Barricades, tension, gunfire and insecurity in the city. Bar and havan threw gasoline on the fire: Shqypra over the buildings ON PAGES 2-3

The crooked sun does not rise outside. The murderer of Shkodër, the police traffic commissioner at the police station on the road, and Nano, Gjosi and Klosi did not let them pass. The young and the old of Shkodër, since morning, set up obstacles on the streets leading to the city center where the Socialist Party rally had been planned. Those barricades raised overnight were a warning of what was happening. Gathered in the city center, the young people were determined not to leave standing anything that could take part in the manifestation of madness. They are continuing even after lunch with the situation inflamed across the city. At least 4 dead and 15 wounded. The government envoys to the north of the country since Sunday, Bashkim Fino and Spartak Poci, brought the city not peace but only violence and blood. The murderers continue to hold the whole city hostage. At least until 2:30 p.m. it could not be said that the city’s further death had been extinguished, but only intensified. The harsh confrontation that began on Tuesday with the sending of special forces to Shkodër has escalated during yesterday as well. Earlier, around 2,000 people according to the police and 5,000 according to the opposition came out to the city center, warning that they would under no circumstances allow the Socialist rally to be held. Around noon, as the cars with the top PS leaders and rally participants were arriving at “Demokracia” square, the situation immediately worsened. First, tear gas grenades were thrown toward the crowd and then gunfire began. Four dead are officially confirmed, but witnesses speak of 6 and 10 wounded. Among the dead is also 16-year-old Besnik Ceka from the “Perash” neighborhood. His killer is SHIK employee Ndriçim Kulla. Likewise, the Shkodër Municipal Guard, Emiljano Isufi, also fell victim to the special forces. It is not yet known how many wounded there are, while one of the dead has been taken in serious condition to the city hospital. The 17-year-old Elvis Sula was also killed. The news was confirmed last night by the hospital emergency room. Eleven wounded are also being treated there. The confrontation began after citizens blocked the city entrances, demanding the withdrawal of the special forces from Shkodër, which they call the cause of the tension. Also, the cause of the revolt and the gunfire is thought to have been the arrival in the square of Socialist deputies who had come for the rally. The killing of Besnik Ceka ignited the citizens’ revolt, who set fire to the police and SHIK car. Several other vehicles were destroyed, while the prefecture building was also attacked. The confrontation continued for several hours. Meanwhile, residents of the neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city built barricades with stones, wood and cars to prevent the special forces from passing. Gunshots were heard until the late evening hours.

Berisha: Communist fundamentalisms and primitive Balkan nationalisms may recreate in Shkodër the dark scenarios we carried out in Vlorë The opening of fire by special forces and groups of former Sigurimi officers causes dozens of wounded. Two press conferences of the union for Democracy ON PAGE 3

State terror against the opposition continues TOPALLI: Fisher will meet the strike lawyers altogether the EC is absolved for the state of the judiciary strike and bucket the lawyers and strikers are found in celestial the provocation was caused by the government ON PAGE 2

It clashes with the declaration of the People's Assembly on the situation created in Shkodër ON PAGE 2

Young protesters in front of Hotel “Shkodra” The PD takes another initiative late last night for dialogue Outraged because dialogue was promised too late To calm the situation in the center of Shkodër, after midnight at 9:00 p.m., to address a word to the protesters in front of Hotel “Shkodra” also went the leader of the opposition, former president Sali Berisha. Accompanied by other personalities of the Democratic Party, Berisha called on the young people to protest peacefully, encouraging them to restrain themselves and protest with civility. This had been promised earlier by representatives of the government but it was promised too late, as the protesters were already irritated and radicalized. At this meeting Berisha called for the police to withdraw and not use violence against citizens.

Berja e shefesuar per gjyqesorin ON PAGE 3

Authorities must respect the citizens! God, that such a message came yesterday from the head of the OSCE mission in Tirana, Ambassador Daan Everts, the EC spokesman in Tirana, Michael Skull, the ambassador of Austria in our country, Wolfgang Petrik, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, Sefi van den Berg and the CDU MEP, Doris Pak. All of them together and each separately have made an admirable coordination in an effort to prevent the escalation of tension in the north of the country. The opposition has rightly denounced these days the actions of the left-wing government as the cause of the tension, but there has also been the argument that the opposition is encouraging the destabilization of the situation through its actions. It cannot be denied that the government has won the right through votes and has broad international support. It must govern in implementing the decisions it wants, but not kill with firearms. Let it be said immediately that there are great difficulties for the new government in administering a society with norms completely different from those of Western countries. The communists recycled on one side and last year’s anarchists on the other have the government in a vice. The remnants of the previous administration do not help it with some corrective government actions. On the contrary, a high and honest specialist, as it can be said the minister of order, Neritan Ceka, remains a victim of the shadow of communist officials who continue to act even now with the means of a criminal organization. The preservation of public calm was and remains today, as a year ago, the key problem for moving forward with reforms. In yesterday’s OSCE and EC declaration regarding the situation in Shkodër, special concern is expressed about several developments of the last few days. According to the declaration, they cannot support the use of force against peaceful demonstrators and call on the authorities to respect the fundamental rights of citizens. This declaration echoed the concerns of Western centers about the use of force beyond all control in Shkodër. On the other hand, the opposition has described the government as responsible for the latest events and for the situation created.

The PD made it clear yesterday to everyone regarding the Minister of Interior when it is bitter for the Minister of Interior The PD made it clear yesterday to everyone regarding the Minister of Interior Çeka, also an enemy of the household ON PAGE 3

World text: 4 accusations against us notebook Today on page 2, 20.01.1998 at 8:00 p.m. in the office of the Albanian Democratic Union Party in Shkodër, the presidium meeting took place with the following agenda: 1. Election of the new presidium. 2. Election of the party chairman. In fact, the place was surrounded by special police forces and SHIK. Immediately the special forces fired with firearms toward the citizens gathered in front of the office, with the aim of dispersing them. Until today, 4 citizens are dead and 11 others wounded. In this way the socialist government headed by Mr. Fatos Nano and his collaborators Mr. Bashkim Fino, Mr. Spartak Poci, Mr. Kastriot Islami, Mr. Arben Malaj, Mr. Anastas Angjeli, Ms. Makbule Çeço, Mr. Pëllumb Xhufi, Ms. Jozefina Topalli, Mr. Azem Hajdari, Mr. Sali Berisha, Mr. Tritan Shehu, Mr. Arben Imami, Mr. Ethem Ruka[?], Mr. Skënder Gjinushi, Mr. Sabri Godo, Mr. Namik Dokle, Mr. Neritan Ceka, Mr. Fatmir Mediu, Mr. Genc Pollo, Mr. Neritan Ceka, Mr. Skënder Hushi[?], Mr. Mark Frroku[?], Mr. Mahir Hoxha[?] 2. Albanian Democratic Union Party 3. “Migjeni” Writers’ Club 4. Association of former politically persecuted persons 5. “Dukagjini” Association of landowners 6. Catholic Church 7. Patriotic Association of Intellectuals “Arbën” 8. Students’ Club 9. Independent Youth Forum 10. Balli Kombëtar Party 11. Legaliteti Party 12. Independent Education Union 13. Shkodër Municipality[?] 14. Independent Cultural Club[?] 15. Democratic Women’s Association 16. County Council[?] 17. Democratic Youth 18. Sports Club “Vllaznia”[?] 19. Association of Craftsmen[?] 20. Association of the Disabled[?] 21. Ecological Club[?] 22. Association of Political Prisoners[?] 23. “Rozafa” Association[?] 24. Republican Party 25. Christian Democratic Party 26. Balli Kombëtar Party[?] 27. Party for Human Rights[?] 28. “Besa” Association[?] 29. Cultural Association “Shkodra”[?] 30. Union of Journalists[?]