Since Monday, 31.7.1995, in the center of Tiranë, on the boulevard "Dëshmorët e Kombit", in front of the Prime Minister's Office, the Presidency and the seat of the People's Assembly, deputies from the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, members of the National Steering Committee of the PPSH and its leading forums in the capital, as well as hundreds and hundreds of their supporters, have begun a hunger strike with a political motive to protest against the imprisonment of the chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, deputy of the Albanian Parliament, Fatos Nano. In their statement distributed yesterday to the public by the strikers, the political reasons for this protest were listed. First, the issue of the hijacking of the state is raised, and in this regard it is rightly pointed out that a police state is being established in Albania. Next, the issue of the imprisonment of Fatos Nano is raised with particular force, seen as a political revenge, an act that does not help and cannot help the country's political stability and peace. Albania needs a free opposition, an opposition activity independent of government dictates and police pressure, which is increasingly making the police uniform and the citizen's fear more present. On 27 July, the court panel kept Mr. Nano in prison and sent his case to the Court of Cassation on the sufficiently stated grounds that he lacks the status of being an accused person. This is absurd. A deputy, the head of the opposition, is kept in prison while his case has still not entered regular trial, and meanwhile political hatred inspires the arbitrary actions of the authorities. Since the moment of his imprisonment, Mr. Nano has been placed at the center of a political and propaganda campaign aimed at portraying him as guilty before the court speaks. This way of acting severely compromises the institutions and damages the country's image. The rule of law cannot be built with political orders, endless pretrial detentions, and dictated trials. In circumstances where fragile Albanian democracy needs dialogue and cooperation, the country is being pushed toward confrontation. The opposition must have its own legal and constitutional space. The imprisonment of its main leader is not simply his personal matter, but a major political problem that affects the democratic climate in Albania itself. This protest, undertaken by Socialist deputies and their supporters, is a public appeal for political revenge to end and for Fatos Nano to be released. The state must respect the law, while the court must be independent and not directed by political calculations.

In today's issue, we are republishing this article from yesterday's issue. The text on the page is partially unclear and damaged in the upper columns. These fragments can be seen: "... the People's Assembly and the chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the PPSH ..." "... la AGJ TIRANË AVOKAT" The text mentions political developments, deputies, police forces, and obstruction of parliamentary activity. Most of the paragraphs are not fully legible in the image and cannot be transcribed reliably without guessing.

Meeting of the PPSH Presidency Tiranë At yesterday's meeting, the PPSH Presidency, after thoroughly and responsibly analyzing the situation created in the country, stressed that further escalation of political life and institutional relations cannot serve as a way out for the current power. On the contrary, any attempt to cover up governmental failures and numerous scandals with a climate of conflict will deepen the crisis. The PPSH Presidency assessed that the use of law-enforcement bodies and the state administration against the opposition, accompanied by one-sided propaganda, constitutes a violation of democratic principles. It called for respect for the law, the freeing of political activity from pressure, and the creation of conditions for dialogue. At the end of the meeting, a call was made to members, supporters, and all citizens to remain calm, but also to react firmly to any manifestation of arbitrariness. The PPSH declared that it would not give up defending democratic rights and denouncing the corruption of PD power.

The independent newspaper "Koha Jonë" of 30 July 1995 publishes, with bombast and unprecedented vulgarity, an article in which, according to its bootlickers, the chairman of the PPSH and former Prime Minister of Albania, Fatos Nano, should be in prison. These "editors", acting on orders, have done nothing more than regurgitate their old slanders, trying to legitimize a political decision that has provoked a reaction from public opinion. Its conference, which entrusted Tiranë with shedding light on the so-called "case" of Fatos Nano, brought back the issue of political penalization. Through insinuations, half-sentences and media blackmail, this newspaper, closely tied to certain interests, seeks to create the alibi of a power that cannot cope with criticism. Its propaganda activity has nothing to do with journalism. The purpose is clear: to serve as a tool in the campaign against the opposition and to justify the persecution of the PPSH. The public knows this language of slander well and is no longer easily deceived. (To be continued on page 3)

Its conference, which had instructed the authorities to place force above dialogue, appeared as further evidence of the way political opponents are being treated. Instead of listening to arguments and building bridges of communication, pressure and violence are being used. This development shows that the authoritarian mentality remains strong. The conflict cannot be resolved with police measures, but with respect for the law and democratic standards. Society does not need fear, but calm and justice.

The material on this page is partially legible. The title is clearly visible: "The inauguration ribbon was cut by the journalists of 'Zëri i Popullit'" and the note indicating continuation on page 3. The inner text is not clear in this image for accurate transcription without guessing. (To be continued on page 3)

Sent to Mr. President Cestar Aran President Erëstan [?] 25.7.1995 . The text on the page is faded and partially damaged. Only a few isolated elements can be read: "... Cestar Aran ..." "President" "25.7.1995" And at the top: "The International Federation of Journalists writes to the presidency". (To be continued on page 2)

(To be continued on page 3)

TIRANË TRIANË CONFLICT OVER LAND Violent clashes between workers of the "Mëze" farm and families of former high-ranking officials of the communist regime. Several seriously injured and hundreds of armed police to separate the groups. Accompanied by heavy equipment. After this, four arrested. (To be continued on page 2)