Sabit Brokaj postpones the collection of weapons ON PAGE 4

10 killed and wounded in 24 hours ON PAGE 4

Arrows aimed at the government’s demagogic program. Pëllumbi: Nano is restoring democratic centralism. A statist and partisan program The socialist government that emerged from the parliament of Kalashnikovs declared, from the very first days of its vote of confidence, that its primary objective for its term was the destruction of the opposition and the organization of repression in northern Albania. The Minister of the Interior, Neritan Ceka, stated yesterday in the parliamentary chamber that he had information that people from the Democratic Party were organizing resistance against the police in the north of the country. This vile and entirely unfounded insinuation is in fact an attempt to unleash brutal police violence against the opposition, as well as an attempt to impose the wholly unbalanced geography of the Nano 3 government. From the very day he was appointed Minister of the Interior, Neritan Ceka has made a series of statements against the Democratic Party and its leaders, ominous signs for the future of democracy in Albania. Moreover, the fact that these statements were made in the parliamentary chamber on the very first day the new government was formally established speaks of a sinister strategy against the opposition and in favor of national clashes. Neritan Ceka, who appears to have been saddled by Fatos Nano with the task of being the opposition’s executioner, must understand that a society emerging from elections accepted only under conditions must first establish order and security in an environment of bandits and criminals who have robbed this country of peace. If he abuses his office, if, out of political revenge and for other narrow interests, he fuels national division, he will meet a swift and terrible end. On the other hand, Nano and his entire political clan, who won the election with the help of armed gangs, mainly in southern Albania, must understand that responsibility cannot be hidden behind Ceka’s political madness or that of some other policeman in their government. It is quite clear that any provocation and any attempt to attack the opposition is the work of the people in the socialist government that has been installed. Having seized power in a rush, they have extended their rule unchecked throughout the country, from the central government to the courts and every branch of power. The assessments and association between them were consistent with the actions of communism. The fact that Ceka presents himself as a representative of northern Albania, where criminal activity has been very widespread lately, while the south of Albania is marked by the extensive spread of a criminal network, raises the question: what about Fatos Nano? In reality, is the PD installed in the north by Fatos Nano? At a time when Neritan Ceka has been in office, in Sarandë, Berat, Gjirokastër, and elsewhere, an organized criminal network is wreaking havoc and, as the saying goes…? Does Ceka want to destroy the Democratic Party and head north? The government of the Socialist Party’s armed gangs is showing that it is determined to use the minister’s authority to strike at and destroy the Albanian opposition, with all the weapons that terrorist forces use against those who oppose them. In the first days of the mandate of the communist rebellion’s government—which plunged the country into chaos and bloodshed—the socialist government installed in power, through Neritan Ceka, is encouraging delays and revenge, and national division. The boys and bandits in the country cannot recognize a contemporary career; official channels are being used to pursue the aim of strengthening the PD. But the criminal elements in society and in today’s government will continue to be purged…

Minister Ceka and a police [?] stationed in front of RD on the day the parliament of Kalashnikovs opened

Political purges continue in the Ministry of the Interior Neritan Ceka’s dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel Muçosllami is motivated not only by politics and a desire to purge the entire Ministry of the Interior, but is also linked to the mafia and criminal motives and interests of Nano’s clan, which has taken power. ON PAGE 2

The money is starting to be paid back. Nano will pay for Lush Përpali’s kiosk 99 million lekë are to be paid for Lush Përpali’s kiosk from the fund of the Council of Ministers and the Municipality of Tirana. The Council orders former Prime Minister Bashkim Fino to do so, following a proposal by the local government secretariat, in decision No. 299, issued a few hours before he left the prime minister’s office and took Nano’s deputy’s seat. ON PAGE 2

The Committee for the Defense of Communists reaches out to the opposition press Arben Puto, chairman of the Helsinki Committee, declared yesterday in a newspaper that the opposition should be silenced for as long as it remains in opposition. This is not about freedom of the press, but about its heavy weapon: the newspaper. In an interview, he attacks everyone who believes the opposition should not be allowed to speak. ON PAGE 2

The PD protests the statements of Interior Minister Neritan Ceka According to the socialist Minister Ceka, the fundamental problem for restoring order is not the gangs and committees that sow violence, terror, and death using every kind of weapon, including artillery, day after day in Vlorë, Sarandë, Gjirokastër and [?]; in Berat alone there are 230 people killed, while in the past three days 30 citizens have been killed in these areas—but rather the members and activists of the PD. ON PAGE 3

Nano legally approves the grand theft ON PAGE 3

Journalist found dead at home. His cousin is arrested TIRANA — Yesterday morning, journalist Ali Ukaj of “Gazeta Shqiptare” was found dead in a home on M. Shyri Street. The police station of District No. 1 has arrested the victim’s cousin, Selman (Ukaj), from Deçan, Kosovo, who is suspected of being connected to the incident. Sources at the police station of District No. 1 report that the incident happened at around 2:00 yesterday. Ukaj and his cousin, who had come from Kosovo and had been staying there for five days, went to the apartment after having eaten at a venue in Tirana. Neighbors testified that late at night they heard noise and an argument in the journalist’s apartment, but no one did anything because of fear and the circumstances surrounding the incident, as well as the events of that time. According to him, he had been in the apartment for only a few days and had previously stayed there at that time, and there was no witness or brother… He said he had slept on the sofa while the victim had preferred to sleep on the floor, and only in the morning had he realized that he was no longer alive. The investigation team confirmed that the journalist’s body had suffered a forceful mechanical blow to the head. The prosecutor’s office is continuing its investigations to fully clarify the incident. The police station may have questioned several people about the incident, but it has not [?].

Grief over the murder of our colleague from “Gazeta Shqiptare” Criminal hands took from us yesterday our good friend from Kosovo, the respected journalist Ali Ukaj. Yesterday the police found Ukaj’s body lifeless in his home; he had been struck on the head. The journalistic community felt the loss of their friend deeply, in circumstances that remain mysterious. While we have been grieving for months over the murders of dozens and dozens of innocent Albanians, yesterday we were saddened by the murder of the “Gazeta Shqiptare” journalist, our good colleague. It is hard for us to say goodbye to Ali today. We will expect the slight young man, with his eyes and little beard, to return again today, tomorrow, and always, at every corner of “Dëshira”, to have morning coffee, start the day with humor, and share our sorrow over what is happening in Kosovo and Albania. The newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” extends its condolences to his family and relatives, since he was one of them, another name among those parted from their proven son, the tireless writer for his homeland who could not make it shine. We ask the state institutions to condemn this unprecedented crime against a journalist in the strongest terms and to set the police authorities in motion to establish the motives and identify those who killed Ukaj. Journalists’ associations call for the perpetrators to be found The Albanian press is in mourning Journalists’ associations issued statements yesterday in response to the murder of journalist Ali Ukaj and asked the police authorities to immediately identify the perpetrators of this grave crime. The Journalists’ Association of Albania expressed its profound sorrow at the death of its colleague, stating that this murder is a major blow to Albanian journalism. It calls on the competent authorities to clarify the incident as soon as possible. The Association of Professional Journalists says in its statement that Ali Ukaj’s tragic death is a loss and a major blow to the entire Albanian press. Today, the press is observing a day of mourning, but also of respect, in memory of the 26-year-old journalist, who had worked with dedication and professionalism for more than three years. PD condemns the murder of journalist Ukaj The perpetrators of the crime must be found Yesterday, the PD reacted to the murder of “Gazeta Shqiptare” journalist Ali Ukaj. In a statement, it said that this crime marks a return to insecurity after four years, with another murder of a journalist. The PDSH energetically protests the murder of journalist Ukaj and strongly condemns it. It calls on the Nano Government to take all measures to protect the lives of journalists and bring the perpetrators to justice. The statement further says that the PDSH shares the grief of his family and everyone who knew journalist Ukaj, and offers them its heartfelt condolences.

Today, 30 July 1997, at 11:00 a.m. in the Palace of Congresses, the Secretary General of the PDSH, Mr. Genc Pollo, will hold a press conference. You are invited to attend.

The parliament of Kalashnikovs gives a vote of confidence to the inhuman “Nano 3” cabinet. The government declares war on the PD.