The trial lasted 20 minutes, the verdict 1 minute The Cassation judges, hanging from the hook of power, once again betrayed Albanian justice yesterday The trial lasted 20 minutes, the verdict 1 minute Nano will be free when injustice has been defeated The Cassation judges, hanging from the hook of power, once again betrayed Albanian justice yesterday On page 3: Trial chronicle, commentary, interview with Përlparim Sanxhaku, opinion by Namik Dokle

The proclamation of Independence, the starting point of freedom, democracy and national sovereignty The culmination of years of effort, 28 November will be remembered in the history of the Albanian people as the day that opened the road to the independent national state, the road to progress and democratic development. 28 November was a bold challenge to numerous enemies, both open and hidden. In those days the men who represented the Nation had risen to their feet to stand up for the fate of the Homeland. The future of the country was in danger. The armies of the Balkan states had trampled on the homeland's lands and were trying to make the partition of Albania a fait accompli. Under the pretext that they were fighting against the Ottoman Empire, part of which they called Albania, they turned the country into a war spoil and were trying to make its occupation and partition a fait accompli. In these circumstances the National Assembly gathered in Vlora, as the sole and highest representative of the Albanian people, by proclaiming Independence, took the fate of the homeland into its own hands and carried out a patriotic act of enduring value. With 28 November and the historic victory of that day, the names of Ismail Qemali, Luigj Gurakuqi, Isa Boletini, Hasan Prishtina, Nikoll Kaçorri, Vehbi Dibra and dozens of other distinguished patriots are linked and will remain in the people's memory. Read on page 8

Albanian society is moving toward the victory of the left-wing alternative The logic of refusing to accept the legitimacy of the left in Albania, even before any possible victory for it in the upcoming elections, leads to the preservation of a single political force and a single alternative, namely the PD. It legitimizes every anti-democratic means, including violence, to eliminate political opponents, turn elections into a farce and refuse to accept the will of the Albanian electorate. Read on page 2

- Interview with Mr. Piero Fassino, secretary for foreign relations of PDS, given from Italy yesterday to BBC in London Read on page 4

- From Gramoz Ruçi's meetings in Romania The President of the Senate and President of the PDS of Romania, Olivier Gherman, received in a special and very friendly meeting the PSSH delegation, led by the Secretary-General, Gramoz Ruçi, who carried out the talks of the Party's Third Conference. G. Ruçi handed to Romania's number two in the state a message highlighting the social-democratic profile of the Romanian Party for social democracy, with achievements and in power in that country, as well as its special role in overthrowing Çaushesku's dictatorship and building the rule-of-law state and the country's economy. He expressed eagerness, wishes and congratulations for the success of the Third Conference of the PDSR and confidence in strengthening the friendly relations between our two Parties and Balkan countries. Mr. German thanked warmly for our delegation's high-level participation and expressed the warmest words and wishes for the Albanian people, whose culture is very close to that of the Romanian people. Your people and your country, he continued, have a special place in my heart. He said that after the Conference he would analyze the possibility of further developing and deepening these relations. He mentioned the dynamic role of PSSH in the progress of democracy in Albania. In response to greetings from Fatos Nano, the Romanian leader expressed confidence that the victory of PS in the upcoming elections very soon will make room for a new push and relations between the two countries will receive new impulses. During the contact with a fairly large foreign social-democratic delegation at the meeting with representatives of the PSD of Germany and in Austria, PASOK [?], satisfaction was expressed with the understanding and support given to PSSH, which has recently experienced qualitative growth; in the long meetings with representatives of the Labor Party of Israel and the Socialist Party of France, the progress of PSSH in consolidating itself as the largest social-democratic force and the concrete achievements in many fields were valued. They condemned the policy of tension and confirmed that the anti-consensus strategy has now failed, as shown also by the victory of Kvanjarski [?], and, as became clear, positively for the Program and socialist alternatives, the assessment of the two stages of the PSSH Congress, and expressed confidence in the victory and successful governance of PS. In the framework of redesigning policy and fair positions, they confirmed that the Albanian context highlights direct contact with PS and offered all-around political support for Albanian socialists. All the meetings were greeted by the spirit of dialogue, understanding and mutual solidarity with PSSH. PSSH Press and Information Office

- By lawyer Nafis Bezhani Read on pages 9-10