statement says, “Once again the people ...

—STATEMENT ON DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE MAJORITY OF THIS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP— Honorable Mr. Chairman, Dear colleagues, I have asked to make this statement before you to announce that I have resigned from my position as chairman of the PSDSH Parliamentary Group. Honorable Mr. Chairman, Dear colleagues, I have asked to make this statement before you to announce that I have resigned from my position as chairman of the PSDSH Parliamentary Group. The reason is that I disagree with the majority of the group on issues and positions that I consider matters of principle. Under these circumstances, I consider it my moral duty no longer to hold this position, so that, in accordance with the rules of democracy, the majority of this group may give effect to its views and decisions when expressing its position on the laws to be discussed. I consider myself to have the unimpeachable moral right to speak from this high tribune of the people’s representatives, and I will exercise that right for the good of the nation and democracy. I add that my decision has nothing to do with the Referendum, since I had announced my resignation at the meeting of the Governing Council on October 14 of this year. On this occasion, I assure you that I will not lack the diligence or the desire to express my views right for the good of the nation and democracy.

The lectures of Nevila Nike, Muharrem Dezhgiu, continued. (Continued on page 5)

1614 1920 Tirana’s New Emblem. 1614 1920