The parties of the “Union for Democracy”—the Democratic Party, the Legality Movement Party, the Christian Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Union Party, the Albanian Democratic Union Party, the Association of Democratic and Anti-Communist Political Persecutees, the Independent Miners’ Union, the National Associations “Kosova,” “Çamëria” and “Fan Noli,” the National Association for the Return of the Promised Money, and the Small and Medium-Sized Businessmen’s Union—invite all their members and supporters, as well as all the citizens of Tirana, to a peaceful rally today, 12 October 1997, at 11:00, to demand: - an end to every act of violence and persecution against the Albanian opposition; - the return of the money promised by the Socialist Party and Prime Minister Nano; - increases and indexation of employees’ wages; - the removal of taxes on low wages; - lower taxes for small and medium-sized businesses.

Foreign analysts: Developments in Albania are a coordinated reaction by far-left political groups and mafia groups against the state

Albania once again faces the harsh judgment of Strasbourg. President Meidani is informed of the decision to monitor Albania. He is also once again reminded of all the conditions mentioned in the EC resolution and the Rome Conference, and warned that Albania may be expelled from the Council of Europe. It was Meidani’s turn to learn of the West’s reservations and strong criticism concerning the first months of Socialist rule in Albania. At all his meetings in Strasbourg, where he is attending the anniversary session of the Council of Europe, Meidani has been reminded that Albania cannot expect even… support from Europe if it does not stop undermining the peace process. French President Zhak Shirak and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi have asked Meidani to ensure that the Socialist administration in power abandon revenge and political purges, while the political climate that prevailed in the Albanian parliament was strongly condemned, where the Socialist deputy… [text cut off at the bottom of the image] when the opportunist Socialist deputy Gafurr Mazreku shot in an attempt to kill the leader of the Djehktorit, Azem Hajdari. Meidani is thus confronted with Europe’s strict conditions, only a few days after the end of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s session on Albania. As is now known, that meeting adopted an extremely bitter resolution for the regime installed by Nano and Meidani, while the possible expulsion of Albania from the Council of Europe was put up for discussion, after just two months of the Socialist Party in power. It seems that the insistence of important states that Albania change its policy of revenge against the opposition—which it has been demonstrating day after day since the Socialists came to power, aided by the gangs and Nano’s wildly implausible promise to return the money lost in the pyramid schemes—has been very strong. This last point, it is reported, was part of the discussions during Meidani’s meetings with important European officials. They demanded explanations as to how the new government intends to escape the vicious circle of Nano’s campaign promise on the eve of the 29 June elections. The evidence of President Meidani’s visit to Strasbourg was clear in the informational silence of Albanian Television and the other state-run and propagandistic media about the head of state’s first European tour. It can hardly be said that the meetings with Shirak, Prodi, Stefanopoulos and Gjorovon were censored by the television of Eduard Mazi and the news agency of Frok Cupi. Meanwhile, it is reported from Strasbourg that President Meidani delivered a speech on Human Rights in Albania, clearly demonstrating that he is aware of the need to respect all the commitments made at his meetings in the capital of Europe. The subject of Meidani’s speech shows that he had to defend the Socialist government in Albania, following the severe accusations and criticism from the West that have accompanied all its actions. After the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the demand to expel Albania from the European family comes the imposition of a moratorium on Albania. Strasbourg slams the door in President Meidani’s face, showing him that Europe can in no way tolerate the establishment of a new dictatorship on the continent. Number one (and not of the Albanian state) is receiving these warnings from Strasbourg, because by Europe’s standards he cannot be viewed as the head of a democratic state: the so-called president of Cërniku, where the red gangs wreaked havoc during the election campaign for the 29 June elections, which were marred by violence.

We did not commit the crimes; Nano committed them, dec- A ray of hope appears for clearing the PS of criminality. Some PS leaders in the districts declare

A meeting of the Tirana branch of the DP was held. Candidates for the branch leadership were decided Bamir Topi and Fatos Beja will compete for the chairmanship of Tirana. Berisha at the meeting of the DP branch, Tirana. The super-swindler Nano must be removed from power ON PAGE 2 Germany - Albania 4 - 3 Fate condemns us in the final minute

Dozens of families, including children, spend the night in the rain Dozens of families experienced police violence and terror yesterday. They were forcibly removed from the rooms where they lived. Almost all the residents, including children, spent the night out in the rain, with little hope of finding shelter anytime soon. The police arrived there in the early hours of the morning and, according to residents living in the industrial town, force was used, while some of them were taken to Police Station No. 3. Misa Ulqini, a deputy from the Movement who had promised only a few months ago to help them with a matter that would raise awareness, is now sending the police and throwing them out. According to the residents living there, the army was also used to house them in this town, without any concern for the students’ living conditions.

A meeting of the Democratic Party was held in Tepelenë In Tepelenë, as part of the reorganization of the DP, a meeting and conference were held yesterday, with attendance far beyond expectations, dominated by the younger generation, which was highly interested in developments within the DP. The aim of the activity was to establish a working group that would reorganize the DP. The meeting, through a free vote, approved the working group, and this group also held its first meeting after its formation to appoint a working group to organize meetings of the DP sections in the Tepelenë branch and the surrounding villages. At the meeting’s proposal, the conference approved 15 delegates who will take part in the Democratic Party Congress. All participants were very interested in the latest political developments in the country, the communist revanche and socialist deception. They unanimously expressed support for DP leader Sali Berisha and made a political attack on deputy Hajdaraj, and strongly supported the latter for the protests organized in the capital. The people of Tepelenë condemned the government’s latest economic measures and described them as an economic crime. During the meeting, Çela’s first message was one of understanding and national reconciliation. The DP acknowledges its mistakes and will continue its analysis after the congress as well. For 9 months, the former opposition has not substantiated any of the accusations it made against the DP, with which the revolt of the weeks was manipulated. In all districts, the selection of new members has been one of the main objectives, based on a free vote. The DP’s reorganization process begins in the sections, Çela said, and ends at its congress. The DP is determined to stand against revanche, in defense of democracy, and against political and economic crime. The DP has substantial international support, demonstrated by Europe’s position on the Arbon hunger strike and by the Council of Europe resolution, whose every point supports the DP. At the end, Çela told the meeting’s participants that all Democrats should be proud of the stance they took during the communist rebellion, affirming that the DP is a party born on the principle of defending human rights and freedoms. It has neither killed nor wounded anyone. At the end of the meeting, Pëllumb Çela called on members and supporters of the Democratic Party to carry the spirit of national reconciliation and understanding to the people of Tepelenë by talking with everyone about the problems troubling Albanians today. V. ELBASANI

Violence and terror against opposition members and leaders continue

Bucharest. Shocking testimony at the Annual Assembly of the North Atlantic. In Albania, the MAFIA is in power.