The government orders the torture of political opponents ON PAGE 4

“Deloitte & Touche” now the sole administrator ON PAGE 5

Police Chief Ceka keeps Lazarat in a state of terror ON PAGE 4

Tens of thousands of residents of the capital demonstrate in the squares and streets of Tirana. Magnificent rallies in “Skënderbej” Square and “Democracy” Square on the seventh anniversary of the toppling of the dictator’s bust. Extraordinary meeting of the National Council of the DP

Statement of the National Council of the Democratic Party The DP National Council examined, at an extraordinary meeting on 20.02.1998, the political crisis in the country, the new wave of terrorism and state violence against the DP, its structures and leaders, local government, as well as ways to stop government terror against the opposition. At this meeting, the DP National Council discussed the statement of the European Parliamentary Troika. Thirty-six members of the National Council took part in the meeting. The DP National Council: - condemns the violence and the Nano government’s resolve to attack and destroy the DP and its representatives, - expresses its strongest indignation at the government attack against Mr. Hajdari, his family and the group accompanying him, - considers the demand to lift Azem Hajdari’s parliamentary immunity to be an entirely political measure, accompanied by accusations fabricated by the State Security Service, - denounces the government’s manipulation of the prosecution and the judiciary in this matter, - demands an independent investigation and trial in this matter, with the participation of international investigators and judges, to ensure a fair process, - considers the former interior minister and DP National Council member, Mr. Alik Z, to be a political prisoner, and demands his immediate release, - considers that the 13 people arrested in the government’s Milot trap, prominent DP activists, are being held in prison for political reasons and demands their immediate release, - condemns the arrest and torture in custody of Gjergj Deda, former chief of the criminal police in Shkodër, who is a politically persecuted person and one of the most distinguished Albanian police officers in the fight against crime, - judges that such attacks on opposition politicians are carried out in line with the platform announced by Prime Minister Nano, who characterizes the opposition as a political terrorist group, - condemns the government’s unlawful dismissal of the chairmen of the Korçë and Gramsh district councils, considers it a very serious government provocation against the opposition, a grave violation of the law and an assault on the institution, and demands their reinstatement in office in accordance with the law, - welcomes the visit and statement of the European Parliamentary Troika as a sincere commitment by the West to resolving the deep crisis and advancing democracy in Albania, - observes that the Nano government is trying by every means to avoid implementing the recommendations of the European Parliamentary Troika, - insists that the Nano government concretely fulfill the Troika’s demands concerning the guarantee of opposition rights, respect for the independence of the judiciary, implementation of the tripartite agreement reached with the striking judges, parliamentary monitoring, removal of former State Security Service officers from the public administration, in accordance with the agreement reached with former political persecutées, faithful implementation of the Arbnori amendment and the 28 October agreement of the parliamentary political parties to establish a media-monitoring commission, etc. - stresses that the Democratic Party of Albania is a party faithful to the principles of parliamentarism, - welcomes the recommendation of the central leadership of the Democratic Party of Albania to participate in parliament and engage in fruitful constitutional dialogue, - considers that the entry of Democratic MPs will depend on the fulfillment of the above conditions, - decides to hold broad discussions among the DP branch activists in the spirit of this statement, - decides that the decision on parliament will be taken at the next meeting of the National Council, which must be convened in two weeks and decide on the basis of concrete progress in meeting the above demands, - decides, in order to curb the drive to dismantle democracy and the terror against the opposition, to call on Nano for the DP to engage in resistance, protests and broad demonstrations, - considers that a Technical Government would constitute a political development that would help end the crisis and normalize the political situation in the country, and that only new parliamentary elections will put Albania back on the path of democracy, economic development and integration into Europe. Tirana, 20.02.1998

Gent Strazimiri, the new FRPD chairman. The fifth congress of the young Democrats concluded its work yesterday Berisha: “We will not go to Europe with gangs and committees, but with new elections” ON PAGE 2

“Parliament cannot dismiss any member of the Constitutional Court” ON PAGE 4

Breaking news At the latest meeting of the Albanian government, Prime Minister Nano sent Hussein an ultimatum, demanding that he accept the UN inspectors unconditionally. Otherwise—Nano declared sharply—we will declare war on Iraq! Following this statement, Defence Minister Brokaj requested a detailed plan concerning Saddam’s presidential victims’ [sic] [?], which are suspected of containing chemical weapons. Meanwhile, according to reliable sources close to the Iraqi president, the latter has demanded Qago Apostoli in exchange for granting the UN inspectors permission to enter. It is not yet known what position the Albanian government will adopt, but at the Nano conference it seems that this is a deal not without its benefits.

Yesterday, at Skënderbej Square

Greetings from the chairman of the DP, Sali Berisha ON PAGE 4

Creditors on Sunday at Skënderbej Square The National Creditors’ Association announces that it has obtained permission from the police directorate to hold a peaceful gathering at Skënderbej Square, Tirana, on Sunday, 22.02.'98, from 11:30 to 13:00. All members of creditors’ associations and all citizens who deposited money with the rentier firms are invited to attend. Those participating in the rally are requested to comply with all the requirements laid down by the law on peaceful assemblies and protests.