YESTERDAY IN TIRANA Events on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the capital TIRANA'S LIBERATION DAY A gathering was held in the center of the capital, in front of the monument of the Unknown Partisan, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the capital. A memorial ceremony for the fighters of the UNÇSH, organized by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Association of Veterans of the LANÇ, the General Staff of the Army and the Command of the Tirana Garrison. On 17.11.1943, the liberators of various combat formations, the veterans of the people’s struggle, the members of the special city detachments, the veterans, representatives of the war organizations and of the families of the martyrs; many citizens placed wreaths and bouquets of flowers. On 17.11.1944 the city of Tirana was finally liberated. After 19 days of fierce fighting, 127 partisans and citizens fell. Representatives of the People's Assembly and of the Albanian state delivered greetings. Among those present was also the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha. The struggle for the liberation of Tirana According to official documents, on 29.10–17.11.1944, the forces commanded in Tirana by Mehemet Shehu, political commissar of the staff, consisted of 4 brigades of the UNÇSH, the National Liberation Army, brigades I, VIII, XXIII, XXIV, with a total of 11,000 partisans. Opposing Tirana were 4,600 Germans from the Nazi garrison of Tirana, under the command of General Adelshtain Muksi. Tirana activists and participants of the liberation movement [...] the communists and the command decided that, in order to avoid the destruction of the city by enemy bombing and artillery, frontal attacks would be carried out at night. The decisive attack began on 12.11.1944. The national liberation forces attacked all the main points of the city. The fiercest fighting took place on Elbasan Road, in the New Bazaar, at the Air Defense Command, the 'Dajti' hotel, Brryli, 4 Heronjtë, the Bank, the Ministry of the Interior, the building of the Council of Ministers, the old prison, and 'Stalin' Boulevard. After midnight on 16 November, the Germans began to withdraw from the city. In the early hours of 17 November 1944 Tirana was liberated. The new emblem of Tirana

Yesterday in the People's Assembly They are fabricating a crime. Can a government tell its own people that it has broken the law? It cannot. LNÇl. Last night’s announcement by the secretary of the parliamentary group of the PS, Mr. Azem Hajdari, that at the meeting of the Conference of Chairmen a statement was issued about not submitting the draft law on property from the Commission for Restitution and Compensation due to a lack of consensus, is inaccurate. The chairman of the parliamentary group of the PD, Bashkim Kopliku, informed journalists yesterday of the truth about what happened in the Conference of Chairmen, where it was agreed that the property draft law would be sent to Parliament for discussion and approval. Later, at yesterday’s meeting of the Socialist parliamentary group, under the influence of pressure from the communists and the chief socialist, Arben Imami, the deputy chairman of the PS parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, stated that he would oppose the approval of the draft law. In this way, the Socialists withdrew from responsibility for postponing and delaying the solution to the property problem in Albania. Thus, to conceal their failure, they tried to present as a lack of consensus what in fact was a last-minute change in their position. By lying to the public, socialist leaders are asserting the opposite of what happened at the Conference of Chairmen.

The increase in roles and combat duties of the detachments, battalions and brigades for the capture of the city and in the capital. At the end of the war, the UANÇ Staff organized the police military staff in Tirana and created the new organs of local power. Units of the partisan forces made it possible to disarm the enemy forces, secure order and protect the most important facilities of the capital. In memory of this struggle, the city of Tirana still bears the names of many martyrs on streets, schools and institutions. (Continues on page 5)

From the meeting of the parliamentary political forces on the Constitution and the way it is to be approved Yesterday, with the aim of the congresses in a separate hall, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi held a meeting with the leaders of the parliamentary political parties regarding the preparation of the draft for the new Constitution. At this meeting, the deadlines set in the previous agreement and the way of cooperation in drafting the constitutional text were discussed. The Prime Minister stressed the need to achieve the broadest possible political consensus so that the country may have a new democratic constitution as soon as possible. Representatives of the parliamentary political parties took part in the meeting. It was agreed that the next meeting would take place on Friday with the participation of specialists and experts in the field, where the issues raised so far would be examined in detail. Photo: G. Kënga The chairman of the Par.-so[?] Sali Godo, first from the left, followed by Z. Sabri Godo, second from the left, speak with the Prime Minister of the country. (Continues on page 2)

with the Secretary General of PDSH, Mr. Titan Shehu... The representatives of the 31 political entities who took part in the Conference of parliamentary political forces on the new constitution were informed of what Mr. Bashkim Kopliku declared to be the essence of the PDSH’s position on this issue. According to him, the constitutional draft must be a political and legal act based on the will of the majority, but also acceptable to the opposition, so that it can guarantee institutional stability. He stressed that the PDSH does not see the constitution as an instrument for short-term political gains, but as the foundation of the rule of law. According to his statement, political forces should abandon ideological prejudices and work seriously to achieve the final text. In this context, he valued the role of the commissions and experts and demanded that the process not be delayed. INTERVIEW with PDSH - Titan Shehu... QUESTION: Mr. Shehu, you have just taken part in the meeting of the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary political parties. What were the main discussions? TITAN SHEHU: The meeting was useful because the need for a new democratic constitution was confirmed. We clearly expressed our determination for this process to conclude with a modern, clear and functional document that serves the future of the country. QUESTION: What was the position of the PDSH? TITAN SHEHU: We presented our main points, emphasizing the need for a constitution that guarantees the separation of powers, human rights and freedoms, as well as the normal functioning of institutions. We also underlined that consensus is important, but it must not become an excuse for blocking progress. QUESTION: How do you see cooperation with the other political forces? TITAN SHEHU: We are open to dialogue with everyone. The Constitution belongs not only to one party. It must be a document for all citizens. For this reason, serious work, political will and mutual respect are needed. (Continues on page 2)

NUBER GJINI Those who are obstructing the approval of the Constitution are precisely those who seek to use its absence to strike at the institutions. This logic is dangerous for democracy. If today the constitution is blocked for narrow party interests, tomorrow the country’s constitutional order itself could be called into question. The Socialists are following a double strategy: in public they speak of compromise, while behind the scenes they work for the failure of the process. This is unacceptable political behavior and morally condemnable. The country needs stability, not political adventurism. (Continues on page 5)

STATEMENT ABOUT DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WITH THE MAJORITY OF THIS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP. Dear Chairman, Since, with regard to the parliamentary group, Mr. Skënder Gjinushi, on 19 June 1994, decisions related to the political position of the PSD regarding the constitutional process and democratic reforms were taken in a meeting, without holding any session and without any discussion within the group, I express my full disagreement with this manner of leadership. In yesterday’s meeting of the presidium of the PSD parliamentary group it became clear that a part of the members were not allowed to express their free opinion. This is unacceptable and runs counter to the norms of parliamentary democracy. For these reasons, since I cannot bear responsibility for decisions that were not taken collectively and that are contrary to my political convictions, I submit my resignation as chairman of the parliamentary group of the PSD. Respectfully TODER LAGO (Continues on page 2)

Today at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, at 12:00, the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, will hold a press conference. Journalists from the press organs, TVSH, ATSH, foreign agencies, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana are invited. PDSH Press and Information Department

Interviewed by MENTOR SHEHU