Disarmament pits the leaders of the Ministry of the Interior against each other ON PAGE 4

300 case files opened on rally participants ON PAGE 4

Dismissal of the case against Alia is being sought ON PAGE 4

The opposition cannot be the government’s façade. Berisha throws down the gauntlet to the Nano cabinet for a televised debate The democratic opposition arrived in Rome three days before the opening of the donors’ conference, making a firm appeal to the West to help Albania, despite the highly confrontational political climate in the country, caused by the fierce revanchism of the Nano 3 government. The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, stressed yesterday that the message that Albania should be helped remains unwavering, and is in no way conditional on whether or not he participates in the government delegation attending the Rome conference. Berisha offered a clear example of flexibility when he told journalists that he regarded the government’s invitation to join the government delegation, which will leave tomorrow for the Italian capital, as an event of significance for Albanian political life. Berisha’s stance may be considered somewhat tolerant even by his own Democratic supporters, who unanimously judge the invitation to be nothing more than hypocrisy and a political tactic by Prime Minister Nano. Although, before the government’s invitation to the Rome conference was extended, the Albanian opposition had faced political terror and repression by the revanchist government of Fatos Nano, Berisha had the courage to commend the Council of Ministers for what he called the socialist government’s first positive gesture toward the opposition since the 29 June elections. Nevertheless, Berisha reminded the socialist government that the Albanian opposition can under no circumstances be the façade of a government that is proving more and more each day that the elections from which it emerged were not a choice for Albania. He stressed that the Democratic Party, as the country’s main opposition, would remain undefeated, using every possible peaceful means to defend the democracy seriously threatened in Albania by the revanchism of the administration installed by Nano and Meidani. Berisha’s preliminary message for the Rome conference—that Albania should be helped despite the grave sins of the present authorities’ countless political crimes—restores to the country, after a long absence, the role of a normal and constructive opposition. In stark contrast to all the previous positions of the former communist opposition, now in power, the Democratic Party is demonstrating that, just as it accepted the election result, which was acceptable only given the circumstances, it is willing, in the interests of the country as a whole, to set aside its pain and the wounds still open from the fierce revanchism of the clique being installed in Albania, and once again call for the country not to be abandoned but to be helped by the international community. Just two years ago, under conditions entirely more favorable than those of today’s political situation in the country, the Socialist Party called for Albania not to be admitted to the Council of Europe, through the most cynical expression of Albanian politics on the clash over pluralism: “the apple is not ripe yet,” uttered by Namik Dokle’s crowd. At a time when it has been driven out of parliament at gunpoint, bloodied and violently attacked by an unprecedented political revanchism on the part of today’s rulers, the democratic opposition is showing the West and the Albanians that it remains the only hope and salvation for Albania’s destiny. Astrit PATOZI Three days before the donors’ conference in Rome, a message from the Albanian opposition arrives

Protest by the association of chairmen of district councils ON PAGE 3

The government, with its policies, poses a serious danger to Albania and the Balkans ON PAGE 3

The President of the European Parliament, Mr. Jose Maria Gil-Robles, in a message addressed to the leader of the PDSH, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, has replied to Mr. Berisha’s letter, which he sent regarding the reasons ... ON PAGE 3

Gjinushi’s second trip to the districts in the south. The Speaker of the Kalashnikov Parliament, seeking forgiveness or trying to hide the crimes he has committed ON PAGE 2

The “mystery” of the attack on Azem Hajdari continues to be unraveled A car with the high state registration plate RSH 020 has been placed at the attacker’s service The political attacker Gafurr Mazreku is protected by the highest-ranking socialist leaders. A government car with the registration plate RSH 020 supplies him with food every day and makes sure that his time behind bars is made as comfortable as possible. The news was reported by sources from Tirana prison. The “still unsolved mystery of the attack on Azem Hajdari” is beginning to be unraveled, an attack which the Socialist Party has tried to veil with the code of the Kanun. In fact, as is known to everyone, cars with RSH plates belong to very senior officials. In the Albanian state hierarchy, the right to have a car with such a plate extends from the President of the Republic down to ministers. No one below ministerial rank enjoys this privilege. Someone from the upper echelons is especially interested in ensuring that Mazreku does not feel abandoned. To conceal the Socialist Party’s attentions, the independent communist deputy, Maksim Hasani, is being used. Holding a card of humanity in one hand and a strong drink in the other, he wanted to visit the attacker two days ago, a visit that was also reported and confirmed in the press. Then, however, he forgot his courtesy. The communist has declared that blame should not be laid on Mazreku but on Berisha. And here, more than the opinions of a man who has nothing in common with a pluralist parliament, this seems to be the position of the socialist government as well. Hasani is the first to “openly” elaborate his beloved views ...[?] Hidden behind a strong drink. Behind him, other government officials can be discerned. So far, they have made do with providing services through the car with the high state registration plate RSH 020. The judicial farce is being prepared. Although the laws of the Kanun do not help them, the Albanian socialists have not yet had their say on Mazreku. He must be added with “conditions.” More than material assistance, the car provides psychological and moral support, while at the same time trying to show the prosecution, if it is not already clear, that Mazreku is being protected. But above all, they want the attacker to continue maintaining the line that the attack was carried out as an act of blood vengeance. Meanwhile, the police investigation continues to clarify things that are more... A. S

From the conference of the Shkodër branch of the PD. We want Berisha as chairman The Democratic Party is ready to regain power The conference elected Astrit Bushati as branch chairman ON PAGE 3

ON PAGE 3 The protest in “Skënderbej” Square continues Protest until the swindlers are driven out ON PAGE 3