New facts about the Prime Minister’s scandal. How the drug trafficker slipped from the hands of the Greek police ON PAGE 3

By Sami NEZA The arguments in favor of the so-called “constitutional draft” are as untrue as they are abusive. They are using the constitution in a bad procedure and at a highly inappropriate time. Here all the conditions exist for a “constitution” such as it deserves, not what our country needs today. The people expect to move forward with the economy, for order to be reborn, for the state to be strengthened, not to hear theoretical and legal nonsense about a constitution that has neither the moral nor the political legitimacy to be called such. How constitutional can such an initiative be, from a coalition emerging from a state of emergency, from a majority morally ruined by the 1997 crisis, and from a government that has still not restored constitutional order? It is entirely objectionable to claim that this initiative is an obligation of a democratic rule. The constitution is not a propaganda exercise. It is a major national agreement, a fundamental act of the state, a product of political maturity and not of party imposition. Today in Albania there is no broad consensus, there is no climate of trust, there is no respect for institutions, and there is no normal administration to guarantee a free and fair process. Instead of seeking to unite energies for the country’s recovery, the socialists are using the constitutional issue to cover up their failures. Under the guise of reform lies an appetite for power and the aim of permanently seizing the institutions. This is the greatest risk of this initiative. Such a text will not serve to build democracy, but to legalize majority control. The experience of democratic countries shows that stable constitutions are born from compromise, dialogue, and broad civic participation. When these are lacking, the constitution remains a lifeless sheet of paper, an instrument for the next government. Albania does not need an imposed text, but a constitutional order accepted by all. That is why the opposition has the right to oppose this project and to demand real conditions for national debate, for a free referendum, and for clear democratic standards. Only then will we be able to speak of a constitution and not of a socialist constitution. ON PAGE 2

Anger is rising for the victims of the new dictatorship Dibran e pas will march on 31.07.1998, with a large protest rally in central Tirana, organized under the slogan “Albania under the grave?” Together, with another square, they will protest for a square and will march toward the center of Tirana and light candles in Skanderbeg Square for the victims of the new dictatorship. ON PAGE 2

Creditors, “We will set fire to the properties that are sold” Milat, Ambassador Taveriçs [?] has been misinformed about our meeting The government has boycotted local power; in the PD, “The failure of the international neo-fascist front” is accompanied by raids, terror, and killings ON PAGE 2

Criminal violence against PD activists continues ahead of the PDS approvals in the name of women’s rights ON PAGE 2

“Union for Democracy” supports its proposal. Sali Berisha, for opposition to exclusion. They are going with goodwill to win The participation of the legalist MP, Spartak Ngjela, in the constitutional commission is an individual sign ON PAGE 3 “Union for Democracy” determined to bring it about in order to make the country have a constitution “We support Berisha”

ON PAGE 3 Fini: The Albanian government is complicit in the passage of drugs to Italy

The bandits, after the criminal uprising, have become more aggressive; crime continues to take human lives ON PAGE 4

The guard officer was killed with his service weapon; the socialist, drunk and disoriented, injured, then killed himself The black file of Sanda SPECIAL ON PAGE 7

Former Prime Minister Bufi says that today relaunch? and the new rules. Berisha as another, Selami, Bregu left with work? ON PAGE 4

Movements, local power structures react after the PD decision ON PAGE 3

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