Reportage on the people of the Berat committees “This is how we will bring Nano and the PS to power” Page 3

- Explosives planted at the Kino-Teatri building - People who watch TVSH are reported to the committee - The free press with a right-wing orientation is banned Page 3

Being in the post of Mayor, and especially in the delicate and important post of Prime Minister in a government with a very special and highly respected status at the same time, has not changed the communist nature and essence of Bashkim Fino, the Prime Minister. This fact is very saddening and very shocking at the same time, even though it is entirely true. Bashkim Fino, who thus had the best opportunity to break away from the legacy of the PPSH by serving as Prime Minister of Albania, a country that has renounced communism, not only fails to do so, but deepens the communist traits of the party he represents: deceit, blackmail, arrogance, pressure, tricks and demagoguery as the only means and methods of remaining in government. The shamelessness of the Communist Prime Minister, Bashkim Fino, exceeds all imaginable bounds when he tries to manipulate Western diplomats and politicians, or, if he fails to do so, to act in Hoxha’s style by rejecting or expelling them. This wretched Prime Minister has taken on the impossible task of rehabilitating Albanian communism as political conduct and diplomatic action, taking advantage of the difficult situation the country is going through precisely because of the deeds of the communists in his party. Mr Fino, when he has the audacity to deceive Albanians by claiming that nine parties support a law and one party opposes it, should at least explain the shamelessness with which he makes such statements, because he should know that this is not Enver’s time and he cannot speak on behalf of nine parties (mass organizations). He may speak on behalf of the PS and Albert Shyti, Gjolek Malaj and Myrteza Çausi, and Gjinushi and Ceka’s party, but not on behalf of the other parties as well. Prime Minister Fino, when he has the audacity to distort and twist his statements, attributed to Vranicki, for the purposes of the PS, should make it clear to the PS and Albert Shyti, Gjojek Malesaj and Myrteza Caushi, and Gj. Ceka’s party—but not the other parties—that when he dares to distort and twist he should first make it clear to the former PPSH Central Committee press chief who speaks in his name, signs in his name and makes phone calls in his name that he is, after all, a more important person than Vladimir Prelada and Ylli Bufçi, for the simple reason that he signs documents with his own signature. Although he comes from Gjirokastra, the Prime Minister should make it clear to his subordinates that he won Tirana differently from them—that is, with dignity, unlike Prela, Bufçi, Dokle and all the ordinary people of the PPSH, whether hangers-on or spies (sophisticated and important people of the PS), taken together. Prime Minister Fino, this incorrigible communist who has begun to think he is important, just like Enver Hoxha, must not forget that he has been reprimanded and that they meet with Allen, tell jokes about him and become the center of attention at private gatherings with his communists; first and foremost, they have Albania in mind, which he tries to represent in the most disreputable way, simply out of zeal to serve his communist ideal and the PS. The Prime Minister’s numerous lies today, along with those of his press office and the advisers he has ordered to be hired, are exactly like Enver Hoxha’s lies in 1944–1945. The same goes for his threats. This incorrigible communist, who imitates his predecessors not only in propaganda and demagoguery, but also in illegal and unconstitutional actions, had the chance to enter Albania’s history as a communist who understood that his party’s cause had failed. But he did not seize the opportunity and continues to misuse the chance he was given. Even the few days left before he stops calling himself Prime Minister of Albania are not enough for him to repent and change course a little, so that he might save his reputation and dignity and at least be remembered as a communist who understood that his cause had no future in Albania.

President Berisha receives former Chancellor Vranicki To think that you can make Vlorë and Tepelenë left-wing by governing them with medieval armed committees that do not allow non-left-wing activities or press, or dictate the votes of the people of Vlorë at gunpoint with the Kalashnikovs of Malaj, Zani, etc., means violating not only their freedoms but those of all Albanians. Vranicki said: “I believe that it is essential for Albania to hold elections at the proper time, and I appreciate your position on this matter. I am pleased to note that dialogue has advanced during this period, and I am convinced that you have contributed to this.” European countries, he said, will support you throughout this process, and the Council of Europe and the OSCE have undertaken to monitor and supervise the elections. We believe the official report should be made by the Council of Europe. I wish to express my gratitude for your mission and for the participating countries for the success of the “Alba” mission, as well as to express my appreciation for the committees that have broken into banks, warehouses and supermarkets—which means that the ties are stronger than what we have shared with them.

From the DP meeting with the OSCE envoy, Mr Vranicki Yesterday at 9:00, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr Tritan Shehu, the Secretary General, Mr Genc Pollo, and the Secretary for International Relations, Mr Leonard Demi, presented [the proposal] and agreed to a pact for the peaceful conduct of the elections. The PS should distance itself from provocations. The DP’s proposal, meanwhile, was to hold the elections on 15 June, thus shortening…

The DP’s move to bring the election date forward by two weeks, calling for 15 June, came as a sudden surprise to the PS camp and to all those who, whether out of conviction and allegiance or for opportunistic reasons, After deceiving Albanians and foreigners through apologies and historic declarations by the ZP, KJ and so on, claiming that the DP was supposedly the sole obstacle to holding elections within the scheduled timeframe, they have now been dealt a bluff that has put many cards in the PS’s hands. Now the chronicle about the guns and enrichment, and the path of crime and anti-national businesses, has been exposed; they cannot put forward anything or quickly understand a move or a flawed line of reasoning. The DP’s sincere proposal is both politically expedient and discrediting. Now Albanians and others will demand and expect only that they accept 15 May, convinced that the obstacle must be sought only among them. But Nano and Gjinushi and their associates feel caught only…

PS leaders admit their incriminating ties with the committees To Mr. E. H. them Ruka: We have expressed, and continue to express, solidarity with their (the committees’) just demands. the participatory decisions contributing to the success of the “Alba” mission, and to express my determination to set the election date within the shortest possible time frame and in accordance with the March 9 Agreement, President Berisha said. In this regard, I can tell you that today the only ones opposed to holding elections are the rebel committees of the former opposition, which have taken up arms. To identify the obstacles and those causing them, I invite a joint OSCE and Council of Europe mission to assess the situation in the districts where the committees are committing violence, and, on the basis of its report, for us to set the election date together. To think that you can make Vlora and Tepelena left-wing by governing them through medieval armed committees that prevent activity and suppress the non-left-wing press, or by forcing the people’s votes only their freedoms but those of all Albanians. To boast of the support of these committees, headed by bandits, smugglers, and mafiosi, and to oppose through them Albania and Europe, which have declared them illegal, is an irresponsible position. To be unable to break away from these committees, which have broken into banks, warehouses, and supermarkets, means that your ties to them are stronger than what you have claimed to have shared with them. I propose, President Berisha said, that the parties reach a pact for a civilized election campaign. I confirm to you that we will fully recognize the election results. As for the electoral law, I must reiterate that this issue is not included in the March 9 Agreement. Nevertheless, I am not opposed to dialogue on this matter. But dialogue and compromise are not diktats. With the March 9 Agreement, we demonstrated the greatest sense of compromise in the country’s interests. Unfortunately, others lack this sense. I believe that after the elections all oversight mechanisms should be entrusted to the opposition, to ensure greater transparency in society, and to recognize the role of the opposition—not through committees, but through its active participation in the democratic state. On the other hand, I assure you that Albanians are far more concerned about transparency regarding the pyramid schemes, which is why I appointed a Finance Minister from the former opposition, than about whether the electoral system is majoritarian or proportional, since they have voted freely under both systems. Taking the floor, the former Chancellor agreed that a pact should be reached distance itself from the committees. The PD’s proposal, meanwhile, was to hold the elections on June 15, thereby shortening the election campaign. Unfortunately, Mr. Nano rejected the proposal for this pact. The PD stands by its decision in favor of a majoritarian electoral law, which is essential to the country’s interests, and this position is also supported by other parties. Prime Minister Fino is telling untruths when he claims that nine parties are against the PD. Nevertheless, the PD is prepared to make reasonable compromises. Mr. Vranicki said he wished to help find better solutions and remove obstacles on the road to parliamentary elections. He described the problem of the committees as very serious. He supported the view that an electoral law based on pure proportional representation would destabilize Albania. Mr. Vranicki denied having supported the Albanian prime minister’s three-point proposal at his meeting with Mr. Fino. “I cannot be held responsible for other people’s statements,” he said. At the meeting, the PD recognized the role of the former Austrian Chancellor in international efforts on behalf of Albania. Mr. E.H. them Ruka: We have expressed, and continue to express, solidarity with their (the committees’) just demands. If we were to declare that they should be disbanded and the committees did not do so, then you would be left to use force. Mr. Tritan Shehu: Certainly, those who have killed will be punished according to the law. Mr. Pandeli Majko: “According to the law”? We are proceeding according to the logic of reconciliation, while you continue with the logic of force and violence, with a destructive logic! (The PS considers enforcement of the law an act of violence when it comes to protecting its criminals. M.Sh) Mr. Pandeli Majko: In Përmet, the parents and people who were armed, without PD affiliation, have been killed. People have been killed, but you show not the slightest sign of willingness to announce even the election date. Mr. Vili Minarolli: Your guarantee that the committees will disband as soon as the election date is announced shows that you have power over these committees. Reprinted from “ZP,” May 8, 1997 SHIK employee massacred in the square at the University of Vlora by Nano’s and Fino’s comrades

The “committees” must disappear; the pyramid schemes must be investigated Page 3