The Creation of the First Operational Zone and the Scenario for the City’s Death In upcoming issues you will read: -How the Vlora Municipality was set on fire and who the arsonists were; -What Aleks Andoni did during the rebellion; today he is Chief of the General Staff of the Army; -Where Gramoz Ruçi had his wartime headquarters; -Why there was a radio transmitter in Sabit Brokaj’s autumn residence, costing 26 thousand dollars; -Who destroyed the Pashaliman naval base; -All the names of the hunger-strike students, as well as their activities, etc.

The attack on the building of the National Intelligence Service and Gazidede’s order The government’s reaction begins against the hour of truth. Nano’s and Meidani’s bodyguards burn “RD”

In June, the opposition leader will visit France The chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, responded positively yesterday to the invitation from the President of the French Senate, Rene Monori, to pay a visit to France. Berisha will make the visit, at the invitation of the second-highest state official of the French Republic, in the third week of June. Sources close to the Democratic Party headquarters said yesterday that Berisha had gladly accepted his friend’s invitation. For the DP and “Union for Democracy,” Berisha’s invitation and visit to France are considered evidence of France’s great and direct interest in supporting “Union for Democracy” and the Albanian opposition. During his stay in France, the DP delegation, headed by Mr. Berisha, will meet representatives of political forces, senior officials of the French Republic, as well as French leaders and the press. “The Prime Minister makes deals with smuggling clans” Berisha: I agree to a debate with Nano ON PAGE 3

Bloodstains are still visible in the city’s streets, while the citizens, traumatized by that horror, will never have peace of mind! ON PAGE 8

The DP calls on the authorities to reflect on the demands for improvements to the local election law. “We will not play the government’s game” The DP calls on the authorities to reflect on the demands for improvements to the local election law. “We will not play the government’s game” The attack on the permanence of the KOZ, an electoral crime Berisha: Lacking support from the gangs and committees, the ruling clique is seeking to steal votes through the law and commissions ON PAGE 3

Opposition parliamentarians ignore the correction of constitutional provisions At this roundtable, the opposition is also inviting representatives of the Venice Commission in an advisory capacity, while a decision will be made on repairing the unconstitutional amendments concerning the High Council of Justice (August 1997). The amendment concerning the government’s revision and expropriation. ON PAGE 3

Berisha meets with the President of the Venice Commission, Antonio La Pergola The chairman of the DP, Berisha, received yesterday at the Democratic Party headquarters a delegation from the Venice Commission led by the commission’s president, Antonio La Pergola. The meeting focused on issues involved in drafting the Constitution, which the participants discussed at length. DP chairman Berisha analysed the situation concerning this issue and pointed out that under socialist rule in Albania, conditions have been created in which state political retaliation against people, laws and institutions prevails. Berisha also pointed out that the democratic opposition and its leader should continue cooperating with the capacities working with the constitutional commission elected by the opposition, and that it should be part of a political blocking pact as a means of correcting decisions through consensus, and that this path should be explored to prevent the paralysis of the Constitution. The President of the Venice Commission, Antonio La Pergola, considered the opposition’s proposals reasonable, emphasizing that respect for opposition rights is a norm in a democracy. Professor La Pergola said that there had been speculation about a so-called statement by him that the opposition was dissatisfied; he clarified to the Commission that this statement was untrue. He expressed understanding for the opposition’s positions and also emphasized his and the Venice Commission’s willingness to help resolve the existing problems in drafting a Constitution that is as democratic as possible. The DP chairman stated that we have been and remain determined to work to give the country a Constitution, provided that the sovereignty of the opposition is upheld and compromise is respected. Speaking about the authorities’ restrictive positions, he made it known that the governing coalition, in order to burden the commissions and reduce their number, is using the circumstances of the last two levels to secure the PS’s share in the elections for the election of 21 June, contrary to existing laws; for the constitutional elections, it does not give “Union for Democracy” 34% of the Commission, even though it received one third of the votes. Professor La Pergola expressed particular pleasure at this meeting and at the fruitful exchange with the DP chairman, and emphasized his wish to meet again.

The Trade Union Federation of Mines, Geology and Energy announces a strike ON PAGE 4

Tirana drenched in blood again Two killed in Sheshtufinë Had the police been ready, this crime could easily have been prevented ON PAGE 7

Complaint filed with the prosecutor against the BKT Director: Why did you allow the money to flow out? The money of a company initially considered by the government to be a pyramid scheme is vanishing as if by magic. Thus, around 500 thousand dollars belonging to “Global Food” have ended up in the pockets of a minister in the Nano government. Sources at the prosecutor’s office report that a complaint has been filed against the director of the bank where the money of the loss-making company was deposited. The investigation has also involved an account in the name of one of the ministers in the Nano government, who received 50 thousand dollars from the company’s account just in the last stretch. Arben Malaj, the well-known expert on the pyramid schemes Cenaj & Co and Global Food, is the holder of the company’s 500 thousand dollars in business funds. Over the last 17 months he has withdrawn 300 thousand dollars from this bank, while the most recent withdrawals were made a few days before his flight to America. Thus, 150 thousand dollars belonging to this company ended up in the minister’s pocket on 10 May this year, and another 30 thousand USD was withdrawn on 14 May, shortly before the minister was caught in America. Global Food Company, in which the minister himself acknowledged receiving fees in his capacity as an accounting expert, was initially included in the transparency process along with five other companies. After the company was audited, only 3 million USD were found out of the 5 million USD it had initially held, but gradually the company was no longer mentioned by Prime Minister Arapin. By a government decision, at some point this company, in Nano’s name, was granted “exoneration” and was not subjected to the transparency audit.

After the attack on the National Intelligence Service building, the city came under the control of armed gangs, which multiplied the weapons they had initially possessed with those looted from army depots. At that time, the Vlora hospital became a slaughterhouse, where more victims than anywhere else in Albania fought death every day. The photograph shows precisely such a moment, reminiscent of similar scenes in Rwanda. SPECIAL FEATURE ON PAGE 5

On Saturday, a large rally in “Skënderbej” Square Citizens of Tirana On Saturday, 23 May 1998, at 18:30 in “Skënderbej” Square, “Union for Democracy,” the trade unions and the associations supporting this political formation will organize a large gathering to protest: -Against political repression and the government’s efforts to eliminate the opposition. -Against the misery and poverty brought by the rule of the left-wing coalition. -Against the runaway rise in prices. -Against the increase in taxes that is destroying business and trade. -Against smuggling and government officials. -Against the government’s deception over increases in wages and pensions and their indexation. -Against the deception over returning the money left in the pyramid schemes. -Brothers and sisters, The rule of the left-wing coalition has plunged the country into a deep economic, political, social, psychological and moral crisis, which is worsening every day. Everyone to “Skënderbej” Square on Saturday, 23 May, at 18:30, to stand up for the future of your country and your children. Tomorrow will be too late. “UNION FOR DEMOCRACY”