DECLARATION OF THE GENERAL LEADING COMMITTEE AND THE PARLIAMENTARY GROUP OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY On 13 November 1994, for the first time in the history of our country, the Albanian people rejected, with their sovereign vote, a document of constitutional importance and thus proved that in Albania the real power of the people is being established. In this victory, every political force, every citizen and every social organization that contributed in its own way to this achievement has its rightful place. The socialists and the entire progressive, left-wing and centre electorate worked with dedication and not without sacrifice to convince public opinion of the dangers of the draft constitution presented by the parliamentary majority. PSD, PAD, PBDNJ, PRSH and other political forces in the opposition also made their valuable contribution, determining to no small extent the result of the referendum. Equally important was the contribution of distinguished figures from culture, art, science, etc. There is no doubt that the victory on Sunday also bears the weight of the work of foreign diplomatic missions, Albanian and foreign non-governmental organizations, the independent media, etc., which helped to make this historic process more mature. The people ignored all the majority’s efforts to misinform public opinion, all the insinuations about the danger of the return of dictatorship, the verbal aggression, psychological pressure, economic blackmail, and the nonstop threats of “catastrophe” in the event of a No victory. The victory of “No” marks the victory of the cool and measured judgment of the majority of Albanians, the victory of reason over demagoguery and megalomania, the victory of the free and emancipated citizen over the old schemes of autocratic rule. It shows that Albanians can no longer be frightened by political bogeymen, that the “violence of numbers” cannot defeat freedom of thought, and that the wisdom and the force of the sovereign are more powerful than any arbitrary power. We are convinced that the referendum of 6 November was preceded by a long period of manipulation, pressure and serious violations of democratic standards. Nevertheless, the Albanian people showed admirable civic maturity and clearly separated their future from the dictatorial past. This vote should serve as a great lesson for the majority and for every political force: Albania cannot be governed with arrogance, exclusion, fear and a cult of personality. The people demand dialogue, consensus, the rule of law and real democratic institutions. The Socialist Party of Albania and its Parliamentary Group express their determination to contribute to the building of a democratic, pluralist and social state, where the Constitution will be the product of a broad national agreement and not the imposition of a temporary majority. We greet the Albanian voters for this high civic and patriotic act and call on all political forces to read the message of 6 November responsibly. (continued on page 2)

The socialist group insists that work should begin with the constitution Yesterday morning, during the break in the plenary session, the chairman of the PS Parliamentary Group, Mr. P. Milo, on behalf of the socialist deputies, submitted to the Presidium of Parliament a request for a special session to approve the parliamentary work calendar for the remainder of this session. According to this request, the work of parliament should focus first and foremost on the constitutional issue. Two MPs asked to oppose it, but the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Arbnori, did not agree to put it forward for discussion. This was interpreted by the socialist deputies as an evasion of the country’s main political problem. According to the socialist group, the parliamentary majority is deliberately moving away from the debate on the constitution, trying to replace it with secondary issues. The socialists demand that the referendum of 6 November be reflected in the parliamentary agenda and that the way be opened for a new constitutional process, transparent and inclusive. (continued on page 2)

Eight hours after the meeting of the council steering group of Television and after the Supreme Council of Radio-Television also approved the decision to dismiss 6 central directors and replace them with experienced specialists who were not politically engaged, Albanian television saw with its own eyes in the evening, as if by irony of fate, Mr. B. Çela organize, direct and comment on a “special” program with an entirely political content from the PD’s activities on the “victory” of the constitutional referendum. In the only studio of Albanian Television for the day’s events, the evening program was used for a one-sided party demonstration. According to observers, this showed that public television continues to be captured by the spirit of propaganda and is not respecting standards of impartiality. (continued on page 2)

- According to the testimonies gathered, the sole person responsible is the village elder and the chairman of the PD in the village of Dushk, Lushnjë - Admitted last night for the second time to the district hospital of Lushnjë, the man who underwent emergency surgery, Josif Ruçi, is out of danger of losing his life. According to doctors, he has improved, but his condition remains serious because of the wounds he suffered. According to the statements of relatives and local residents, the incident is linked to the tensions created after the referendum of 6 November. Responsibility, the article says, lies with the village elder and the chairman of the PD in the village of Dushk, Lushnjë. (continued on page 2)

- No one will miss the referendum, but it is only meaningful once the constitution is approved in parliament - Just as everything happens and the electoral reform, too, will bring not only a parliament representing the different and necessary interests of the political currents in Albania, but also a more efficient government. Time will prove it best. But if one agrees to an electoral reform in conditions of such a lack of understanding, what [...] (continued on page 2)

Today the “Special Price” expires One of the greatest concerns I had, as an accused and politically convicted person in several prisons and various camps, was also in the internment of villages all over the country (the time of acquaintances), was that my writings would be lost, or confiscated from me by SP. Far from thinking of preparing and writing “works,” I wrote as much as I could and however I could. Hard days and all the documents that had remained through so many sacrifices made it desirable that these too be saved. Thus, they were prepared for publication. Now they are being offered to the reader with the hope that in them they will find at least a little truth, experiences, facts and documents. The first book, “Terrori komunist”, written by the late, my unforgettable friend, the writer Ymer [...], with a foreword by Prof. Sabri Godo, made these materials known and brought them out of anonymity. Since this work was well received, we are offering readers the other book, “Forca Shqiptaria”, at a special price. If there is interest, orders may be sent to the publishing house “Globus R”. ZVLLI I POPULLIT