Berisha: “The government’s strategy to save itself will have catastrophic consequences.” Police violence is widening the protest. Last night thousands of citizens of Tirana set out against police terror Banana republic Four opposition deputies continue without food, sustained only by inhumane conditions. Surrounded by an iron police cordon, with heavy helmets and automatic weapons, the protest tents against the government’s terror and violence have drawn public attention since yesterday. Driven by the government’s barbaric violence and arbitrariness to broaden their protest, the deputies continued their strike yesterday for the fifth day in a row. To accompany the absurd order from the state police to remove the protest tents, the Tirana police commissariat issued an ultimatum to the striking deputies. According to the police, they must end the hunger strike by 7:45 p.m. or be forcibly removed. This move by the Albanian government was denounced as a flagrant violation of human rights and an unprecedented act in the history of pluralism in the country. Police violence, which opposed the deputies’ peaceful protest on Tirana’s main boulevard, became even harsher during the evening. Large police forces, equipped with helmets, armored buses and automatic weapons, sealed off the square and prevented hundreds of citizens from approaching the protest site. In the evening hours, thousands of people took to the streets of the capital to express solidarity with the strikers and to protest against police terror. Skënder Hykaj Prison in front of the television

Efforts to remove the deputies continue The SHIK and the police are implementing the plan to remove the strikers from their surroundings. After the failure of the dialogue organized to persuade the deputies to leave the protest tents, the government and its structures have prepared a violent intervention. The Sunday and Monday scenario foresees the use of force to move the strikers, creating a dangerous precedent for parliamentary life and political freedoms in the country. ON PAGE 7

Yesterday the fax number was also blocked Shaban MEMIA Since the middle of last week, our newspaper’s telephone connection has been arbitrarily cut off. This action, which has severely hindered editorial work and communication with collaborators, was followed yesterday by the blocking of the fax number as well. The editorial staff of "Rilindja Demokratike" considers this act part of the political pressure on the opposition press and calls on public opinion and the relevant institutions to react. ON PAGE 3

Berisha thanks the consul of the Italian Embassy on behalf of the Italian government for the message conveyed to the strikers It is recommended that the police cordons be removed, and that journalists, photojournalists, diplomats and others be allowed to make contact with the strikers Your Excellency Mr. Lamberto [?] To the Consul of the Embassy of Italy Tirana Dear Mr. Consul, Thank you for the message from the government of Italy and its interest in us and in the condition of our hunger strike. Please convey to the Italian government our thanks for its concern and awareness. We appreciate your position and share the concern that safeguarding the life and health of the striking deputies requires the removal of the police cordon, the creation of humane conditions, and allowing doctors, journalists, photojournalists, diplomats and others to have contact with us. Any further isolation would worsen the situation. Sincerely, Sali Berisha and deputies of the hunger strike ON PAGE 2

Nano’s stronghold has entered Pinochet’s era For another 20 years the PS remains the continuation of Enver Hoxha’s party Xhavit HAKOLLI Four deputies on the second day of the hunger strike speak to "RD" The government was defeated on the first day of the strike Azem HAJDARI Nano has deceived Europe in Brussels Ylli VESHI The yellow cloth came to power through a coup d’état Vili MINAROLLI Nano’s state has entered Pinochet’s era Shaban MEMIA ON PAGE 3

A grand ceremony in Shkodra The chairman of the P. Sali Berisha and the Speaker of Parliament, Pjetër Arbnori, took part in the funeral ceremony ON PAGE 2

Sudja in court for the last time Greek flag-carrying ship destroys contraband cigarettes towards Montenegro ON PAGE 6

The Directorate of the Presidium of the former "Businesses of the Party Wing of "Union for Democracy"