Call by the Union for Democracy. Powerful protests until democracy is restored Citizens of Tirana, every one of you who calls yourself Albanian, every one of you who wants freedom and democracy and aspires to a future of security, well-being and prosperity, come out to the protest rally today, 29 October 1998. At 4:30 p.m. in “Skënderbej” Square. This protest rally has the noble aim of compelling the state to find the organizers and perpetrators of the legend of Albanian[ism?], Azem Hajdari; to release political prisoners; reinstate those who were dismissed from their jobs for taking part in Azem Hajdari’s funeral; and compel an early solution, so that democracy and security for the entire Albanian nation may return to Albania. Everyone in “Skënderbej” Square today, 29.10.1998, at 4:30 p.m., against the government of murderers, crime, smuggling and anti-Albanianism!

Jervolino in Albania. Rome does not trust the Tirana government. Those in power are involved in the macabre trafficking of illegal migrants Italy will engage militarily against the death speedboats that have claimed hundreds of lives in the Strait of Otranto. Now Petro Koçi will use the police only to massacre and imprison democrats ON PAGE 3

The PS clans resume their battle: Who stole more money from the pyramid schemes, Majko’s ministers or Nano’s? Former members of Nano’s cabinet, who have millions of dollars from the pyramid schemes in bank accounts abroad, accuse the people Majko has brought into office, who are equally implicated ON PAGE 3

Kapshticë — Three lorries from Korçë have been transporting Greek iron through Albania for a year and a half ON PAGE 5

By Sami NEZA An agreement signed yesterday at the Ministry of the Interior will bring Italian police forces to Albania. At first glance, they are coming to do one of the most routine jobs of the Albanian police: guarding the Albanian coastline against illegal crossings. But in fact they are coming to deal with the issue of the day: protecting the sea from the speedboat operators, protecting Albanian and foreign citizens from them, and protecting Italy from the Albanian gang involved in the regional mafia, of which the speedboat operators are one part of this mafia power. The Italians will be stationed in Vlorë and on Sazan. They are not coming as tourists, nor this time to guard the roads against gangs. They are coming because of the grave problem into which the Albanian government has dragged Italy, our neighboring country, which has been helping us for eight years and doing its best for us, but which the rulers of these days repay with crime, the mafia, illegal migrants, criminal contingents, and so on. A short time ago the Italians came here to guard our customs offices. Around fifty Italian soldiers and an EU mission led by Italians have been stationed in Durrës for six months. Albania, under socialist rule, has become suitable ground for speedboat operators, so others have to protect it from the Socialist government, its administration and its ministers—something that did not happen even in the time of Ismail Qemali, when the country had no experience of governing a state. The arrival of Alba 2 in Albania raises a major question about the left-wing rulers. One must consider how they can claim to ensure Albania’s survival while being capable of governing Albania, and how Albania can avoid becoming a bogeyman as Albanians govern Albanians for Italy. Illegal migrants—not for neighboring countries, and chiefly not for Italy. Alba: illegal migrants began to make crossings only in 1991, but at the end of 1994 one of Albania’s ugliest plagues was halted and almost completely isolated until ’95. Around 120 speedboats were seized by the Albanian police in a strict ongoing operation at the time, along with the entire network connected to them. In other cases, the mafia’s growth began to include as collaborators the very rulers of today, and it is now entirely supported by today’s rulers—or, in other words, today’s mafiosi. For two years in a row, no tragedies began on the Albanian coast involving Albanians being taken to Italy. Otranto and Kater i Rades, which week after week [claimed] all those poor Albanians, because of socialist rulers and former rulers. Only these two pathological crimes have been recorded, along with other things on land and at sea; meanwhile, five days ago 20 people drowned, among them many children and women. While the Italians were [watching?] minute by minute, day and night, dozens of people in the middle of the sea, from Tirana came the criminal cold-bloodedness of the Interior Minister, the Prime Minister and the government as a whole. It took the Italian government stepping in and deciding to blockade the Albanian coast, asking the Albanian government to take all the necessary measures at sea and on land, before any measure was taken; no alarm was raised. Even yesterday the police in Vlorë merely changed the location of the death boats. They have not gone anywhere near them. Enough: [?] the blockade by the Albanian government and police, the speedboat [operators?] were [in?] the government and among the police. Now the Italian police will patrol the Albanian coast. Soon customs officers will also come to the sea and to the walls [??] of the country. The government does not govern; it only gathers advice and does not even implement that. This is [??] today’s mafiosi; they do not leave the government and the left, and even when they have left the capital, they return at night.

ON PAGE 2 Fier Municipal Council immortalizes the work of the December Leader The central square is named “Azem Hajdari” Square

Fier Municipal Council immortalizes the work of the December Leader As of yesterday, the central square of the city of Fier will bear the name of the December Leader, the hero of democracy, Azem Hajdari. The city council has made this decision to immortalize the life and work of MP Azem Hajdari. The December Leader has been declared an honorary citizen in many cities in Albania, while Tirana Municipality has decided to immortalize him with a memorial in “Skënderbej” Square.

Today, 47 days since the murder of the December Leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, proves the complicity of Fatos Nano’s government and his successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former communists, which leaves free and unpunished the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, shows Albanians that they have been and remain involved in this murder, whose perpetrators have names and identities, but are not named by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and love Azem Hajdari cannot tolerate the fact that the murderer[s?] remain [??]. The government must either act as criminal justice demands, or publicly declare that it itself carried out the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Deputy Chairman Pollo accuses those who profit from human tragedies ON PAGE 3

Cash rewards for those who manage to register as many people as possible to vote ON PAGE 3

The international donors’ conference meets in Tirana tomorrow Beja: If the international community is content with merely an “expression of concern” about the fundamental problems concerning the existence of democracy in Albania, the climate of conflict will continue here, depriving the country of international funding ON PAGE 4

Just one hearing to decide on the “gecave” thief[?] His mother said yesterday that, following the release of her eldest son, Bilal Caushi, Zani too should soon be released and acquitted of the many serious charges against him ON PAGE 7

Today, 29 October, at 11:00 a.m., the National Council of the Democratic Party meets. The meeting will be held at the PD’s central headquarters. The PD parliamentary group is also invited to attend.

“A lit candle, a life begun” The Democratic League of the Women of Albania (LDGSH) calls on Albanian democratic mothers and sisters who know that on Friday, 30.10.1998, at 4:30 p.m., they should gather near the PD headquarters to take part in a procession that LDGSH will organize in memory of the December Leader, Mr. Azem Hajdari. The procession will be held with lit candles and in complete silence. LDGSH