Meeting of the KPD of the Socialist Party THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS MEANS A CRISIS OF PD POWER Speech delivered by PS chairman Mr. Fatos Nano at the meeting of the General Steering Committee Chronicle The time was 2 minutes to 3 in June. Sunday was ending with the powerful and massive protests of people desperate and outraged by the deception of power. These people gathered around the seat of the People's Assembly, firmly demanding the removal of the Meksi government and President Berisha. Others had filled the area around the Democratic Party offices, demanding the same thing. They were the people who, with their votes, had entrusted power to this governing coalition a year earlier, and who were now coming out in revolt against it because they were realizing how badly they had been deceived. Thousands of other people, unable to be in Tirana that day, joined them in spirit in their firm judgment of the government and the country's president. This was a marked day. A serious turning point that signaled the break between Albanian citizens and Berisha's unjust, arbitrary and violent power. The same thing continued in the days that followed. This was because the June 2 demonstration was not organized by any political party. It was a civic protest with strong political inspiration, which marked the first mass revolt against Berisha's regime, brought in by votes and transformed into a regime that trampled on those votes with its feet and police force. And it was losing the support of citizens more and more every day. But June 2 was also the day when, at the joint meeting of the PS with its opposition allies, the idea of a broad democratic front was put forward to bring Albania out of the deep political, economic and institutional crisis into which irresponsibility in power and presidential arbitrariness were dragging it day by day. Since that day until today, the situation has developed at a rapid pace. Mainly in the direction of worsening the crisis. As I have said from the beginning, this is not and cannot be a constitutional crisis. This is a crisis of power. A crisis that has arisen not because the constitution has been violated or broken, since it has been continuously violated for at least a year by the president himself and the parliamentary majority that supports him, but because power built on arbitrariness, false propaganda and the continual deterioration of people's lives is entering a political dead end. In this dead end, power is trying to hold the country hostage, dragging Albania toward an increasingly dangerous social and institutional clash. We socialists did not ask for this crisis. On the contrary, we had long warned that the country was heading toward it. We called for political dialogue, respect for institutions, honest elections, freedom of the media, and serious treatment of the people's economic and social hardships. But instead of dialogue they offered us slander and pressure; instead of respect for the opposition they offered exclusion and persecution; instead of serious reforms they offered improvisation, corruption and power arrogance. Today the crisis can no longer be concealed. It is visible in parliament, in government, in the streets, in the administration, in the economy and in Albanian families themselves. That is why the people demand new solutions. And we socialists must respond to alternatives that serve democracy, stability and the national interest. This is not the time for political spectacle, but for responsibility. It is not the time for adventures, but for democratic agreement. It is not the time for revenge, but for restoring the rule of law. For this we must be clear in our positions, open to cooperation with all opposition and democratic forces, and determined to defend the interests of the people through political and civic means. The crisis of PD power is not the end of democracy. It can become the beginning of a new stage, if the political forces and Albanian society know how to place the country's interest above the narrow interest of power. (Continues on page 2)

KARAVAIJE But we are all people. Commanders, teachers, doctors, and tenants, gamblers and the state sitting behind the wheel that go out to make a living. Where 25 thousand Albanians have gone since September 1993 with speedboats and inflatable boats, many others went too. These are the people who every day hear words and promises, but live with empty stomachs and eyes fixed on the sea. On the shores of Italy, according to this article, not only their dreams were killed, but also part of the human relations between two peoples. Governments may sign agreements, but the real bridges are built by ordinary people. When violence, humiliation, contempt and then bullets fall upon them, trust itself also cracks. This is not a story of statistics, but a story of destinies. And that is why it matters to tell it. (Continues on page 4)

THANAS BINO - According to the BBC - The first disarmament operation is announced for Friday. According to BBC reports, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi has appointed a council to prepare the new government. The broadcast reports say that President Berisha has begun talks with representatives of various parties to resolve the crisis. Also according to the BBC, the left opposition has called this step late and insufficient. Its comments say that political responsibility for the situation created lies with the government and with the way power has been exercised. The opposition is calling for new elections and a credible institutional process. (Continues on page 2)

He was to appear in session on Monday. Observers say he was in a closed meeting where the steps of the parliamentary group were being discussed. If even a deputy of the majority is absent, this is seen as a sign of deepening rifts within the governing camp itself. New developments are expected during today.

SALI BERISHA against IDAJET BEQIRI Since June 18 of this year, the well-known Albanian lawyer Mr. Idajet Beqiri had filed a civil lawsuit in the Tirana court against the President of the Republic, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, for defamation, insult and moral damage. The President of the Republic had stated, according to the plaintiff, that on June 29 during a television interview lawyer Beqiri had been involved in political incitement and that he had collaborated with circles that wanted destabilization of the country. The lawsuit disputes this statement as false and seeks moral compensation. It also requests that the president be obliged to publicly retract the accusations. The case is expected to be reviewed by the court in the coming days. (Continues on page 2)

P.D. killed fear

"THE ALBANIAN..." CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA FATOS NANO MADE A CONDOLENCE VISIT TO THE FAMILY OF ABAZ DOKAJ, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE POLITICAL ASSOCIATION "PATRIOTIC" ÇAMËRIA,