The Democrats are more determined than ever in their protest to drive out the prime minister of crime “Union for Democracy” invites all honest Albanians, all Albanian nationalists, and Democrats wherever they may be, to gather today, Thursday, 17.09.1998, at 11:00, in “Skënderbej” Square for a peaceful rally in defense of our freedoms, in defense of the right to live our lives, and for a better future.

The terrorist prime minister begins issuing new arrest warrants. The Prosecutor’s Office is ordered to imprison Sali Berisha, Genc Pollo, Pjetër Arbnori, Vili Minarolli, Leonard Demi, Jemin Gjana, Shaban Memia and Fatos Beja. Berisha: “Albania is my paradise” The government is abandoned by the international community. No one remembers the Prime Minister. Fisher cancels her visit to Tirana. Dini: We did not allow Fatos Nano to come to Italy

, Fatos Nano, extended his open war against the Democratic Party even further with his demand for the arrest of seven of the Democratic Party’s leading figures. Yesterday, he tasked his prosecutor, Spartak Braho, with preparing the files on Jemin Gjana, Fatos Beja and Shaban Memia, to send them all to prison together, thus bringing the number of political prisoners held by his government to thirteen. Gathered in the hall where the Central Committee plenum met in Hoxha’s time, a number of edited deputies voted in favor of the political, political revenge of the government against the Albanian opposition. The opposition now has no choice but to increase the number of sandbags all around it, to protect itself not only from the masked gangs Nano sends, not only from the snipers stationed in the 15-storey building behind the DP, but also from prosecutors from the time of the dictatorship. The DP must also continue clearing its courtyard to make a little more room for the thousands of Democrats who gather in front of it every day, their numbers growing ever larger as Fatos Nano’s police repression intensifies. By killing Azem Hajdari, the prime minister stretched democratic patience to its absolute limit; meanwhile, by arresting other leaders, including the party chairman, he has severed all ties with at least half of the Albanians inside the country and almost all those Albanians who now live beyond its borders. The phenomenon now appearing in Albanian politics in the form of the current prime minister is the worst kind of Byzantine politics, inherited from feudal courts and constructed with the demagoguery of right-wing vocabulary. The prime minister, as old as vengeance, is destined to be insulted, cursed, pursued and ultimately thrown out because of the obscurantist reality he is sowing in Albania. A government that insults the symbols of the country’s history, imprisons the opposition and destroys the institutions of the Albanian state, turns the country into a negative example for more than its enemies, replaces stone with drug plantations and taxes with smuggling, must be removed in such a way that it is forgotten as quickly as possible. The rulers of Tirana now have very little left to do. A man, whatever his position, cannot inflict more damage on a country than he has already done. Naturally, it was easy for him to turn against his own country, because the party he comes from is, in most cases, on the same wavelength as its leader; because power was not seized with votes but with bullets; because the bandits were not pursued but invited into the administration. The prime minister now resembles an ele, which neither works nor is fit to be kept. He has no value except as a bad example for Albanians, who are quick to make mistakes when choosing people, or allow individuals like this monster to choose the people who will mock and abuse them. Despite his statements that he will not leave, he will leave. Four people were killed and more than sixty others wounded in front of his office. Thousands more have been killed because he remains in that office and because he wanted to get into that office. To make things better soon, he murdered Azem Hajdari and dozens of other Democrats, imprisoned, beat and persecuted the fourth [??] in place of his dictator who sympathizes with the PPSH. With this prime minister, there is now no logic, no discussion; there is only an end to his government. His government is an answer to the old dictatorship in the Prime Minister’s Office; it will be brought down by those who can change Fatos Nano, with whom he has displaced the state. He has not shot at the opposition and democracy, nor are there gangs to displace the state for him. Fatos Nano created gangs, not a state.

Nano orders the closure of Radio “Kontakt”, Radio “Enter”, TV Shijakut and two other television channels. The Dajti transmitter antenna is attacked with firearms Radio “Enter” immediately makes its transmitter and backup studio available to Radio “Kontakt”. Late last night, broadcasting to inform the public of the latest news began on 103 MHz

ON PAGE 6

ON PAGE 6

ON PAGE 6

ON PAGE 6

Tense situation throughout the country; Gjirokastra blocks the roads to the south Tense situation throughout the country Gjirokastra blocks the roads to the south Kakavija beyond the state’s control ON PAGE 6

Residents rise up against the government ON PAGE 6

What is happening in the south of the country. PS headquarters in the south bring out the weapons of the March rebellion ON PAGE 6

to Radio “Kontakt.” Late last night, news broadcasts resumed on 103 MHz, bringing the public the latest updates. Last night, Fatos Nano ordered Radio “Kontakt,” Radio “Enter,” TV Shijaku and several other private television channels in Tirana to be silenced. Armed police attacked last night on Mount Dajti the site where the antennas of Radio “Kontakt,” Radio “Enter,” TV Shijaku, TV Arbëresë and TV Teuta are located, cutting off their signals. A reporter from one of the channels that went off the air told “RD” last night that a large group of masked police officers had arrived on Mount Dajti and attacked with guns the site where the antennas of three television stations and two radio stations are located. In an alarmed voice, he said that fighting between the police and armed guards was continuing there, while images from TV Shijaku and the other television networks appeared on screen and the signals of “Kontakt” and “Enter” were cut off on the radio. Nothing is yet known about what happened to the people guarding the antenna on Dajti, but there are only two possibilities: either they were killed, or they fled their post, leaving the antennas at the mercy of the masked police. Meanwhile, Radio “Enter” immediately moved its transmitter and studio in Tirana onto Radio “Kontakt’s” 103 MHz frequency, to fill the information vacuum created by the interruption imposed by Fatos Nano’s government. Late last night, the voices of journalists informing listeners about what was happening in Albania could once again be heard on Radio “Kontakt,” while the other television and radio stations had fallen silent. The terrorist attack against the television and radio antennas, and the cutting of the signals of three television networks and two private radio stations, is yet another example of the terror inflicted by Nano’s clique on the media outlets that have accurately covered every dramatic moment of the crisis provoked by Prime Minister Nano himself. This unprecedented act has been denounced in order to restrict to the greatest possible extent the contribution of the active press in informing Albanians about what is happening in this country because of Fatos Nano and his Mafia clan.

Berisha yesterday at a press conference: “I recognize no immunity for myself in this state, which has neither law nor morals. The hurricane of popular revolt recognizes no treachery.” ON PAGE 3

ON PAGE 4

ON PAGE 5

[Photograph of protesters with portraits.]