22 March 1992–1998 “Day of Democracy” Six years ago, on 22 March, the Albanian people overthrew the communist dictatorial regime with a free vote. Today, neo-dictatorship and neocommunism are being restored at speed. On Sunday, 22 March 1998, at 12:00, in “Skënderbej” Square. On the Day of Democracy, “Union for Democracy” will gather to protest: - Against the establishment of neo-dictatorship - Against the campaign waged by the ruling clique to destroy the opposition - In defense of democratic constitutional institutions - Against extreme poverty and the daily rise in prices - Against the high taxes that are destroying business and trade - Against the deception about wage increases, while wages and pensions are not being indexed - Against the deception about returning the money deposited in pyramid schemes. Brothers and sisters, On the Day of Democracy, everyone to “Skënderbej” Square in defense of democracy and against the re-establishment of dictatorship. UNION FOR DEMOCRACY THE GALLOPING RISE IN PRICES PD government — PS government 1. Oil 120 lek — 190–210 lek 2. Pasta 30 “ — 650 “ 3. Sugar 60 “ — 100 “ 4. Rice 60 “ — 90 “ 5. Flour 33–35 “ — 80 “ 6. Cheese 220 “ — 400–750 “ 7. Meat 350 “ — 650–700 “ 8. Butter 300 “ — 700 “ 9. Eggs 6.5 “ — 18–20 “ 10. Beans 75 “ — 190–230 “ 11. Salt 15 “ — 30 “ 12. Kerosene 28 “ — 72 “

The coup against the Constitutional Court, a challenge seeking to fan the flames of confrontation in the country Those who burned the municipalities, police stations, and banks last year to come to power are now burning the last institutions of the rule of law.

The President of the Court of Cassation, Avni Shehu, speaks about Gjata’s dismissal: Political logic has prevailed over legal logic

Bardhyl LONDO “In the beginning was the Word,” says the Bible. The word, or, in a broader sense, communication, human agreement. When the word is lost, the Tower of Babel collapses on the ominous horizon, and the great upheaval comes; Noah’s Ark is sought. Each passing day in this cold, bitter March, it seems that the word has been completely devalued. Our leaders have forgotten how to speak Albanian; they know only the language of special forces and police officers. Our government officials have become mute and know how to communicate only through the weapons of threats, force, and violence. In broad daylight, in the middle of the capital, the Constitutional Court is laid waste. Could anything more insane happen in Albania after this? As in an ominous dream, special forces rise up and surround Azem Hajdari, a member of parliament, and surround a son who still considers a rifle a child’s toy. Who will answer for this open deployment of the armed forces? Who will answer for the threatening statements that some judicial institutions are supposedly criminal, when even a baby in the cradle knows that there may be people involved in crime, but no such institutions? Albanian institutions are being abused and insulted in the most unforgivable way. They are being attacked and surrounded as if they had been occupied by the most brutal enemies. The logic of the law and the mechanism of the vote have lost their power. Institutions are hanging at the point of the bayonet, raised at the order of Albanian rulers. Why is Albania going through such a bitter and frightening March? All this is happening as the opposition, showing forgiveness, a willingness to communicate, and full commitment, and moved not by national fanaticism but by political fanaticism, agrees to return to Parliament out of respect for the accepted institutions and in the hope of the institution about which it rightly has many doubts. And here, what is done in the name of hope has meaning. In Albania, in its situation, Linda Peshkëpi.

The opposition cannot become an accomplice of political terrorists If the President of the Constitutional Court is excluded from the rotation, that will mean there is no room left in Albania for political dialogue, because dictatorship has been fully established in the country ON PAGE 3

The Albanian government is exploiting the grave situation in Kosovo ON PAGE 3

Ngjela speaks out. Certain state sectors are seeking to conceal the documents that incriminate the former opposition for the rebellion Ngjela: Justice on the brink of the abyss ON PAGE 3 Ngjela: The political class leading the state is irresponsible

More than 50,000 Albanians demonstrate in Prishtina. Protests in all the cities of Kosovo ON PAGE 6

Gelbard, Van Den Brooek and Geremek in Tirana The visit of the three diplomats takes place just a few hours after the deadline set by the Contact Group for Milošević expires, and just a few days before the Contact Group meeting, which will determine the international community’s position toward Serbia. ON PAGE 3

Citizens concerned about the government’s troubles After political anarchy and a [corrupted?] government attack, the completely independent daily “Koha Jonë,” with predetermined and unemployed [colored?] letters, have expressed their solidarity, declaring themselves ready to offer help so that even on a sunny day, [sons?] can help improve and put the government situation in order. Some have even offered themselves, solely to contribute to finding possible solutions to the crisis. Given that the people are deeply moved [shu[n?]i] They themselves did not hide their tears at home when they read in the “Koha Jonë” article that Bahorja had apparently taken a seat in the government [community?] in central Tirana. Many citizens got ready to vacate their homes to make room for an office of management, and to sacrifice themselves by living in that wretched building called the Council of Ministers. And although there are some who say that the building must absolutely be [something?] because of the bullets inside it, without supporting [them?] as to whether they mean a veil of wounds [kan[k?]ë].

At the Student City On Tuesday at around 23:30, three people attempted to take the lives of two students from Kosovo... ON PAGE 2

Ngjela: The political class leading the state is irresponsible