Resolution of the meeting of the Euro-Socialists of the northeastern districts of Albania Dibër e gjërë, which has traditionally called itself “Nandë male,” was the first place where the seed of democracy was planted in Albania. Therefore, yesterday's actions of this government against the socialists of Dibër, Kukës, and the other northeastern cities of Albania are angering the entire democratic opinion in the country. In order to make these actions known, our newspaper is publishing today the resolution of the meeting of the Euro-Socialists of the northeastern districts, sent to the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the People's Assembly, the Prime Minister, and the country's justice authorities. Luan HAJDARAGA Gathered in a joint meeting with the participation of representatives from the districts of Dibër, Kukës, Mat, Tropojë, Has, Bulqizë, and Mirditë, we Euro-Socialists of the northeastern districts of Albania, after responsibly and seriously analyzing the grave events that accompanied the election campaign of 24 April in the northeastern area of the country, assess that: In order to achieve their party's victory, the forces in power have widely used all means of economic, psychological, and physical violence. The election campaign of the opposition forums and candidates, in many cases, was not allowed to proceed normally. Many opposition activists and sympathizers were mistreated and beaten with heavy weapons, even firearms, by the police and PD militants. Comprehensive pressure was exerted on pupils and students of secondary and higher schools to become active in the campaign against the opposition. State resources were used in a scandalous manner and all levels of the state administration were set in motion to manipulate the elections. Minister plotosues of the Economy of Greece, Jakober with the support of the PS, Luan Hajdaraga [?] Instead of responding to the opposition's accusations about irregularities and violence during the election campaign, the authorities intensified efforts to blacken and label the opposition as destabilizing and anti-national forces. This climate and this terror exerted by today's power over the opposition and over socialists in particular, made the conditions for holding the elections in these districts extremely difficult and unequal. The election commissions at the polling stations, most of which were composed of people with a party mentality and extremely politicized, acted not as lawful bodies but as blind instruments of a certain political force. Thus, during the two voting days and especially after the boxes were closed, manipulations occurred that had never been seen before in the history of pluralism in Albania. Opposition votes were violently invalidated, the records were altered, the boxes were filled with ballots deposited beforehand, and the real election results were falsified. All this constitutes a serious act against democracy and the rule of law. We demand that the justice authorities investigate with full seriousness and hold responsible the authors of these serious violations. At the same time, we call on public opinion, democratic political forces, and international organizations to closely follow the situation created in the northeastern districts of the country. We express our conviction that only respect for the free will of citizens, the enforcement of the law, and the guarantee of the rights of the opposition can ensure fair elections and democratic stability in Albania.

Mr. ANDREAS PAPANDREU, Prime Minister of the Republic of Greece, ATHENS We learned with profound sorrow of the many human losses as a result of the powerful earthquake that struck several areas of Greece yesterday, causing numerous victims and extensive material damage. On behalf of the Socialist Party of Albania and in my personal name, we extend our sincere condolences to you, to the families of the victims, and to the entire Greek people. In these difficult moments for you and your country, we wish to stand by you with our feelings of human solidarity. Respectfully, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPASH ZYMA XHYPA

Gjirokastër For the third time in a row in the municipality of Lazarat, elections for the head of the municipality were held yesterday. They followed the failure of the two previous votes, which took place under heavy pressure from local authorities and PS activists. According to sources from this municipality, the third election was held in conditions of tension. The PS candidate was prevented from holding meetings with the electorate, while there was open interference in the process at the polling station. However, the full results had still not been made known at the moment this page went to press.

Njerëzit e Kerkojnë Partinë Socialiste

Democracy is arduous. Victory belongs to the majority PS ACTIVITY IN DIBËR

After the theft of the monumental work dedicated to the martyrs of the National Liberation War in the center of the city of Laç, local authorities continued yesterday with the removal of commemorative plaques in several villages of the Kurbin district. The residents of the area condemned this act, calling it an attempt to erase the historical memory of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War. According to them, these actions are being carried out arbitrarily and without any lawful decision. In some cases, veterans and relatives of the martyrs have also been prevented from protesting against these actions. The residents are calling for the intervention of the central authorities to immediately stop this shameful campaign.

Ali Shefqet Hyseni: ... Ali Shefqet Hyseni [?] Yesterday afternoon, in the parliament hall, heated debates were held regarding the election results and the complaints submitted by opposition deputies. Representatives of the PS denounced numerous irregularities in the management of the electoral process, while deputies of the majority rejected these claims. The debate also focused on the request to set up a parliamentary investigative committee. At the end of the session it was decided that the matter would be referred to the relevant committees for further examination.

Ali Sheme: it made me mugiz Ali Sheme [?] makes English-style humor... The director of prisons claims to protect Fatos Nano from “the arrogance of the crowds” at a time when he also says that he is liked by the prison guards — Mbrose from his interview with the Italian newspaper “Il Corriere della Sera” The pride of Fatos bevertit [?] in the post of deputy commander of the Kosovo prison has been the translation that, with permission from the prison administration, was made for him of Mr. Nano's special cell. By visiting him, the director general of prisons, Sadik Bejko, apparently learned how the accused (?) and politician Fatos Nano was at risk from “the arrogance of the crowds,” and from this observation he was led to declare that the prison administration is keeping him under special security conditions. In an interview with the Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera,” the director of prisons stated that Mr. Nano has a larger cell than the others, with a window, a writing table, bookshelves, and the possibility to write and read. He also added that the prisoners like Fatos Nano and that the guards are friendly toward him as well. This contradicts the claim of danger from “the crowds.” But who are these crowds? Are they perhaps the prisoners, who, according to him, like him? Or the guards, whom he says are friendly? Or are they the people outside the prison, who are not even allowed to come near? These questions make the director's entire argument ridiculous and unbelievable. In truth, this kind of reasoning has nothing to do with security, but with an attempt to justify the differentiated treatment and political isolation of Mr. Nano. He is presented as a man who must be “protected” from the people, while the director himself states that he enjoys sympathy even in prison. Continues on page 8