People of Nano and Majko storm Astrit Balluku at the BSPSH headquarters Tirana’s chief trade unionist killed BPSH has described Balluku’s murder as a criminal act committed by state segments. Fatmir Musaku is a close friend of Fatos Nano and has his full backing. The new prime minister, Pandeli Majko, has also held secret talks with Musaku to destroy the trade union movement Power of the mafia By El PALOKA A terrifying sight. That is the first impression one gets when opening the latest issue of the “Official Gazette”, where one learns of the laws and decisions of the government, which only increase the dose of hope for a miracle that might stop the destruction of a country. That country, known as Albania, is being destroyed step by step by a heartless power that is increasingly taking on the dimensions of a real mafia. Such was also yesterday’s execution, like a horror scene, of the chairman of the Tirana Union of Independent Trade Unions, Astrit Balluku. Like many other events that, beyond the shock and coincidence they bring to this hopeless country, plunge one even deeper into the absurdity of a miserable everyday life, yesterday’s murder also has many mysteries behind it. These mysteries, perhaps even for the sake of solving them, are not important for a public opinion that is, in its greater part, drowned and numbed by daily troubles, let alone for such serious events, which perhaps no longer make an impression precisely because of their frequency and brutality. For that part of public opinion that still seeks answers beyond the dark dimension of reality, the circumstances of the murder, and especially the motives, are the main object. There have been other killings recently, and for those the so-called organs of justice and police may have provided their usual worn-out versions. But for yesterday’s execution, initially presented as an ordinary crime, the circumstances are completely different. Astrit Balluku was known as a prominent trade unionist, as he had created and led the Tirana Union of Independent Trade Unions. As such, he was known as an opponent of chief trade unionist Fatmir Musaku. According to various sources, the two had also had no small amount of friction over matters related to the organization of the unions. Therefore, Balluku’s elimination in this case would have not only mafia motives but also trade union motives. It remains to be seen whether the victim had been threatened before and whether the law-enforcement authorities knew of such threats. The name of Balluku’s main opponent, in all likelihood, leads to the name of Fatmir Musaku, chairman of BPSH and a close friend of former prime minister Fatos Nano. Sources close to BPSH reveal that Fatmir Musaku has often been accused of ties to certain state segments, which have supported him in the fight against independent trade unionists. In these circumstances, Balluku’s murder cannot be seen as an isolated event. It comes in a harsh political and social climate, when violence and pressure against opponents have become a routine tool. That is why many consider this murder to be a criminal act with political and state backing. ON PAGE 4

A call from Bashkimi për Demokraci. Protest until the return of democracy Call from Bashkimi për Demokraci: Protest until the return of democracy On Thursday, again in “Skënderbej” Square The government of Fatos Nano is aiming to criminalize the Albanian state more and more every day. Not only is it seizing every power by force, but it is also issuing laws and decisions that are violent, unconstitutional, anti-democratic and anti-Albanian. The government of Fatos Nano is stripping Albania of every hope of integration into Europe. It is turning Albania into a country without rights or freedoms, without institutions and without a state. The government of Fatos Nano is using the state like a criminal organization. Bashkimi për Demokraci calls on the entire Albanian people to take part in the grand protest that will be held on Thursday, 29 October 1998, at 3:30 p.m., in Tirana’s “Skënderbej” Square. The protest will continue until the return of democracy and the rule of law. Citizens of Tirana, students and pupils, workers and farmers, intellectuals and merchants, men and women, young men and young women, take part in this great popular protest.

ON PAGE 3 The government must stop the murderous hand

The constitution of a clique, the constitution of a minority The local branches of the PD continue their claims, with the National Council’s decision backing the referendum ON PAGE 2

Berisha: This is a terrorist state PD denounces the killing of the chief trade unionist ON PAGE 2

The speedboat with clandestine migrants is rescued, 3 dead, 7 injured and dozens missing at sea The speedboat with clandestine migrants is rescued, 3 dead, 7 injured and dozens missing at sea Another tragedy on the Vlorë coast ON PAGE 5

The councilor unanimously decided on “honorary citizen” for the leader of December ON PAGE 5

He was treated like a terrorist pursued by the police, says he still has no other hand except his terrorist one Why did the police kill the Egyptian man? He was treated like a terrorist pursued by the police, says he still has no other hand except his terrorist one ON PAGE 5

The прокуратure drags out the investigation against local PD leaders Call for investigations into the murder, Luan Skupi The прокуратure drags out the investigation against local PD leaders Call for investigations into the murder, Luan Skupi They have arrived, the murder and they want the murder of Luan Skupi ON PAGE 5

All former owners of the burned houses reduced by decision no. 28.10.1998 in the building, dated 28.10.1998 of the Nations of P[?]BSH, Nations of PBSH, Presidency of P[?]BSH

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