- Prison, an instrument of the present regime’s policy for putting into practice the philosophy of dehumanizing people. - Set against it, the “Charter of Human Rights” is nothing but a cultural monument misused by Berisha’s regime. Once again, it is the socialist opposition members who are ready to sit at the round table and engage in dialogue to get the country out of the vicious circle carrying extremely high tension. At the end, it was the Deputy Chairman of the SP, Mr. Luan Hajdaraga, who, on behalf of his party, accepted dialogue with the government, identified with Berisha, challenging the effort made [text unclear] a few weeks earlier, when together with Meksi they considered the socialists enemies, precisely on the day when Berisha’s newspaper threatened the socialists with imprisonment. (They would be lucky, because otherwise they might even be massacred.) So, Mr. Hajdaraga, Mr. Pellumbi, Mr. Meta and their Socialist Party were doing nothing other than expressing and demanding that an elementary norm of a democratic society—dialogue—should function. And this because this norm has long since disappeared, because Albanian society itself has only recently changed the course of a democratic society, making an authoritarian regime with police-state tendencies a reality in Albania. And in this change of course, a new policy has emerged, based on a “new” philosophy of dehumanizing people, which has chosen prison as its instrument of implementation. It is precisely PRISON that is serving as a barrier between the government and the opposition, between the government and the independent press and the opposition; it is serving as a barrier between democracy and the authoritarian regime. A year ago, feeling “threatened” by the Socialist opposition, which was demanding the resignation of the “Meksi Government,” the power headed by Sali Berisha arrested the opposition leader who had succeeded in making the demand for the government’s resignation resonate throughout the country: MP Fatos Nano. By finding a modern solution—an accusation of corruption—the DP managed to carry out the arrest simply to eliminate the opposition leader, simply for revenge, simply to save the seats of its puppets, which were in danger. Very soon, a year after the first sitting, it covered the matter with a mysterious veil for Europe’s observers. But the measure apparently had holes in it, and Nano and the socialist camp, regarded as successful in the circles of official Europe, managed to expose the minister, making clear what the DP had tried to conceal: political revenge; the lynching of the opposition leader; the elimination of the opposition; the establishment in Albania of a regime that took Berisha’s name. The socialist spotlight was turned on Tirana prison to show Europe that the “Charter of Human Rights” in Albania is a cultural monument misused by Berisha and replaced by an obscurantist policy of dehumanizing people. What did the camera focused on Tirana prison capture on film? First, a people’s deputy, leader of the country’s largest opposition party; the former prime minister who extinguished the— (Continued on page 3)

In protest against the absurd taxes and fees imposed on the press, it has now been announced and decided, as previously announced, that we will suspend publication of the newspapers starting Thursday, 4 August 1994. With this strike, we also wish to protest against the ongoing indifference of the Meksi government, which has taken no concrete steps in favour of our demands, made public some time ago, for the removal of customs duties on paper and printing-house raw materials and for the suspension of the 15 percent turnover tax and the 5 percent advertising tax—demands that have also been deemed justified by the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha. A press squeezed by irrational taxes and fees, with very limited distribution and losses on all fronts, cannot be healthy or free, nor can it attain high standards of quality. A press under such economic conditions cannot properly fulfil its mission of informing everyone and fostering the emancipation of civil society. We feel that economic censorship dictates sensationalist journalism, something that in fact does not have our approval as professionals. Therefore, in the name of professionalism in the broadest sense of the word, we have insisted and will continue to insist on removing every kind of tax on journalistic activity. Our strike is an expression of this insistence. We will not accept taxes that no democratic country in the world imposes. We will not accept any kind of discrimination. The resumption of newspaper publication will be announced in a special issue by the strike committee, which will also report on developments in the strike by former political prisoners. The strike committee, composed of Messrs. Nikollë Lesi (chairman), Luan Rama, Blendi Fevziu, Shpëtim Nezarko, Ilirjan Zhupa (secretary), L. dajet Beqiri, Artan Kristo and Ale-ksandër Çipa, will try to negotiate with the government over our demands. Contributions from printing-house managers are welcome. Solidarity from other newspapers with our strike is also welcome; the strike will be escalated or not depending on the measures the government takes. We hope that the days of our strike will also be a period of reflection for the newspaper-sales agencies in the districts, toward facilitating and improving newspaper distribution and ensuring greater accuracy in settling payments. We also hope that Albanian commercial and manufacturing companies, whose success depends directly on the standards of an open and free society, will stand closer to the Albanian press. Koha Jonë Zëri i popullit Dita Informacion Aleanca Populli PO Republika Java Kombi Intervista Demokracia Note: with the permission of the strike committee, the newspaper «Republika» will be published tomorrow. Tirana, 03.08.1994

A year in the state’s brutal cells, thousands of pages of files, dozens of decisions and days of court hearings would not be enough to make Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Socialist Party and a member of the People’s Assembly, change his “daily routine.” After a yea— and even at the final level, the Court of Cassation, Fatos Nano remains under the same conditions of isolation, in violation of all laws. Cell No. 47 and its prisoner have not changed at all. The schedule is the same, and so are the security measures. Prisons. Continuing our inquiries, the President of the Court of Appeal, Mr. Martini, thought it more reasonable to ask the journalist why he was seeking him in his office, rather than do his job as a doorman by opening the courthouse gate, while the court’s doorman was standing behind Mr. Martini!. The delay speaks for itself. The police state which, under the cover of “opponents but brothers,” has put the chairman of the Albanian opposition in its cells, is still not satiated with its miserable, clan-chief-style revenge. If the aim had been to hold another trial against Fatos Nano, the documents ...

- Meeting tomorrow at «Koha Jonë» - Tomorrow at 10:00, a meeting of journalists from the newspapers taking part in the strike will be held at the «Koha Jonë» newsroom. Personalities are welcome to attend

A year in the state’s brutal cells, thousands of pages of files, dozens of decisions and days of court hearings would not be enough to make Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Socialist Party and a member of the People’s Assembly, change his “daily routine.” change his “daily routine.” After a year in the cells of the “democratic state,” the opposition leader was treated by the regime in the harshest possible way. The strict police regime sought to break him morally and physically, hoping to score its first victory over him. Directors, police officers, guards, investigators, prosecutors and judges were all deployed solely to keep the pressure on him constant. But nothing worked. Curiously, although the trial had concluded, so are the security measures. When we asked about this matter at the General Directorate of Prisons (where, fortunately, its director, Mr. Shënepremte, was on duty), the deputy director explained that changing the measure required the written ruling to arrive from the Court of Appeal, and that this should normally come 10–15 days after the decision is made. But, strangely, since the decision was made, it has still not arrived at the Directorate of Prisons. the cover of being vengeful, clan-chief-style reprisal. Fatos Nano, the documents would have arrived on time. But this time the state wants to keep him in the cells of 313 once again. As always, its calculations are wrong. Fatos Nano has the strength, whether the “rule-of-law” state likes it or not, to endure the remaining time under the same conditions, because he does not measure his moral strength, courage and integrity by the standards of his clan-chief opponents. ARDIAN MYSLIMI

- From 8:05 until 10:30, Zef Brozi, President of the Court of Cassation; Prele Martini, President of the Court of Appeal; and Aliush Dragoshi, Chief Prosecutor, all “specialists” on the Nano case, gathered at the Palace of “Justice.” - The Minister of Justice received the RD journalist and two TV journalists, but had no time for the journalist from «ZP». A [unclear] from this press for Zef of the people. “Why is Fatos Nano still being held in isolation?” “Is the treatment in Tirana prison inhuman?” We waited for around two and a half hours at the Ministry of Justice to put these questions to the Minister of Justice, Mr. Kudret Çela, and obtain his views. But despite our attempts to reach him by telephone, an informal call was also made and information was left about the media appointment—to see the journalist from «Zëri i popullit». While standing beside the building’s guard, a deceiver for him... and at the Directorate of Prisons. Finally, a mere coincidence. From 9:00 until 10:30, at the Palace of “Justice,” the former Central Committee of the PPSH, President of the Court of Appeal; and Aliush Dragoshi, Republic Prosecutor, along with Mr. Kristo, gathered one after another in that “palace.” Four “experts” on the Nano case. We were there making inquiries about the “Nano case.”

Zef Brozi, President of the Court of Cassation: I don’t know anything. In my opinion, it is a technical matter, the work of the Court secretariat, which writes up the ruling, sends it to the Tirana Court, and then that court sends it to the Prison Directorate, which implements the relevant ruling. I believe this takes some time, and there is no reason to prejudge the matter, Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Notice from the spokesperson of the Tirana Court - Albanian Television, referring to a notice from the spokesperson of the Tirana Court, reports that at nine o'clock in the morning on August 15 the trial will begin against Theodhor Bezhani, Vangjel Papakristos; Panajot Marta, Kosta Qirjako and Irakli Sema. According to this notice, they are accused of treason against the homeland for activities aimed at altering the borders of the Republic of Albania and placing themselves at the service of carrying out the tasks of foreign intelligence agencies, as provided for in Articles 47, 49 and 13 of the Criminal Code. Theodhor Bezhani; Irakli Sema and Kosta Qirjako are also accused of possessing weapons without a permit; a crime provided for under Article 223-1 of the Criminal Code. The trial will be presided over by Martin Deda, deputy chairman of the Tirana Court.

PROTEST Addressed to: Mr. Sali Berisha, President of the Republic of Albania. Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, Speaker of the People's Assembly. Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, Chairman of the Council of Ministers. We, the students, and the deep indignation being experienced by our country rejoice… [the final text is partly illegible] The chairman of the Tirana order against … [partly illegible] democracy and against … [partly illegible] Albanian … The devastation of … [partly illegible] This political action … [partly illegible] (continued on page 3)

DECLARATION It has now been a year since the «Nano Case» has accompanied all the developments in Albanian life. As a counterpoint to the politics of revenge, incompetence, h-k-marrjes, mediocrity and the unprecedented provincialism of Berisha's current government, the past year has fully demonstrated that the accusation is directed at its politics: the Nano Case is not simply a matter concerning Fatos Nano, his family, or the Socialist Party he leads. It has become an issue for all Albanians; it is the barometer of the high temperatures characterizing society in our country today. The judicial farces of the now-discredited organs of Albanian justice do nothing but confirm Nano's innocence and expose the criminal political intentions of the PD, today's government and its leaders to eliminate the opposition in Albania. This was also proven by the use of police violence, by undisclosed police violence and pressure that recall fascist outbursts and spare no one… (continued on page 2)

Albania has been accepted as an associate member of the Central European Initiative, officials at the Directorate of Press and Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the ATSH correspondent today. This was decided at the organization's latest meeting, held in Trieste, where the final economic document was drafted. The economic program includes the development of the Durrës-Skopje-Sofia-Black Sea or Turkey corridor. Albania had also given its approval for this shortly before, at the meeting of transport ministers. (continued on page 2) The EBRD and the World Bank will prepare an estimate of the cost of this project, whose project and implementation will be examined in Ohrid. At this meeting it was also decided to make it possible to hold as soon as possible a meeting of the trade ministers of the ten countries of the conference among the trade ministers of the Chambers of Commerce. It was also requested that CSCE relations be established in Kosovo, Sandžak and Vojvodina. (ATSH)

Tomorrow at 10:00, a meeting of journalists from the newspapers participating in the strike will be held at the editorial office of the newspaper «Koha Jonë». participating in the strike will be held at the editorial office of the newspaper «Koha Jonë». Personalities from science and culture, journalists from other fields, politicians, members of parliament, chairmen of political parties, as well as press attachés from foreign embassies accredited in the Republic of Albania are welcome. Strike Committee. Chairman NIKOLLË LESI Secretary ILIRIAN ZHUPA Tirana, 03. 08. 1994.