- The referendum—the last card to preserve Berisha’s personal power -

NAMIK DOKLE: Don’t be surprised by the bride Sali is offering Albania. His Majesty and I are from the north, where arranged marriages have been the prevailing mentality. In Pogradec, as in Korçë, Kolonjë, and Devoll, the referendum procedure has also caused particular indignation. This was reflected by the Socialist Party activists’ meeting in this district, where the many members and supporters who took part strongly denounced the course pursued by Sali Berisha and the PD to approve a major law such as the Constitution. Not only elsewhere, but here among the members and supporters of our party too, said the chairman of the district PS, Tajari Koleci, in his speech, the shameful condemnation the President of the Republic directed at Parliament, denying it the right to approve the Constitution, has aroused indignation and anger. Therefore, through this meeting, which brings together the voice of all the party’s ranks and the socialist electorate of Pogradec, we reject his unconstitutional positions and actions, characterizing them as a coup and a heavy blow against democracy. The people of Pogradec are not against Berisha, but say NO to the falsehood and the procedure followed for its approval. The hurried voting on 6 November invites us, by saying NO to Sali Berisha, to express respect for Parliament as the highest body elected by the people. The people, said one of the speakers, must ask whether the PD and Sali Berisha have broken faith with us from the very beginning, and all that has followed since then... As we have ourselves followed on television, said Namik Dokle, during this past week the author of the draft constitution has gone out campaigning and is asking for the people’s pledge of allegiance, to make them his partners in his own glory. He is one of the speakers at this gathering; it is no wonder he feels as if all Albania supports and helps him. But why is he trying to arrange matters so that the Constitution—and even more so Parliament—are sidelined? Why, while claiming to uphold pluralism, does he say that there will be only one power? How can Berisha alone become the power, with no other party in power? So, should we say NO immediately? More than that, this is about another law, to preserve Berisha’s personal power and, consequently, another kind of dictatorship... [part of the text is illegible] (Continued on page 2)

KUÇOVË Liboisha—a lesson ILIR ME/A: We must say “NO” to the populist democracy with which the PD intends to fill the halls of power On Saturday, the PS district meeting was held at the PS headquarters in the Kuçovë district. Participants included members of the PS Steering Committee, local councilors of the governing party at all three levels of government, PS activists, and members of the polling-station committees. Also present were the district PS chairman and Maqo Lakro-vi, a member of the Socialist Party Presidium. The meeting was opened by Bardhyl Lami, chairman of the district PS Steering Committee, who in his speech set out the arguments for why Sali Berisha’s draft constitution must be rejected in the referendum of 6 November 1994. He also highlighted the organizational measures and forces that must be mobilized to successfully conduct the election campaign, from the headquarters established alongside the PS Steering Committee, through the first wave of outreach across the communes and towns, to organizing and strengthening the polling stations, which will be the first to prepare for the vote the people will cast. These issues were also emphasized in the remarks of comrades Ibrahim Hysi, Meil Ciril, Fatmira Pano, Habib Hysaj, and others. Comrade Ilir Meta then spoke, explaining and emphasizing the measures that must be taken to reject the PD draft constitution. In the socialist movement, comrade Ilir Meta stressed, we must build opinion, family by family, so that people participate in the vote and say no to the draft constitution. We must also counter the propaganda of the ruling party’s information media by organizing meetings and taking the PS press to remote villages. He stressed that we must say no to the populist democracy with which the PD intends to fill the halls of power. And for this, Liboisha on one side and Gresnica on the other should serve as lessons to us. Comrade Maqo Lakrovi also spoke at the meeting, stressing that opposition to the approval of the draft constitution is not expressed by the PS alone, but by the overwhelming majority of the political spectrum, with the exception of the PD. Therefore, we have every right to reject the draft constitution, because by doing so we are defending true democracy in Albania and saying no to the dictatorship we fought against. At the end of the meeting, the PS Steering Committee’s election program, which will guide its work during the campaign, was approved. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

On 14.10.1994, accompanied by Niri Selafist, a fervent PS supporter, PS deputy Theodori Bej held several informal meetings in Derviçan, Goran, Gorëni, Sofratikë, and Vrisera. The discussions at these meetings, especially in Derviçan, where the number of people attending was greatest, focused on two issues: a) the situation of the PS in this part of the minority, namely in Dropull; and b) the situation created by the referendum on the Constitution. As the report also noted, with the emergence of pluralism in this area, especially with the creation of the “OMO-nia” organization after 1991, the PS declined considerably, particularly in Lower Dropull. Nevertheless, it remained the second political force. The elections of 31 March 1991 and 22 March 1992 showed this. The PS’s fortunes in the election have changed. The mistakes of “OMONIA” and the PS’s constructive stance, especially in relations with Greece, have led to a change in its standing and balance in the area, and to a rise in the number of PS organizations, members, and supporters. It would not be surprising if, with a serious effort, we won the next elections. And the possibilities for this exist. As for the referendum, the people of Dropull, we stated, were entirely ... (Continued on page 3)

Socialist Party meeting in Kavajë - PSSH Secretary Servet Pëllumbi and MP Bardhyl Agasi attend - Although it was Sunday, the PS meeting for this district was held in a hall in a [unclear] near the city of Kavajë. In addition to members of the Steering Committee, the chairmen of local councils and secretaries of the city PS organizations, and numerous activists from the city and villages, the Socialist Party’s deputy chairman, comrade Servet Pëllumbi, and MP Bardhyl Agasi also attended. The meeting was opened by Ejup Ta-oktu, secretary of the district PS Steering Committee, who in his speech pointed out the importance of the PS and of raising its voice, and the desire for Kavajë to be ... [part of the text is illegible] (Continued on page 3)

We are at a new, but also delicate, moment in the development of the democratic process in Albania. An attempt is being made, through the draft Constitution, to install the strong-hand rule of one person, personal power, which is openly expressed through historical experience and history. The betrayals of the PD and Berisha today, tomorrow, or the day after may plunge society into conflict. Therefore, this draft constitution, approved according to personal wishes, must be rejected, because it paves the way for the pillars of democracy—the legislative, executive, and judicial powers—to be controlled by a single person. These were essentially the views expressed by speakers at the Elbasan PS meeting, which convened in the afternoon to discuss the 6 November referendum. Also present at the meeting and speaking were the delegates of the PSSH General Steering Committee, Prof. Sabit Brokaj and Fq. Faml Kumbari. In their speeches they addressed the demagoguery expressed in fine phrases by the PD and TV on the eve of the referendum. However they may be spun around and around, Albanians on 6 November face a choice: will they vote to deepen democracy and pluralism, or will they open the way to the power of one person, which could create the conditions for installing a dictatorship? The transition that began, said Prof. Sabit Brokaj, should have been moving toward true democracy and should have ... (Continued on page 3)

From the PS meeting in Delvinë On Saturday, 15.10.1994, at 10:00, the PS meeting for the Delvinë district was held in one of the halls of the “Aziz Habiri” Palace of Culture. Opening the meeting, Mersin Arapi, chairman of the district PS, spoke about the conditions under which the referendum would be held in Delvinë to revoke this constitution, in a district where the PD was very weak, while the two main forces leading the district were the DS and PDN. For this reason, the speaker stressed, we have gathered at this meeting to reach an understanding between the PS and PDN concerning the unconstitutionality of the 6 November referendum, imposed illegally by President Berisha, and to adapt the program of ideological-political and organizational activities so that we can mobilize the broad masses of the people; all together, from the outset, we should lead the boycott of Berisha’s initiative, so that what must not happen does not happen: the approval of a constitution that would enshrine Sali Berisha’s personal dictatorship. Demagoguery will not get away with it this time. The people will say “NO” to the dictatorship that Berisha seeks to dress in a “constitutional suit.” Taking the floor, MP Leonety Cuci, a well-known activist, also said that despite the legal and procedural violations accompanying his government’s draft, Albania would be left without a constitution in order to put money ahead of the Constitution or to exploit a referendum for ... (Continued on page 4)

RROGOZHINË Albanian democracy has no need for new dictators MUSA ULAJ: Let us say a strong NO to Berisha’s demagoguery. People, stay alert. On 7 November it will be too late. On 15 October, a meeting organized by the PS for this district was held in the town of Rrogozhinë. In addition to members of the Steering Committee, the chairmen of local councils and secretaries of the city PS organizations, and numerous activists from the city and villages, the Socialist Party’s deputy chairman, comrade Servet Pëllumbi, and MP Bardhyl Agasi also attended. The meeting was opened by Ejup Ta-oktu, chairman of the district PS Steering Committee, who in his speech pointed out the importance of the PS and of raising its voice, and the desire for ... [part of the text is illegible] (Continued on page 3)

“On the Main Constitutional Provisions” By dr. FEHMI ABD.U, member of the Special Commission for the preparation of the constitution Recently, prominent figures in political life, while presenting numerous arguments for the necessity of voting “YES” to the draft constitution prepared by the commission, have among other things stated that its draft is a ... [part of the text is illegible] This draft differs substantially from the law “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” in order to clarify ... [part of the text is illegible] In reality, the new draft constitution ... (Continued on page 2)

On Wednesday, 19. 10. 1994, at 11:00, a press conference of this party concerning the referendum will be held at the headquarters of the Socialist Party. Journalists from the press, Radio-Television, ATSH, and representatives of the diplomatic corps are invited to attend. The Press and Information Office of the PSSH.