The TV screen bursts every night with the balloons of praise that someone, somewhere, has offered to Beveten’s regime, and they deflate all on their own. The TV screen bursts every night with the balloons of praise that someone, somewhere, has offered to Beveten’s regime. Pop-pop-pop. Balloons inflated by themselves and deflating all on their own. It would be much more normal for foreigners’ criticisms and suggestions about our political actions to be made public. They would oblige us all to work a little harder, a little better. They would oblige us to smile at one another as well, and not only at foreigners. They would oblige us to remind some loudmouth, who thinks that power in a democracy is something to be proud of, that he has lost not only his gunpowder but also... his trousers. These days I had the opportunity to read the annual report (1994) of the Council of Europe Commission “Democracy through Law,” which also publishes this Commission’s criticisms and suggestions concerning the draft constitution rejected by popular referendum on 6 November 1994. To get a more accurate idea of who is releasing balloons inflated with lies and who is telling the truth, I would like to compare the statements made by Mr. S. Berisha, Shehu, Luarasi, etc. about the draft constitution with the views and suggestions expressed by the Council of Europe Commission. From this comparison, everyone will understand that our people are far more politically enlightened than the politicians who lead them; that this people overcame political isolation much earlier, and understands Europe, even though our politicians are trying to hide Europe’s views from them.

At the Tirana court: Judicial proceedings begin on the charge of a criminal offense provided for under Article 20 of the Press Law. Yesterday, at around 11:30, judicial proceedings began against Luan M. Rama, deputy editor-in-chief of “Zëri i popullit,” accused of the criminal offense provided for under Article 20 of the Press Law. The proceedings were presided over by Judge Petrit Kaja, in the presence of prosecutor Arison Puka and defense lawyer Gazmend Zeneli. The case was prompted by a complaint from Asqeri Boçi, a citizen from Gjirokastra, concerning an article published on 23 February 1995 by K. Ksera and entitled “The People’s Memory Is Stronger Than Yours, Mr. Boçi.” Luan M. Rama has been held criminally liable because, as deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper, he did not prevent the publication of an article sent from Gjirokastra. The article stated that Mr. Asqeri Boçi currently serves as chairman of the Independent Trade Union in Gjirokastra and that people close to his family had been convicted of theft, whereas he claims this is untrue, since, according to him, they had been convicted for political reasons. During the first court hearing, A- (Continued on page 2)

Statement by the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania. On 23 May 1995, without consulting the editorial offices of the Albanian newspapers at all, the Tirana Municipality adopted a decision ordering the sale of newspapers to be stopped at the existing private sales outlets, transferring this right to the 12 bookshops of the state-run Book Distribution Enterprise and to 11 small kiosks set up in Tirana by the Municipality itself for the sale of books. This decision is scheduled to take effect on 1 June 1995. (Continued on page 4)

Press conference of the President of the Republic - After Tuesday’s harshness, once again: «Opponents, but brothers» - “I do not believe those results that themselves predict success, except for results showing serious growth for the DP. We are determined to win.” This is what Sali Berisha, member of the leadership of the Democratic Party and president of this country, declared yesterday at a press conference. Amid an emotional atmosphere stirred up by the chants “Berisha at the market” and “Berisha is afraid,” it seems the president yesterday announced what he intends to do in the 1996 elections. Berisha made this declaration after journalists insisted [\u0000]and touted the results of the “Eurobarometer” poll, which put the SP in first place and showed the DP in a sharp decline. But although Berisha continually refers to the “proanorit” of “Eurobarometer,” (Continued on page 4)

– A THREEFOLD SCANDAL: CONSTITUTIONAL, FINANCIAL, POLITICAL. – BLERIM ÇELA, A MEMBER OF THE DP LEADERSHIP, VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION OF ALBANIA. By 10 May 1994, notify the Democratic Party and the State Audit Service of the measures taken. C H A I R M A N Blerim ÇELA Presented in the press a few days ago as the “gigantic scandal” under the name “Blerim Gjetji,” it—the scandal—appears today in all its financial, political, moral and constitutional dimensions. At its center is the man who has been most talked about lately, Blerim Çela, head of the State Audit Service, member of the leadership of the Democratic Party, and MP for (Continued on page 2)

- This draft constitution is undoubtedly among the best there are today. - Great efforts were needed to overcome the artificial obstacles being raised against us, and which, unfortunately, continue to be raised, by the extreme left and by those who have visible or invisible ties with them, with the sole aim of leaving the country without a constitution. - powers held by presidents in are curtailed. Everything that is being said is nothing but malice, intended to create the atmosphere of tension they have been trying to create throughout this period. - account? Answer by Tritan Shehu: The consideration of European democratic organizations and others regarding the drafting of the constitution is reflected and present in this draft-constitution document.

A member of the Venice Commission said upon returning from that Commission: A member of the Venice Commission has said upon returning from that Commission: - The Commission’s opinion has advisory value, but also the necessary authority, because the Commission consists of renowned experts and is a body of the Council of Europe. On 27.10.1994, the complete and final draft was examined. After extensive discussions, the Venice Commission reached the following conclusions: «The draft Constitution of Albania submitted for examination constitutes a complete and coherent constitution, in accordance with European standards. (Read on page 3) 1. The draft Constitution gives the President of the Republic, elected by Parliament (Article 79), far more powers than those usually granted to a Head of State in a Parliamentary Republic. COMMENT OF THE VENICE COMMISSION

Interview with DRITERO AGOLLI, given to our newspaper’s deputy editor-in-chief, Luan M. Rama You worked at «Zëri i popullit» many years ago. Nevertheless, you never severed your ties, however much time has passed. What feeling does today’s renewed «Zëri i popullit» evoke in you? Who do you learn is often sent a police car? - The entire generation of writers, later called «the generation of the 60s», of which I was also a part, was very closely connected to the newspaper «Zëri i popullit», especially since the second newspaper of those years was [unreadable] [unreadable] Todì Lubonja, when he was editor-in-chief of «Zëri i popullit». Other editors-in-chief included Fadil Paçrami, Sadik Bocaj and Dashnor Mamaqi. Among ourselves we used to joke, dividing the periods of «Zëri i popullit» according to its editors-in-chief, and saying: «Fadil the liberator, Todi the reformer», and giving a third one another epithet. But, as they say, a joke is half the truth. Today, when tempers are heated, things are seen in black and white; therefore, the language of yesterday’s «Zëri i popullit» is rejected, including its more mature phases of struggle. As for today’s officials of the official press, the rulers, prosecutors and fanatical police officers have all long been waging an uninterrupted war against «Zëri i popullit». The four powers—that is, the legislative, executive, ju- [cut off]dicial and official-press powers—have joined together and formed a «holy alliance», as in the Middle Ages, to launch crusades by fierce fanatics against «Zëri i popullit». The legislative power passed the infamous press law, with ambiguous articles on penalties for defamation and disclosure of secrets; the executive power is vigilant in enforcing the law; the judicial power imposes sentences under the law; and the official-press power, with «RD» at its head, leads the way with propaganda, weaving slanders and lies about «Zëri i popullit» and its journalists. The official press uses insults, slander and lies without fear of punishment, since it has all three powers on its side, pu- (Continued on page 2)

Mr. HAJDARAGA, deputy chairman of the PSSH, meets Mr. HALITI, Chairman of Macedonia’s PPD. At the invitation of the Party for Democratic Prosperity in Macedonia (PPD), a delegation of the Socialist Party of Albania, headed by its deputy chairman, Mr. Luan Hajdaraga, and Mr. Fatril Sinani, a member of the party leadership, made a working visit. At the Bllatë border crossing, they were welcomed by the mayor of Dibër, Qemal Xhafa, and the area’s deputy, Gazmend Hajdaraga. In Tetovo, the PSSH delegation was welcomed by the highest-ranking officials of this party: PPD Chairman Mr. Abdurrahim Haliti and other members of the central leadership, deputies and ministers serving in the government of Macedonia. During the official talks, the deputy chairman of the PSSH, Luan Hajdaraga, gave an overview of the political situation in Albania and explained the alternatives offered by the PSSH and these [unreadable] that this provides (Continued on page 4)

From 18 to 26 May, at the invitation of Denmark’s Social Democratic Youth, a large FRESSH delegation, made up of its leaders from Tirana, Shkodra, Durrës, Saranda, Lezha, Dibra, Lushnja, etc., visited Denmark. During their stay there, they also took part in seminars and held meetings with leaders of the Danish Social Democratic Youth and the Liberals. The delegation returned to its homeland. FRESSH spokesperson

- You have heard, and will hear, some politicians say in debates that Albania is a Presidential Republic... I want to assure you that these are unfounded statements. - Parliament makes the decision; the decision on a Referendum is the exclusive right of Parliament, not only for a constitutional referendum, but for any kind of referendum. This is the principle of the separation of powers. But to think that one can build a political career by distorting and deceiving is wrong. Today, a political career is built by adhering ever more closely to the truth. - The Constitution provides for a very balanced separation of powers... Under this constitution, the institutions are balanced and keep one another very well in check. The President has sufficient powers to be head of state and perform these functions, naturally under full parliamentary oversight. And this is lawful. Parliament remains the central pillar. The courts remain independent. In our draft constitution, we have a Constitutional Court, undoubtedly the strongest in Eastern Europe. - The draft constitution guarantees the independence of the judicial branch and clearly defines the role of the independent courts in guaranteeing citizens’ freedoms and rights.

- This draft constitution is one of the best changes - Great efforts were needed to overcome the artificial obstacles that were being raised and that, unfortunately, continue to be raised - The powers of the Albanian president are below the average powers held by the presidents of Europe. And I can say that in many respects they are curtailed. All the things that are being said are - Question: What suggestions has the Council of Europe made regarding the draft constitution, and how have they been taken into account? Answer, Tritan Shehu: In the draft constitution document-