Meeting between PSSH Deputy Chairman Dr. Servet Pëllumbi and the International Monetary Fund ambassador in Albania, Mr. Wei Ding

Yesterday, Mr. Wei Ding, IMF Ambassador in Tirana, received the Deputy Chairman of the PSSH, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, at the headquarters of this important international institution. Deputies Dr. Anastas Angjeli and Dr. Shkëlqim Cani also took part in the meeting. Views of mutual interest were exchanged on several issues concerning the progress of economic reform in our country and aspects of the PSSH’s economic alternative in this regard. PSSH Press and Information Office Tirana, 6.10.1994

SOCIALISTS WILL NEVER BECOME CO-AUTHORS OF INSTITUTIONAL COUPS

Only 63 Democratic Party deputies remain in the chamber and raise their hands — THE DP DOES NOT ALLOW THE PROCEEDINGS TO BE BROADCAST ON TELEVISION — — Only 63 Democratic Party deputies remain in the chamber and raise their hands — — THE DP DOES NOT ALLOW THE PROCEEDINGS TO BE BROADCAST ON TELEVISION — [text cut off and illegible on the left side of the image; visible fragments: «…morë», «…ganizat…», «…finan-», «…shkëputje…», «…TA RIFA»]

THE REFERENDUM BILL — THE ANTECHAMBER TO THE ADOPTION OF AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTION?

The Democratic Party deputies have kept their mouths shut. What can they say? — The DP is afraid and does not allow Parliament’s proceedings to be broadcast. — The Democratic Party deputies have kept their mouths shut. What can they say? — The DP is afraid and does not allow Parliament’s proceedings to be broadcast. Despite the opposition voiced by the opposition deputies, the blue force [the ruling majority] ensured that yesterday, throughout the day, the bill “On Referendums,” hastily and unexpectedly submitted by the President of the Republic, was taken up for discussion in Parliament under an expedited procedure. It is clear that the DP’s position on the second version was the same as on the first version: it approved this one enthusiastically too, just as it had the previous one, forgetting that it had used exactly the same words about the first one. The preparations had been made in full, not forgetting the “preparation” of the deputy minister, Mr. Kris-(Continued on page 4)

Berisha is imposing a Democratic Party statute on Albania

Socialist Party Deputy Chairman Dr. SERVET PËLLUMBI tells «Zëri i Popullit» Adopting the Constitution is the best opportunity to secure consensus among the political forces. We discussed this responsibility and the matter at length during today’s parliamentary session as well. But while we—and not only we, but also deputies representing other political forces—made efforts and put forward concrete suggestions and proposals, the Democratic Party deputies remained indifferent and made no effort to find a path to consensus. Not only that, but matters were made even worse when the DP Secretary General, Mr. Tritan Shehu, made a divisive statement at the end of the debate. With astonishing frivolity, he declared that we would never seek the Socialists’ consensus?! It is regrettable that this person, who is part of the Democratic Party leadership, still has not understood the ABC of democracy and pluralism, which means the ability to engage in dialogue, the ability to reach consensus, the ability to compromise. However, it seems that the president, Berisha, frequently changing the rules of the game, is imposing a DP statute on Albania; this has led to irreparable distortions within this party’s leadership. Without going into detail, let us compare just the two latest statements. Selami declared in Strasbourg that we cannot reach consensus with the Socialists, while in the Albanian Parliament Tritan Shehu declares that we will never seek the PS’s consensus. It should no longer be called the “Democratic Party”; one can only pity Albania for having such leadership.

Address by the Secretary General of the SP, Gramoz Ruçi

The Socialist Party and its parliamentary group have considered the proposal very important. First of all, we support the legal experience underpinning the fundamental laws we have enacted. Secondly, I welcome the experie- (Continued on page 4) PD—Mr. the discussions. the Socialists’ consensus! It is regrettable that this e-

Tritan Shehu in Parliament yesterday

[...important for the approval of the constitution, by-] [providing the relevant versions] TRITAN SHEHU in Parliament yesterday “The Democratic Party has neither sought nor will it ever seek consensus from the Socialist Party”

An interesting visit

On Tuesday, 27.9.1994, the beautiful trees of the Kolonjë monastery in Lushnjë were buffeted by the blades of a helicopter, which managed to find a landing spot on this hilltop, the site of the monastery’s cozy and romantic premises. Without stopping, the blades’ inertial rush only added a freshness to the green surroundings. We saw a smiling young man get out of the helicopter, a well-known figure on television, but-po[?]ri. It was none other than Eduard Selami himself. Mr. Selami sat down for a coffee and then flew like a bird over the pastoral fields of this area, a visit by the party’s leaders and all of us in the past Edi[?] of the future of the Democratic Party and all our democratic people. It was a striking visit, to continue on until he left Lushnjë, but the young man had descended from the sky with cars. Of course, it was a helicopter. Of course, it was an exhibited helicopter ... [partly illegible]

Good news: Prime Minister Meksi gave his first press conference

Unconfirmed sources say that yesterday afternoon Prime Minister Meksi was at a press conference and gave one, after six and a half years as prime minister, having come to life. At the top of the list were journalists from special television programs, Vjollca Vokshi and Zamira Koleci. Several correspondents from foreign agencies in Tirana had also been invited, and these were all. With as much piloting as was needed, and to make ban[?] once, Prime Minister Meksi also did it with the divine, so that the outside world would hear about it too. Albania through Albanian Radio and Television. Even at Meksi’s first meeting with the press, representatives of the Albanian newspapers were absent—those who have criticized him so much and have wanted to meet Meksi, saying that he is a man with a sense of humor. “But in fact, Albanian journalists remain at the back of the Albanian prime minister’s list. Meanwhile, they must wait another two years to have the theoretical opportunity to face Meksi.

PESHKOPI

The fallen are remembered at the Nazi camp in Prishtina With a minute of silence, in memory of the 140 boys and girls, unextinguished [?], whose lives began in the infamous Nazi camp in Prishtina, the committee of veterans of the antifascist national liberation war of the Dibër district commemorated the five martyrs from Dibër who were executed at this camp 50 years ago, in October 1944. In his account of the Prishtina massacre, Bajram Totraku recalled moments from the prisoners’ resistance in the camp, their heroic hunger against the Nazi beast. Vafsi Abedini, chairman of the district committee of veterans of the antifascist national liberation war, spoke about the life and patriotic activity of the five martyrs who fell at this camp: Shaban Jeceni, Hamza Shehu, Xhevdet Gjyla, Taim Shehu and Musa Agzajli. A. Ashiku

All five: Six years less in prison

The appeal trial of the five Greek-minority members ended in Tirana - The Tirana Court of Appeal also finds the five «Omonia» activists guilty of treason against the homeland. The five Greek-minority members—arrested seven months ago—have once again been found guilty of the criminal offenses of «treason against the homeland in the form of serving a foreign intelligence agency» and «unauthorized possession of weapons». But this time the leaders of «Omonia»—Bezhani, Papakristo, Marto, Qirjako, Sirmo—will serve six years less. Yesterday at noon, the appellate court panel, Qimami, Xhoxhaj, Jajai, upheld the decision of the Tirana trial court, finding it legally sound with respect to the classification of the criminal offense, while changing the sentences imposed on «the five». Bezhani, chairman of «Omonia» in Gjirokastër, was this time sentenced to six years in prison for both— (Continued on page 4)

Shkodër

The espionage charge returns to investigation It is believed that this case involves links to Yugoslav military intelligence. Beqir Leshkevic, a Yugoslav citizen from Ulqin, charged with espionage on behalf of this intelligence service, appeared yesterday for the second time in the dock before the military court panel of the Shkodër court. According to the indictment, Yugoslav military intelligence had asked him for information on military matters and on the movements of the highest authorities of the Albanian state. He was arrested back in July 1993. (Continued on page 4)

YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT

SOCIALISTS SEEK TO REACH CONSENSUS

THEY WILL VOTE IN FAVOR IF ARTICLE 2 OF THE BILL IS MADE TO READ: The referendum is held: 1. To approve issues of particular impor-

NO COMMENT:

EDUARD SELAMI at the Council of Europe: «We will put the Constitution to a referendum because the socialist opposition did not give us its consent» THE PS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP: «We are ready to discuss and find the necessary consensus for approving the Constitution by presenting the relevant alternatives» TRITAN SHEHU yesterday in Parliament

THEY WILL VOTE IN FAVOR IF ARTICLE 2 OF THE DRAFT IS MADE TO READ:

DRAFT IS MADE TO READ: The referendum shall be held: 1. To approve issues of special national importance relating to the independence and integrity of the Republic of Albania. 2. To approve the Constitution and its Amendments after they have first been approved by the People’s Assembly. 3. A referendum may also be held on important matters concerning the country’s administrative-territorial units, provided that this does not undermine the unique national character of the Albanian state.

WHAT THE SOCIALISTS PROPOSE FOR APPROVING THE CONSTITUTION

1. The Constitution should be approved by Parliament in accordance with the provisions in force. The Socialists are ready to discu[to] find the necessary consensus. 2. The Constitution should be approved by a Constituent Assembly elected directly by the people, repealing Article 16/2 of the constitutional provisions. 3. The Constitution should be approved by popular referendum after it has been submitted for discussion and approval in Parliament by a two-thirds majority of its votes.