— Those in power do not want the Constitution; the DP does not want it; its MPs do not want it, and therefore they are dragging it out until the Greek calends. DECLARATION OF THE PS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP (Delivered in Parliament on 16 June 1993) Our position on the issue of the Constitution is clear: - We want the rule of law to be established in Albania, and this can be achieved only through a Constitution with high democratic standards, from which all legislation and the democratic activity of the state and its institutions will also derive. - We supported the president’s two decrees on drafting the Constitution and helped persuade the People’s Assembly to decide that the Constitution should be presented as soon as possible. - We have criticized every delay and every stalling of this work, and we have denounced, and will denounce, any kind of policy that would leave Albania without a Constitution any longer. Anyone who tries to turn these demands upside down at least makes himself ridiculous in everyone’s eyes. - We repeat once again: for the Socialist Party parliamentary group, there is no more urgent issue than drafting or approving the Constitution. Therefore, we will set aside all other work in parliament to turn to parliament’s most important task: approving the Constitution, and thus bringing forward as much as possible the day when Albania will be a state with a Constitution. We therefore propose that work on other draft laws be organized and that intensive work begin by everyone, first and foremost by the Special Commission for drafting the Constitution, to which we will provide all possible assistance. We will attend plenary sessions only when the Constitution Commission presents us with its draft. The sooner this happens, the better for everyone. Any attempt to exploit this position politically is regrettable. - Interview with Dr. Fehmi Abdiu, member of the Special Commission for drafting the draft Constitution, given to our editor Erion Braçe Question: How do you feel now, one year after 16.6.1993, when the group of Socialist Party MPs walked out of parliament over the issue of the Constitution? Answer: It has not ended, I tell you. I have felt astonished whenever I have heard bombastic declarations about drafting and approving the Constitution—first in 1991, then in 1992, in March 1993, in June and December 1993, and so on. Although many people, like me, have worked on it for three years, I have long since come to believe that the current parliament will not examine and approve the new Albanian Constitution. But I also feel at ease, since it seems that I and many others who share this view were right, because its fate seems to have vanished without a trace... ... since I have said several times that without a democratic and modern Constitution there can be no true democracy, there can be no rule of law. Nevertheless, let me point out some moments that seem important to me: This issue has naturally come to the forefront in Albania, not only because the Constitution is objectively absent, but also because people want to see the country’s future in the Albanian Constitution. They therefore want it to offer them a message of optimism, since it will broadly establish a realistic vision of the character and contours of a democratic society. The demand for drafting a Constitution is objective and has therefore determined the legislative initiative to approve it. Here, this initiative also carries social significance, and the fact that... ... a certain stage of development, while also requiring the creation of new concepts about society, the individual, state institutions, the state, the law, etc. In addition to these points, and more importantly in relation to this question, through this fundamental act of civil society we must realistically convince the world of our determination and awareness that we will never return to the past, of our determination to look to the future and to integrate into Europe with our own values, becoming part of it institutionally and legally in every respect, politically and economically—including for foreign investors, who are eagerly awaiting it. Question: What signs of concern and delay can realistically be observed in relation to this issue? Answer: To answer this question, let me refer to some facts that we can arrange as follows: 1. The first pluralist Albanian Assembly, shortly after beginning its activity, decided… (Continued on page 2) … in March 1993, in June and December 1993, etc. These uncertainties have worked like many others over the past three years; for a long time I have come to the conclusion that the existing But I feel—and all of us, as it seems, do too—that I and many others who held this view were right; perhaps its fate appears to have been lost, like an axe without a handle. In particular, I feel this because it has become clear that the parliamentary groups of the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party were quite right to leave Parliament for this reason, as they did exactly one year ago today. Question: Why do you consider approval of the new constitution necessary? Answer: I consider this question to have been exhausted. … and thus the country’s Albanian future, which is why they want to receive from it a message of optimism, since it will establish a general direction, a realistic vision of the character and contours of democratic society. The demand for drafting the Constitution is objective in nature and has therefore also prompted the legislative initiative for its approval. In our case, this initiative also carries social weight, for the important reason that objective conditions make its drafting a necessity. This happened because new relations need to be established, or existing legislative and executive structures need to be overturned or changed; the existing ones cannot cope with development, mass movements and their aspirations. Thus, these developments in our society have consciously distanced it from an order, from a stage of…

Reflection after the European Parliament elections - Democratic socialism enjoys the confidence of the European electorate Reflection after the European Parliament elections Socialists once again the leading group in the European Parliament - Democratic socialism enjoys the confidence of the European electorate As is well known, elections to the European Parliament were held last Sunday and Monday. The latest elections were followed with particular interest by political circles inside and outside the EU, given the new powers this Parliament acquired after the Maastricht Treaty, as well as its right to take decisions jointly with the Council of Ministers in a number of areas where Parliament can reject certain proposals. The Parliament will also now approve new accessions or association agreements with the EU, etc. The importance of this Parliament is therefore growing at a time when the number of applications for new EU membership has increased. Some general data from the elections to the European Parliament: 270 million voters in 12 countries were eligible to vote, of whom 160 million voted. Turnout was low, at around 54 percent (1985: 62 percent; 1989: 59 percent). The political groups at the European level are reflected as follows: Final results of the elections to the European Parliament. (According to EUROSTAT data) SOCIALISTS 200 PEOPLE’S PARTIES 148 LIBERALS 44 ALLIANCE - DEMOCRATS 24 THE GREENS 23 RAINBOW 8 THE LEFT 12 THE EXTREME RIGHT 12 INDEPENDENTS 37 OTHERS 59 A quick glance at the main data from the European Parliament election results draws attention to the low number of people who voted. There are many different reasons for this, which will be examined below. (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday morning at 10:00, in the square in front of the Academy of Sciences... Yesterday morning at 10:00, the square in front of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Albania was inaugurated and named after the great Albanian patriot Fan S. Noli. Hundreds of citizens, MPs, representatives of foreign embassies, journalists, etc., attended. The President of the Republic was also present. Opening the inauguration, the Mayor of Tirana, Sali Kelmendi, said: “As part of the activities marking the 70th anniversary of the June Revolution, with the care of the new Albanian state, it is an honor and a pleasure for me to announce that Tirana’s Municipal Council has given this square the name Fan Noli. Two streets have also been named after Noli’s government ministers, Sulejman Delvina and Stavri Vrenjau. On this occasion, Tirana has expanded and renewed its historic space. Allow me to invite Mr. Sali Berisha to unveil the plaque bearing the name of this square.” As he unveiled the plaque, President Sali Berisha said: “The June Revolution is one of the events that… [shaped] history and will illuminate Albanian history for all time. The great work of Fan Noli and the other Renaissance figures has been and remains a point of reference, a source of inspiration for us today and for generations to come. The greatest tribute to them is to expand democracy every day, to consolidate democracy every day, to develop those principles that Fan Noli, Luigj Gurakuqi, Bajram Curri, Avni Rustemi and our other Renaissance figures wanted to establish in Albania in 1924. The light of June was extinguished, but it must be acknowledged that it never went out; it pierced the long Albanian night so that it could shine brightly and be lit once again in the Student City in 1990, never to be extinguished again. Let us all honor… together those who fought for democracy; let us all honor one another and build together, so that we may fight and work for a democratic Albania, for an Albania as Fan Noli wanted it, as our Renaissance figures wanted it. Thank you.” A. M

The criminal police of the city of Laç arrested citizen N. G. from Shkodra at the Church of Saint Anthony in this city. The arrest was made because the citizen from Shkodra, in civilian clothes, was carrying out a… with a pistol… He was taken into… and sent… to the public order [department] in Laç. … the citizen from Shkodra… the public order [officer] in Shkodra… this had come… for… sports police officers… in Laç…

Durim Taci was brutally beaten by a group of 4–5 people from the town of Laç. The sources who do not wish to be identified give two versions of the motives behind the incident: first, that journalist Durim Taci, 16, had been assaulted over professional matters; and second, that the journalist was beaten over a purely verbal dispute… that… the journalist in a… The case has been referred to the prosecution authorities for criminal proceedings. Correspondent of “Voice of the People”

From the Parliament chamber After the inauguration of Fan Noli Square, some of the MPs, mainly from the Democratic Party, who were accompanying the President, thought it appropriate to go into the chamber and attend the parliamentary proceedings. After the absences were recorded and the session was opened… and the majority of MPs were enough to approve the decree signed by the President, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Arbnor, opened the proceedings. For about ten minutes, Parliament was effectively able to work. In the meantime… a presidential decree was approved amending the law “On Financial Insurance.” Taking the floor, the chairman of the PS parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, reiterated… and a request… to the PS parliamentary group. The PS parliamentary group, he stressed, has made several requests. The first is an urgent request to Minister Zhulali: on what authority and for what reason did he send 580 soldiers to Zall Herr? The second is a requested interpellation with the chairman of the Constitutional Peace Commission, Mr. Meksi, concerning all the… that the commission… and the proposals for Albania that Mr. Meksi has made regarding the Constitution. The third is the answer that has been given and how those answers will be implemented, and finally we have submitted for discussion in Parliament a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Meksi, concerning the events in Libofshë. We ask that these matters be scheduled in accordance with the requests made by the MPs and the rules of the People’s Assembly. With calm… (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, a scholarly meeting marking the 70th anniversary of the June Revolution was held in one of the halls of the Academy of Sciences. Researchers, historians, MPs, professors and other guests took part. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Zëri i popullit,” Thoma Gëllçi, the editor-in-chief of “Aleanca,” Teodor Koko, and the journalist from the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” Andi Bushati, set off for a several-day visit to the Swiss Confederation. During their stay in Switzerland, the group of journalists will visit political, scientific and cultural institutions of the Swiss state and will also meet various Swiss public figures. The visit was organized at the invitation of Swiss state organizations. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

To Mr. Skënder Bucpapa Director of RTV For your information: To the sources who do not wish to be identified. Today I will go to Lagonisi, Greece. I will return on Sunday. NAMIK DOKLE Member of Parliament

16 June 1993 – 16 June 1994 NO COMMENT - On 16 June 1993, a wide-ranging discussion took place in the Albanian Parliament on the deadline for approving the new Constitution. The Socialists insisted that an exact deadline be set for when the draft Constitution would be brought before Parliament, because by then three deadlines had already been missed. They stressed that the draft circulated on MPs’ desks by a technical group, and not by the Constitutional Commission, was simply a propaganda trick to delay approval of the Constitution indefinitely. The following statements were made by the speakers: Ali Spahia: - “By now” it is clear that the Socialist gentlemen are not interested in the Constitution… - From the entire opposition, not a single constructive idea, only obstruction and regret that, despite all the difficulties, we now have the draft of the new Constitution in our hands. - On behalf of the majority group, A. Spahia and A. Meksi in Parliament on 16 June 1993 - Aleksandër Meksi: - It is unconstitutional to wish not to have a Constitution if you stand to benefit from the absence of a Constitution. So now, after one year, what will these gentlemen say?!

On Thursday, June 16, 1994, at 6 p.m., the Socialist Party of the Durrës district is organizing a protest rally at the “Punëtori” Sports Palace. Members and supporters of the SP are invited to attend. Membership cards can be collected at the offices of the Socialist Party of the district. The Steering Committee of the Socialist Party, Durrës