Thirty-six parties and many personalities from Europe and the world strongly denounce Albania’s draft constitution Madrid document: “We condemn the lack of consensus on Albania’s draft constitution with the inclusion of the opposition. We are concerned by article 18-1, which is not in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, and by article 41, which allows the expropriation without financial compensation of property rights as well as the non-essential establishment of agricultural cooperatives” The dead Albanians of the referendum By Gabriel LONDO Members of the EPP and the center-right from all over Europe, through their public statement made yesterday in Madrid, made known their position against the constitutional project that the government in Tirana is trying to present to Albanians as “the great pact of the end of the century” and “the first constitution in Albania’s history”. The statement considers that in Albania “violence against the political opposition and the independent media is continuing” and that “the political climate is such that it makes a fair and impartial referendum impossible”. According to it, even the attempt to prevent people from taking part in the vote by filling in the ballot cards with a special code has no precedent in the democratic world. The document also underscores with concern the fact that “the constitution is not the product of consensus with the opposition,” while several of its points are contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights. “We condemn the lack of consensus around the new constitution. While the government presents it as a major act, it has been drafted without the involvement of the opposition,” the statement says. It also expresses concern about article 18-1 and article 41 of the draft, which according to the signatories “undermine fundamental freedoms and the right to property”. The document notes that “Albania needs democratic institutions and a stable constitution, but this can only be achieved through dialogue, compromise and respect for European standards”. The text of the statement calls on the Albanian government to abandon pressure tactics and guarantee a normal political climate before any referendum process. ON PAGE 3

PD leaders called on local government structures to apply only the law in the referendum ON PAGE 3

PD leaders called on local government structures to apply only the law in the referendum ON PAGE 2

The mayor of Lezha will be appointed inspector general Lajer Qano has also been accused by the socialists of abuse of power, but the rewards for him continued. Laver Qano, the chairman of KOY and head of Alb-Petrol Qano rewarded for the manipulations ON PAGE 3

“Voting is a basic right for us too” ON PAGE 3

The leaders of the Christian Democratic Party, for Sali Berisha, condemn and denounce the government’s frauds The chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, Professor Sali Berisha, condemns the failure to secure the final international vote, for the evasive role of Sali Beker, signed at yesterday’s meeting in Shkodër, which has been left in silence. Its latest aim is to deceive Albanians through a constitution that will destroy the state and property,” he said, emphasizing that the referendum preparations are taking place in a climate of repression and under political terror. Criminal act by the AKK against the “mongrels of Mostar[?]” ON PAGE 2

English mediator ON PAGE 4

compensation for the property Residents of Kolsh are demanding compensation for their property Police violence against people from Kukës ON PAGE 4

School students are signing a petition for Medani Secondary schools heading toward a general strike ON PAGE 5