PD prepares for new parliamentary elections Berisha: The minority’s Constitution is unacceptable “If the authorities do not heed our calls for dialogue, then the constitution will be an integral part of the PD’s program” A harrowing testimony in the courtroom from witness Mustafa Dehnika, whose son and nephew were killed by the band of ty[?] ON PAGE 3 Democrats of the Tirana district councillors, Mr. Sali Berisha and the leadership of the PD Parliamentary Group, strongly condemned the anti-national activity of the Nano government and its submission to the constitution prepared in a unilateral manner. Berisha said that political dialogue remains the only way out, but if the majority does not accept this path, then the democrats will include the constitutional issue in their political program. He declared that a constitution of the minority cannot be acceptable for Albanian citizens and that the lack of consensus makes it unworkable. The meeting also discussed the political crisis, the upcoming protests, and the need for new parliamentary elections. An eyewitness says that I want that they revived on Hysen Kera’s wife burning taken from gangs that took up fires and threw d... [?] Të rjagj me vrra dhe më pasin me radio policie me dik. (followed by the real instigators) The trial against the 11-gjuh[?] accused of the murder and kidnapping of Azem Hajdari continued yesterday as well. In the courtroom, Hysen Kera’s son, Mustafë Dehnika, testified, saying that he and his nephew had been seriously wounded, while other family members had been brutally killed. He described shocking scenes of gang violence and called for justice to uncover the real masterminds behind the crime.

A harrowing testimony in the courtroom: from witness Mustafa Dehnika, whose son and nephew were killed by his gang ON PAGE 3

By ASTI PAÇO Consensus is a fundamental value for ensuring the legitimacy and longevity of any constitution. A constitution is not an agreement between parties, nor a temporary political pact, but the basic contract of the democratic coexistence of citizens. In the absence of broad consensus, any constitutional text risks remaining truncated, temporary, and contested. In this case, the Socialist majority has chosen to draft and approve the constitution without a real process of dialogue with the opposition and without reflecting on its fundamental objections. This makes the constitutional project similar to Nano’s government itself: born from a disputed majority, without the trust of political opponents and without the necessary social consensus. Instead of serving as a point of unity, the constitution risks deepening political divisions. Therefore, a constitution of the minority cannot be considered the foundation of the democratic order. At best, it will be an imposed text and not a shared national act. Only the inclusion of all political forces and respect for democratic standards can turn the constitution into a legitimate and lasting document.

Hit on the head with a heavy object while leaving the offices of the newspaper “55” An eyewitness says: “An individual fired with two sh... [?] at journalist Hysen and they hit journalist Hysen Këna a burn sustained from the t... in a quarrel they were... and Bilorina had [...?] sure it was about running away with police radio with someone. (followed by the real instigators)” ON PAGE 3 Yesterday as well in the city[?] ... Zani struck journalist Hysen[?] on the head with a heavy object while he was leaving the offices of the newspaper “55”. According to newspaper sources, the attack was carried out by persons linked to SHIK. The incident has caused strong reactions in public opinion and in media circles, where a full clarification of the perpetrators and the motive of the attack has been demanded.

504 guests from the funeral of the PBDNJ leader oppose the referendum law Ce do te kaq[?] nan from the murder of Azem Hajdari and their execution in the Prosecutor’s documents, even though all the evidence points to their guilt, the government continues to protect the perpetrators of the crime. Instead of cooperating with justice, it uses institutions to hide the truth and to obstruct the full clarification of the event. This behavior has strengthened the conviction that the execution of Azem Hajdari was not an isolated act, but part of a broader political scenario. At the same time, developments around the referendum have highlighted strong disagreements. 504 guests at an activity linked to the leader of the PBDNJ expressed reservations and objections to the referendum law, describing it as one-sided and unacceptable for a democratic process. ON PAGE 3

Call by the Union for Democracy. Protests until democracy is restored Will the Prime Minister on Monday be shown to the Prime Minister’s Office? will appear at a strong protest rally in Skanderbeg Square with the demand for the immediate dismissal of the Nano government. This will be the first protest for the convening of the People’s Assembly emerging from the manipulated and unacceptable elections of 29 June, as well as the first protest in two months by the Union for Democracy. It will be followed by other major protests in front of Parliament and the Prime Minister’s Office. This will continue until the government of the communists is overthrown and democracy is restored, said yesterday at a press conference the leader of the PR and the leader of the Right Front, Fatmir Mediu. According to him, the logic in the document approved for the protests by all the political parties of the Union for Democracy, except for the Republicans, included almost all parties of the right-wing spectrum. “This protest is emerging as a necessity to demand and clearly show that in Albania one can survive only with lawful institutions and a legally elected government. The government that came to power through the greatest electoral manipulation in the history of pluralist elections in Albania must leave,” said Mediu. (continues on page 3) ON PAGE 3

The Albanian association “Disarmament with Political Consensus” of the newspaper writers’ body, supported by the National Council of Civil Society in Albania, has issued an appeal expressing concern about the high level of armament in the country and the need for a broad disarmament process based on political consensus. The statement emphasizes that disarmament cannot be carried out through selective, vengeful, or politicized methods, but must be an inclusive, transparent process supported by all political forces. The association calls on citizens to hand over their weapons and on state institutions to guarantee security and trust. It asks politics to abandon divisive rhetoric and contribute to creating a climate of national cooperation for the restoration of order and normality. 24.10.98