Ambassador Everts reacts to the unlawful dismissal of Rustem Gjata - The parliament’s decision is neither fair nor acceptable The PD and the Centre Right seek criminal prosecution for Bezhani. The parliament’s decision is regarded as illegitimate “Our deputies state that if the mandate of the President of the Constitutional Court is not respected in accordance with Albania’s constitutional law, then we will consider that parliament is turning the country into a constitutional regime that will not be respected in accordance with Albania’s constitutional law. Even the head of the OSCE mission in Tirana is making this position clear. Ambassador Everts makes it clear that the parliament’s decision to dismiss Mr. Gjata is neither fair nor acceptable.” Dan Everts The leadership of the Centre Right is calling for criminal punishment for Bezhani. The parliament’s decision is considered illegitimate. The Centre Right at least views yesterday’s act by the SP in parliament as unconstitutional and as causing a political crisis in the country. “The Centre Right considers that yesterday’s decision by parliament was made at a time when the country is in such a political, social and economic situation that it cannot endure even the smallest crisis.” They also mention, among other things, the exoduses being caused by this situation in the country, as well as the extreme tension in Kosovo. Turning to the election of the President of the Constitutional Court, the Centre Right group expresses regret that the same old habits of anti-democratic events are being repeated in Albanian politics. “They have serious consequences for Albania’s image before international opinion, especially on the eve of such an important situation as that of Kosovo.” According to them, the argument used by the majority that Parliament has the right to remove the President of the Constitutional Court from office does not stand either. “It has the right to appoint and dismiss only those members of the Constitutional Court whom it has itself appointed.” The Centre Right says that such an action by parliament sets a very dangerous precedent for the future of this country. In his statement, Dan Everts emphasizes that the parliament’s decision to remove the President of the Constitutional Court from office was not made in respect of the law. He also states that in this matter the Constitutional Court must be respected in accordance with the law. “The action should have been based on the principle of its independence.” Referring to the situation in the country, Everts said that this issue becomes even more important given the pronounced lack of institutions in Albania. He described yesterday’s parliamentary action as unfair. “The dismissal of the President of the Constitutional Court would be such a decision even in some other country.”

“Our deputies declare that if the mandate of the President of the Constitutional Court is not respected in accordance with Albania’s constitutional law, then we will consider that parliament is leading the country toward an autocratic regime and we will condemn all our current positions” Yesterday’s press conference of the Union for Democracy

Remove them, a table for the constitution After the failure of yesterday’s parliamentary session, the Coalition Government issued a statement through its spokesperson holding the opposition parties responsible. The right-wing forces involved in the right and centre alliance categorically reject this claim and call it a condemnatory statement. At yesterday’s meeting of the centre-right leadership, the centre-right forces involved in it made this assessment of the parliament’s decision to remove from office the President of the Constitutional Court, Mr. Rustem Gjata. In a press statement by this political force, it is said, among other things: “Starting from the positions expressed in the media by Prime Minister Nano and by the Speaker of Parliament Skënder Gjinushi, addressed to the opposition and their discussions with the parliamentary forces of the centre and the right as allegedly responsible for the failure of yesterday’s parliamentary session and the causing of a needless political crisis, we underline the following: 1. The centre-right strongly condemns these accusations and considers them untrue and politically motivated, accusations that only further fuel political tension in the country. The sole responsibility for the boycott of yesterday’s session and its failure belongs, and belongs exclusively, to the majority, which itself created the conditions for such a failure. 2. The centre-right considers entirely unacceptable the procedure and the manner in which today’s majority decided to dismiss the President of the Constitutional Court. For the procedures followed in this case, the entire parliamentary, executive and judicial system bears responsibility for a heavy blow to the rule of law in Albania. 3. The centre-right demands that, on the issue of the constitution, reforms and parliamentary cooperation, an immediate joint table of parliamentary forces be set up, where the fundamental issues of state reform and the democratic integration of the country will be addressed.”

Mejdani spoils the celebration in Elbasan ON PAGE 2

The parliamentary leadership blocks land activity, protects lawbreakers ON PAGE 4

Parliament protects the disclosures, secret agreement Nano-Milošević Lawbreakers secret Nano-Milošević Occupied Kosovo and the consequences of the Kretë kisses disclosures of the secret agreement Nano-Milošević ON PAGE 2 Parliament, leadership and operations block land activity, protect lawbreakers. The parliamentary congress instead puts only the debate on unemployment on the agenda. This led the opposition to declare that this majority cannot govern and is ready to continue with strong protests. Meanwhile yesterday in the Assembly the republicans blocked its work and some of them did not enter the hall at all. Later their leader Fatmir Mediu told the media that the right-wing opposition blocked the proceedings for harsh political reasons. 30 police personnel have surrounded the parliament square. In a demonstrative manner they forcibly and violently stopped PD sympathizers who had gathered there and were protesting against the decision to remove the President of the Constitutional Court from office. The reasons for this protest, as also stated on their banners, were: -Against the majority’s double standards, -against the declaration of the President of the Constitutional Court as independent and constitutional, -against the kidnapping of parliament and the right of Albanian democracy. Se. Muhedin [?]

Geka phones Elbasan, take care, our drivers Geka phones Elbasan, take care, our drivers ON PAGE 4 Three houses are seized by the police Property shuts down forcedly and destroys innocent victims ON PAGE 5 The "Vllaznia" team on hunger strike Shkodër boxers against the arrest of Zef Çorri ON PAGE 4

The initiative committee of the LIRISHA organization, after a meeting with Mr. Bilal Xhaferri, decided that as of today, 18.03.1998, it will form a broad working group for the opening and creation of this new cultural organization, which will include, without restriction, Albanians of all faiths, regions and beliefs, for the completion of the busa. The leadership of the Independent Albanian Research Journey

THE LAST CENTURY OF TEEN-INGS FOR FOUR DAYS Instead of "Qemal Stafa"-Bingo, two moves unfinished outside the city Wonderful magic-bingo of 1 May 1998 telephone 7 1998 Bingo two moves? layouts? in 00000 lek, closed