At the invitation of the Socialist Party of Hungary, a PSSH delegation headed by its deputy chairman, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, left for Budapest to take part in the proceedings of the party’s congress. PSSH Press and Information Office.

All members of the General Governing Committee of the Socialist Party are hereby notified that a meeting of the Socialist Party’s General Governing Committee will be held on Monday, 28 February 1994, at 10:00.

— Reason and the law must once and for all stop the vengeful hand of the party-state, to put an end to violence, chieftainism, and political revenge — After the denigration and «spectacular» arrest of the chairman of the PSSH and Member of Parliament to treat him like an ordinary criminal, someone might perhaps want to add to this the old PPSH logic: «that is what happens to enemies»! Fatos Nano, chairman of the PSSH and a member of the People’s Assembly, was accused, imprisoned and declared to have violated legal procedures, now literally, letter by letter. In a few words, that would be the marathon of his case, which also attracted the attention of the Inter-Parliamentary community, the European Parliament, and others, who expressed themselves through concrete resolutions addressed to the Albanian authorities. After the European Parliament’s Resolution, the Albanian judicial structure remembered that it was an «independent power» and regarded the aforementioned Resolution as «interference» in internal affairs. The idea of declaring the Albanian judiciary independent is an occasion to be welcomed, under the circumstances of Albania’s participation in the Community of Islamic Countries and the Black Sea Initiative without approval by Parliament! of fundamental importance. As a politician, Fatos Nano belongs to the same party as we do. The «distances» we have taken in such cases are based on reasoning that greatly helps major communist «protagonists» in Albania to «wash» their sins within 24 hours, even declaring themselves «victims of the regime». The Forum of the Eurosocialist Youth declared from the outset that the «Nano Case» is prejudiced, and that its basis lies in the mentality that today prevails in relations between political opponents. His imprisonment and forced investigations, the «original» way in which the right-wing press treated him, the response of 23 deputies from the PS, PSD, PAD and PDNJ to the fantasy with which the «Nano Case» was handled, and finally the European Parliament’s Resolution, have assured us—and continue to assure us—of the correctness of our position. conviction? Will he be found guilty, or will the charges be exposed as false? The authorities responsible are giving their signals. The chances that the Albanian judiciary will set aside the word «prejudice» in this case are equivalent to certain truths to which, under the pressure of today’s political polarization, it has so far given a negative answer. The Albanian judiciary should have known from the very opening of the «Nano Case» that lifting parliamentary immunity is a serious measure and must be taken in an appropriate manner and on a legal basis, one that should ensure that the accused parliamentarian enjoys all the necessary guarantees for his defense and a fair trial. (Continued on page 3)

ANOTHER CHANCE TO HELP PRESIDENT BERISHA (REPRINT OF THE LETTER FROM PS CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FATOS NANO TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, DATED 5 OCTOBER 1993) Dear Mr. Berisha, Reaffirming my unwavering faith in the legal institutions that you represent, and my hope that it is never too late for them to exert their civilizing influence on our democratic transformation, I consider it a political and moral judgment before the Nation, a practical meeting with the mistaken logic of danger and the very grave consequences of the intolerant, authoritarian positions you have adopted, at a time when Albania and Albanians need dialogue and understanding more than ever for national reconstruction. Certain that, although imprisoned under strict conditions of isolation, I am as well informed as you about everything that has been done concerning the so-called “Nano case” and the position taken toward it, [text unclear] a way to resolve the tangle of contradictions of the Albanian transition and our integration into the civilized world. So that no one may think I am repeating an argument that is exaggerated and delusional, I reiterate the simple point that, after the collapse of communism, to arrest, imprison and prosecute opposition leaders following systematic state violence against them, while on the other hand speaking of consolidating democracy, is an absurdity no one believes! As sufficient proof for understanding the state’s definitive orientation and its intolerant actions toward the opposition to date following my arrest, I consider: - The mass protests by people in Tirana and other cities of Albania at the end of October 1993. - The signing of the Petition for my release and that of political prisoners by a large number of people. (Continued on page 3) Dear Mr. Berisha, Reaffirming my unwavering faith in the lawful institutions late for them to exercise their civilizing influence on our democratic transition, I consider it my political and moral duty to the Nation, as leader of the opposition, to write to you publicly after 1,500 hours of imprisonment, on the following: I have not communicated with you directly, but with others, following my scandalous arrest and the state’s other repressive measures against me, my family and my colleagues, as well as against the opposition I represent as a whole, for three reasons: First, to give the judges carrying out the appalling scheme of this political lynching the opportunity to understand and reflect on the arbitrary, undemocratic and inhumane nature of the actions they have been ordered to carry out—from the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly to the prosecutors and investigators in the so-called «Nano Case». Second, to give you and your closest advisers sufficient time and evidence to make a practical assessment of the flawed logic behind the supposed danger and the very harmful consequences of the intolerant the Albanians are more than ever compelled to engage in dialogue and understanding for national reconstruction. Third, to make it definitively known and clear to Albanian public opinion as a whole and to international opinion that, despite imprisonment and state intolerance, the socialist opposition in Albania is a guarantor of the cleansing of the new democratic society of the remnants of totalitarianism and the fever of revenge. Unfortunately for everyone, although there has been sufficient time and evidence to prove the above, you and the others are not reacting by changing course and correcting mistakes; on the contrary, it seems that, under pressures of a blackmailing nature, you have thought it better not to react, leaving you on the dead-end path you have taken and where today’s democratic Albanians of Albania risk suffocating. Mr. President, I consider it necessary to inform you, without any excuse or pre—

— STATEMENT BY THE FRESSH GOVERNING COMMITTEE ON THE “NANO COURT CASE” — After the denigration and “spectacular” arrest of PSSH chairman and MP Fatos Nano, with these spiteful absurdities taken so far as to treat him like an ordinary criminal, perhaps someone would like to add to this the old logic of the PSSH, which used to weigh [people as] enemies. Recognizing Fatos Nano as a leading political figure of the Socialist Party, we have considered the “Nano case” to be of fundamental importance. As a politician Fatos Nano [ text unclear ] the independence of Islamic countries and in the Black Sea Initiative without Parliament’s approval! of fundamental importance. What will Fatos Nano’s trial bring? His release or his conviction? A finding that he is guilty, or exposure of the falsity of the actions?

AGAIN ON THE “NANO CASE” By now, much has been written about the so-called “Nano Case,” but perhaps even more will be written in the future. Everything that is written, good or bad, seems destined to remain, alongside many other things, written about our recent and distant past. As a consequence of all the events that have taken place in Albania following Mr. Cela’s accusations in Parliament concerning accusations against several politicians and their authorities, as was stated in several groups. Their organization, which in fact is for the most part… [part illegible in image]. …advisers, who are not convinced by the procedures for prosecution and trial, and who have by now been labelled Enverist communists, extremists, etc. The first group, which [unclear] supported these procedures for two minutes, labelling one side, etc. Meanwhile the other group, doubts, etc. (Continued on page 4)

At the Tirana Court: — The judicial panel closed the judicial investigation, rejecting the lawyers’ procedural requests. — On this, the lawyers Agim Tirana and Mark Pëllumbi commented. Agim Tirana: I find this decision by the court to conclude the judicial investigation without carrying out several necessary actions now in the hearing, which my colleagues and I put before the judicial panel, not at all serious and irresponsible. Mark Pëllumbi: The court’s decision, which did not take our objections into account, is unjust. — Aleksandër Frangaj in the courtroom: I am here today so that no amendment is added to the Press Law: I am here today to defend freedom of speech. — The case file contained no complaint by Minister Zhulali for insult and defamation. Martin Leka’s arrest without this complaint—an unlawful arrest. Yesterday, at 10:35, the trial against Romeo Llagaj, Bashkim Feta, Aleksandër Frangaj and Martin Leka resumed at the Tirana court. The announcement, naturally false, made by TVSH the previous evening that the court would issue its decision on the case yesterday (naturally, it was based on the complete absence of newspap...) After the judicial panel took its seats in the courtroom, the witnesses were heard. The director of the newspaper «Koha Jonë», Nikollë Lesi, appeared before the judicial panel and said from the outset that the arrest of the journalists from his newspaper had taken place as part of the ongoing attacks and repression the authorities were carrying out against the paper. The arrest of A. Frangaj is unlawful (the newspaper’s representative said that Aleksandër Frangaj had not tried to appear when summoned…) [The next column is cut off at the lower edge:] Frangaj’s [case?], that he was arrested because you did not appear when summoned… [illegible portion]. (Continued on page 3)

Dear Mr. Berisha,

“A star of light shines over Europe...” No one should question the success of our esteemed President’s recent visit to Brussels. This visit is historic not only because of the official signing of the Partnership for Peace Agreement with NATO, but also because of the wholly unexpected results it produced, particularly to the benefit of the European Parliament, which has been deeply shaken by the “manipulations” of recent times. Analysts believe that, following the historic “Open Letter” that Mr. Arbënori addressed in his own name to the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Klĕpsh, Abdiu’s visit is expected to have long-term effects in the fight against the dangerous disease of extremism. One thing became clear in Europe: this “epidemic” seems to have spread recently even to European democratic institutions (it is said to have infected around 2/3 of parliamentarians), as a consequence of losing control, of the new Albanian mentality, and of the “absence” of inspectors experienced in “the most advanced country in Europe.” (Continued on page 2)