Today is referendum day; the day of a great democratic and civic act. This event has put the conscience of every Albanian to the test. The referendum was imposed on Albanian society through illegal means. Nevertheless, the Socialist Party and the other political forces accepted the challenge. This happened because, at the level of democracy we have reached, everyone should be able to choose the alternative that best serves the interests of the country and the deepening of democratic processes. The SP is convinced that with today’s referendum, the party in power, President Berisha and all those around him will suffer a heavy blow. This blow will not come like a bolt from a clear sky. It will be the Albanian citizen’s and peasant’s judgment on the DP’s failed policy; on its grave errors in government, corruption, mistreatment of history, and the empty promises made before 22 March 1992. The SP urged the people to say “no” to the illegal procedure for approving the draft Constitution and to say “no” to the hastily prepared draft, confident that it would have its electorate behind it, as well as everyone who believes in true democracy and opposes actions that pave the way for violations of the law, violence and totalitarianism. The SP has never identified the Constitution, the fundamental law of the state, with democracy, with Albania, with freedom and the flag, as President Berisha and the leaders of the DP did during their dizzying campaign. What the President did in defense of the draft, the aims of his actions in Albania, and his talk of seeking a consensus of the entire population openly betrayed fear of failure—a failure that would be a slap in the face for the entire policy his party in power has pursued over the past two and a half years. By attributing powers to the Constitution that it does not possess, even presenting it as a “milestone” and the most memorable day in Albania’s history! Berisha wants to enter history with television spectacles, signatures on draft constitutions, and showers of flowers over rally crowds. But people will remember nothing from this campaign except the noise—not a single idea worth mentioning. Even the so-called consensus he sought at grassroots level was a diversion aimed at the other political forces, which opposed his imposed referendum. With the unprecedented campaign launched by President Berisha and the party in power, insisting that every Albanian say “yes” to the draft Constitution at all costs, the seeds were also sown for major manipulation that could accompany the referendum. During this campaign, our state presented itself in a police uniform, displaying fear of rallies and imposing applause at rallies that are alien to most people. This stirred bitter memories of the past. The scenario is the same; only the actors have changed. Under these circumstances, people, conscious of the weight of their vote, cannot allow their right to decide for themselves the fate of democracy to be trampled underfoot. This is why the SP entered this campaign convinced that it is in the right; that nobody can line Albanians up to make them say “yes” to a draft that they cannot make part of their being, or even read. This is the reason for the expected failure of this referendum. Here, too, lies the beginning of the proper application of the standards democracy requires. The SP has fought for these standards since its founding, and it is convinced that the referendum will receive the answer “No”. ...the electorate and all those who believe in true democracy; who oppose violence and totalitarianism. The PS has never equated the Constitution—the fundamental law of the state—with democracy, Albania, freedom or the flag, as President Berisha and the head of the PD did during the last three weeks of the campaign for the draft constitution. The PS believes that a constitution must be drawn up; but it must express a genuine consensus among the political forces; it must be approved by parliament, as the law requires; it is a very serious act that cannot be approved with a “yes” or a “no.” The PD and President Berisha put all their political resources to the test during the campaign for today’s referendum. The campaign was wrapped in a veil of patriotism and freedom, but people clearly saw that, apart from the [??]; school pupils and police officers, only the curious accompanied Berisha, Selami and company to the propaganda drumbeats of the last three weeks. It really was

Since the date was set for the referendum to approve the proposed draft Constitution, several independent and party-affiliated press organizations, politicians, etc., have conducted surveys and polls among a set number of voters of different ages, professions and social groups. Here are some of the poll results on the eve of 6 November: “INTERVISTA” — Free-thought magazine: “67 percent of readers are against the draft Constitution.” “DITA” — Independent information: “69.8 percent of respondents vote against the Constitution.” “MESAZH” — Newspaper of Berat: (Out of 100 citizens surveyed in Berat: “27 percent ‘NO’ to the Constitution, 27 percent ‘YES’ to the Constitution, 29 percent give no answer, 17 percent are undecided.”) Kukovë — “39 percent ‘NO’ to the Constitution; 16 percent ‘YES’ to the Constitution; 17 percent give no answer; 20 percent are undecided.” Poliçan — “51 percent ‘NO’ to the Constitution; 22 percent ‘YES’ to the Constitution; 7 percent give no answer; 20 percent are undecided.” EDUARD SELAMI — Chairman of the PDSH, at his latest press conference: “90 percent of the people will take part in the referendum, and of them, more than 70 percent will vote ‘YES’ to the draft Constitution.” As the poll results show, most of those surveyed will say “NO” to the draft Constitution submitted for approval on 6 November. The only person with a poll whose results are reversed in his favor is the other President, Mr. Selami. His poll results clash with those of the other surveys, just as his party’s position in the area clashes with that of all the other parliamentary parties (with the exception of M. Celiku) and the 11 other non-parliamentary parties. The polls predict a “NO” to the draft Constitution on 6 November.

Yesterday, the Vice-Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania and MP Luan Hajdaraga, as well as SP Presidium member Arta Dabulla, met at the party’s headquarters with Ms Meri Katrin Andrys, an elections adviser at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, who has come to Albania to observe the conduct of the 6 November referendum on the Constitution of Albania. Socialist Party Vice-Chairman Luan Hajdaraga informed Ms Andrys about various aspects of the conduct of the referendum campaign on the Constitution. He informed Ms Andrys of the Socialist Party’s assessment regarding the violation of the existing Constitutional Law in the conduct of this referendum. He also briefed her on irregularities and legal violations observed during the referendum campaign; the obstacles imposed on the Socialist Party in its activities and on the people; the violence used against SP activists and its MPs during the campaign; the unlawful involvement of the state apparatus in the campaign on behalf of the DP; the unlawful use of state funds in favor of the DP; and the bias of state media in informing the public and covering the activities of political parties, etc. During the meeting, he also informed Ms Andrys of irregularities identified at polling stations, in voter lists, etc. SP Press Office

According to reports, a considerable number of residents on the outskirts of the main cities, especially in Tirana, have been issued several certificates so they can vote at different polling stations. It is understood that the stamp a polling-station commission may place on one certificate does not prevent the person from voting again using another certificate. To prevent this kind of fraud, it would be advisable for commissions to ask these people to vote near their place of residence. In any case, however, these people’s signatures should be obtained beforehand, so that they can subsequently be held accountable under the law at any time. Spokesperson for the SP Electoral Commission

The moment to vote has arrived. There is no more time. Let us say “no” to this Constitution. This is the distress of the Socialists and the other opposition parties. But the DP and Berisha have bombarded us with calls to say “yes” to this draft Constitution. They say Albania needs a Constitution, that the Constitution will integrate Albania into Europe, and that “yes” to the Constitution means “yes” to Albania. It is true that Albania needs a Constitution. But who said Albania would be left without one? We say “no” to this draft, but we are not rejecting the importance of a Constitution. The Socialist Party and the other opposition parties have done everything to ensure that a Constitution is approved as soon as possible. But they have called for a truly democratic Constitution, not one that enshrines new kings. That is why they oppose this Constitution. What will happen if the people say “no” to this Constitution? Nothing bad will happen. On the contrary, the President will immediately be obliged to send the draft Constitution to Parliament. There, 140 MPs elected by the people will debate it to make it as good as possible, expressing in Parliament the people’s views on the Constitution. The people’s views have not been included in today’s draft, because the people have not been given that right. They are told: read the draft Constitution. But what is the people supposed to do with it after reading it, when they have no opportunity to make an observation or correction? Observations and corrections can only be made in Parliament. What will happen if the people say “yes” to the Constitution? They will live in constant fear of its articles, which they have neither read nor understood. Every day they will see conflict over this Constitution. And the worst thing is that the flaws in this Constitution can no longer be repaired. Article 130 of this draft says that any amendment can be made only by referendum, after being approved by two-thirds of Parliament. But only the President has the right to propose a referendum. Can the President accept having his own powers curtailed? Why did the President not seek to have the Constitution approved today by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, but instead requires that amendments tomorrow be made with a two-thirds majority? That is where the trick lies. People, vote against this Constitution so that the way can be opened for the approval of a truly good Constitution. If Berisha’s Constitution is not approved today, at most within three months Parliament will approve a new Constitution, much better than the present one. If the current one is approved today, we will pay for it tomorrow.

After the electoral battle (without quotation marks) with the people of the commune of Zall Herr, today the army faces another great battle. With a brisk step and marching songs, heads held high and chests out, it will say a great “YES” to the draft Constitution. It will say “YES” to this draft because: - It cannot happen any other way. This is the order of the Commander-in-Chief himself and of Zhulali himself. It has also been ordered to be completely convinced that if it says “NO” to the draft Constitution, that means joining the enemies of Albania; the greater part of the Albanian people has “joined” them, as has the greater part of the party that encompasses the Albanian political spectrum. [The source text is garbled here.] - Because its ears are being filled with talk about the Constitution in Albania and the claim that this draft is against the army. Its hands have been [garbled] in the struggle with the observers and its sisters who rise up in protests and public demonstrations, and there cannot be anything unconstitutional. [The source text is garbled here.] - Because the provision requiring the army to intervene in Albania’s political life no longer appears in any constitution except those of dictatorial countries. - Because an order from a superior is the law of truth. [The source text is unclear.] - Because the vote is secret, and soldiers and officers are not threatened or intimidated in a way that could make them turn against one another in line. [The source text is unclear.] - Because if it is approved (even with the army’s votes), Salui’s Constitution will mean that the very next day the army will be obliged to stand ready, under orders, to fight against those who are against this draft today; against 16 Albanian political parties. - Because this draft requires that power, automatically, [garbled text]; the guns, tanks, aircraft, warships and missiles of the army be used against Albanians inside the country as well. [The source text is garbled here.] - Because the draft Constitution requires the army to commit its resources to the political struggle inside the country.

While President Berisha’s leadership, during the campaign to persuade the dissatisfied electorate, covered thousands of kilometres by air, with helicopters, cars, police officers, SHIK agents and people from his state administration all mobilized; while demagoguery and pressure had made them line up formally at the buffoonish rallies, waiting indifferently for the words of the constitution’s architect, dubbed the “Berishian” constitution, who would fly in a single day from Përmet to Pogradec and Elbasan, from Kukës to Shkodër and Lezhë, purely for television spectacles—in all these days, when he spent more time in the air than on the ground, there were others who had contributed some of the means, in a hidden and mysterious way, to this much-publicized ordeal. The question of how much this referendum campaign cost Berisha and his leadership has been secretly charged to the State Budget, and the spigot of this friendly source has been opened wide; the total of the bills this ordeal has left behind may represent the submerged part of the Berishian iceberg. It does not take much thought to understand that millions were spent on the campaign by Berisha and the leadership of M1. Where they came from is perhaps suggested by the fact that Berisha even appealed to God at the Tirana rally to put it into the minds of the countries of Europe once again to help this country, even though not long ago it was Berisha himself who disdainfully called that aid “handouts.” The Albanian people and electorate want to know how heavy a burden has been indirectly placed on their shoulders. But today’s government officials and intellectuals remain silent, forgetting that spoken words are carried away by the wind, while the written word remains. Leaders of the Democratic Alliance have stated that Berisha’s campaign cost 300 thousand dollars. Meanwhile, another political force—specifically, leaders of the Democratic Right Party—told the electorate that the helicopters alone cost 3 million lek a day. After that, one can only hold one’s head in one’s hands when thinking that during this dizzying campaign Berisha flew to and landed in nearly 40 cities around the country. Although these figures have been made public, the curious still need to know who has paid them. But if the coffers of the DP and the coffers...

Hundreds of women gathered at the Academy of Fine Arts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the First Congress of Antifascist Women, which was held on November 4, 1994, in the ancient city of Berat. Among them were former delegates, former partisans, members of martyrs’ families, as well as members and supporters of the Socialist Women’s Forum and the “Woman for the Nation” forum. They found themselves in front of the closed door of the meeting hall, but nevertheless the white-haired women, who had spent their youth amid rifle shots in the mountains, and their daughters began singing fervent partisan songs. They sounded much more beautiful sung there, at the Academy of Fine Arts. The hotel was completely full and could not hold them all, so the stairways too were packed. And the meeting began there, standing up, as if to bring to mind the gatherings held clandestinely under the fascist occupation. The Albanian state did not remember this great day for Albanian women, although it has established a Commission for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of CLIN rimt. President Berisha, hoarse from seeking votes for his constitution, was at that very hour addressing school pupils lined up in Skanderbeg Square, as well as state employees who had come after signing their names to confirm their attendance at the rally. He asked for votes and, just as in Durrës, where he addressed women and thanked them for their “control for democracy,” in Tirana it did not occur to him to remember the First Congress of Antifascist Women, the first assembly in the millennia-long history of the women of Albania. But this day is unforgettable for those who carried out that great act of emancipation and patriotism, and for those who truly—not for demagogic purposes—set alight the heroic national liberation war. forum, in cooperation with the National Committee of LANÇL Veterans, called this day a Memorable Day for the women of Albania, a day of which the women and girls of this country are proud and will continue to be proud for generations. Those attending the meeting were given a special issue of the newspaper “Për mëmëdhenë,” dedicated to The publication was financed by FGSSH and its pages record the women’s struggle and efforts, the heroines and martyrs, the delegates to the First Congress, the names of the mothers who welcomed and farewelled partisans, and the women and girls who held duties as...

On Monday, 7 November 1994, at 12:00, the Socialist Party of Albania will hold a press conference at its headquarters on the conduct of the referendum on the draft Constitution. Journalists from various press organizations, ATSH, radio and television, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana are invited to attend. Information Office of the SPA