- PSD, PBDNJ, SP speak to "Zëri i Popullit" - The alternative constitutional draft is an expression of the will and political seriousness of the Albanian opposition - Interview with the chairman of the SP parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, given to our journalist Ardian Myftiu - After a relatively long period of disagreements and at times clashes among the opposition political forces, it seems that a better understanding and more fruitful cooperation has begun. This is shown by the public presentation of the project for the opposition’s alternative position together with PBDNJ and PSD; and by an ever-growing cohesion and coordination of political actions within the framework of the Forum for Democracy. Why not? It seems natural that, faced with an irresponsible and arrogant majority, which every day is making the country’s political, economic and social situation more difficult and suffocating, more responsible steps should also be taken with the sole aim of accelerating democratic processes, pulling the country out of the general crisis and creating the possibility for its peaceful resolution. Through what was made publicly known a few days ago and has found a place in the print and electronic media, what appears most important in this new understanding and in these new relations is precisely the project for the alternative position. Such as it emerges, including mainly the PBDNJ and PSD as political parties from the Albanian opposition. The values of the alternative constitutional draft, the possibilities for its realization, the statements of the leading figures of the opposition parties, what the next steps will be to make this serious initiative concrete, the common effects with the Albanian opposition’s long-term political program, etc., constitute the essence of the interview conducted with the chairman of the SP parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, which we publish below. (Continued on page 2)

Interview with the political affairs editor of the PS newspaper, Mr. Ilir Mejdani, by journalist A. Bode. How do you assess, Mr. Mejdani, the visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Herzog? - This visit is of particular importance, because of Germany’s own weight in the democratic processes, but also in Albania’s economic, cultural and interethnic development. This is because Germany was the first to strongly support our country’s entry into the CSCE, economic cooperation, diplomatic service, etc. President Herzog has played an important role in increasing contacts between governments and institutions. Of course, this visit will serve to intensify relations between the two countries in many areas. Another important moment of this visit will be the discussion of support for democratic processes in Albania. (Continued on page 3)

- Paskal Milo, deputy chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania - The alternative constitutional project has no point of contact with the 1976 constitution; on the contrary, in concept and in principle it enshrines modern democratic values. Together with PBDNJ, it is the first opposition force to harmonize its political opposition forms into an alternative. The PD had mainly lost because of its inability to carry out reforms. Therefore, its fear is completely unjustified. We hope that the alternative constitutional project will exert pressure on the government and the current parliament to apply the basic law of the state more correctly and make the necessary constitutional changes. (Continued on page 2)

More than 450 thousand lek in damage from the fire; the four-story building in the center of Shkodër escaped catastrophe (Continued on page 3)

- Vasil Melo, chairman of PBDNJ - Article 231 of the Constitution depends on the implementation of the reform and its progress on the road to democracy. In procedural terms, it is necessary for the constitutional issue to be given sufficient time for discussion, compared with previous constitutions, including that of 1976. The process of drafting the constitution must be an open process to the views and contribution of all political forces, the entire public opinion, specialists and experts in the field. The government and the governing majority are showing themselves to be reserved toward this issue. In my view, today the time has come for parliament and the governing majority to sit down together with the opposition to discuss as equals and not to start from positions of numerical strength. For this reason we say that, for drafting the constitution, we are not opposition but majority. (Continued on page 2)

More than an incident? (Continued on page 4)

IN THE ALTERNATIVE OF THE TIME

The press spokesman of the SP rejects the malicious insinuations of "B. Gazeta Shqiptare" of 15 February, that allegedly the chairman of the SP parliamentary delegation, Mr. Sabit Brokaj, was in Vienna as part of the group that also included deputies and leaders of the PD, since, in fact, Mr. Brokaj was in Vienna only after the conclusion of the visit and not on the dates claimed by the newspaper. This was only an attempt to cloud public opinion regarding the trip of the SP parliamentary delegation to Strasbourg, Belgium and Germany, as well as to hinder its contacts with parliaments, socialist parties, state institutions and the press in Austria. SP Press Spokesman