PD deputies have sufficient information proving a state violence scenario at the expense of the people of Shkodra. The Democratic Party Presidium meets: protests throughout the country in support of the hunger strikers’ demands

Neritan Çeka and others like him in Albanian politics accused the citizens of Shkodra two days ago of being terrorists. They tried to spread this throughout the country, calling on criminals like Zani not to lay down their arms until democracy was overthrown. It was Çeka himself who, in Vorë, shouted in front of people that they should not lay down their arms. Çeka, Gjinushi, and Nano were the ones who told the indignant people, like unwashed criminals, not to lay down their arms until the PD gave up power. Under their hysterical screams, half of Albania was burned and destroyed. Under their cries of hatred, innocent Albanians were killed solely so that they could come to power. The criminals directed by them attacked state institutions, even putting the integrity of the country at risk. Today these very scum dare to accuse the citizens of Shkodra of being terrorists. They talk about protecting the state. They accuse the opposition of inciting the country’s destabilization, and so on. The people of Shkodra, insulted by an ignoramus and idiot like Mihat Havari, rose up in protest to defend their dignity. Not a single window was broken, not a single shop was looted, and no incident took place. Nevertheless, Çeka, Islami, and Nano spoke of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the country. These were the very people who cheered when their own people burned town halls, looted, terrorized, and even ripped innocent people apart alive. Today these people acted as if they were the most innocent of all. Today they speak in the name of tolerance, speak in the name of protecting the state, and accuse the opposition of being destructive. Meanwhile, this opposition, accused of being destructive, was calling—against the will of the government officials—for the situation in Shkodra to be stabilized. It would have been very easy for today’s opposition to act like the scum now in power and aggravate the situation. Indeed, unlike them, today’s opposition did not need to invent lies to do so. Today’s opposition could also have fomented the north-south divide and claimed that the farmer from Vlora, Mid’hat Havari, wanted to exterminate the citizens of Shkodra. Today’s opposition could also have declared that Greek troops had been sent to save the Albanians in Shkodra. Today’s opposition could have fanned the government officials’ irresponsible statements that the people of Shkodra would be crushed by force. Today’s opposition could have called on the citizens of Shkodra to take up arms to restore their dignity. But none of this happened. On the contrary, the opposition tried throughout to calm tempers and prevent the situation from escalating. It would have been very easy for the opposition to exploit the situation in Shkodra to return the country once again to the state it was in last spring, but that did not happen. On that very day, the opposition called for calm and declared that Shkodra would never become like Vlora and that the people of Shkodra would not be used to provide a pretext for any party. “The Democrats will come to power only through the free vote,” Berisha declared, whereas if he were criminal and scum like Ceka, he would shout, “Don’t lay down your arms until communism is restored.” Enemies, they helped prolong the accusations against the bridges. They continue to provoke while absurdly accusing the opposition of being destructive. They were real; they continue to carry out their criminal scenario to destabilize the country. A little earlier, the bastard Gjergj Zefi also joined the gang of criminals, both outside and in power today; he called the people of Shkodra criminals and urged all Albanians not to give up Shkodra, the place of his birth. Such and even harsher statements than those of the Socialist Party once again identified the opposition with Shkodra, which, on the basis of [unclear], was to form [unclear], worthy of the party of this ignoramus and of his brawling with Ceka and Islami. In any case, in this grave situation, the opposition’s calls for calm and restraint in the face of the government officials’ provocations prevailed. The opposition, in a first-of-its-kind voice, calls for help in Shkodra for the communist citizens, although from this first voice, for 60 years, the rulers had held the vote. Unfortunately, it seems the government officials have decided to lead the country toward chaos once again. They continue not to let the people go. The people cannot be ignored.

After the situation calmed down, the police director seeks revenge 11 police officers whose arrest warrants have been completed [?] are not ... in Shkodra ...

The PD chairman speaks about the meeting with the delegation of European parliamentarians In the newspaper there is a will on the part of the governing coalition, which is no longer a majority but merely a coalition; I can say that the country can be given a constitution ON PAGE 3

The geography of hunger strikes in support of jurists is expanding A delegation from the Association of Democratic Anti-Communist Persecuted People of Ballsh went on hunger strike yesterday in support of the striking jurists. This brings the number of jurists’ supporters higher, as the jurists enter the 20th day of their hunger strike today. Delegations made up of persecuted people have also gone on hunger strike in the cities of Tirana, Durrës, Kavajë and Fier, while warnings of strikes have arrived from other cities around the country. Judges on strike throughout the country have shown solidarity with the striking jurists by intermittently halting hearings. The Albanian opposition is also calling on Albanians to take to the streets in protest in support of the jurists.

Judges confined for 20 days, defending the independence of the judiciary

Apostoli and Ceka are “terrorizing” 470,000 residents ON PAGE 5

The residents of Mamurras show solidarity with the hunger strikers ON PAGE 4

Minister Ceka is concealing the address of the policemen detained in Shkodër

Berisha and Fisher last night at Rogner Photo: Albes Fusha Berisha and Fisher last night at Rogner. Photo: Albes Fusha

On Saturday, 24 January 1998, at 12:00, in “Skënderbej” Square, the Democratic Party, Tirana Branch, is organizing a peaceful protest rally in support of the hunger strikers, judges, and political persecuted who are sacrificing themselves in defense of the independence of the judiciary and against the repeal of the “Anti-Genocide” law, which allows people from the former Sigurimi who have been implicated in crimes to enter the state administration. Everyone to the square in defense of democracy and its values. The Presidium of the Democratic Party

The European troika in Tirana. Fruitful meeting with Berisha at the Rogner. Pack: This parliament has many problems

protesters The 11 policemen for whom arrest warrants have been issued are known in Shkodër as the guardians of order during the difficult days of March ON PAGE 4

Breaking news The Albanian Parliament, concerned by recent events in our country, set up a series of commissions to resolve all the problems. The most suitable people have been put in charge of them. Commission on Smuggling Chairman: Bashkim FINO Anti-Crime Commission Chairman: Gafurr MAZREKU Commission for the Control of the Press and Media Chairman: Femi ABDIU Commission for the Reorganization of Customs Chairman: Gramoz PASHKO Commission for the Control of Pyramid Firms Chairman: Arben MALAJ Anti-Drug and Anti-Alcohol Commission Chairman: Fatos NANO Commission for Dealing with the Opposition Chairman: Neritan CEKA Commission for the Elimination of Gangs in Vlorë, Tepelenë and Gjirokastër Chairman: Zabit BROKAJ Commission for Investigating the Cërnik Massacre Chairman: Rexhep MIDANI Commission for Reopening the 2 April Case, Shkodër Chairman: Fadil CANI Turkey-Albania Friendship Commission Chairman: Vasil MELO F.C