The Albanian crisis is resolved by democratic means Yesterday afternoon, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, met with the U.S. ambassador, Mr. Jozef Limpreht, at the latter’s request. The meeting included extensive discussion of recent developments in the country, following the fall of the eurosocialist government at the PS congress, as well as the Democratic Party’s alternatives for resolving the current crisis through peaceful means and channels. Berisha emphasized that the eurosocialist government lost confidence solely because of the dialogue it established with the opposition, but that this is not a matter for the DP. The ambassador listened with interest to Mr. Berisha’s analysis of the crisis and ways to resolve it by democratic means, with neither side resorting to violence. The meeting was cordial and open.

The 40 best-known names in the PS sign the break with Nano Nano calls the second session of the Congress, Majko and his supporters will convene the KPD on pages 2–3 The DP leadership met. Not a new government, but new elections

EDITORIAL

By Astrit PATOZI Albanian democrats are today at the most critical point in their history, if they do not know how to assume the role that falls to them and provide a solution to the paradoxical situation that has gripped the country after the congress of the Socialist Party. Now that Fatos Nano has brought down his party’s government with the same force and severity as if it had been his fierce political opponent, the opposition seems to have been left in the difficult position of someone who has, in a way, accepted their gradual loss of influence. It is truly regrettable that there are still people in the opposition who say that, at this time, the Democratic Party should wait to see how things develop in the opposing camp, and then take advantage of any possible mistake they make. on page 3

Crime strikes again in the capital on page 10

The International Community supports the democratic protests on page 4

Interview with PD presidium member Halit Shamata While the (1) 3rd Congress of the PS sparked debates all around, the PD assembly stirred up politics with the ideas it put forward, taking on the greatest possible risk and responsibilities to lead the country out of its total crisis on page 5

The PD presidium met. Not a new government but new elections Under the leadership of PDSH Chairman Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, the PDSH presidium met yesterday and discussed the situation in the country, the PD’s objectives in this situation, as well as some organizational issues concerning the PD. The PDSH presidium, expressing its conviction that new elections are the only way to bring the country out of the total crisis into which the current authorities have plunged it, discussed the ways and means of achieving this objective. In the conditions of an all-encompassing crisis, when the socialists themselves have brought down their third government in two years, it can no longer be tolerated for even a moment that these authorities continue to make a mockery of the Albanians. Under no circumstances will the left-wing coalition be allowed to form another government in order to extend its time in power by several more months. It has now been fully proven that no government formed by this coalition can govern; it only deepens the crisis in the country ever further. In these circumstances, the PD presidium identified peaceful protests as the primary means which, together with other democratic forms of action, will lead the country toward new elections and a resolution of the crisis. The PDSH presidium also discussed, in accordance with the Statute, the co-option of the chairmen of the largest PDSH branches onto its Central Presidium. The Statute stipulates that this number must not exceed one third of the elected members of the Presidium, including the heads of partner organizations. Thus, based on the criteria established earlier, the Presidium decided to co-opt the chairmen of the Shkodër, Durrës, Elbasan, Korçë, Fier and Vlorë branches as well. At the Presidium meeting, the organization of the Departments that will operate within the PDSH was also discussed. Several Department directors were discussed and approved: Director of the Department of Economic Policies, Prof. Dr. Omer Stringa; Director of the Department of Laws, Prof. Dr. Kudret Çela; Director of the Department of Education and Science, As. Prof. Luigi Çjoka; and Director of the Department of Agriculture, As. Prof. Dr. Fatos Harizaj. It was decided that the other departments would be discussed at an upcoming Presidium meeting. on pages 2–3

Ninth year of publication No. (2367) TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1999 Price: 20 lek (250 drachmas) EDITORIAL OFFICE ADDRESS: “Punëtorët e Rilindjes” St. No. 16 - Tel: 323 - 55 / Tel & Fax: 303-29 / (Marketing) 323 - 57 E-mail gazetard@alb aniaonline.net and rildem@icc.al.eu.org Editor-in-chief: Astrit PATOZI Deputy editors-in-chief: Sami NEZA, Shemsi PEPOSHI

Today, 400 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 his successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former communists, which has left free and unpunished the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, shows Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the murderers, whose identities are known but who are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who wish to honor Azem Hajdari cannot tolerate the cartels the government has pardoned, or criminals who have escaped justice, or the public awarding of honors to those responsible for the act that took Azem Hajdari’s life.