PD secures support for a return to victory

PD chairman Sali Berisha concludes his visit to France on page 2

EU closes its doors to Albania

The country is farther from Europe than ever. Albania is de facto outside the Pact

The parade of the mangy goat

editorial By Sokol OLLDASHI If you are unfortunate enough to have to walk these rainy days along Shkolla e Bashkuar Street, in addition to endless mud you must also contend with a huge rush of boys wearing a uniform that looks somewhat like a soldier’s. In fact, they are soldiers gathered from all the districts of the country to prepare for the parade marking the 55th anniversary of Albania’s Liberation. Dressed in some rags imported from the People’s Republic of China back in 1973, when Beqir Balluku was Minister of Defence, the soldiers marching past Rexhep Meidani, commander of the armed forces of Çerrik and all Albania, look more like bashibozuks placed amid the theatrical props of today’s Albanian government, which builds nothing but façades on page 3

Two hunger strikes imminent

on page 9 Politically persecuted people and more than 2,000 drivers from across the country, heading into a sit-in

A large rally in Fier on Saturday

Citizens of Fier! “Union for Democracy” invites you on Saturday, 27 November, at 12:00, to the city’s central square for a protest rally calling for new elections. New elections are the only hope for you, thousands of unemployed people, whose numbers grow every day as the Albanian economy continues to deteriorate. on page 5

EC: aid for Albania in 2002

Foreign investment is now a dream on page 9

Marie Kraja, the sound of a voice that will never fade

The great artist of Albanian music passes away on page 10

Memorial to Azem at Qyteti Studenti

FRPD of Tirana immortalizes the symbol of democracy among students on page 2

Tirana PD: Mustaku has not been expelled

on page 4

The government protects Azem Hajdari’s killers

Today, 437 days since the murder of the December Leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, proves the involvement of Fatos Nano’s government and its successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The former communist governments, which left free and unprotected the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, show Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the criminals, who have names of their own but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honoured Azem Hajdari can in no way tolerate this fact. The government must either capture the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.