MASS PROTESTS UNDER THE SLOGANS «FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY» — AN EXPRESSION OF THE NATIONWIDE DEMAND TO PUT AN END TO POLITICAL REVENGE AND BUILD A CIVIL SOCIETY WHERE UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE REIGN

DURRËS DURRËS SOCIALISTS DEMAND AN END TO VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS - Fatos Nano is a political prisoner, and we demand that he be among us. The country is experiencing a serious political crisis. - The posters of the Democratic Party remain hanging on the walls, and their paint is fading day by day. The Durrës socialists gathered yesterday in the square near the stadium to protest forcefully against the drastic measures and violations of human rights—one of the most shameful and dangerous episodes for Albania’s image on its road to democracy. They gathered once again to raise their voices in forceful protest against the final decision of the justice authorities to imprison the chairman of the Socialist Party and MP Fatos Nano—a decision that has failed to convince the Albanian electorate and has instead created the impression that the justice authorities are obedient levers of the party in power. “We have gathered here,” said the chairman of the PS branch in the Durrës district, Bardhyl Agasi, in his opening remarks, referring to the unlawful imprisonment of the PS chairman, Fatos Nano, the first head of government to emerge from the first pluralist elections in Albania. The three court proceedings have only proved his innocence. Those in power should not fear the PS, because it represents the broad masses, intellectuals, farmers, the unemployed, teachers, etc. The Nano case is an issue concerning all Albanians, Mr. Agasi continued. A serious economic crisis has bro- (Continued on page 2)

Kuçovë: FULL SUPPORT FOR MP FATOS NANO The day after the Court of Cassation’s decision and one day before the anniversary of Fatos Nano’s arrest, Socialist Party MPs Ilir Meta, Ethem Ruka, Lush Përpali, Ermelinda Meksi, Maqo Lakrori and Vladimir Metani took part in several meetings with residents of Kuçovë. But in addition to them, “present” through discussions or chants was the area’s MP, Fatos Nano, imprisoned without evidence. Little by little, people are getting used to the bans, the arrests and the police regime, and it seems as if these are fruits of democracy or are necessary for the transition. The impression is being created that even representatives of the justice and law-enforcement authorities have lost their fear and shame, while the population takes pride in being accompanied and stopped because of rallies. Since so much has been said about MP Nano’s arrest and conviction that Europe and almost the whole world have now heard about it, we will focus only on a few incidents involving the PS MPs during their meetings in Kuçovë. 1. Before reaching «Ura», 10–15 armed police officers were watching me and signaled for the car to stop, handcuffs in hand. The people’s representative’s mandate was not enough for the police officers, who insisted on seeing passports. It is interesting that the MP passes through customs checkpoints without being checked, respe- 2. In the municipality of Tapisë, they had organized the meeting at «The Sports Field». That is what the place in the center of the village is called: there are several buildings, including a club, with the football field next to it. 15–20 uniformed police officers, as well as plainclothes officers, were on duty. They whispered to one another, and the villagers gathering in the light sensed that something was wrong. Soon the alternative became clear— (Continued on page 2)

. - Statement by the Presidium of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum of Albania - The “Nano affair” once again proved that Berisha’s regime is unwavering in its pursuit of retaining power, even by breaking the law, through police violence and political crime. Neither the European Parliament’s statement, nor the discussions of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, nor the petition with 700,000 signatures, nor the representatives of the parliamentary deputies of all political parties except the DP in the Albanian Parliament, nor the position of foreign politicians had any effect in the face of the present government’s sinister account against the Chairman of the Socialist Party and deputy in the People’s Assembly, Fatos Nano. DP politicians set the judicial machinery in motion to fulfill their political aims of eliminating Fatos Nano from the political scene and destroying the Socialist Party. Albanian Eurosocialists have now made their position on the “Nano affair” clear. They have raised domestic and international awareness of this issue, so delicate for Albanian politics: the “Nano affair” was placed on the Albanian political table by today’s power-holders, laden with prejudice and hatred. At this political table, plans and scenarios carefully prepared by specialists in major conflicts and by masters of modern staging became apparent; they aim to divide the Socialist Party and, consequently, weaken Albania’s largest opposition party. The passionate shortsightedness and thirst for glory of the eastern-born, uncontrolled graphomaniac rulers took hold of them in this scenario, whose protagonists tried to achieve their aims through low intrigues and traps.

The law on land and the village’s current problems To the Presidium of the People’s Assembly The law on land and the village’s current problems Explanations sought from the Minister of Agriculture To the Presidium of the People’s Assembly TIRANA A series of answers is requested from the Ministry of Agriculture and Management and Mr. Hasan Hallaçi on the issues that have been raised; a date has been set for ... [partly illegible] QUESTIONS 1. What percentage of the land in the village has been distributed, and how much remains undistributed? What are the reasons for not distributing the land, and who is responsible for resolving this problem? 2. How has the problem of land distribution been resolved in the areas of ... [text cut off at the end] ... and local? And how is it envisaged to resolve the problem of providing land ownership to families who have moved from the northern areas to other districts? 3. What is the area of land that the villagers refuse to accept? What are the reasons, and how has this been observed? 4. What percentage of the agricultural holdings that have received land have also received title deeds? When will the issuance of title deeds be completed? 5. Can payments for land improvement be considered legally valid (for peasant families who have received it ...) 6. What support, especially through economic and financial mechanisms, has the Government provided to private farmers to encourage private agricultural and livestock production, particularly for the market? Can you provide us with some information about the assistance provided during the 1993–1994 agricultural year? Respectfully, ANASTAS ANGJELI BRAMIM BACA Deputies of the Socialist Group Tirana, 27. 07. 1994

SIGNALS Recently, at the Police Commissariat, Kukës branch, the removal of elements deemed “undesirable” by the branch’s leaders has increased significantly. A recent dialogue with former police officer Tahir Hoxha from Bushati reveals: “They are dismissing us not for failing to perform our duties, but because they prejudge us as having views opposed to Mr. Fatmir Amuli, who came from Koplik, and some other leaders of the police department. It is not only Tahir, but many others as well. The purge broom and ... [partly illegible] ... professionally employed, reinstated in their duties, but in another unit, and ultimately you will be penalized, as the political situation continues to intensify. MUHAMET BELA

SHKODËR At midnight on the 28th, a tragic incident occurred at the Murigan border post. Soldier A. Bregu shot and killed soldier E. Balliu from Korça with an automatic rifle. The motive for this killing is unknown. The tragic event occurred while soldier Balliu, as the shift supervisor, was escorting soldier Bregu to take up his post. Previously, the two had been known to be friends. The perpetrator was detained, and criminal proceedings have been initiated against him. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

In the town of Përmet, the relevant organizations have approved a block for the construction of 130 individual homes. To date, 23 of them have been completed. Meanwhile, another 435 families are homeless. For 1994, housing has been planned for 35 families, 10 of whom are politically persecuted. The Government has not provided the necessary funds to build new apartments or improve living conditions in old ones. These families too, unable to obtain the materials, [are undertaking] construction among the cadres, and at this pace it will take ten to fifteen years to provide them with housing. LLAZAR PILLO

The courts did not establish Fatos Nano’s guilt, but justice cannot be expected from a deeply politicized legal system This statement by the President of the DA, Neritan Ceka, given to the newspaper «Republika», had in mind the serious procedural violations in the «Nano case»; the fabrication of charges; and the rejection by prosecutors and judges of the indisputable facts repeatedly presented by the lawyers, witnesses, etc. The Democratic Alliance, which con- siders that human rights and political freedoms are universal, will never recognize political revenge.

PROTEST To the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha To the Chairman of the Presidium of Parliament, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori To the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi To the Albanian justice authorities These days, members and supporters of the Socialist Party, honest and patriotic people in the Gjirokastër district, have experienced with great concern and indignation the events in the capital and in several districts of the country, particularly the arrests, mistreatment and terrorizing by the police state of a number of Socialist Party members and supporters, and the encirclement of the headquarters of the General Steering Committee by troops and motorized patrols. They regard these events as another serious provocation by state authorities against the Socialist Party. Honest, patriotic people and true democrats of Gjirokastër express their indignation and anger at these actions, which not only undermine our country’s fragile democracy but openly violate the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and people’s fundamental freedoms and rights. We ask the President and the Speaker of Parliament to intervene to stop this cassation [sic], the unjust sentence and the continued imprisonment of the Socialist Party chairman and MP Fatos Nano. With this, gentlemen, you have dealt a grave blow to Albanian democracy. For us, as for all truly honest Albanians, Fatos Nano is an innocent political prisoner. Why, Mr. President, do you refuse to believe this truth? Why does your position add to the sacrifices we must make to be admitted to the European democratic family? Why are fundamental human rights and freedoms and the freedoms of ... [text cut off/copy visible in adjacent column] (Continued on page 2)

PROTEST Addressed to the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha To the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori Gentlemen, Since we are convinced that the cruel class struggle continues to haunt Albania like a ghost; Since the Albanian justice authorities have been unable to free themselves from party-state tutelage and continue to remain blind servants of power rather than of the law; Since the political and moral crisis is deepening day by day in our long-suffering country; Since democratic Europe is gradually closing its gates to Albania, against the wishes and aspirations of our people; Since fundamental human rights and freedoms continue to be brutally violated in Albania; Since there are still political prisoners in Albania, such as the chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, etc., etc.; We, more than 500 intellectuals from various fields of science, members and supporters of the PS in the district of Korçë, protest energetically and ask you to use your high state authority to help ease the artificial political tensions currently seen in Albania. Also supporting the recent statement by academician Bedri Dedja, we believe that the first step toward easing the situation in the country would be the immediate release from prison of the PS chairman, comrade Fatos Nano. This act would be humane and compassionate, and would also restore the trampled honor of the Albanian justice system; above all, it would express respect for the opposition and the multiparty democratic system. Therefore, put an end to the vindictive trials of bourgeois politics, for the sake of the nation’s future. Otherwise, history will soon brand you with the stamp of shame. From 500 intellectuals, members and supporters of the PS from the Korçë district: engineers, teachers, doctors, scientists, medical practitioners, agronomists, economists, etc.