The authorities officially acknowledge the loss of their own passport in the referendum Shkodra and Tirana overturn the rulers' predictions. The 50 percent threshold is not reached. Guns block the result and manipulation begins again, of ballots to rig politics in the commission ON PAGE 3 Today, a powerful signal of hope has come from the entire country: the plebiscitary rejection of Fatos Nano's draft constitution and of its report after the reform commission, as well as the moral and political victory in the manipulative battle, neither by the police whip, nor by their manipulation, nor by the threats from it, nor by the violation of the vote. But, since Berisha and Polliçe[?] do even more than the closing declaration of voting, i.e. in total manipulation that was stopped by the CEC and many commissions are continuing to pull the result out of the revolver's muzzle, as well as by violating the law on commissions and what we have demonstrated, something that is not accepted by the vote, while more than half of the people have not taken part, the victory of the Constitution is being miraculously proclaimed. In Tirana, the opposite of what propaganda spread on television screens and in government-controlled newspapers was trying to present has happened. The figures coming from the commissions and polling stations show that turnout was low and in many areas the required quorum was not reached. In Shkodër there was also strong refusal and clear opposition. As a result, the opposition considers this process manipulated and demands that those responsible answer before the law and before the public.

By Astrit PATOZI As long as the government in Albania continues to behave arrogantly, to underestimate the opposition's voice, and to use the police as a means of pressure, the country will remain in a deep political crisis. The latest reactions from the international community and Mr. Everts's positions have become a clear indicator of the tensions in Tirana. ON PAGE 2

The Socialists, the author of the [?] is mish[?] counting the votes, neither with a whip nor with a kerf-bajge in the police banners The government of Fatos Nano's decision to forcibly dissolve the electoral administration structures and to use police pressure against voting commissions has been described as a serious act of deforming the process. In many centers, incidents and obstacles for opposition observers were recorded. ON PAGE 4

Opposition commissioners denounce manipulation of the referendum results The referendum scandal in Elbasan ON PAGE 3

The deep polarization of the electorate was left exposed by the police; they even voted Uniformed plainclothes officers were again found terrorizing PD commissioners and bringing armed men near polling stations. ON PAGE 5

By Daniel Makans Opposition leaders and various observers have expressed concern that the country is moving away from democratic standards and is sliding toward a system where violence, fear, and police control replace free political competition. ON PAGE 5

The newly elected president of the Student Council stated that manipulation and pressure on students have become unacceptable, linking this situation to the general political climate in the country. ON PAGE 4

The murder of the PD commissioner in Çlirak, a political killing The murder of the PD commissioner in Çlirak (Kavajë), And[?]shi, an opposition commissioner, was carried out under severe circumstances and, according to testimony, the event is linked to the political conflict of the referendum days. ON PAGE 4

Today, 5 p.m. from the lawn square of the Block Everyone to a peaceful protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office against police terror. The government seeks to silence the opposition by using violence and propaganda. Defend your vote and your freedom. All of Albania must rise today in defense of Azem Hajdari and democracy.

The cause of this atmosphere, more than the events of 20 and 21 June 1998, is the opposing stance that all the country's well-known political personalities and ordinary workers have taken toward these events, as well as their street and public-space protest demonstrations.

The Democratic Women's League informs all Democratic women in the district of Albania that on Friday, 27.11.1998, at 16:00, a rally will be organized in memory of the hero Azem Hajdari. All Democratic women are invited to take part and to urge their relatives and acquaintances to be present in the square. The chairwoman of the Democratic Women of Tirana invites all Albanian women.

ON PAGE 3 [Handwritten notes and a record-of-proceedings table, partially illegible] Minutes[?] 100 voters[?] 37[?] 65[?] 49[?] seal signature