A total of 1,683,168 people voted. Of these, only 704,232 said “YES” to the constitution - No manipulation, lies, or delays by the PD’s rusted instruments can change the will of the people. Propaganda maneuvers will leave Berisha twice as defeated -

Statement by the Presidium of the Socialist Party and the Parliamentary Group The November 6 referendum was marked as one of the most remarkable democratic achievements in the history of the Albanian people. It once again demonstrated their vitality and love of freedom, their unwavering will not to submit to political dictates, wherever they may come from and in whatever form they may appear. 1,683,168 people voted, and of these only 704,232 said “YES” to Berisha’s proposal, while 978,936 votes were against it. These figures are confirmed by the official records signed by more than 30,000 members, chairs and secretaries of commissions, in over 5,000 commissions in the regions, municipalities, communes and villages. They are official and legal documents held by the political entities that took part in the referendum. The Socialist Party, at every level, has complete documentation. But why, four days after the referendum was held, has no result yet been announced? Why did the state media give a result on the first day, such as the one from Kavajë, and then bury it in silence?! Why, after President Berisha said, “I accept the verdict of the people,” is the people’s verdict being concealed from the people themselves, while hidden layers of state structures use pressure and disinformation to inflict psychological violence on people who want to know what happened to their vote? Everything is clear. President Berisha and his clan, having lost the people’s confidence, are preparing an anti-referendum coup, in an attempt to manipulate and steal the free vote. He began with constitutional violations and a coup, and wants to end with a coup in order to realize the absurd dream of unlimited power. Be careful, Mr. Berisha! The instruments of dictatorship cannot be used in a democracy. It is more honorable to admit defeat than to incite and manipulate, which is a crime. The sovereign people have spoken, and everyone must be silent. You stated it well. We will respect honorable silence. But we will not respect deceitful silence. Therefore, we address you as democrats. Let the people rejoice in their vote, Head of State. Let the people rejoice in their vote. Otherwise, the people have the legitimate right to make their own voice heard by all democratic means and to say no to dictatorship, to say no to anyone who wants to destroy their faith in themselves.

While the referendum issue is boiling both inside and outside Albania, as the country tries to find the fairest and fastest way to establish a Constitution, parliament is considering another issue: under the chairmanship of deputy Arbnori, it is discussing games of chance and casinos. After the slap delivered on November 6 by around 60 percent of Albanian voters to the approval of the draft constitution put forward by the PD deputies under Mr. Berisha’s “command,” this same parliamentary group took it upon itself to give those voters who rejected the draft constitution their “change,” insulting them with the subject it brought up for discussion. Deliberately, and perhaps once again under “Mr. Berisha’s” command, they sidestepped the day’s most important issue—the need to find the fairest and fastest ways to give the country a constitution—and occupied themselves with entirely insignificant matters, even laughable ones that provoke mirth, such as the draft law on games of chance and casinos. At the beginning of the session, the chairman of the PS parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, asked the Speaker of Parliament, Pjetër Arbnori, to read a statement in which, on behalf of the parliamentary group, he denounced the insulting positions of the PD parliamentary group and its leaders. As usual, the Speaker of Parliament categorically refused, using his veto; he did not even heed the insistence, thereby also acting against the demands of the Albanian people. But this had been right before our eyes; we had to understand that ... [illegible passage]. The votes are the property of the people. The Albanian people have had enough of being robbed and plundered, sold for nothing and betrayed—as though they were the government’s treasure. Enough speculation and deception, even involving political enemies and the blood of martyrs; unjust and stale accusations against the opposition have been made, while Albania wondered how the state’s minions were maintained and who defended the opposition. Countless statements were made, stirring up talk of betrayal of the people, faith, freedom and patriotism in every region and locality. Now the sovereign has delivered its verdict. The state must take note and account for itself. The President himself accepted the people’s votes, submitting to them. It cannot be said that the President lacked information ... [illegible passage]. After the Council ... [damaged text]. Naturally, silence also speaks: had the PD won, the propaganda trumpets would have sounded from every office. Television used to broadcast, within a single day, several rallies held by the President and government officials from Has to Konispol; now it cannot establish a connection with the Central Commission, just a few steps away at the Palace of Congresses. He has decided: to undertake great deeds anyway ... [illegible passage]. After this ... [damaged text]. (Continued on page 4)

OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP OF THE PARLIAMENTARY GROUP OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY Today’s session of the People’s Assembly is highly unusual, both because of when it is being held and because of what the people expect to hear. After a marathon of more than three years to draft the Constitution, after unjustified political delays, after being dragged through the labyrinths of the party in power, and after unprincipled impositions that went as far as violating the Main Constitutional Provisions still in force, the referendum on the Constitution was held. And the people delivered their verdict: NO to constitutional violations! NO to a draft that is not for all Albanians! NO to political delays that want to place Albania before a totalitarian alternative: either my constitution or no constitution! The presidential adventure that took Albania even further away from Europe received the people’s well-deserved judgment. Stop gambling with Albania, gentlemen! Our parliamentary group, considering completion of the Constitution the most urgent necessity, believes that this parliament, the parliamentary groups and political parties, and the President now have only one item on the agenda: the Constitution of Albania, with the aim of finding the shortest route to lead the country out of the political crisis it is experiencing. The people have answered the question put to them. Now they are waiting for our answer. I propose that the parliamentary groups and parties immediately begin consultations on the Constitution and everything connected with it, beginning with the question: can this parliament make the Constitution of Albania? This parliament cannot make the Constitution, as it itself confirmed through the decisions it took concerning the referendum. It lacks the political ability to make the Constitution because it never accepted political consensus among the parliamentary parties, but instead lined up “just so,” following Berisha’s call. It has no moral right to make it because it openly violated the constitutional provisions. It has no legal right, because it delegated its rights and all its legislative power to others. For us to have the right Constitution, we need a new parliament. Before it is dissolved, our parliament can do only the preparatory work, draw up the programme and establish a new constitutional commission, and annul all the unconstitutional decisions it has approved, thereby salvaging at least some of its honor. Tirana, November 9, 1994 For the PSSH Parliamentary Group, NAMIK DOKLE, chairman.

On November 6, the overwhelming majority of the Albanian people voted against the Draft Constitution submitted to the referendum. The referendum was held under normal conditions, peacefully, freely and democratically. This was confirmed by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, and the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Eduard Selami, at their press conference held on November 7. It was also confirmed by their press statements and by their remarks at their press conference in Europe, where they called the referendum “fair.” Thus, instead of the referendum commissions in various districts, the Democratic Party, whose representatives are included in the final referendum documentation, at the various referendum locations, the various referendum locations which ... [damaged text]. We consider today’s statement by the spokesperson of the Democratic Party concerning these results to be a provocative attempt to deceive, even if only temporarily, both domestic and foreign public opinion. We call on the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, to use the authority granted to him by law with respect to the Central Referendum Commission, so that it announces its final results as soon as possible. We also call on the President of the Republic to adhere consistently and resolutely to the People’s [text missing]. The Socialist Party declares that it will respond by all lawful means to any plan by the Democratic Party to throw the people into an adventure and to push the Albanian people with a TUPP, after they delivered their verdict freely and democratically on November 6. Spokesperson of the Socialist Party Tirana, November 9, 1994

- It is not the Commission but the PD leadership that is working intensively. - Television, which used to broadcast rallies within a day from Kelmendi to Konispol, can no longer make a connection just a few steps away, at the Palace of Congresses. - It is not the Commission but the PD leadership that is working intensively. - Television, which used to broadcast rallies within a day from Kelmendi to Konispol, can no longer make a connection People’s fear of manipulation, caused by the deliberate delay in announcing the results, is gradually turning into anxiety. The concern is understandably great. But it must be said that this worry is pointless, because in reality we already know the score; it cannot be concealed. The votes belong to be said that the President lacked information ... [illegible passage]. After this ... He has decided: to undertake great deeds anyway ... [illegible passage]. (Continued on page 4)

After the popular NO: - The DP’s crisis is a crisis of its governance - Following the NO on 6 November to the draft constitution presented by President Berisha, the question naturally arises: will we have early parliamentary elections? Following the popular NO on 6 November to the draft constitution presented by President Berisha, the question naturally arises: will we have early parliamentary elections? The various political forces give different answers to this question, in keeping with their political positions, and do what they hope for most. While at the end of the referendum ... [unreadable section]. An analysis of the referendum shows that ... [unreadable section]. Following the NO on 6 November ... [damaged text]. The political crisis ... [unreadable section]. The campaign for the illegal referendum ... [unreadable section]. (Continued on page 3)

Seemingly present, yet wearing their concern on their faces, the DP deputies gave the people a law on gambling and casinos. Good for them. “Patriots,” champions of freedom and “consensus,” exemplary violators of the law, do not forget, even on their most difficult day, to turn their thoughts to gambling, since the draft constitution for the great gamble with the people’s fate and the future of democracy remained in their hands. And then they say this parliament does not think about the people. ... in violation of the Constitutional Provisions still in force, a that want to put Albania before an all-or-nothing alternative: Either my constitution or no constitution! This presidential adventure, which took Albania even farther from Europe, received the people’s deserved judgment. It is the people themselves who create opportunities and teach history’s lessons to every political force, every grouping, and every individual politician. They did so on 6 November, after clearing the road to democracy of the filth that had clogged it, so that our country could move along the path of true democracy, undisturbed by political and economic contraband, financial corruption, brutal abuse of the sovereignty and power granted by the people, and the construction of political pyramids from which the people have definitively distanced themselves. Those who respect this verdict may regain some of the respect they have lost. Those who condemn it will be despised. Those who try to manipulate it will bear not only the stamp of failure, but also the stamp of crime. It is strange how, at a time of political crisis in the institutions following this referendum, when everything is focused on the Constitution, someone—whether out of political naivety or the most refined cunning—puts before us a draft law on games of chance and casinos.

... in violation of the Constitutional Provisions still in force, a referendum on the Constitution was held.