After confirming that the gang had left, police occupy the “Çole” neighborhood ON PAGE 4

Armed groups attempt to seize weapons in Elbasan ON PAGE 4

The bandits of Cërrik accept the police agreement ON PAGE 4

Majko: “We don’t care about the opposition. We’ll approve the constitution ourselves.” PS boycotts the parties’ roundtable on the conditions set in Rome . Yesterday, the Kalashnikov Parliament opened the debate on approving the Constitution. The haste with which the installed government has begun discussing and approving the fundamental act of the Albanian state is not only an attempt to legitimize the illegitimate parliament and government, but also a naive tactic to divert attention from the major problems the installed socialist government must address. The start of the debate on the Constitution in the Kalashnikov Parliament shows that the majority has not abandoned, and has not freed itself from, the politicization of the fundamental act of the Albanian state. It intends to use the voting cards of cooperative chairmen to produce a political document that does not serve the country’s consolidation and future, and whose lifespan will be no longer than that of this Parliament. As in Albania, I do not believe that any party or individual defends the idea that Albania does not need a Constitution. But at the same time, most Albanians and most democratic political forces want a lasting legal document on the basis of which the long-term activity of the state, its institutions and branches of power, as well as the life and prosperity of the country in general, can be built. The elections of 29 June, widely regarded as a solution for stabilizing public order and normalizing life, and considered an opportunity to pull the country out of the crisis and anarchy into which armed rebellion had plunged it, were accepted by the opposition as elections that would save the country from chaos, but not as an opportunity to legitimize violations of the order of democracy’s fundamental principles. Today, when the Socialists and their installed government seek to begin the fundamental debate on the country’s future, based on the state’s most important legal document, anarchy, chaos and violations of fundamental freedoms remain just as serious as before the elections—in fact, they have intensified. Constitutional order and public order have not been restored; political freedoms, violated and abused by left-wing gangs, and freedom of expression and of the press do not exist across one-third of the territory. It is therefore clear that any Constitution that may be approved through voting cards—and even a referendum of the Kalashnikovs—would now be based not on the ideological thread of the PPSH, but on violence and terrorism, organized as a principle and defining feature of the installed government. No one is preventing the Socialists from approving the Constitution. Maksim Hasani’s vote will certainly not be missing either, so that the basis for its approval can be called as broad as possible. They could even do it in a single night, using an accelerated procedure. They could approve several Constitutions at once, but in the meantime their only value would be to justify the salaries of the Kalashnikov deputies. Meanwhile, the opposition made clear yesterday that discussion of the Constitution’s approval will follow another, more credible path, one that gives the state’s fundamental document the lasting validity it deserves, rather than allowing it to be used and exploited politically. The installed government may consider this path long and arduous because it deprives it of the opportunity for political manipulation, but it is the best one for the country’s future. If the Kalashnikov majority pursues to the end the course it has embarked on, as it has announced, it will deprive itself of the chance to understand a choice, however difficult, in light of the consequences it brought upon the country. Apparently, it wants to tell itself [unclear], and by doing so deprives itself of the comfort of calling the elections acceptable for the time being.

Berisha received the Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Ischinger conveyed to PD leader Berisha the positive impressions of German Foreign Minister Kinkel. “We greatly appreciate the PD’s stance and determination to act within the framework of legal institutions, to participate in parliament, and to continue dialogue and the policy of National Reconciliation. By entering parliament, you demonstrated that you are against boycotting it.”

Pollo: The SP is only making it harder to meet the conditions of the Rome Conference and is denying Albania the assistance expected from the international community The Socialists refuse Saturday’s meeting

ELBASAN — At least one dead and 12 wounded is the toll of a fierce clash between rival gangs in Elbasan. Heavy and light weapons have been heard in the city during the past three days. An armed gang attacked a house in one of the city’s neighborhoods in the early evening hours, causing several casualties. Police sources in the city said the gang’s attack began at around 17:00, when dozens of grenades, bursts of automatic gunfire, antitank weapons and shells were fired all at once at a three-story house at the entrance to Elbasan’s Skënderbej Neighborhood. Afterwards, gunfire continued from the surrounded house toward the rivals who had attacked. Sources at the scene said that four “Benz” and “Audi” cars were speeding hell-for-leather, carrying the group that was attacking brutally. Ammunition and some of the most powerful weapons, made available for an attack that lasted more than four hours, were seen in their cars. On receiving word of this armed clash, the police arrived at the scene but were unable to intervene. For around two hours, the police were forced to watch the fierce “Milano” battle. Later, on orders from their chiefs, the police returned to the police station to reorganize. According to reports that have not yet been confirmed, but which we witnessed at the scene, there was at least one dead and 10 wounded among the bandits, as well as two wounded police officers. Sources at the scene said that the wounded civilians were transported toward Librazhd to cover their tracks. It is said that the number of casualties may be higher. Police sources said that even after 20:00, the situation in Elbasan remained tense, and residents feared that fighting between the gangs would resume.

The IMF is concerned; a special team will arrive in Tirana on Monday morning. Governor Tusha: “The bank’s laws cannot be changed every time governments change” “Nano 3” has officially breached its first obligation under Rome: “To meet the IMF’s conditions and safeguard the independence of institutions.” ON PAGE 5

“Koha jonë” reveals that Zani was a major criminal ON PAGE 3

The propaganda game, pursued for low political purposes and to penalize the new opposition, did not start now, nor was it started by the official newspaper of the Socialists’ government, “Zëri i popullit.” During the election campaign, “KI” and other Socialist newspapers kept alive, through the abusive publication of so-called diaries or secret documents, propaganda in favor of the left-wing opposition that came to power after June 29. The propaganda of the installed government continues the destruction of the army ON PAGE 3

War in the city. At least one dead and 12 wounded

The installed parliament of the gangs demands urgent approval of the state’s fundamental law