SHIK prepares a macabre scenario The people who will carry out the plan—which, given its diabolical scale, can without hesitation be called the “Albanian Reichstag”—have all been carefully selected from among the former State Security service’s ranks, following a strict two-month screening process ON PAGE 5

. Arbnori is the first to congratulate Berisha on his election. From the Congress to the large protest in “Skënderbej” Square. Tirana cheers Berisha. The new PD statute is approved. PD, Albania’s new chance Yesterday, Albanian Democrats entrusted Berisha with leading the struggle to restore the democratic values in the country, which had been profoundly shaken by the communist armed rebellion, followed intermittently by the rule installed through the violated elections of 29 June. The Fourth Congress of the Democratic Party unanimously judged that the four months of socialist government, which came to power with the help of gangs and Fatos Nano’s massive electoral fraud, had proved that 29 June was in no way a solution for Albania, and stressed that democracy in the country could be saved only through new elections. As the country’s main opposition force, the Democratic Party undertook to bring down the former communists’ government through protests and other democratic means, as the only chance of preventing the country from sinking deeper into the dictatorship of Nano and Meidani. Seven years after its founding, the Democratic Party once again finds itself confronting the Albanian former communists, with the historic mission of defeating the dictatorship, which threatens to return to Albania with a new face but its old substance. Just three months after coming to power, the socialist government has shown in full that it is restoring all the anti-values that Albanians had overthrown under Europe’s harshest dictatorship. Systematic violence and terror against political opponents, reaching its peak in the unprecedented crime in Parliament, when the Enverist-socialist Gafur Mazreku fired five bullets at the December Movement leader, Azem Hajdari, as well as the revival of class warfare through purges in the administration, repeated violations of constitutional laws, destruction of the independence of the courts, manipulation of the state media, and the blackout of information about the opposition’s victories, have shown Albanians and the world that the people who came to power after the bullets and blood of the armed rebellion they themselves organized and led are driving Albania toward the abyss. The Democratic Party once again holds Albania’s fate in its hands, and it will undoubtedly depend on its determination to lead the country toward a political solution, which can be nothing other than new elections that will wash away the great stain cast on Albanians and Albania by the voting held under the conditions of 29 June. The arrogant revanchism of the new government and Fatos Nano’s socialist government’s extremely poor standing in the West now prove that Albanians do not deserve to be governed by people whose past, present, and future are criminalized. This government is not only reviving nostalgia for Enver Hoxha and pilgrimages to the grave of Fatos Nano’s “father”; it is also holding hostage, in the most ruthless manner, international aid so essential and vital to Albanians and to a country laid waste by the armed rebellion. No one helps or supports the smuggling and fraud practiced by government officials, who are isolating it (continued on page 3)

The Democratic leader warns those in power “The only alternative left for this parliament is its swift dissolution” “I am convinced that support for the Democrats will grow stronger with each passing day, and that this government’s days are numbered.” Immediately after being elected to the post, Democratic Party chairman Sali Berisha warned the current government that it would soon leave power, and described Parliament as an institution of the Mazrekus which, on 18 September—the day of the assassination attempt on Azem Hajdari—committed political suicide. “The only alternative left for this parliament is its swift dissolution,” Berisha declared, answering a question about whether the Democrats would enter Parliament. For the Democratic leader, being elected chairman of the Democratic Party was “a great honor and a great vote of confidence in the role the Democratic Party has taken on in saving Albania from Nanocracy, a regime that violates the opposition’s rights, abuses institutions, and harms the Albanian cause.” The Democratic leader stated that the PD now has the support of Europe’s democratic forces and the entire international community, which cannot accept the violence perpetrated by those in power against the opposition at a time when the government is being condemned by resolutions from that very international community. “I can say that today the Democratic Party emerges from this Congress as Albania’s only legitimate and moral authority,” Berisha said, referring to local government officials and to the lawful elections accepted by all, held on 20 October of last year. “This is the true moral authority of the Albanians, the authority that stands against violence and terror with admirable resistance and has all the democratic forces behind it on its path.” B.K

Arbnori immediately after the voting results were announced: It was a good thing that Berisha won Today’s PD has been revived. It has known how to analyze its own mistakes and how to recognize the mistakes and faults of others. Thanks to this clear vision, it hopes to return to power through democratic methods.

The EDU representative welcomes the Assembly EDU supports the policy pursued so far by the Democratic leader and has wished the largest opposition party a swift return to power in order to restore democracy in the country

Berisha’s election is greeted with loud cheers in the hall of the DP National Assembly. Photo: A. Fusha

The 4th PD Congress concludes. “New elections, a solution for Albania”

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA

Pollo praises the Assembly and the changes to the party statute ON PAGE 2