Referendum: only 39 percent voted Albanians massively ignore the government’s constitution. Despite the manipulations, violence and police terror, turnout was extremely low In the government’s heads, death falls like nothing. Poro Klosi at the head of the voting group action. The opposition will not accept the lists sent by the prefects and Blyshkare in Korçë The peace that may not come to us from the constitution By Mero BAZE Nothing new happened in Albania during yesterday’s day. A referendum that was being presented as “Albanians vote” produced no surprise. Citizens of a country worn out by the struggle for power, hopeless about its future, angry with the political class, approached a constitution that seemed to have nothing to do with them with the calm of a person waiting for the end of a drama and the calm of a person refusing to be part of it. First, the political framework of the referendum was confused. Supporters of the government had mobilized in a campaign that failed to convince anyone that they were voting for a social contract, but rather for a political triumph of the majority that had come to power after a bloody war. Opponents of the constitution regarded it as an instrument of power and not as a national agreement. This turned the referendum into a test of strength, not a civic process. Second, the low turnout speaks for itself. The figures coming from the districts show that the majority of Albanians chose not to take part. This is the clearest response to all the propaganda, administrative pressure and police presence. When a citizen does not believe that his vote changes anything, he walks away. And that is the real drama of this process. Third, the conduct of the administration and the police left a bitter taste. Reports of pressure, attempts to force people to vote, incidents near polling stations and political tension in several districts made it even clearer that the authorities were afraid of a boycott. The fear of the authorities was greater than their concern for the rules. Finally, the opposition has declared this process invalid not only because of the low turnout, but also because of the way it was managed. In this sense, the political battle does not end with the closing of the ballot boxes. On the contrary, yesterday opened a new chapter in the conflict over the legitimacy of power and the future of the country. If the government tries to present this as a victory, it will face not only the figures but also the silence of a society that did not give it a mandate. This silence is louder than any rally. And this referendum, instead of closing political wounds, may deepen them. ON PAGE 7

Today, all of us in Skanderbeg Square Our opposition is the whole citizenry and the government is the one of the “state of siege”, it was expected to be proven yesterday in Vlorë. Sali Berisha, by order of the government, was stopped on the national road, and the police, on orders from the government spokesperson, Fatos Klosi, did not allow one of the strongest voices of Albanian civic society and the democratic forces into Vlorë . Today, an unavoidable revolt of a deceived citizenry takes over the whole country, to react against a manipulation of the referendum that has one name, “Skënderbej”, but we all know it is the scandal. To protest and demand the resignation of the government, we are gathering today at “Skënderbej Square” to bring down the government. All of us thrown into the referendum. Citizens, all of us in Vlorë, citizens, all in heart, all in will, all in resistance. ON PAGE 7

ON PAGE 2 Berisha at the meeting held yesterday in Kavajë

Today protests across all of Albania the democrats will no longer allow the referendum figures to be changed by force and deception Tirana in the square to defend the vote Today protests across all of Albania the democrats will no longer allow the referendum figures to be changed by force and deception ON PAGE 2

Police dishonor the members of the commission ON PAGE 7

Manipulated lists, the referendum’s problem Our observers confirm cases of voting without people appearing at the polling stations. There have been cases of ballot-box stuffing. The opposition calls on the prefects to take their responsibilities ON PAGE 3

The government protects the killers of Azem Hajdari Today and in the Dibra man’s trial ON PAGE 7

Movement for the Unification of Albanians dated 23 November 1998 in Tirana-Rruga Kombit [?] ON PAGE 3

Police bloody democratic will in Elbasan members of the commission ON PAGE 7

Percentage Berat 57% Bulqiza 37% Devina 54% Dibër 47% Durrës 35% Elbasan 44% Fier 53% Gramsh 58% Has 48% Gjirokastër 42% Kavajë 35% Kolonjë 56% Korçë 49% Krujë 43% Kuçovë 34% Kukës 60% Kurbin 30% Lezhë 35% Lushnjë 52% Mallakastër 44% Mat 40% Mirditë 30% Pogradec 30% Pukë 53% Peqin 30% Malësi e Madhe 30% Rrëshen 56% Sarandë 52% Skrapar 67% Shkodër 25% Tepelenë 40% Tiranë 60% Tropojë 33% Vlorë 46% Average 39.69%