Call from the Union for Democracy. Strong protests until democracy is restored At 11:30 this morning, with a call for Albanians to gather in the center of Tirana, the popular protest demanding the resignation of Fatos Nano continues for the 20th day in a row. Through the “Union for Democracy,” the entire Albanian people have been called to gather today at 11:30 in Skënderbej Square. The purpose of this protest is to keep up the pressure for the resignation of Fatos Nano, who overthrew the legitimate PD government in blood and continues to hold power by force. The “Union for Democracy” is organizing these protests one day in advance, and says it aims, through these “strong protests,” to bring down the government of Fatos Nano. The spokesman of the “Union for Democracy,” Arian Starova, told “RD” yesterday that the protest will take place calmly, peacefully, and fully within the constitutional freedoms and rights of citizens. “Nothing can stop the sovereign from exercising its rights to save the country from the clutches of this government,” Starova said. Arian Starova described this protest as an “investment in democracy” and guaranteed that it will be calm and peaceful. “Our protest is a protest of the free citizens of this country,” he said. “We are determined to continue until we restore the violated democracy.” Regarding the political developments of recent days, he said the country is in a serious political and moral crisis that can only be resolved by the removal of the Nano government. ON PAGE 2

Malor: Berisha has not “usurped” the violence of September 14 The Tirana International Conference puts the governing coalition on the spot. Cermëk: “The killers of Azem Hajdari must be caught” ON PAGE 3

The state are men 100 landings [?] guns store and [?] mister Banit Beqeri. It is more than mindful [...] The state are men 100 landings [?] guns store and mister Banit Beqeri. It looks more mindful [?] u shpëtojnë vjedhjeve dhe kërcënimeve të Organizatës së Armatosur më të fuqishme në Shqipëri ON PAGE 4

Instead of aid, dozens of conditions for the reappointment of the government. Confidence, no room and undisputed withdrawal ON PAGE 3

By Sami NEZA On 24 October 1998, one day after the memorial ceremony marking the 40th day since Azem Hajdari’s death, an international conference organized in Tirana by the Albanian government and the OSCE, called the “Friends of Albania Conference,” was held. The conference was organized at the height of the country’s political crisis, immediately after the events of 14 September and at a time when the Albanian government was discredited both at home and abroad. In this context, this conference could not be regarded as political support for the government, but rather as an attempt to impose new conditions on it. The government in Tirana, which was seeking financial and political aid from the West, was met with a cold response and concrete demands for the restoration of order, respect for institutions, and the guarantee of free elections. Instead of receiving clear promises of aid, it received warnings, criticism, and conditions. This made the conference seem more like an act of international pressure than a support forum. In essence, the conference confirmed that the international community no longer had full confidence in the Albanian government and viewed it as part of the problem, not the solution. That is why it could be called the “second conference of conditions”.

Women of Tirana, yesterday, in protest in front of the prime minister’s headquarters in “Skënderbej” ON PAGE 2

Berat Prefecture: Gangs “dismiss” the cashiers ON PAGE 4

Today, 49 days since the killing of the leader of Dhjetori ON PAGE 4

Celebration at the Ministry of Defense ON PAGE 5

Nano engages the police and SHIK for the referendum Secret circular near the police, s[?] of the PS and SHIK ON PAGE 5

The police of ‘gazës’ 55” [sic], unprecedented violence against owners and workers in Polican The police of ‘gazës’ 55”, unprecedented violence against owners and workers in Polican The criminal clique continues punishing journalists ON PAGE 5

B. Hoxholli [?]