Albania plunged into an institutional crisis, the opposition will not allow the Constitutional Court to be undermined. Berisha: “Gjinushi should resign” Zheji: Nano’s camp signals quick changes in the government, the US reconfirm they will support democracy in Albania The government of crises in crisis Until recently, the parliamentary opposition was enabled through the submission of the vote of no confidence in the constitutional faculty that the Constitution grants it, before clarifying what the possible changes in the government composition would be. During this week public debate and public interest focused on the developments of the new governmental scandal known as “Mamba,” which apparently pushed back the deadline by which the Nano government is sending signals that it will intervene in its team. At least this is how one reads the interview with analyst and journalist Artur Zheji published in yesterday’s press, where he states with conviction that “on the eve of the turn of the year, or even earlier, some changes will be made in the government.” The dominance of the idea of a deadline for government changes is also reinforced by a statement made yesterday by the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, in which he called on the Speaker of Parliament, Skënder Gjinushi, to resign, as a figure who “has lost political and moral legitimacy” and who “has become a problem for the country and for parliament.” If the government crisis is linked to the support it has in some way given to scandals or to the mechanism of non-standard appointments at all levels of the state administration, at the same time this also damages its image in public opinion and in the foreign media. The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, at a press conference, welcomed the positions of the United States expressed toward developments in Albania, assessing that “their stance has been clear and correct.” Berisha stressed that the opposition will not allow the Constitutional Court to be undermined and that the country needs strong constitutional institutions. Continues on page 4

Malloi: No order, no law, no reconciliation in Albania

Fier. Barbaric violence by the uniformed terrorists of Nertian Ceka Bandits soaked themselves in blood and desecrated 3 of the activists of the Intellectual League and the Youth Forum of the Democratic Party, in the middle of last night. On Saturday, 6 December 1997, the House of Culture in Fier was scheduled to organize the Great Festive Concert under the slogan “Missionaries of Democracy”. Terrorists in the uniforms of Vernalli, Dallnashi, Xhepi and Vangjeli, under the orders of Xhebrail and Çalamani, 5-6 brutally abused 3 senior activists of the Democratic Party in the city of Fier. After the meeting, the youth forum activists, one of them, Mikel Kasaj, was insistently called to take part in the festive ceremony. Accompanied by his relatives, Mikel arrived there, but before entering the hall, he was surrounded and violently stopped by police officers. With him were also Mumir Kasaj and Jorgaq Spahiu. The police began beating them with kicks and punches. After the intervention of citizens, they were taken to the police station, where they were tortured for hours. Mikel Kasaj is the son of the head of the DP branch in Levan, Shamet Kasaj. Many citizens, alarmed by the noise, gathered near the police station. According to reports, the detainees were kept in inhumane conditions and threatened. The event caused deep indignation in Fier. SPECIAL ON PAGE 7

After the successful visit to the USA SPECIAL ON PAGE 8

Instead of growth, a 20% reduction of the system; liquidation trends are more justified Express liquidation offers financial disqualification Instead of growth, a 20% reduction of the system; liquidation trends are more justified; of the system; liquidation trends are increasingly economical! SPECIAL ON PAGE 7

Idaler e blerorit - again an appeal to everyone Tomorrow, Albanians celebrate 8 December — the day the student demonstrations against the dictatorship began SPECIAL ON PAGE 8

The “culprit” of Tepelena is denounced without knowing The “Tepelun” is denounced without hands The government arrests Pjepen SPECIAL ON PAGE 7

NATIONAL LIBRARY SPECIAL ON PAGE 6 Press statement from the London company on the eve of this case with the “Mamba” affair SPECIAL ON PAGE 6 Illicit fees are diverted by the current rulers SPECIAL ON PAGE 5 Today the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” has 12 pages; price is 20 leks

ENGLISH RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE = Democratic Rebirth Gazetë e Partisë Demokratike të Shqipërisë = Newspaper of the Democratic Party of Albania E DIELE 7 dhjetor 1997 = Sunday, 7 December 1997 Çmimi: 20 lekë = Price: 20 leks Ministrave u dridhen karriget = Ministers’ chairs are shaking Shqipëria e zhytur në krizë institucionale, opozita nuk do të lejojë cenimin e Gjykatës Kushtetuese. Berisha: “Gjinushi të japë dorëheqjen” = Albania plunged into an institutional crisis, the opposition will not allow the Constitutional Court to be undermined. Berisha: “Gjinushi should resign” Malloi: As rend, as ligj, as pajtim në Shqipëri = Malloi: No order, no law, no reconciliation in Albania Policia maskron 3 aktivistë të PD = Police beat up 3 DP activists Fier. Dhunë barbare e terroristeve me uniformë të Nertian Cekës = Fier. Barbaric violence by terrorists in Nertian Ceka’s uniform Idaler e blerorit - sërish apel për të gjithë = Again an appeal to everyone Pas vizitës së suksesshme në SHBA = After the successful visit to the USA Likujdimi ekspres ofron diskualifikim financiar = Express liquidation offers financial disqualification Qeveria arreston Pjepen = The government arrests Pjepi[?] ITALIANO RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE = Rinascita Democratica Gazetë e Partisë Demokratike të Shqipërisë = Giornale del Partito Democratico d'Albania E DIELE 7 dhjetor 1997 = Domenica 7 dicembre 1997 Çmimi: 20 lekë = Prezzo: 20 lekë Ministrave u dridhen karriget = Le poltrone dei ministri tremano Shqipëria e zhytur në krizë institucionale, opozita nuk do të lejojë cenimin e Gjykatës Kushtetuese. Berisha: “Gjinushi të japë dorëheqjen” = L'Albania sprofondata in una crisi istituzionale, l'opposizione non permetterà la lesione della Corte Costituzionale. Berisha: “Gjinushi si dimetta” Malloi: As rend, as ligj, as pajtim në Shqipëri = Malloi: Né ordine, né legge, né riconciliazione in Albania Policia maskron 3 aktivistë të PD = La polizia massacra 3 attivisti del PD Fier. Dhunë barbare e terroristeve me uniformë të Nertian Cekës = Fier. Violenza barbara dei terroristi in uniforme di Nertian Ceka Pas vizitës së suksesshme në SHBA = Dopo la visita di successo negli USA Likujdimi ekspres ofron diskualifikim financiar = La liquidazione espressa offre squalifica finanziaria Qeveria arreston Pjepen = Il governo arresta Pjepi[?]