Students and lecturers of “Fan S. Noli” University triumph on page 6

On Saturday, December 11, [it] organizes a rally in “Skënderbej” Square

Vehbi Alimucaj has been tortured in his cell to make him utter accusations against the PD and Berisha Shemsie Kadria has been summoned to slander the PD in exchange for her release

editorial Today we commemorate together the immortal deed of the liberating students who, 9 years ago, led by the tribune of Albanian nationalism, together with intellectuals, workers, and the citizens of Tirana, fought the legendary battle in the streets and squares of the capital against Europe’s fiercest, most criminal dictatorship, brought it to its knees, and on December 11 founded the Albanians’ first opposition party after half a century: the party of human freedoms and rights, the party of national values, the Democratic Party of Albania. Today, nine years ago, students from the University of Tirana, led by the tribune of Albanian freedom, Azem Hajdari, together with intellectuals, workers, and the citizens of Tirana, brought down the Berlin Wall in Albania, brought Europe’s fiercest dictatorship to its knees, triumphed over it, and opened the gates of birth, the gate to the West, the gate to the future in Albania and for the Albanians on page 3

Today, 451 days since the murder of the December Leader Every alibi advanced in connection with the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, proves the involvement of the government of Fatos Nano and his successor. In this crime, which shook the entire Albanian world, the government of the former communists, which keeps at liberty and unpunished the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, showed Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the killers, who have always been and remain on the side of those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari cannot tolerate this fact any longer. The government must either uncover the case and bring the criminals to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Protest by workers at the Durrës-Gdansk shipyard against the Polish side’s plundering and the Mafia-like officials in the Ministry of Transport

The OSCE ambassador’s aide responds to fabrications against the PD The OSCE has again denied, through the ambassador’s aide, Ahrens, the uproar stirred up in the left-wing media, supposedly about an official position by this institution regarding developments within the Democratic Party. The PD, through its representative for International Relations, Mustafa, has also asked the OSCE office in Tirana for clarification regarding statements attributed to that office by various media outlets in connection with the PD. In response to the letter sent yesterday by Mr. Besnik Mustafaj concerning the left-wing press’s speculation about a so-called OSCE report on the Democratic Party, Majkell Robinson, the OSCE ambassador’s aide in Tirana, replied by stating that the OSCE had not issued a report on the Democratic Party, thus refuting the left-wing press’s usual fabrications. The OSCE and its office in Tirana have repeatedly reiterated their position on the neutrality of the organization they represent regarding political developments within various political formations. The OSCE spokesperson in Tirana, Porta, also responded immediately to the uproar in the left-wing media over the recent speculation invoking the OSCE’s name, refuting it.

One year after the strikers signed the agreement with the government, not a single demand has been resolved on page 10 One year after the strikers signed the agreement with the government, not a single demand has been resolved Shkodër students on strike on page 10

The 2000 budget: less money, electricity, and water; more problems in infrastructure and education on page 8 The 2000 budget: less money, electricity, and water; more problems in infrastructure and education Angjeli’s budget: a sackful of lies on page 8

on page 4

Year IX of publication No. (2410) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1999 Price: 20 lekë (250 drachmas) EDITORIAL OFFICE ADDRESS: 10 “Xhorxhi Martini” St. - Tel: 323 - 55 / Tel & Fax: 303-29 / (Marketing) 323 - 57 E-mail: gazetard@albani online.net and rildem@icc.al.eu.org Account No.: 5092/116 - BKT No. 1, Tirana Editor-in-Chief: Astrit PATOZI Deputy Editors-in-Chief: Sami NEZA, Shemsi PEPO SHI

Members of the National Council of the PDSH are hereby notified that a meeting of the National Council will be held in Tirana on Monday, December 13, 1999, at 11:00, with the following agenda: 1 - Approval of amendments to the “Regulation on the Functioning of the Central Bodies of the PDSH,” the “Internal Regulations of PDSH Branches,” the “Regulations of the PDSH Disciplinary Committees,” and the “PDSH Financial Regulations.” 2 - Discussion of the PDSH’s activities in the current situation. (Note: Copies of the materials to be discussed are available from the Organization Section)