Sali Berisha, in a panic against 17 parties not the President’s 40 powers

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group and member of the People’s Assembly delegation to the Council of Europe, Namik Dokle, received a letter from Mr. Daniel Tarschys, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. In this letter, Mr. Tarschys invites a delegation of Albanian parliamentary parties to attend a meeting to be held on October 27 in Strasbourg by the Commission for Democracy through Law, the Venice Commission, where views will be exchanged on the draft Constitution of Albania. The letter notes that the invitation has been made known to the Albanian authorities through diplomatic channels. We emphasize that, to date, the Albanian authorities have not informed the Socialist Party about the arrival of this invitation or the organization of this meeting in Strasbourg. Naturally, it does not take much thought to understand why. Socialist Party Press and Information Office.

SERVET PELLUMBI: On November 6, we must finally say goodbye to dictatorship. And we have the support of all the people, who must not be brought to their knees by the spectacles Berisha puts on. An enthusiastic—very enthusiastic—gathering in «Riza Cerova» Square in the center of Çorovodë. Thousands of participants came not only from the town but also from the surrounding villages, including the remote mountainous area of Tomorica. They gathered to say No to the Berishian draft Constitution, the one that seeks to bring back kings, sultans, and emperors. The meeting was opened by the chairman of the Socialist Party in the district, Shkëlqim Meta, who declared on behalf of those present that on November 6 the people of Skrapar would say No to the draft Constitution, because in doing so they would say yes to democracy. «Riza Cerova» Square resounded with slogans calling for freedom and true democracy, and for the release from prison of the chairman of the Socialist Party, Comrade Fatos Nano. Albania needs a constitution, Comrade Servet Pëllumbi stressed, but not a personal constitution—Berisha’s. Together with the Socialist Party, 17 other parties also say No, and only No. We consider it illegal because it was pushed aside And we will say NO in order to say yes to the future. puts on. In his speech, Socialist Party Secretary General Gramoz Ruci pointed out that Albania needs a constitution in order to enter Europe, and one that reflects the power of Berisha and the Democratic Party. The referendum, he said, is democratic, but in this case it is being used for the political game of those in power. Addressing those present, he said: You who did not give your vote to the Democratic Party on March 22 will once again say no to Berisha’s personal rule. You proved your mettle, and all Albania envies you; even Kavaja and Shkodra envy you. President Berisha has what consensus? He was the first to violate it. Deputy Bashkim Caka also spoke at the rally, as did Agron Dyrmishi, chairman of the National Union Party for Skrapar, the Euro-socialist Partizan Myftari, and others. After the rally, another meeting was held in one of the halls from prison, by the chairman of the PS, emphasized—not a personal constitution for Berisha, which, No to, and only No. We consider it illegal because Parliament was displaced and a vote is being sought on 130 articles through a deception. A Constitution requires a democratic vote, not allegiance to customary laws; therefore, on the 6th of ... The MP Dyrmishi, chairman of the National Unity Party for Skrapar, the Eurosocialist Partizan Myftari, etc. After the rally, a third meeting was held in one of the halls of the steering committee, where Gramoz Ruçi answered questions from those present. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

NAMIK DOKLE: Did you see the wretched minister Çela on television? He said that many international organizations had smeared Sali’s creation, while I have just received a fax from the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Daniel Tarschys, who is inviting the Albanian parliamentary parties to go there and provide the necessary explanations about the draft Constitution and the procedures being followed in Albania for its approval. Continuing his meetings with the people of the villages of Korçë, the Socialist Party vice-chairman and parliamentary group chairman, Namik Dokle, held a discussion and provided the necessary explanations to the people of the Gore-Opar area, in Lozhan, the center of this area. In addition to expressing their indignation at Sali Berisha’s actions to approve the draft Constitution, while also abandoning the most basic standards of democracy and shutting down the parliament elected by the people, the villagers raised their own problems and concerns. “We have no means of earning a living left,” said miner Neki Agolli in his speech, “because the coal mine that employed around 1,300 people has now been completely closed, leaving only 50 maintenance workers.” Supporters and members of the Democratic Party had also come to the meeting, who (Continued on page 3)

Arrests of veterans in Korçë:

Vlorë Genc Xhafa, chairman of the Socialist Party for the municipality and commune of Selenicë, opened the large rally of the people of Selenicë with a brief speech. The hall, filled beyond capacity, cheered for the Socialist Party, with the message: let us say NO to the draft constitution. For a truly rule-of-law and democratic state, we want a Constitution that will ensure and protect human freedoms and rights. Amid enthusiastic cries of «NO to the Constitution», Nasho Dhamaj took the floor and said that the political situation in the country was tense because those in power were worried that most parties had said NO to the draft constitution. In his view, the president should not campaign electorally, since he is the head of state and the head of a party. The way he acts with TV makes it seem as though there is no pluralism, but only one party, the DP. After greeting the citizens of Selenicë and the surrounding areas, PS MP Sabit Brokaj explained why the political situation in the country was tense. Constitutions, he said, are discussed in a civilized country in calm circumstances. But the president, who seeks personal power, thinks this is better for him. Continuing ... (Continued on page 2)

Arrests of veterans in Korçë: The cold and almost scandalous reception that the people of Korçë gave Prime Minister Meksi has not passed without leaving a mark. Those in power have been seriously shaken and have sent punitive squads out into the streets. They began their brutality at the martyrs’ cemetery by arresting veteran Haxhi Çakshiri and pursuing several others, whose supposed offenses were distributing a photograph of Fatos Nano and shouting «Down with the traitors», followed by the successive detention of around 12 veterans. The paradoxes of Saliu’s rule never end. His prime minister comes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city’s liberation, raises a glass and makes speeches before the descendants of those who yesterday stood alongside the occupiers, while in the police cells the fighters who fought for its liberation spend the night under the menacing growls of the police chiefs. But what was their crime, what had they done, at a time when Sali Berisha meets veterans and the families of martyrs and heroes and swears that the National Liberation War is immortal? As if the years of old age and the wounds of war were not enough, they must also face the threats of a police state. What had Kiço Orgocka, Llambi Trebicka and the others done that they had to be humiliated in this way? Their only crime is that they did not do as today’s rulers demand—that is, know their place before Mr. Meksi and shout «Long live Sali Berisha!» Their offense was that at the martyrs’ cemetery they had sung the song «O little one, O partisan». As if these actions alone were not enough, the day after this incident the Korçë public-order police detained many other veterans as well, taking the district veterans’ chairman, Fashlli Shahinasi, from their office. MUHARREM MEKO

— Interview with Miltiadh Muta, chairman of the Lushnjë district P.S., conducted by editor Hamdi Lupe — On Monday, President Berisha made several visits and held meetings in the city of Lushnjë. The public learned about these visits and meetings through Radio Television. Nevertheless, it would be useful to hear from you about these meetings. — On Monday, the President of the Republic held several meetings in our district. At these meetings, at one of them, everything was also attended by our Socialist Party chairman; we were informed of that visit only one day beforehand, through the chairman of the District Council, PS. As far as we know, he too had been notified that same day by the local council chairman, according to the Minister of Local Government, about the prp [?] Minister of Local Government, about employment, mineral resources and energy issues. During these visits the president was accompanied by a powerful escort of countless vehicles from the Ministry of the Interior, which in a dominating manner made the setting [?] difficult to ... [?]. The president began his meetings in the commune of Divjakë, where he managed to stage a political spectacle at the commune center. A representative of the chairman who came from his own center of the PS; contrary to his position, at the opening of the referendum campaign and preparatory work on behalf of the groups he represents, yesterday appeared in a surprising and unbelievable role to us, considering the full range of his previous views and actions in his dealings with the electorate concerning the proper conduct of the referendum and the PS position on the Constitution. At the meeting with the chairman of this commune, which was held in the elected commune [assembly] of the community, chairman Stavri Kola was also present. His concern to say «No» to the Constitution and to improve the legal arrangements for organizing the referendum was evident. One of the important prerequisites, we think, is also this party leadership of the district and the expression of a position in favor of saying No to the Constitution. In this regard, for us who know him, apart from some specific personal circumstance that may ... What matters to us is the change in his position; we see no other reason that could have prompted him to take this stance. What can you say about the president’s other meetings? The president continued his meetings in other communes as well, where the Socialists are in power, since the Socialists dominate local government in Lushnjë district—perhaps also intentionally on the president’s part, in order to achieve «consensus from below», as he puts it. He held a meeting in the commune of Dukat, where he joined in seeking consensus among the political forces; this apparently included the commune chairman, who belongs to the PBDJ. As television also reported, a Socialist from the village of Thanasi spoke here; he admitted that the classes were antunat PS [?], but did not have the courage to say ... ... represents the people’s interests. He was expelled from the PS as a commune councillor over the compromises signed with its chairman. (Continued on page 2)

Albania needs a constitution...

The deputies who were beaten, or the imprisoned Fatos Nano? The journalists you sentenced to prison?! The 400,000 unemployed?! Those whose property—the fruits of 50 years of labor—was stolen?! The humiliated veterans?! The abandoned refugees?!

Socialist Party Press and Information Office. The referendum and the constitution — Dr. Maks Haxhia, former Prosecutor General, now Chairman of the Tirana Bar Association, speaks to «Koha jonë» — The referendum has been discussed a great deal in recent days, perhaps also because it is the first referendum in Albania. Regardless of the motives that lead parties, political groups, or politicians to discuss and debate the referendum, one thing is clear to me: we all seek and want a Constitution. As for the legal basis for adopting the Constitution by referendum, I support the argument clearly expressed in the Main Constitutional Provisions: proceeding to a referendum must take place only through a vote and approval by two-thirds of Parliament. Although today we are faced with a fait accompli, I think the most important issue is the level of the Constitution that has been presented to the Macedonians [?]. During these two years, the Constitutional Drafting Commission has debated many different constitutional issues. Of the versions that have passed through this commission, I think the best is the one from April this year, while the latest version, which is also the one that will be voted on, falls far short of what was desired, since unfortunately it has passed through under pressure from political groups. I am convinced that, in preparing the draft Constitution, party interests have played a dominant role over legal considerations, which will mean that this Constitution will not stand the test of time. And then, as we know... This is reinforced for me even more by the fact that the constitutional law lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Mr. Keran Loloçi, left the Commission; that it was not discussed among jurists; and that it was promoted among the people not by jurists, but by politicians. Deputies, ministers, and politicians must give up the idea that they are «experts in everything». Time has shown that specialists must be brought together to work, if they want Albania to be like Europe. — «Koha jonë», October 25, 1994 —

On Thursday, 20. 10. 1994, in Prague, at the headquarters of the Czech Social Democratic Party, its vice-chairman Petr Moravek and board member Eva Fischerova received Dr. Maqo Lakrori, a member of the Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania. At first Lakrori and Moravek spoke about the structures, functioning and political priorities of the Socialist Party of Albania and the Czech Social Democratic Party, respectively. They also discussed national assistance for political developments in Albania and the Czech Republic. The interlocutors expressed positive views about this first meeting and expressed a mutual desire to deepen their acquaintance and further develop relations between the two parties. Press Office of the PSSH

Today, October 26, 1994, at 11:00, in the Press Conference Hall of the Palace of Congresses, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Albania, Prof. Dr. Skënder Gjinu(sh)i, will hold a press conference for local and foreign journalists as well as for the diplomatic corps accredited in Albania. The following topics will be addressed at this press conference: 1. Conclusions of the Third National Conference of the PSDSh. 2. The current political situation in Albania. The Presidium of the PSDSH