Barricades, tension, gunfire and insecurity in the city. Fire was thrown on the bars and Havaars. Snipers over the apartment blocks Today, 1 month ago, around midnight on 18 December 1997, automatic weapons from Dervish Hekali's prearranged ambush killed the chairman of the PD district branch in Shkodër, the deputy for that district, the prominent anti-communist militant Aziz Hajdari. A few weeks later, also in Shkodër, and again by the same hands of crime and with the same political weapon, two other prominent PD activists, respected citizens and steadfast democrats, the former political prisoner Qazim Basha and the student Arben Broci, were also killed. Never before over these murders has the government remained silent, and no one has taken it upon themselves to face the public opinion about them. Even more so, no one has tried to make it clear that these terrorist murders, worthy of today's Chechnya, where revenge is considered law and morality, took place in Shkodër. Never before has the government taken care to uncover the perpetrators, condemn the killers, and take measures to prevent them from happening again. On the contrary, the Nano-Bare government has done everything to justify the killing of deputy Hajdari and to tolerate and encourage the climate of terror in Shkodër. The criminal publicity of Prime Minister Nano wants to convince us at any cost that the events of 17 January in Shkodër were a revolt of the people against the restoration of monism or the communist revival in the city of democracy? Convinced that nothing of the sort happened and that these events were caused by government mercenaries, dressed up as citizens, the people of Shkodër have waited and protested calmly and with dignity. Driven to despair by the lack of justice and by the public insult to the memory of their victims, they want to know who killed the boys of Shkodër and who is protecting the killers. The Democratic Party considers the government, and especially Prime Minister Nano, responsible for the situation created in Shkodër. The state has turned into a shield for political killers and is using the police to cover up the crime. ON PAGE 3

Berisha: Communist fundamentalism and primitive nationalisms are making politics with the graves of those killed in the war The seller is provoking bloodshed in the anti-communist city. Wounded citizens and police officers The seller, the instigator of the unrest The opening of fire by special forces and groups of former security agents leaves dozens wounded. Two press conferences of the Union for Democracy Sali Berisha with representatives of centre-right parties at the headquarters of the Union for Democracy. Alla Demaj, Pjetër Arbnori, Aleksandër Meksi, Sokol Olldashi, Genc Pollo, Tritan Shehu, Niko Rrapo. Barricades, tension, gunfire and insecurity in the city. Fire was thrown on the bars and Havaars. Snipers over the apartment blocks ON PAGES 2-3

We are against any kind of state violence Full text of the statement Today, on 20.01.1998 at 20:00, at the office of the prefect of Shkodër, Azem Hajdari, the religious community of Shkodër, Mark Gjonaj, Mansia?, Mr. Kastriot Islami, Mr. Aleksandër Biberaj, Mr. Luan Baci, Mr. Bardhyl Mahmuti, Mr. Haxhi Hoxha, Mr. Nure Hoxha, Mr. Koli Sokoli, etc., took part in the meeting held to stabilise the situation in Shkodër and to avoid any further escalation of tension. The participants condemned the acts of violence and called for restraint from all sides. They appealed for respect for the institutions and for the preservation of public calm. ON PAGE 3

The PD also undertakes a very late initiative for dialogue No revuzo meeting After yesterday’s second session of the centre in Shkodër, in the evening at 9:00 p.m., in order to find a solution to the ongoing request for parliamentary intervention. The demands are continually clear and also defined. The chairman of the PD parliamentary group, Tritan Shehu, presented the proposed project in parliament. The aim of this initiative is to normalise the situation that has been created and to continue the dialogue in order to find an understanding among the political forces. This is the first step taken by the opposition to avoid a further escalation of the situation. ON PAGES 2-3

State terror against the opposition continues The IPF, in the name of the “fight against crime,” freed from every professional restraint, carries out the orders of the police officers who command its leaders. Last night dynamite was thrown at the PDSH offices in Shkodër, making clear the escalation of terror. Opposition activists denounced this act as a political attack. ON PAGE 2

Topalli: The turmoil was provoked by the government Topalli: the turmoil was provoked by the government It was time to return to the People's Assembly about the situation created in Shkodër. The government should answer for the perpetrators Luan Daci, member of the presidency of the PDSH, in an interview for “Rilindja Demokratike,” denounced the government’s responsibility for the situation created in Shkodër. He said that Tuesday evening was marked by high tensions and by a lack of will for dialogue. In his statement, Daci called for those responsible for the provocations to be brought before justice and for the government to assume responsibility for the events. ON PAGE 3

The drafted bill on the state of the judiciary The hall? of the People's Assembly in Shkodër will present today in parliament its own project to open dialogue. The aim of this initiative is to create a parliamentary commission to investigate the killings and identify responsibilities. Fischer is expected to hold meetings with government jurists to discuss the legal paths for resolving the crisis. ON PAGE 3

DD accuses him of burning the fleet in Vlorë even when it is bitter for the Ministry of the Interior ON PAGE 3

Today, 1 month ago, around midnight on 18 December 1997, automatic weapons from Dervish Hekali's prearranged ambush killed the chairman of the PD district branch in Shkodër, the deputy for that district, the prominent anti-communist militant Aziz Hajdari. A few weeks later, also in Shkodër, and again by the same hands of crime and with the same political weapon, two other prominent PD activists, respected citizens and steadfast democrats, the former political prisoner Qazim Basha and the student Arben Broci, were also killed. Never before over these murders has the government remained silent, and no one has taken it upon themselves to face the public opinion about them. Even more so, no one has tried to make it clear that these terrorist murders, worthy of today's Chechnya, where revenge is considered law and morality, took place in Shkodër. Never before has the government taken care to uncover the perpetrators, condemn the killers, and take measures to prevent them from happening again. On the contrary, the Nano-Bare government has done everything to justify the killing of deputy Hajdari and to tolerate and encourage the climate of terror in Shkodër.