MEETING OF THE GENERAL LEADING COMMITTEE OF THE SP IN THE COURT IT IS NOT FATOS NANO BUT THOSE WHO DEVISED THIS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC ACT - 4 March: National Day of protest in defense of democracy and human rights - REPORT FROM THE MEETING The trial of Fatos Nano is a predetermined political trial STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF PSSH AND PEOPLE'S DEPUTY FATOS NANO The conduct of the trial behind closed doors in the Council of Ministers hall to issue a ruling on the scandal known as "coffee" has definitively confirmed, in the eyes of public opinion at home and abroad, the failure of the judicial manipulation against me. The postponement of the verdict until 4 March 1994 by the trial panel not only strengthens the conviction that the punishment measures were decided in advance, but at the same time further exposes the noisy campaign, organized and directed by certain segments of the Albanian state and political apparatus, to present this political process as a process against corruption. This date will be remembered not only as the day when the government and the president stripped away even the last mask with which they tried to camouflage political repression for anti-constitutional reasons, but also as the day when the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition joins in a major nationwide rally under the motto "Freedom, Democracy, Justice, European Albania". The leitmotif of the opposition's demands for my immediate release and for respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms and democratic norms will take the place it deserves in the foundation of Albania's future. That future requires being built on the rejection of exclusionary politics and on the affirmation of understanding, cooperation and social justice. I am convinced that honest Albanians, regardless of political beliefs, will be at the 4 March rally, as a clear warning to those who hope to rule through arbitrariness and violence. In recent days, organized and malicious efforts have increased and spread to link my name to various affairs. This low campaign aims to strike not only me, but also the Socialist Party and the democratic opposition. I firmly reject this orchestrated slander. The process now being conducted against me is not a process against corruption, but a process against a political opponent. Albanians will not be deceived by propaganda. They know that poverty, unemployment, fear and insecurity are the product of failed governance. They also know that democracy is not defended by imprisoning political opponents, but by respecting the law and institutions. Therefore, 4 March will be the day of national protest, the day of civic dignity and the defense of human rights. I call on all citizens, political parties, social organizations and intellectuals to unite in this peaceful and democratic protest. Fatos Nano Chairman of PSSH, people's deputy; arrested since 30 July 1993.

The court and today's authorities misled public opinion In March 1991, the somewhat appointed arrival of Fatos Nano at the head of PSSH and of its parliamentary group [?] for the continuation of reforms and changes in Albania showed that PSSH considered the fight against corruption, clientelism and abuse of public office one of its main tasks. In this framework, as early as the beginning of 1992, PSSH asked the justice authorities to seriously investigate every abuse, regardless of who it belonged to. But instead of justice acting according to the law, it was put at the service of political struggle. The investigations and the proceedings against Fatos Nano were accompanied by grave procedural violations, manipulations, closed doors to the public and the exclusion of the defense from the full exercise of its rights. Today it is clear that this process has nothing to do with establishing justice, but with the political elimination of the leader of the opposition. This is why citizens, intellectuals and other opposition forces must react. ( Continued on page 5 )

At the end of the activities and discussions in the Civil Assembly of the Action for Democracy, yesterday the statement of this forum was issued. The statement of the Civil Assembly of the Action for Democracy expresses concern about the serious political situation in the country and the worsening democratic climate. According to it, clear signs are appearing of a return to authoritarian practices, the restriction of political and civic freedoms, and the selective use of state institutions against political opponents. The statement notes that instead of political dialogue and democratic consensus, exclusion, pressure and political punishment are prevailing. It calls for respect for pluralism, human rights and the independence of justice. The document also emphasizes the need to stop pressure on the opposition and the free media, as well as to guarantee free and fair elections. ( Continued on page 5 )

Sentenced to one year and a half m[?] av. Vyrevdeci[?] Kotë Jona, Martin Leka. Sentenced to one year and a half m[?] av. Vyrevdeci[?] Kotë Jona, Martin Leka The prosecutor (60 awards) [?] appeared [trial?] for over two consecutive days it was decided sh[?] 1. The defendant, the editor-in-chief [Illegible] 2. [Partially illegible text] ( Continued on page 8 ) Berries' reaction is the quality that he did not properly inform the European Parliament about the issue for the European Parliamentarians about Gëshjon Nano Announcement Today, Wednesday, March 1994, at 17:00 in the "Partizani" sports palace, a major artistic concert with singers and comedians will be held. Participation in it is symbolic. The collected contribution will be given to the family of the murdered journalist Dritan Hoxha. Every journalist, artist, writer, creator and intellectual is invited to and stands in solidarity with that concert. The PS publishing preparatory commission.