STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA It is not the first time that the opposition forces, and especially the Socialist Party, have been accused by official propaganda and the party in power of being anti-Albanian, or even of national treason. Leaders of opposition parties, or even an entire party, have been branded agents of Belgrade, Slavo-Communists, and anti-national. Thus, the current slanders fit within the logic of the regime’s policy of provoking and keeping the political climate heated at all times; they are an outburst of one of its perennial themes, aimed at subjugating and, if possible, completely eliminating the opposition; they reflect the concept rooted in the minds of the state leaders, who consider the opposition an enemy. The campaign of attacks launched in recent days by the official propaganda organs, the party in power, and officials at every level is unfolding at a time when our people, inside and outside the state borders, have been particularly affected by [?] ... and have irritated the DP. It is regrettable that in such situations the DP has chosen either the role of the deaf man or that of the instigator of division. And not only that. This time, the excessive aggressiveness toward the opposition forces coincides with a moment when political circles and Albanian public opinion at large are sounding the alarm over a constitutional [?] that is being planned and appears on the horizon, and which President Berisha himself is dealing with. As Albania awaits the adoption of the constitution, the idea has been floated of a constitutional assembly appointed by decree, through which the president and the DP aim either to postpone the constitution even further or to carry out the final stage of all their actions over the past three years: the establishment of a regime of “strong rule.” In this regard, we tell you that this is an extremely dangerous game. The Socialist Party and the other opposition forces will not be dazzled by the smoke screen you are spreading to conceal the failures of DP policy in international relations, for example with Panic, Gligorov, Bllazhotin, etc. We tell you that the DP’s statement, with language that is irresponsible and utterly unbecoming of a political force, aims to sow discord within the SP and divide it. We tell you that you are wasting your time. The SP will not be swayed by such tactics and attacks. Meanwhile, the noise against the SP is intended to cover up your own divisions: failures in domestic and foreign policy, government corruption, the oil tankers which, strangely, are not stopped amid strained relations with Greece, and the keeping alive of these [?] of war, the killings on the Albanian border, and the violation of airspace. But this is unlikely to help either! Gentlemen in power! Your mindset in attacking the SP is unacceptable and irresponsible. It is not the SP that is bringing down [?], driven by the interests of the moment; rather, it is the DP’s these [?] bringing down [?], the DP’s these [?] The People’s Voice is neither a statement nor an award; it is a sentiment with which one must never play. The measure of patriotism is not set by a party or presidents; it is set by history, and history will surely deliver its judgment at the proper time, both for the SP and the DP and today’s officials. Shifting responsibility away from yourselves is your preferred tactic, but it will not save you from responsibility for your political actions and positions on the national question. [Our positions] have been consistent, and time has proved them right. The DP’s platform and positions, meanwhile, have changed according to circumstances, to such an extent that even you yourselves are unclear about your objectives and what you are currently seeking. We, for our part, cannot fail to have our own points of criticism... And specifically, we tell you today: - You are the ones who, while the people call for unity and calm, incite division, quarrels, and revenge. - You are the ones who have systematically sabotaged every initiative for reconciliation and dialogue. - You are the ones who, while good relations and good neighborliness are being sought, pursue a policy of conflict. - You are the ones obstructing the fulfillment of the national aspiration for a European Albania. - You are the ones who, while pretending to appreciate the SP statement of 25.8.1994, pay no heed to any of its demands. And finally, we tell you that under the present circumstances we would not welcome such a war of statements, but you are the ones who have brought us to this point. PRESIDIUM OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA Tirana, 31.8.1994 the heavy burden weighing on the heads of state leaders, who regard the opposition as the the official propaganda organs, the ruling party and officials at every level is taking place state borders, have been wounded in their sacred feeling of patriotism. But the narrow-minded politicians of the PD are trying to exploit the card of nationalism and patriotism for the purposes of their struggle with political opponents, to settle scores with them. With this as its main objective, the ruling party set everything in motion: it enlisted the official media in this campaign, took to the streets with microphones and cameras to gather opinions against the PS and some of its leaders, and mobilized chauvinist political forces, satellites of the PD, inside and outside the state borders. In this campaign, which reaches its peak with the PDSH statement published in RD on August 30, 1994, the entire arsenal of hateful accusations is used to criminalize people’s minds and shape public opinion against the PS as anti-Albanian! And it is no coincidence that the attack against the PS intensified precisely when the PS Presidium, through its statement, proposed dialogue to ease tensions in relations with Greece and called for a round table of political parties on this issue of national importance. Once again it was proven that precisely when the PS’s constructive positions and its call for discussion and dialogue favor a comprehensive, common national solution, ... ...they either want the final stage of all the actions they have been preparing for three years: a constitution for a «strong-hand» regime. We believe that, in this case, the other opposition forces will not be deceived by the fabrications you are spreading to cover up, with the card of patriotism, your relations abroad and the constitutional coup at home—an act that is nothing less than a grave anti-democratic and anti-national deed. With its all-encompassing statement, the PD leadership could not hide that it was irritated by the PS’s growth and strengthening, by its popular support, and by its friendly relations with the socialist and social-democratic parties of Europe, which were also evident in the solidarity expressed over the Nano Case. The characterization of its joint declaration with PASOK as «a grave act of national treason» reflects the PD’s primitive concept, which views ties between political forces and different states according to its own «frontier», as well as its desire to monopolize everything. When the PS seeks understanding in the Balkans, this is called «national treason», whereas patriotism and far-sighted policy are proclaimed when President Berisha or factions of the PD do it. It would be better not to repeat its experience with ties to «New Democracy», the exploitation of those ties to obtain material benefits and millions of drachmas, which were linked to thousands of illegal ballot papers, as well as the notorious posters of the failures, in the interest of seizing power, in order to smear others. Do not forget that nothing disappears without leaving traces and documents... ...they either want We believe that, in this case, documents... Gentlemen in power! Your mentality of attacking the PS is utterly anachronistic. It keeps you tied to all dictatorships. You call people anti-national if they dare criticize your mistaken actions, positions and views. You have the delusional audacity to identify yourselves with the homeland and the nation, and ... so you hand out decorations easily and irresponsibly, even to criminals and collaborators with fascism, yet think nothing of labeling not only politicians but also the largest opposition force—with over 100,000 members and hundreds of thousands of voters—as anti-national. The people gave you their vote to protect and strengthen the state, to uphold the honor and dignity of the people—not to deny history, seize power and insult those who fought the glorious Anti-Fascist War, or deny the blood of the martyrs. The people expect you to protect them and not allow our servicemen to be killed in their barracks several kilometers inside the border; not allow a propeller plane loaded with water and leaflets to fly untroubled in our airspace for 40 minutes; not allow Greek soldiers to enter 8 km into our territory, fire their weapons and leave without a hair being harmed; and not allow Serbian forces to kill our boys on the northeastern borders, etc. Patriotism is not anyone’s monopoly...

THE CONSTITUTION ON THE AGENDA - The President’s decree for the “Assembly” is unconstitutional from the very outset - The alarm has already been sounded. Political parties, lawyers, members of parliament, intellectuals, etc. have expressed concern in recent days that Albania is threatened by the danger of an unconstitutional coup d’état. The cause of this concern was the idea recently put forward by the President of the Republic that the constitution could be adopted by a Constitutional Assembly appointed by presidential decree. The support given to this idea by the active president of the Democratic Party and by that party’s official propaganda makes the danger of violating the constitutional provisions currently in force a real one. This chorus of supporters also includes a satellite party of the DP and, worse still, the legal arguments offered in favor of the decree by the senior head of Albanian justice, Mr Zef Brozi. Meanwhile, current affairs figures such as Bujar Hoxha have begun drawing up lists for the “Constitutional Assembly” on the pages of RT. On the other side, there is virtually unanimous opposition to a Constitutional Assembly appointed by decree among many parties, chiefly those in opposition, as well as among serious lawyers and intellectuals. They call for the constitutional law governing the procedure for adopting the constitution to be applied. It is now clear that the presidential decree appointing the Constitutional Assembly is unconstitutional even at the level of its very idea! The newspaper “RD” is wrong to call for the decree not to be prejudged, on the grounds that it has not yet been issued. (There is no doubt that it will be issued.) The alarm has been sounded in time; if we wait for the decree to be issued, it will be too late. The way must be blocked for the issuance of this decree, not merely for its preparation. The constitutional law gives the presidency the authority to propose amendments to the constitutional law, but not to issue decrees concerning the procedure for adopting the constitution. The law has granted this right only to parliament. The idea of a Constitutional Assembly appointed by presidential decree was also put forward a few months ago. Faced with opposition objections, he temporarily shelved the idea. It would be good if, now too, he took proper account of the opposition’s position and did the same, rather than embarking on an unconstitutional adventure. The DP and the president’s legal advisers should help put a stop to such a thing, rather than push him toward breaking the law. This would be in the interests of the country, the nation, its present and its future. Why do the DP and the president not apply the constitutional law on the adoption of the constitution? They do not do so because they want to make a party constitution, not for... (Continued on page 2)

- report - - Names; car license plates; initials of newspapers and districts, (fountains, black sacks, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles move through the dust as if through fog. A few less [?] in Kakavijë. “When did you return, and how?” asks a group hurrying to get settled on a bus in the queue. “We came back on our own,” someone answered, almost angrily. “Are you from Albanian TV or something?” “What difference does it make?” “A big difference, actually,” he replied, irritated. “What do you want? For me to tell you that the police beat us, that Shani told us to curse Sali Berisha and the others...? We all came back on our own, without the police catching us and without anyone telling us to turn back.” “And you?” They ask the first ones. “What can we tell you, brother? We’ve been walking for two days. The police caught us and drove us ahead. We asked for a bus, but a policeman told us: ‘...’” “How did you people get here?” we asked another group. “We’re from Dibra.” “Where did you work?” “In Crete.” “Were things going well for you?” “What do you mean, well? We were hired hands, but still, we earned something. But what can you do—politics has made things this way, apparently.” “Hey, over there ... [text continues outside the photo]” An hour later another group arrived. There were more than 60 people. They too, with a few exceptions, had no documents. “And you?” we asked policeman told us: ‘...’” “We’ve been here since yesterday. Now we’ll stay here and wait for our friends. The police caught them and put them inside. But they don’t keep them for more than 24 hours.” “Do they mistreat them?” “If you resist, they break your ribs...” (Continued on page 3) “Can someone answer me? ... Are you from Albanian TV?” “What difference does it make?” “It makes a big difference, actually...” he replied angrily. the police beat us, that Sali Berisha told us to turn back and all that...? We all turned without anyone telling us to go back. But we hear the news on Radio Tirana and Albanian television, and we gather up our rags in case they catch us. The Greek news isn’t any better, either.” “Don’t listen to him, he’s angry,” another person cut in. “The truth is that we came back on our own, but even if we hadn’t come back today, the police would have sent us back tomorrow. We came back because almost all of us had no documents, and rather than have them catch us and take even these two bits of junk we have,”

THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE LEGACY OF WAR IS CLOSED Yesterday in Berlin, the de jure closing of the final chapter of the Cold War began. At a solemn ceremony attended by Russian President Jelcin and German Chancellor Kohl, the last Russian troops left the territory of eastern Germany. The Allied troops will leave during September, which will bring the definitive de jure closing of the Cold War and of the legacy of the Second World War in this part of the world. In his speech, Jelcin, greeting the German people, described the withdrawal as a historic moment. “I greet the German people at this very historic moment,” he said. “I believe that everyone has won. On this day we should not think of winners and losers; we are building relations... (Continued on page 4)

- The 50th anniversary of the liberation of Konispol and the 51st anniversary of the frontal resistance against the German occupiers were celebrated. * * * - The “Albanfolk” ensemble, a new musical group in Albania with an average age of 20 and 15 years of experience, will take part in the international folk music festival in France. * * - 74-year-old Zel Luiz Mjeda, our country’s representative at the 70th international “Esperanto” music congress held last year in Spain, announces an article by Mefalift? ... * *

The Esperanto language, the product of his four years of work. * * * 2,251 locations for fines and seizures—this is the result of the work of the financial police department in the district of Fier during the first six months of this year. * * - At its latest meeting, the Council of Ministers approved the draft decision setting maximum retail prices for medicines and liberalizing the prices of medicines outside the list of those specified.

* * - A new mosque is being built in the city of Kukës, financed by the “Mufak” foundation with 14 million dollars and constructed by the “Ndërtuesit” company of this city. * * - The theft of telephone impulses is a major civic concern, which has even reached the presidential [?]. A citizen complains about these causes. * * - A bloody week—that is how the correspondent of the newspaper “K...” describes it.

* * - «J...» a week with 7 dead and 3 wounded in Shkodër, while TV and propaganda talk about a decrease in crime. * * - On September 8, 1994, the Montenegrin citizen Begir Salj Meshevic, accused of espionage, smuggling and illegal border crossing, will once again appear in the courtroom in Shkodër. The hearing on this charge, which had been scheduled for August 6, was postponed to the date given above. * * - At the counters of the State Bank in Fier, people come forward and are caught by pano...

* * - The balance of material and monetary damage to citizens’ vehicles is around 1 million lek, the result of a demonstration by Tirana’s special forces in the city of Korçë. * * - UEFA has confirmed in recent days that Albania will take part in «Euro-96», which had previously been a source of concern and uncertainty. According to the schedule, Albania will travel to Wales on September 7 for its first match.