— It is a deception to identify love of country with a “YES” vote for the constitution — The closer November 6 gets, the more the tones are rising in the propaganda campaign of the president and his followers in defense—and in defense?—of the constitution. They present this draft as equivalent to Albania, democracy, the nation and freedom. Such propaganda is absurd at its core, because freedom and democracy, the nation and Albania existed and stood on their own before the DP and President Berisha appeared on the scene. On this platform of glorifying the draft constitution, President Berisha and those around him have built a scenario in which anyone who opposes the draft constitution is against democracy, against the nation, and even against God. This is megalomania, and its time has passed. But the DP politicians, as the facts show, have learned no lessons from the past. Thus, at their rallies one hears calls such as “Kucova has united with Albania” (?), as Selami put it the other day, as if Kucova were not already in the municipality of Albania. Or, on another occasion, rally-goers shout, “The Albanian’s religion is the Constitution,” mangling the famous saying of the great Renaissance figure Vaso Pash[a], who taught us with his brilliant formulation: “The Albanian’s religion is Albanianism.” These may be called blunders, but in politics blunders are costly. It is this scandal that is bringing indifference and smiles in response to the election campaign of Ber[isha], Selami, Shehu, etc. It is turning against itself, because by the standards of democracy it ought to uphold, opposing the draft constitution is the most normal expression of freedom. Yet according to Berisha and company, anyone who votes against this draft on November 6 will have committed an unprecedented anti-state act. Clearly, this is a topsy-turvy understanding of democracy. The constitution is a major instrument in building a state governed by the rule of law, and Albania needs one. But, unfortunately for Albanian democracy, of the five drafts the Constitution-drafting Commission had before it, this one—the weakest of them—was chosen, at Berisha’s insistence, to be presented to the people. And the propaganda that precedes the presentation of this “draft” to the people serves party interests. Instead of the draft constitution expressing the level of democracy Albanian society has achieved (Continued on page 2)

— So far, 400,000 Albanians have not been registered on the voter lists for the November 6 referendum — On November 6, 1994, 15,000 fewer voters will vote in the city of Tirana than on July 26, 1992; in Vlorë, 19,000 fewer voters; in Elbasan, 11,000 voters; in Durrës, 10,000 voters; in Lezhë, 9,000 voters; in Korçë, 5,000 fewer voters, etc. — Local government bodies run by members of the Democratic Party are falsifying the voter lists, disregarding even the criminal liability they will incur under the law — According to the published voter lists, Albania’s population has shown no natural increase during these three years of democratic government THE SOCIALIST PARTY PROTESTS IRREGULARITIES IN REGISTRATION READ ON PAGE 3

To the Constitutional Court For information:

President Berisha’s advance visit to Shkodër on the 3rd is being accompanied by a series of extreme measures by the security forces. The spectacular preparations by senior state and party officials were not enough—not even their violation of the law—but arrests by law-enforcement agencies were also needed to heighten the political and social tension in the city. All the arrests that have been made and continue to be made, which bring to mind the time of Enver Hoxha, include that of Lulzim Muca, the driver of the Socialist Party district chairmanship candidate, without any legitimate cause. These actions do not serve social peace or a climate of cooperation in the city of Shkodër. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

On the eve of Berisha’s rally in Tirana It was the last PPSH rally, in July 1990, after the embassy events, which marked the change from the embassy events that had taken place before. All the people of Tirana, the leading officials of that party, all the administration employees who were obliged to attend, everyone was required to sign that they would take part in Skanderbeg Square. In their own [unclear], they signed that they would take part in Skanderbeg Square. Many did not want to and even asked: Why do we have to sign? Participation in rallies is voluntary. But “the Party” had ordered it. The order took precedence over everything: sign, and this became evident in recent days with the administration of the city of Tirana, through ... [text unclear] that ... Berisha at [??] of the regime. And people asked, at least, the Albanian Party of Labour. “But what about the Democratic Party?” And what business does the Party of Labour have here? And that’s all? ... [text unclear]» They are being made to sign up to attend the rally on November 4, which will be held in Skanderbeg Square, where the leader of the DP, Mr Berisha himself, will speak. Signatures have been collected from all the teachers at the primary and secondary schools of Tirana, who are ordered, with all their ... [text unclear] in first grade, if possible also from kindergarten through the fourth year of high school, to attend the rally. They may miss class, but not the rally. The signatures continue to be collected. At the same time, the DP has ordered all employees to sign and give their signature to Besa, promising that they will vote for the Constitution, as the leader—or, more accurately, the “Chief” of Albania, Sali Berisha, instructed, as RD calls him. (Continued on page 2)

HAS-KUKËS — If Berisha wants power for himself, let him seek a vote of confidence for that, but not by means of the constitution. The “No to the constitution” campaign continues throughout Albania. Thousands of people are responding massively and enthusiastically to the strong call of the Socialists — a young avalanche, “No to the constitution,” for— — We are not asking for a pledge of loyalty, because the constitution is voted on with reason, not through pledges of loyalty and street shouting. (Continued on page 4)

Përmet . This was seen in Zall-Dardhë, in Peshkopi; in Maqellarë, etc. The young people of Maqellarë, with their ceaseless cheers, carried on… the enthusiastic meeting, which they began by asking for the rally to be held outdoors, in the square near the house of (Continued on page 4)

— From Comrade Namik Dokle’s meetings in the villages of Devoll — After a very enthusiastic meeting with the residents of Pojan, who assured the deputy chairman of PSSh, Namik Dokle, that this time Sali Berisha’s flattery would no longer work on them, he continued his meetings in the Devoll area. The residents of the villages of Hochisht, Ponçarë and Vranisht welcomed him with great enthusiasm and special interest. They discussed matters and gave their word that the people of Upper Devoll, who trusted the PD’s slogans on March 22 and July 26, would tell Sali Berisha NO again on November 6. MUHARREM MEKO

— On the platform, alongside Berisha, was also his friend, the notorious criminal Ndue Gjon Markaj — On Monday at 3 p.m., a meeting with President Berisha had been announced in Rrëshen. An effort was made to gather thousands of people in the square, and participants were asked to cheer for Berisha and the constitution. But what happened? The people of Mirditë met Berisha’s formulaic greeting with indifference, as well as the enthusiasm of his group of 100–150 supporters. But the socialist … [unclear text] … to climb onto that platform to declare his vote; he knows that the vote is simple, although that YES at Berisha’s rallies costs a lot. After the rally, Berisha did not make his customary visits to Socialist families, but boarded the helicopter and left. The shadow frightens … of the president in (Continued on page 2)

From Sali Berisha’s television spectacles — Only television tricks can change anything about the people of Vlorë’s weariness — It is no coincidence that President Berisha came to the Vlorë rally with the largest party and government entourage, headed by Prime Minister Meksi. I believe Berisha came to Vlorë, shaken by all the information sent to him about the drastic shift in voting among the electorate in favor of the Socialist Party. The Socialist Party rally in Vlorë upset the balance and changed the course of Berisha’s visits. That rally and dozens of others in Novoselë, Himarë, Llakajt, Vllahinë, Dukat, Selenciçë, Brataj, Sevaster, etc. forced him to return to Vlorë once again, “in order to”— (Continued on page 2)

Enthusiastic rallies of the Socialist Party An outpouring of enthusiasm from the socialists of Mat — Servet Pëllumbi: we will say NO to Berisha’s draft constitution, because we want the democracy that began in 1991 not to end in 1994 — Great enthusiasm in Mat yesterday afternoon. Thousands of people from Mat, gathered in the town from all the districts of the Mat area, had come to say No to the draft constitution, but, as is the case for all Albanian socialists, today’s authorities also “shut the gates” of the squares on the people of Mat. The people of Mat headed to the sports palace. Hundreds filled the large hall. (Continued on page 3)

To the Constitutional Court [?] Constitutional Court For information: To the President of the Republic of Albania To the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Tirana On 11.10.94, the Socialist Party asked that Court to declare unconstitutional the law “On the Popular Referendum” and the decision of the People’s Assembly to approve the Constitution by referendum. Unfortunately, since that date, the Socialist Party has received no official response concerning this request, which, as is known, is connected with issues of political and social importance relating to the voting (Continued on page 3)