The political state is completely at war against justice Passport to civilization Yesterday, three successive attacks were launched against the Court of Cassation and its president: by the Government, by the Office of the Prosecutor General, and by the Constitutional Court. Everything seems coordinated down to the smallest detail. There is only one aim: to delay at all costs the рассмотрение of the Nano case in this court. Placed in line with all the events that have occurred over the last few days and that aimed at humiliating Cassation and Mr. Brozi, yesterday’s triple attack shows the panic that has seized the rulers and the segments that work for them regarding the Nano case. They seek at all costs to keep in force the injustice done to Nano two and a half years ago, adding further unlawful acts to it. Why this fear, why this panic? The Democratic Party and its de facto leader have long made clear that it is a party of success, one that, on the road to the heights of power, no force can hold back. On this basis the drums of the 1996 elections are beating. But if we listen carefully, these drums sound like death notices, as they once did in our mountains. The Nano case, the imprisonment of the Socialist opposition leader for clear political motives, is here what has reduced to a minimum the reputation of the “democrats” after 22 March, at home and abroad. By making political revenge a norm and by being guided in everyday life by violations of the law solely to fulfill immediate objectives, the Democratic Party and those who represent it show that they are democrats without conscience. How long will the Court of Cassation and Mr. Brozi resist these attacks? The evidence shows that the “Cassation” fortress is being sought at all costs by police and SHIK, by propaganda and government decisions, by the prosecutor’s office and even by the Constitutional Court. Nevertheless, 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 treat served only to be eaten. Yesterday’s developments, which constitute a new attack on the Court of Cassation, are full of danger because they seek to stifle every infant sign that is giving birth to the independence of the third power, the guarantee of the establishment of the real democracy we want to reach. Everything that happened yesterday shows that this is not the passport with which one goes to 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 conscience-prisoner Fatos 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 WITH ALBANIANS -At least three people died on Monday, 11 others are still considered missing, and 16 others were rescued aboard a rubber boat transporting illegal Albanian emigrants that burst into flames, the port of Bari reported. The causes of the incident have not been established, but the possibility cannot be ruled out that the fire broke out because cans of gasoline were being carried on board, AFP reports. Meanwhile, the ANSA agency cites as the cause of the death of the three people and the disappearance of the 11 others the collision that occurred in the lower Adriatic, in Albanian territorial waters, between the ferry Trojet and a motorboat that had just left the port of Vlora, in Albania. Early reports say 16 people were rescued by the American frigate Nikolas, which is on a patrol mission to enforce the embargo against the former Yugoslavia.

Yesterday President Sali Berisha began his official visit to Washington with meetings and various activities, on a packed schedule. At an airport on the outskirts of Washington, the Albanian head of state was welcomed with special honors by two former officials of the U.S. embassy in Albania, Messrs. K. Hill and U. Rajerson. Also present to welcome the president were Albanians living in the United States. At 8:00 in the morning, President Berisha met with former President Carter’s national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski and with other officials of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A few minutes later, President Berisha met with senior officials of the World Bank. The meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher at Blair House, opposite the White House, was described as the most important event of yesterday. Later, President Berisha met with Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. Yesterday Berisha also gave a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. According to “Zëri i Amerikës”, American officials said that President Berisha’s visit is taking place at a time when the situation in the Balkans is more tense than ever, and precisely for this reason the visit takes on special importance. President Berisha’s visit began yesterday in the United States, and its main focus is 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 requested by the PS parliamentary group: -Who ordered the police forces; -Does the order minister know about this event; -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” Counter-support by PD leaders with the PD’s own economic reform Page 4

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