Gjergj Zefi, deputy chairman of the Assembly of the «Democratic Alliance» Party, struck on the head with a crowbar After several pursuits and calls by today’s authorities, other forces took the initiative and launched an attack against the opposition and the free press in Albania. As we are informed from Shkodra, Alliance Party and deputy editor of the newspaper «Aleanca», was struck on the head near the eye with a crowbar yesterday evening by unknown persons. He was found on the street by passers-by, who rushed him to the hospital emergency department. We are informed that he is now out of danger. Correspondent of «Zërit të popullit»

- There are many Socialists. They are demanding the cities’ squares - In Tirana they are demanding «Skënderbej» Square, in Durrës «Aleksandër Moisiu» Square, in Vlorë «Sheshi i Flamurit», in Fier «Rilindja» Square. THE POLICE WON’T GIVE THEM UP! «With regard to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, there are significant restrictions... ... Several public rallies by the opposition Socialist Party have not been allowed to take place in the squares or at the times requested.» (QUOTED FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE U.S. CONGRESS.) March 4—the day of the national protest against violence and violations of human rights—is a protest to defend the law, human life, and true democracy, in accordance with national interests and the principles of genuine democratic forums in Europe, the USA, etc.

Amid the enthusiasm of hundreds of Kuçovë residents, a large meeting with members and supporters of the Socialist Party was held yesterday at 4 p.m. at the cultural center in Kuçovë. The Socialist Party’s General Secretary and People’s Assembly deputy Gramoz Ruçi also attended. In his welcoming remarks, he addressed the country’s political and economic situation. He stressed that the Socialist Party, as the country’s largest opposition force, serious and mature, set out its political, economic and social alternatives at the Party’s Second Conference, advancing the legitimate demand for new early elections and viewing them as the only way to establish new political balances. Responding to the participants’ questions, he also discussed the Nano issue at length. Comrade Ruçi then answered the questions put by those attending the meeting. In response to a supporter’s question about whether they could attend Fatos Nano’s trial, he replied that this matter was not up to us; we have asked the Tirana court for the trial not to be held in those courtrooms and to be broadcast live on television. Asked whether a member of parliament could be arrested simply by having his immunity lifted, he replied that Fatos Nano’s arrest and imprisonment are illegal. Another question asked why the president had not been approached regarding the Nano issue. The answer was: if we in the Socialist Party have always been abreast of this matter and have conveyed all the violations to the president, including these...

From Gramoz Ruçi’s speech in Kuçovë We are right to have criticized the fact that more meetings should be held with you, the citizens of Kuçovë, and to meet with you, citizens of Kuçovë—especially since the deputy to whom you gave your free vote wholeheartedly, the deputy for Kuçovë and chairman of the Socialist Party, has been held in prison for 7 months as a political opponent of Berisha’s regime. As you know, not long ago the Second National Conference of our Socialist Party concluded its proceedings with complete success. The political, economic and social developments in our country—more precisely, the real and deepening contradictions in these areas—made it necessary to formulate a new political solution. With a strong sense of responsibility, our Socialist Party, as the country’s largest opposition force, serious, mature and constructive, announced its political, economic and social alternatives and called for new early elections as an important means of establishing new political balances. Political exhaustion, the dangerous threats to democracy, the severe attack on freedom of speech, high crime, the fierce political campaign against opposition and left-wing forces, especially the PS, the blocking of local government, the alarming increase in crime and police violence, accompanied by deaths in police cells and the killing of police officers, the severe economic crisis and the large number of people living at subsistence level, significant changes in the electorate, political forces and the balance of forces—all this makes a transition to new elections necessary. In fact, the Democratic Party is using electoral power because it aims to retain power at all costs, because it does not want or does not care to understand the political exhaustion of the PD in power, the serious erosion within the PD, and the profound disillusionment of young people and PD members. The PS’s political position, set out at the Second National Conference, is a clear expression of its maturity, growing authority and initiative under conditions of political struggle. The PS’s alternatives are right because they are represented by the overwhelming majority of the population and are supported by PS members and supporters, while the Party’s weight and role in the country’s political life continue to grow. The PS’s opponents try in vain to diminish the importance of the PS’s Second Conference. Our alternatives will continue because they are right and powerful, and their consolidation safeguards and defends democracy. The Socialist Party is a steadfast defender of freedoms and human rights. We observe with regret the dangerous restriction of freedom and of the space for freedom, the campaign of police violence, the growing arrogance of the state and political crime. Without listing every case: the killing of Çeçani in Shkodër, the arrest of two journalists and the imprisonment of people associated with them, and pressure on journalists and all those who do not conform.

The Socialist Party has made it its duty, from the first days of this struggle, to inform all international organizations. Over time, interest has grown, including among those who have not only spoken out, describing it as a policy of the Albanian government, but also calling on the government to act immediately. At a time when the president of Europe and Europe declare that Europe is not concerned with the Nano case, no one has conveyed any of the moments of his position from school, while being informed about his path. The PS General Committee has informed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers of the European Community, and the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights about the political situation in the country, the attack launched against chairman Fatos Nano, and the suppression and condemnation of his statement in parliament. May 6, 1993: PS chairman Fatos Nano [met] a delegation and an official of the Federal [body] for Russia, [and] Chairman Civelli. chairman of the European Council, the President, ministers, and [informed them] about the attack launched against the PS and its chairman. May 12, 1993: Fatos Nano received the ambassador of Hungary, in the presence of [the representative of] Romania, Germany’s Vollers, France’s For, Italy’s For-resti, and [others], and informed them about the tense political situation and the attack launched against the PS and its chairman. June 9, 1993: Fatos Nano, at the head of a delegation, went to Greece and spoke with Andreas Papandreou, discussed the general situation in Albania and the attack on the opposition, and adopted a joint declaration with PASOK, which [also addressed] the attack launched against the PS and its chairman. (Continued on page 2)

FATOS NANO: I will know how to turn every court session into a clear indictment of the Berisha ballisto-fascist clan, whose days are numbered - July 26, 1993. Under party pressure, Prosecutor General Alush Dragoshi sends Parliament a request to lift PS chairman Fatos Nano’s immunity. Under pressure from Berisha, Alush Dragoshi seeks to bring to an end the methodological irregularities in the work of the Council of Ministers. - July 27, 1993. A special meeting is held by the PS General Governing Committee and parliamentary group. The approved declaration emphasizes the frontal attack against the PS, resulting from schemes and scenarios being drawn up to facilitate matters for members of parliament in government anterooms. - Presidential [elections], have been underway for some time. Meanwhile Fatos Nano declares: «Berisha is afraid, Berisha is not at ease, Berisha has erupted. I sleep soundly; Berisha cannot sleep soundly. I have comrades and friends throughout Albania; Berisha is left alone. The truth is with me, shame is with Berisha. Justice does not frighten me, just as none of you is afraid, because they cannot turn their mercenaries against them, but [unclear] together with you will protect me only from the fabricated accusations; I will come out to defend the Socialist Party and its countless supporters. I will know how to turn every court session against us days are numbered, and of those who follow behind him.» - July 30, 1993: The PS organizes a rally to protest violations of the opposition’s rights and individual freedoms. Before the rally begins, around 2:00 p.m., [text unclear] is arrested: PS chairman Fatos Nano. Two hours before his arrest, he declares: «If they come looking for us on the street, let them see whether we will show them the way by honest means. We do not threaten, but we warn Europe...» (Continued on page 4)

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA