“Union for Democracy” is organizing a rally today, 23 July 1998, at 17:00, in front of the Parliament building in “Fan S. Noli” Square to protest against the killings, the political imprisonment of opposition members, and the information blackout[?].

Tomorrow, 24 July 1998, at 19:00, “Union for Democracy” will also organize a protest rally in front of the RTSH building in “Italia” Square against the information blackout[?] and the failure to implement the “Arbnori Amendment.”

The hour of the Democrats’ bravery, boldness, and courage has come ON PAGE 2 He spoke at the national meeting of local government officials

Investors are fleeing as fast as they can. Albania, a haven for economic crime The Foreign Investment Center is being liquidated ON PAGE 5

Police violence extends even to the children of Democrats At the police station, the officers were [unclear?]-ing my little boy as they beat him: “You Democrats, we will wipe you out; your family is Democratic[?], and we will wipe out your entire extended family.”

Spahia: We do not recognize the buyers of the companies’ properties

Yesterday, at the national meeting of local government officials Resolution of the third National Meeting of local elected representatives of the political grouping “Union for Democracy” The government has isolated local government We, Albanian local elected representatives, representatives of “Union for Democracy,” gathered in Tirana on 22.07.1998, analyzed the situation in general and the central government’s stance toward local government, concluding from the second meeting to the third meeting of local elected representatives. Convinced that the principles of local self-government, decentralization, and free and fair elections are not only universal principles of modern European societies, but also norms of the constitutional provisions of the Republic of Albania, and committed to serving the people of our areas as well as possible and by every means, we note that: “Violence, terror, pressure and mistreatment of local elected representatives have become a normal feature of the Albanian government’s activities. The unlawful dismissal of Mr. Vladimır Babo, chairman of the Korçë district council, and Mr. Hysen Kulla, chairman of the Gramsh district council, and the indifference of government officials themselves toward reinstating the lawful chairmen, even when the OSCE and other foreign organizations have come to the defense of Albanian local elected representatives, confirms the role of the Albanian government—not in defending local elected representatives, but in deliberately violating constitutional laws, international norms and the principles of the rule of law, popular sovereignty and the pluralist system. The continuous and unprecedented blocking of the budget has completely suffocated local government bodies, their administrations and their programs, making their work difficult. The State Television’s one-sided and deliberate propaganda seriously undermines the authority of local elected representatives and misinforms public opinion, thereby undermining the truth, freedom of speech and free expression of opinion. These actions by the government and its agents have made it virtually impossible for local elected representatives, chosen in the free, equal and fair elections of 20 October 1996, to exercise their mandate, and have denied us the equal right to serve in the elected bodies of our districts, municipalities and communes, leaving us no opportunity to ask the people for the confidence they gave us. In view of the above, We declare our denunciation that Mr. Al- 1. We approve the denunciation that Mr. Al- ...bert Brojka made of the Brojka-Majko cooperation agreement, since it has never been respected by the Albanian government; on the contrary, it has served to mask the Albanian government’s ongoing actions against local elected representatives, against their lives and lawful authority, and against the citizens and institutions in their service. 2. We will not allow the Albanian government to take over powers and exercise them unlawfully for purely political purposes and abusively. 3. Any position we take in defense of our lawful interests and rights will in no way harm the interests of citizens; rather, it serves the victories of democracy in Albania and the strengthening of the rule of law. 4. We firmly demand that the government urgently reinstate the chairmen of the Korçë and Gramsh districts and punish those responsible within the government cabinet. Until this demand is met: - We will not participate in any meeting of the prefectures’ administrative councils. - We will not accept any duty that is not provided for by law and is imposed on us by the government or other central institutions. - We will not participate in any protocol meeting or any reception or send-off for central government officials, and we will communicate only in writing. - The councilors from the political grouping “Union for Democracy” on the Korçë and Gramsh district councils will suspend their participation in the work of these district councils. 5. If the chairmen are not reinstated and violence and pressure against local elected representatives do not cease, at our next meeting we will reconsider our position on escalating our actions further in defense of our lawful demands, reducing to a minimum any… we will end all direct communication with the government, in defense of our lawful demands. 6. The Coordinating Council of “Union for Democracy” and the Coordinating Committee of associations of local elected representatives will make this resolution known inside and outside the country.

20 branches of Balli announce the creation of the Right-Wing National Front Party Balli Kombëtar will be reorganized under an initiating organizing committee, to be legalized by the Ministry of Justice as a right-wing Balli Kombëtar party in the tradition of its founder Mid’hat Abdyl Frashëri. As of yesterday, Ermenji was left alone with his agrarian idea and the traditional agrarian faction of Balli, which has existed in the Diaspora for 50 years. ON PAGE 3

The execution of Lulëzim Çollaku was a staged scenario. 51-year-old Kotorri is arrested to cover the killer’s tracks The execution of Lulëzim Çollaku was a staged scenario. 51-year-old Kotorri is arrested to cover the killer’s tracks Police: “We have nothing to do with eyewitnesses” The arrested man’s brother says that the police officer who questioned Haxhi Kotorrrin drew up a report according to his own wishes, but Haxhi did not sign it because he had no hand in Luli’s murder, while the officer threatened him, saying: “You’re not to blame, but if it were the time of Enver Hoxha, we’d know how to deal with you!” ON PAGE 4

After Klosi, the President’s adviser sues Lesi in court ON PAGE 4

Crimes of Belgrade’s Nazi thugs Prishtinë, 22 July (ENTER) - A witness from Rahovec, who managed to approach the town on Monday, said he had met groups of people in Malishevë, especially women, children and the elderly, but also men and young people from Rahovec. He recalled that the attack by Serbian forces and then the clashes in the town began on Friday. That afternoon, near a place called... ON PAGE 6

Prime Minister Bukoshi visits the wounded at Tirana Military Hospital ON PAGE 3

Corruption and smuggling increase unemployment and poverty ON PAGE 3

The ten-point guide to suffering less ON PAGE 8

People wearing foreign masks... [text in the image is illegible] Nano: “Arm and set all our militants in motion” SPECIAL REPORT ON PAGE 7

- The councillors of the “Union for Democracy” political grouping participation in the work of these district councils.