Fatos Nano addresses the Court of Cassation: Your verdict calls for great responsibility in restoring our fellow citizens’ faith in justice and the rule of law Honorable judges of the Court of Cassation, Today, you are not simply examining a “criminal case,” but a political case. The “Nano” file before you is the most complete proof of how a nonexistent criminal case can be fabricated against a citizen who has committed no crime, still less theft and corruption, solely because he is the leader of the opposition. To assess this truth—my innocence and the unjust political persecution—it is enough to examine carefully, professionally, and with legal courage the investigative and court file assembled against me; I believe you will not lack these qualities. Therefore, your judgment cannot be a formal routine, and it must not repeat the serious mistakes of the political authorities at the two previous levels: the lack of legal and evidentiary grounds for my conviction by the Court of First Instance, a flaw further intensified by the Court of Appeal. Honorable judges of the Court of Cassation, This request, which concerns restoring my dignity and my constitutional rights and freedoms as a citizen, has become all the more imperative; the blatant violation of them to date has taken the form of the political persecution of a people’s deputy and the chairman of the largest opposition party, which has created serious tensions and problems for democracy and justice in Albania. Therefore, your verdict carries great responsibility: to restore law, and to rebuild our country’s image in the institutions of the civilized world. Gentlemen, Anyone can be swept up by political passions, “go mad” with the fever of power, or be subdued by life’s gaze—but not a judge, the sacred person who dispenses justice and upholds the power of the law. In the trial of the “Nano Case,” your predecessors did not do this, because they were not free! Gentlemen, By restoring my freedom, you will restore the freedom of all Albanians! Thank you! Tirana Prison 28.07.1994 Fatos Nano People’s Deputy Chairman of the PSSH that of theft and corruption, solely because he is the opposition leader. is enough to examine the investigative and judicial case file created against me, attentively, professionally and with legal courage, qualities that I trust you will not lack. Therefore, your trial cannot be a formal routine and must not repeat the serious mistakes of your predecessors in the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal, who signed my politically motivated conviction. Today I ask you for what the entire Albanian public asks for: the standards of the rule of law and the constitutional obligations to respect them, also expressed in the impartial and objective assessments of several specialized international organizations concerning the case. Gentlemen, A realistic examination of the case file would require you, finally, to give a legal answer, unconstrained by factors outside the judiciary, to the questions, arguments and requests for compliance with the law put forward by me and my lawyers concerning: - the one-sided, prejudiced, non-objective and deliberately distorted conduct of the investigation; - the concealment, manipulation and misinterpretation of evidence during the investigation and trial of the ca-

Yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Sussmuth, Chairwoman of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, met Mrs. Rexhina Nano, wife of Fatos Nano, chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania and a deputy in the People’s Assembly, at the German Embassy in Tirana. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit».

— Interview with Musa Ulqini, Chairman of the Tirana City Council of the Socialist Party, given to our reporter — Question: On 30 July last year, PSSH Chairman Fatos Nano was arrested, and a protest rally was held attended by around 70,000 people. What does 30 July represent for the Tirana Socialist Party? Answer: On 30 July last year, the socialists of Tirana had gathered in the hall of the Academy of Arts for their conference. Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, was also there. In his address, he once again argued for the necessity of a new political solution, which would set Albania’s democratic transformation on the right path. Fatos Nano strongly denounced the official authorities’ attempts to destroy the opposition and pluralism. He warned public opinion of the dangers threatening social peace from the revanchists and the political vendetta of the obscurantist forces that make the laws in the PD. Immediately after his welcoming speech, Fatos Nano appeared at the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. At 3:00 p.m., news came that at 2:30 p.m. an arrest measure had been imposed on the Chairman of the PS-SH, Deputy Fatos Nano, and that he had been taken to the cells of Tirana Prison. The public learned this urgent news—not only the socialists, but everyone who understood the promised democracy as mutual understanding and tolerance among all Albanians—from RTV, in the 4:00 p.m. news bulletin. Meanwhile, a protest demonstration had been scheduled for that same day at 6:00 p.m. in the square near the «Dinamo» Stadium. As is known, around 70,000 people gathered in that square, far more than even the organizers expected. Apparently, Tirana’s citizens, regardless of their political beliefs, clearly understood the urgent message conveyed by Fatos Nano’s arrest: «When this state so unjustly arrests the leader of the country’s largest opposition party, which is also the leading political force in local government, one can see how little value is placed on the dignity of an ordinary citizen!» This civic concern stirred thousands of people in the capital, who came to the rally to tell the authorities: «Beware! We will allow no one, under the mask of democracy, to violate pluralism, the true values of democracy, the fundamental freedoms and human rights, or the dignity of citizens and the opposition!» For us, the socialists of Tirana, 30 July 1993 has a twofold significance. First, it is a day of shame in the calendar of Albania’s governance under the Berisha regime. Second: That day, the socialists finally overcame the obstacles on the road to democracy in Albania. (Continued on page 2) A public demand will once again be voiced: that there be no political prisoners in Albania, that every form of political revenge be stopped, and that Fatos Nano, leader of Albania’s largest opposition party, be released as an innocent man. Around 50,000 people are expected to attend the rally. The slogans to be carried and ... (Continued on page 2)

Notice arrives from the Committee of the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union As the Press and Information Office of the PSSH reports, a notice from the Committee of the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the Committee’s latest meeting in Geneva arrived on Tuesday. Our editor Erion Braçe spoke to the PSSH chairman, Fatos Nano, who is heading the PSSH delegation for the third time at a meeting of this union, and he told the newspaper: On Tuesday, the Committee of the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union announced confidentially that “the Nano case will be reconsidered in Copenhagen.” Furthermore, in an official press statement in Geneva, the Committee decided that the Nano case should be reviewed and receive a fair and swift resolution. I also wish to emphasize that this confidential decision is another opportunity now being given to the Albanian judiciary to demonstrate its independence. I stress this because after the hearing at the Court of Cassation, the Nano case will be reconsidered in Copenhagen, where it will be followed through to a final outcome; after this cycle, our justice system will have nothing more to say. As this is an extremely sensitive matter for public opinion, both inside and outside the country, it requires us, without hesitation, to see that what would truly be proven is very simple to me and to hundreds of thousands of people. Fatos Nano is innocent.

Police Station No. 1 For the information of: Ministry of Public Order — Prefect of Tirana and Kavaja — Mr. Rexhep Karapici — TIRANA Police Station No. 1 For the information of: Ministry of Public Order — Prefect of Tirana and Kavaja — Mr. Rexhep Karapici — TIRANA Pursuant to Law No. 7692 of 31.3.1993, appendix “Fundamental human rights and freedoms”: Article 21 — «The right to assembly», and Decree No. 7408 of 31.7.1990 «On meetings», demonstrations and citizens’ gatherings in public places, I hereby inform you that on Friday, 29 July 1994, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we will organize a peaceful gathering in «Skënderbej» Square. The purpose of this gathering will be to support the practical implementation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the opposition and to overcome obstacles on the road to democracy in Albania. The demand will once again be publicly expressed rally. The slogans to be carried and displayed ... (Continued on page 2)

— Skënderbeu squares are not permitted, but other squares are offered — With regard to your requests Nos. 6, 77 and 78, dated 26.07.1994, addressed to Police Commissariats Nos. 1, 2 and 3 of the city of Tiranë, we hereby inform you that: 1- Your request does not specify the names of the organizing group for this gathering, a requirement provided for ... ... in Article 2 of Decree No. 7408, dated 31.07.1990. 2- Your gathering cannot be permitted also because the slogans proposed to be carried, such as “Free Fatos Nano,” constitute open pressure on the judicial authorities, given that the case is still being tried. 3- The request to hold a gathering in Skënderbej Square cannot be granted because it would obstruct the movement of people and vehicles, which would create problems in taking measures to ensure public order and the normal conduct ... (Continued on page 2)

on the 29th at 18⁰⁰ With regard to what you requested in your aforementioned letters, we clarify as follows: Regarding point 1. The names of the organizing group for this gathering are as listed in the attached list. Regarding point 2. The slogans to be displayed are based on Decree No. 7408, dated 31.07.1990, “On meetings, gatherings and demonstrations by citizens in public places,” and do not conflict with Article 3 of this law (Decree). Notwithstanding the above, one of the main slogans to be displayed at this gathering will be “We want Fatos Nano” instead of the slogan “FREE FATOS NANO.” Regarding point 3 The Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of the city of Tiranë, following 11 repeated requests during 1993 and 1994, has received no official confirmation from you regarding the square where peaceful gatherings would be permitted; instead, it has always ... (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday morning, Parliament held a plenary session, with discussions on the adoption of the Civil Code. The session was chaired by Mr Arbnor, (the prime minister, MPs, and on Friday as well, a collec would be held, attended by MPs, parliamentary staff and ministers. This roktëj is being held on the occasion of the close of the session (or the recess). At 12.20, the President of the German Bundestag, Ms Rita Sussmuth, entered the Assembly hall. She ... Meanwhile, in the ... hours, ... was held to ... ... the highest satiren that our parliament has had, Ms Sussmuth ... (Continued on page 2)

“We need to write; to speak; how we feel when suddenly we feel hungry; thirsty; how we feel the heat rising; how we feel that suddenly a desire grips us like a throat—to write; to speak; perhaps to grasp something; right up to the vault of heaven...” I don’t know how, among friends, a beautiful evening came together: romantic; with the glasses ringing out and the desire to dream and—to be happy. The three clinks of the glasses break, and the glasses remain untouched, like dead nuns: like virginal nuns who “have tasted the kiss” of lips that have slipped away. One of us is missing,... He is “...”, far away: among cold walls; warm ones; in a light. Someone is missing from this evening at the end of July; this evening is missing fragments of smiles and irony; it is missing the refraction of light in the lenses of his glasses. At their end come to rest the alert eyes of a father and the girlish prayers of a woman; they come to rest; the unusual silence of the children. And we are silent. And the glasses are silent. And the evening is split in two; But; you cannot celebrate; you cannot be happy: you cannot laugh at jokes when a friend is missing... (Continued on page 2)