The political state is totally at war with justice Passport to civilization Yesterday, three successive attacks were launched against the Court of Cassation and its chairman: by the Government, by the General Prosecutor’s Office and by the Constitutional Court. Everything appears to be coordinated down to the last detail. The aim is only one: by any means possible, to postpone the consideration of the Nano case in this court. Seen in line with all the events that have taken place over the last few days and whose objective has been the humiliation of the Cassation and of Mr. Brozi, yesterday’s triple attack shows the panic that has gripped those in power and the segments that work for them in connection with the Nano case. They are seeking by all means to ensure that the injustice done to Nano two and a half years ago remains in force, adding further illegal acts to it. Why this fear, why this panic? The Democratic Party and its de facto chairman declared long ago that it is a party of success, one that no force can stop on the road to retaining power. On this basis, the drums of the 1996 elections are beating. But if we listen closely, these drums sound like death notices, as they once did in our highlands. The Nano case, the imprisonment of the Socialist opposition leader for clear political motives, has driven the reputation of the “democrats” after 22 March to its lowest point, both at home and abroad. By making political revenge the norm and being guided in daily life by violating the law solely to meet immediate objectives, the Democratic Party and those who represent it three months after 22 March are democrats on crutches. How much will the Court of Cassation and Mr. Brozi withstand these attacks? The facts show that the “Cassation” fortress is being sought by all means, through the police and SHIK, through propaganda and decisions by the government, the prosecutor’s office and even the Constitutional Court. However, there is resistance in Cassation, which shows that democracy is being understood as a daily struggle for the victory of law and not as a consolation dish served only to be consumed. Yesterday’s developments, which constitute a new attack on the Court of Cassation, are full of dangers because they seek to strangle in the cradle the force that is being born—the independence of the third power, a guarantee for the establishment of the genuine democracy we want to reach. Everything that happened yesterday shows that this is not the passport with which one enters the civilized world. The Meksi government openly comes out against the trial of Fatos Nano in Cassation For everyone today, the action of Meksi and his group is clear: the prisoner of conscience Fato Nano must not be released, because that is what Berisha, Meksi and the clan that runs Albania want. Read on page 3

THREE DEAD, 11 MISSING DURING A FIRE ON A BOAT CARRYING ALBANIANS - At least three people died on Monday, 11 others are still being considered missing, and 16 others were rescued aboard an inflatable boat carrying illegal Albanian emigrants that burst into flames, the port of Bari reported. The causes of the incident have not been established, but the possibility that the fire started because fuel cans were kept on board is not excluded, AFP reports. Meanwhile, the ANSA agency cites as the cause of the death of the three people and the disappearance of the other 11 a collision that occurred in the southern Adriatic, in Albanian territorial waters, between the ferry Trojdet and a speedboat that had just left the port of Vlorë, in Albania. Early reports say 16 people were rescued by the American frigate Nikolas, which is on patrol mission to enforce the embargo against the former Yugoslavia.

Yesterday President Sali Berisha began his official visit in Washington with meetings and various activities, with a packed schedule. At an airport on the outskirts of Washington, the Albanian head of state was received with special honors by two former officials of the US embassy in Albania, Messrs. K. Hill and U. Rajerson. Also present to welcome the president were Albanians residing in the US. At 8:00 a.m., President Berisha met with former President Carter’s National Security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski and other officials from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A few minutes later, President Berisha met with senior officials of the World Bank. The meeting with the US Secretary of State Warren Christopher at Blair House, opposite the White House, was described as the most important event of yesterday. Afterwards, President Berisha met with Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. Yesterday Berisha also delivered a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. According to “Voice of America,” US officials said that President Berisha’s visit is taking place at a time when the situation in the Balkans is as tense as ever, and precisely for this reason the visit takes on special importance. President Berisha’s visit began yesterday in the United States, and the main focus has been on today’s meeting with President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

Four opposition parties, PAD, PDD, PS and PSD, have requested a session with urgent questions for Prime Minister A. Meksi regarding the police attack against the Constitutional Court. Questions that the PS parliamentary group is asking: -Who ordered the police forces; -Does the Minister of Public Order know about this घटना; -What is the role of SHIK in this event; -Why was this police operation carried out only 6 days before the announced Plenum of the Court of Cassation on the “Nano case,” etc. Read on page 2

Brojka-Vrioni protocol: “A market economy that is... commanded” Backlash from PD leaders against PD’s own economic reform Page 4

On the eve of the start of the new school year Page 5