We emphasize - Selami’s childish manipulations in comparing the present with the past - The DP promised the people: a state governed by law, jobs and direction, order, foreign investment, entry into Europe, organized emigration, fair ownership. After two and a half years it has brought: a politicized police state, 400,000 unemployed, political purges, heavy taxes, the last place in Europe for foreign investment, outside the doors of the Council of Europe, Albanians driven out and pursued on land and at sea with clan passports, the plunder of national wealth in the name of privatization … Corruption and insecurity. During the years of the dictatorship, although people spoke of the great strides Albania was making «defying the centuries», our country remained the most backward in Europe. The propagandists of «magnificent successes»—which were in fact tortoise steps—had the expression «compared with ’38» sprouting from their mouths: we have achieved this and that. Years and decades passed, and comparisons in Albania continued to be made with half a century earlier. We know where this kind of propaganda led us. E. Selami, leader of the DP, is using this propagandist’s line of reasoning, borrowed from the forms of Marxist-Leninist education, in this feverish campaign for the 6 November referendum. These days, speaking in Libofshë, Fier, he pretended to put his hand on his heart and told his listeners, in essence: If you are living better than yesterday, vote for the Constitution; if you are living worse, vote against it (?). At first glance it seems as though Selami is speaking sincerely, as if he has forgotten to use insulting language, as if he is leaving it to the people to decide on 6 November. But the facts say otherwise. The DP’s propaganda machine, which includes the President, the Speaker of the Assembly, ministers and MPs, and so on, seeks to manipulate people’s troubled consciences; it wants to daze them with a few truths presented as its own achievements. Yes, Mr. Selami, Albania has not stood still during these years, just as Zaire, Thailand and Peru have not stood still. But a policy of comparisons should compare the situation with his party’s programme, not with the past. Why? Because Caritas and charitable organizations brought tons of used clothes to Albania, clothing even impoverished villagers; humanitarian aid, as well as aid from Italy, Turkey, etc., provided us with agricultural supplies and also ensured our survival. The sweat of hundreds of thousands of refugees changed the standard of living in Albanian families. These are achievements, as is the sweat of the farmer who works his own land, the trader who knows no working hours or state borders, and so on and so forth. These are not achievements of the DP. They are brought about by development. Mr. Selami should make comparisons with what he promised the people during the 22 March campaign. He promised the people that Europe was waiting for us with open arms, but in fact the DP government has outlined a new isolation for Albania. The DP promised the people that investment would pour into Albania, but the facts show that it remains at low levels and is negligible for a developing country. The DP promised the country’s economic emancipation; the DP promised organized emigration, but handed Albanians clandestine passports. The DP promised Albania’s admission to international institutions, but for nearly three years it has remained outside the doors of the Council of Europe. Mr. Selami must confront such stories in Libofshë and everywhere. He is bound to fall silent about these. In unison, before these propaganda-driven claims? In unison, faced with these propagandistic aims, all he can do is make comparisons: where we were, where we are, and where we should go.

Meeting of PS Deputy Chairman Servet Pëllumbi with residents of the commune of Vorë SHIK and police officers try in vain to disrupt the meeting «We say “No” to this constitution, because in doing so we say “No” to provocateurs like these» Yesterday morning, the Socialist Party of the commune of Vorë, in the district of Tirana, organized a meeting with Ms. Sali? Yesterday morning, the Socialist Party of the commune of Vorë, in the district of Tirana, organized a meeting with its members and supporters as part of the campaign for the referendum on the constitution. After opening remarks by PS officials of the commune, the floor was given to the PS Deputy Chairman, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi. At the outset he said that the Socialist Party, like 17 other parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties, opposes this draft constitution being put to a referendum for two main reasons: because the manner in which it was approved is unlawful, and because the content of this constitution has serious defects. It was precisely because we opposed its approval through unlawful means that we boycotted Parliament when the law on the referendum was passed. When the law on approving the constitution is violated, there is no guarantee that the constitution itself will be respected. Speaking about the content of the draft constitution, Servet Pëllumbi said that it places powers in the hands of the President, does not make a clear separation of powers, and does not guarantee the independence of the courts. The aim of this constitution is to place the President’s executive power above all the other powers. It is precisely for these reasons that we oppose this draft constitution and want a genuine constitution for all the people, not a party code serving to preserve one party’s power. Speaking about the President’s meetings in the Dukagjin area, Servet Pëllumbi said that a constitution is not approved with «besa» or with the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini, but under today’s democratic laws. Albania needs a European-style constitution, while Berisha wants to enter Europe with old customary laws. Glorifying the Kanun does not mean returning to the old customs; it means glorifying blood feuds, which are wreaking havoc in our highlands today. To exalt the Kanun means to be against the present; it means even to imagine that [unclear?] is a Kanun; [the handwritten section is illegible]. That is why we say that we oppose this Sallian constitution. At that moment, Servet Pëllumbi’s speech was interrupted by cries of «traitors?» from four people at the back of the hall. The astonished participants turned around and looked at the grim faces of the men shouting provocative slogans against the Socialist Party. None of the people attending the meeting, residents of Vorë, recognized them; so the hall turned against these provocateurs, who spoke in a northern dialect and seemed to shout: «provocateurs», «sellouts», «you». The people in question, after trying for three or four minutes to disrupt the meeting, left without … (Continued on page 7)

«You won’t let me hold a meeting, yet you ask me to vote “YES” on the Constitution» Dozens of members and supporters of the Socialist Party, whose request to hold a rally had been opposed by the public order authorities for a whole week and effectively blocked, gathered in the Party square on Friday afternoon, protesting and demonstrating . «…» many people asked and protested angrily. «Violence began in Gjirokastër with the start of the campaign,» said one supporter. «What is this? How should we respond? Why do we need the guarantee of the public order authorities in order to…»

Socialist representatives in local government; support for the PS position on the referendum Over the weekend that has just passed and at the be-

«You won’t let me hold a meeting, yet you ask me to vote “YES” on the Constitution» Dozens of members and supporters of the Socialist Party, whose request to hold a rally had been opposed by the public order authorities for a whole week and effectively blocked, gathered at the Party headquarters on Friday afternoon, protesting and demonstrating. gathered at the Party headquarters on Friday afternoon, protesting and demonstrating. Their comrades Gramoz Ruçi, Fatri Sinani, Leontiev Çuci and Anastas Angjeli were also with them. The authority and work of the Socialist Party, which had continued to grow, experienced a surge after the decision on the referendum was announced and the PS position at the meeting of the General Steering Committee was made public. This week it was hit hard by two things connected with public order, but which also reveal two different stances on its part: the barbaric violence of a group of outsiders against the PS club and its leaders, and the banning of public gatherings in towns and villages. These were also made public by the protest of the Socialist Party Deputy Chairman, comrade Servet Pëllumbi, but the aftertaste of something remained here, among the many supporters of the Socialist Party. «Why are you asking me for my opinion and vote on the Constitution when you won’t let me gather, organize, meet with my MPs and politicians, speak and express what I think?» is this, and of the public order authorities to demonstrate at a rally?» another complained. «What will happen to us, what will we suffer? The DP and the government organize rallies everywhere, but they won’t let us do so, even though the law allows us to. Why should we accept this? We can ensure the event’s security ourselves, not the police. Nowhere does the law say that activities are to be prevented; nowhere does it say that an election campaign must not be held.» Two protests were approved at the meeting, one against the prefect of Gjirokastër and the other against the public order authorities. The protest was also addressed to the President and the Minister of Public Order. The blockade appears set to become one of the DP’s political weapons, and those of its state, against the opposition. It seeks to paralyze things, play with the electorate and then with the referendum result. With our people and our methods of work, we must cope with this situation, which may worsen. THANAS DINO

Over the weekend that has just passed and at the beginning of the week, at the [unclear?] of the Socialist Party of Albania, MP Luan Hajdaraga held a series of meetings in the cities of Tirana, Lezhë and Elbasan with socialist representatives in local government from the districts of Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Peqin, Mirditë, Pukë, Lezhë, Shkodër and Malësi e Madhe. beginning of the week, at the [unclear?] of the Socialist Party of Albania, MP Luan Hajdaraga held a series of meetings in the cities of Tirana, Lezhë and Elbasan with socialist representatives in local government from the districts of Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Peqin, Mirditë, Pukë, Lezhë, Shkodër and Malësi e Madhe. After explaining the political situation in which the country currently finds itself because of the tensions caused by the constitutional coup that eliminated the Albanian parliament from the process of approving the Constitution, the Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Luan Hajdaraga, called on the commune chairpersons, municipal mayors, district council chairpersons and socialist councillors in

- In Nikël, Fushë Krujë, Krujë, Thumanë, Mamurras and Laç, pupils from eight-year schools and secondary schools were sent by order to the places where the President would speak. - Berisha calls for a consensus among political forces?! - From the rally platform in Fushë Krujë, the President imitates [others] by tossing red carnations to the people. - In Laç, people tore to pieces, right before his eyes, the figurative propaganda that wished the President “welcome.” President of the Republic Sali Berisha, who apparently is trying to give a “tone” to the votes in favor of the Draft Constitution, as in times gone by, was yesterday in several residential centers in the districts of Krujë and Laç. From the very first meeting, which was organized in the center of the municipality of Nikël, the residents’ indifference was noticeable. Not even 200 people from the villages of Nikël came to meet the President. Had the Krujë PD and the officials Besnik Balla? Sadedin Balla not taken this into account? To avoid being embarrassed in front of the head of state, they had sent school pupils there as if on an excursion. How could a farmer from the Nikël area come to a meeting with the President of the Republic, when the head of state himself, his PD and the Government under his command have put them out on the street? Can the few private firms operating in this area solve all the economic problems of its people, as Berisha trumpeted them as rare achievements? Faced with the disappointment caused by PD’s promises, the overwhelming majority of this area did not give PD their votes in the July 20 elections, and all the more so now, in November, they will not vote in favor of Berisha’s personal-power constitution. As at the rally in Nikël and at the one in Fushë Krujë; those present—

The Socialist Party and its powerful electorate will say no to Berisha’s regime referendum For days there has been great alarm and panic among the PD officials of the district and municipality over their referendum on the draft constitution, which will be held on November 6. This alarm and concern stem from the fact that the officials foresee their defeat in this referendum. This concern was also clearly evident in the appointment of the municipality’s central voting commission and the voting-center commissions, where the Mayor, Mr. Izet Greca, in a manner (Continued on page 4)

A selection from the folklore of Northern Albania: «Our forefathers left us a trust: never give your word of honor to one who does not keep faith»