Even the measures recently taken by the police station forces to intensify the fight against crime do not seem to be producing the desired results in this city. The killing at the agricultural mechanics school, where a 1…-year-old man, aged 26, lost his life; the one in Shtoj, where another young man, aged 28, was killed; and the one in Postribë, where a girl lost her life, and which have been written about, were followed by other incidents. The series of killings, in less than 10 days, was followed by another tragic event at around 11:00, which left three dead and one injured. The dead are Pul Kabazi, E…qerem Halluni and Arif Vjerdha, two 13… 24… years old, around … 30 years old, while the … 50. The injured person was also young and was immediately taken to hospital. The information we received on this occasion indicates that all four victims were apparently sleeping in a … with a fan… (Continued on page 2)

Yes. When you win power with the world’s money, the nation loses. — 80 million drachmas — like the sword of Damocles over the head of the DP — Yes. When you win power with the world’s money, the nation loses. It is not the SP, but others who have entered into the buying and selling of power, forgetting the national interest — 80 million drachmas — like the sword of Damocles over the head of the DP — Having been impregnated with the fixed idea of a “collaboration” between the external and internal fronts and an uncompromising struggle against them, official propaganda has, in recent days, intensified its orchestrated and unprincipled campaign against the Socialist Party’s positions on recent political events in the country. Systematically and persistently, alongside a governmental anti-Greek campaign, an anti-Socialist one is also being waged. The goal is clear: to create the impression that all Greek activity of late is inspired and supported by the Socialist Party in exchange for its coming to power. In keeping with this malicious stance, the objective, realistic assessments and the call for dialogue and good neighbourly relations put forward by the SP are trumpeted as a secret agreement between PASOK and the SP, in exchange for which the Socialists would be brought to power. This is the primitive logic of today’s government, which prejudges the arrival at the helm of any force other than the DP as collaboration with foreigners against the national interest. “I believe they took money,” it says, offering yet another version of “assistance”: the arrival of trucks loaded with goods, not forgetting the posters with two fingers… The facts are stubborn and can be refuted only with arguments, which are lacking in the minds of those launching imaginary attacks against the SP. Why do they remain silent, when the situation appears extremely troubling and calls into question the legitimacy of the DP’s victories in the recent elections? We are speaking of a period when the current President, Berisha, was at the head of the party; this time he did not rush to comment, but said that documents about this financing would have to be presented… The silence being maintained gives cause for suspicion. And, as always in politics, it cannot be assumed that the money was given simply out of human solidarity and charity, but rather as part of a longer-term plan. Baleta’s statement that there is a pro-Greek lobby in the government gives one pause for thought; when connected with the other fact reported by the newspaper “E djathta” in its latest issue—that immediately after the meeting at which the government cabinet was approved, a senior DP member held a meeting at midnight with the diplomat Kanelos—it casts a ray of light on the connections they are seeking to conceal. In the face of these increasingly frequent accusations, it is precisely the Socialists who must seek the truth behind these statements, made not without responsibility. It is precisely the Socialists who must ask the DP in exchange for what “goods” it received this money, and publicly denounce that the DP’s power is not a popular mandate won through deals. The Socialist Party will come to power through a natural and objective process, but it owes this to nobody but itself—to its own strength, the alternatives it offers and the credibility of the programme it has presented. As a serious and capable force, it has indeed aligned itself with the democratic-socialist left of Europe, including PASOK, but it stands on equal and independent terms and seeks alternatives and experience from these parties, not money or truckloads of goods, as the DP did to come to power. Placing the highest national interests at its foundation, it has not accepted and will not accept entering into deals to buy and sell power by trampling on the nation’s destiny. It is clear to everyone that Albanian Socialists are above reproach and owe nobody anything; therefore, they are determined not only to reject the speculations being made, but also to demand accountability. Those who are paid are the ones who have obligations, and the people know how to distinguish them from the banal propaganda organised by a state whose legitimacy is in question. ARDIAN MYSLYMI Against the backdrop of this hostile stance, the objective, realistic assessments and the increased call for dialogue and good-neighborly relations put forward by the Socialist Party Socialist Party, in exchange for which the socialists would be enabled to come to power. This is the primitive logic of today’s rulers, who prejudge the arrival of any force other than the Democratic Party at the helm as anti-national collaboration with foreigners. Statements such as the one made on Albanian Television that “when you win power with Greek money, the nation loses” make a shameless allusion to a socialist victory as nothing other than a deal over the nation’s vital issues. But the misfortune lies with the authors of these pirate-like declarations, who fail to understand that in this way and with this strategy they are attacking themselves and exposing their own disgrace. As always, the Democratic Party’s rusty machinery gets its calculations wrong. Rumors circulating some time ago that the Democratic Party had been illegally financed during election campaigns have become genuine scandals. A donation of 400,000 dollars from the American Republican Institute came to light, casting the first doubt on the legitimacy of the Democratic Party’s victory in the March 22 elections. The Arsidi scandal did not fail to suggest that the Democratic Party’s tentacles also extended to illegal financing. Faced with such accusations, the state and the Democratic Party’s senior leadership did not know how to respond with arguments, and were content merely to let them pass in silence. And now the trial of five members of the Greek minority has provided the occasion for the scandal of illegal financing, long whispered about, to erupt. The witness well known to the public, Panajot Barka, had the courage to declare before the judges and prosecutors that it was the Democratic Party, not Omonia, that had received money from the Greek state, referring to an extraordinary fund of 30 million Greek drachmas. And he did so, fully aware of the responsibility. And as if that were not enough, another voice has emerged from within the Democratic Party itself. Its former MP Abdi Baleta states:

What do the political parties say? MIMIK DOKLE, Vice-Chairman of the Socialist Party: “The Parliament or the Constituent Assembly elected by the people” 1. At last. Everyone knows well that the rule of law cannot be built without a democratic Constitution. We have lacked one, and still do. Until now, all the principal officeholders have justified themselves before the world by saying that we have constitutional laws, a law on human rights, etc. But the absence of a complete constitutional framework renders them ineffective, turns them into propaganda tools, and, worse still, into fig leaves for legitimising power. To put it in popular terms, it is like an aeroplane without wheels. It neither lands nor takes off. The Socialist Party and its parliamentary group have made great efforts to bring the Constitution before Parliament, both within the country and in democratic institutions abroad. We have been labelled “destructive” for these actions. So be it. Labels do not matter to us. The immediate change of “course” on the Constitution also comes as a result of the great pressure the Council of Europe exerted on the Albanian authorities: without a Constitution, there is no admission to the Council of Europe! This is not a condition imposed for its own sake. “If you have attained the necessary democratic standards,” one of the Council of Europe’s prominent figures said, “you can be admitted even without a Constitution. But we know that these standards have not been attained, and therefore you must draw up a Constitution.” The government did not dare say to Europe: “Why are you interfering in our internal affairs?!” Who will approve the Constitution? There is a constitutional law that assigns this task to Parliament. Our view is that the Constitution should be approved by Parliament and then submitted to a popular referendum. But it can also be done by a Constituent Assembly. In that case, however, two things must be done—Parliament must adopt a constitutional decision on the method for approving the Constitution. b- The Assembly must be elected and cannot be “appointed” from among so-called “intellectuals” who are servile to the government. How can it make sense for one of our best constitutional experts to be paired with a doctor on the Constitution Commission?! Any amendment to the law on this matter must be made by a two-thirds majority. Other actions in violation of this constitutional rule would be a “legal coup.” If anyone intends to do this, they should kindly notify the municipal authorities to write these words at Albania’s gates: “Abandon all hope, you who enter!” But I still believe these words will not be written: NERITAN CEKA, President of the Democratic Alliance: “Any solution outside Parliament would be a coup d’état” VASIL MELO, Chairman of the BDNJ Party “The Constitution must express the will of the people” Question: By autumn, the Constitution in Parliament…

“Any solution outside Parliament would be a coup d’état” The presentation of the Constitution to Parliament later this year is overdue, considering the promises made to Sidopafit, and especially the positive moment for democratic institutions in Albania. I hope Albania will finally become a state. We are a constitutionalist party, and the country must be governed according to laws approved by Parliament. In this context, there is only one body that can approve the Constitution or decide how it is to be approved. That body is Parliament. Any choices made outside this framework amount to a coup d’état, and the consequences that follow from a coup d’état must be taken into account. Who should approve the Constitution? It can be approved by Parliament or by a Constituent Assembly, provided that the latter results from lawful and free elections held pursuant to a decision of Parliament. In either case, I believe there should be consensus, because governance means pluralism and rotation, and no political force should act through the Constitution without bearing in mind that it may be in opposition.

“The Constitution must express the will of the people” Question: By autumn, the Constitution in Parliament. How do you assess this event? Answer: Let us hope it will be this autumn, because I do not believe this means just any autumn; once it is set, the many tribulations and the long marathon that have accompanied the Constitution will come to an end. It has been accompanied by tension, debates and confrontations of a harsh kind. I consider it a positive celebration. Of course, I would not conclude that presenting the Constitution is necessary only because of the pressures that have been exerted. (Continued on page 3)

The director of the forestry service department for the Mat area, Luan Koçaj, told ATSH that during these summers there have been 26 fires across 225 hectares of pine and oak forest, of which a full 5 hectares were completely burned. The most significant damage occurred in the forests of Balgjaj, Martanesh, Cërrujë and Trodhn. The damage is estimated at 2.7 million lekë. According to Mr Kola, the fires are the result of carelessness by various passers-by and by shepherds who spend the summer grazing their flocks in the mountainous areas of this district. However, the indifferent attitude of the local forestry authorities in the municipalities whose forests have been affected by the fires cannot be excused either. (Continued on page 3)

The lives of thousands of people in Elbasan are at risk. Everyone who consumes meat and milk is exposed to a very dangerous disease, especially during this past month. The milk that the farmer brings every morning in Coca-Cola plastic bottles is contaminated with tuberculosis. This alarming fact is confirmed by the veterinary specialists of the district council in Elbasan and S. Como. Explaining in greater detail, they stress that tests were carried out in two villages, Mollas and Gjergjan (the latter is closer to the city, and most of the milk from its cows is sold in the city), and the results showed that more than 10 percent of the cows have tuberculosis. They also say that we are convinced this situation exists in all the villages in the district, so the danger is quite serious. Under the law, when cows have tuberculosis, they must be slaughtered and buried immediately. The state must compensate the farmers. However, according to the specialists responsible, not a single cow has been destroyed so far, out of the hundreds that should have been buried. Those interested in this suspicious course of action are not… (Continued on page 3)

Yesterday at 12 o’clock, in the presence of Muslim believers, the inauguration ceremony of the “Kubelie Mosque” was held in Durrës. This religious institution was first inaugurated in 1939 and, since 1967, it had ceased functioning for a very long time; it was restored to service again in 1991 for the people of Durrës. The “Kubelie Mosque”, which is in the center of this coastal city, is currently the largest in the country. Representatives of the Catholic and Orthodox faiths, representatives of the Presidency, the Council of Ministers, local government, etc., took part in the inauguration of this religious institution. The ambassadors of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Egypt, Palestine and Syria were also invited. After the opening remarks by H. Salih Tivari, Secretary General of the Albanian Muslim Committee, greetings were also delivered by Durrës Mufti Osman Sakuri, the World Islamic League’s coordinator for Albania, Mr. Ismet Kaziun, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Mr. Bashkim Kopliku, and the Director of the World Islamic Relief Organization for Albania, Dr. Fareed (Continued on page 3)

- The post of inspector for the oversight of diplomatic spending has been approved. Karl Teodor Pashkë Kërte is a candidate for the post. - A batch of counterfeit pills, sealed with forged labels, has entered Albania. The danger they pose is now the subject of debate among financial police and health specialists. - Frankness and insecurity, threats and menace continue to be exploited ahead of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Sarajevo. - Losses of around 42 million lek have been identified over approximately a year and a half, raising questions about corruption at the Batë chrome extraction and processing enterprise. - After a meeting, a large [unclear] during 160 lives of a... birth... - A person recently attempted to rob the State Bank in Dibër. He poured water on the [unclear] while hiding in the institution’s restroom. - 69 million lek is the amount invested in the water supply system of Këlcyra in Përmet. - After its 3–0 victory over “Fandol” in football, SK Tirana has... (unreadable text) - It has been reported that an earthquake struck the outskirts of Ptolemais in Greece. No reports of damage have been received. - A new wholesale market is expected to be established in the capital. It will be in the Laprakë area and cover 7,500 m². - The authorities of the state are imprisoning (?) - Two people attempting to steal 10 kg of uranium. - Maradona, the pride of Argentine football, will not play football until 1995, according to a FIFA decision. - Statistical data put Sarandë at the top among the districts, ahead of Tirana as well, with regard to the number of high-yield agricultural [products/varieties]... - Two Albanians from Vlora, R. Ca­ve, 38, and A. Xhelaj, 43, were caught and imprisoned in Brindisi for trafficking illegal migrants. - Soon, endoscopes will be moved to [unclear] for examinations and minor operations on their incompatible ears. - The body of an as-yet-unidentified 30-year-old person has been found on the coast of Brindisi; the person is believed to be Albanian.