- Interview with PS deputy chairman Namik Dokle given to journalist Eron Braçe Question: Did the President want to compensate for the loss of political support with some noise in the press? Did it work? Namik Dokle: Heaven forbid! I do not believe that is the case. This is not only about one figure or one man. It is an expression of a deeper political and institutional crisis. Question: Where do you see the core of it? Namik Dokle: The President is behaving as if he wants to compensate with political protagonism for what the law and his function no longer allow him to do. This only worsens the situation and hinders the normal functioning of institutions. Question: What do you mean by that? Namik Dokle: After the elections of 26 July 1992, a mistaken practice of concentrating powers was created. Today the consequences are becoming clear. Albania needs balance, respect for the Constitution, and independent institutions. Question: How do you assess the role of the opposition? Namik Dokle: The opposition has the duty to denounce violations, offer alternatives, and defend the public interest. It cannot remain silent in the face of abuses. Question: Is the country without a president? Namik Dokle: In institutional terms, no, but in terms of political responsibility we are moving toward a dangerous vacuum, because the President is not behaving as a guarantor of constitutional order. Question: What is the way out? Namik Dokle: A return to the law, to responsibility, and to political dialogue. Without these, the crisis will only deepen.

Statement by the Albanian Helsinki Committee The Albanian Helsinki Committee denounced yesterday the throwing into cells of two detainees without the prosecutor’s order and without a completed court ruling on the rapes in Tepelenë prison. The Committee described this act as condemnable, saying that, according to it, it is contrary to the laws and to the norms of a state based on the rule of law. In its statement, the Albanian Helsinki Committee notes that the prosecutor’s office issued a decision to release the two detainees, but the prison administration did not enforce it. According to the statement, this act constitutes a serious violation of human rights and legal procedures. (Continued on page 2)

- Berisha cannot understand that the people want a different way of governing By using the platform of the weekly press conference, Sali Berisha justifies the failure of his government with lies. He tries to shift attention away from the country’s real problems and from the responsibilities of power. It is an attempt to hide the economic crisis, the impoverishment of the population, unemployment, and the lack of prospects. The people are asking for a change in the way the country is governed, for a rule-of-law state, and for accountability. The PS emphasizes that the solution does not come from propaganda, but from dialogue and respect for the citizen’s interest. (Continued on page 5)

The Albanian Helsinki Committee states that in its response of 1 August 1995 it had reflected serious concerns about the way detainees’ cases and their rights were handled. According to the Committee, the official notice from the Ministry does not address the essence of the problem. The Committee stresses that the issue is not about polemics, but about the application of the law, respect for procedures, and the safeguarding of fundamental human rights. (Continued on page 3)

The General Directorate of T.K.Sh, unit 1350, informs that in the square in front of the “18 November” cultural center in the city of Peshkopi, on 11.8.1995 at 20:00, a protest rally will be held in which the socialists of our district will take part to protest energetically against the anti-democratic violence used these days against the people of the PS and against the fierce propaganda of the PPD against our political force. PS Peshkopi Steering Committee

- Amnesty International does not expect a defiant response, but calls for the immediate and impartial opening of an investigation into Fatos Nano In its response concerning the case of Fatos Nano, Amnesty International expresses concern about the lack of an independent investigation and calls on the Albanian authorities to act without delay. According to the organization, any defiant or propagandistic response does not serve the clarification of the truth. It calls for an impartial, transparent, and immediate investigation. The statement stresses that the case is important not only for the individual, but also for the credibility of institutions and for respect for international human rights standards.

The party leadership of the Socialist Party, in a press statement, reacted to the President’s accusations regarding the PS positions on agricultural reform and property. According to this statement, the socialists have long presented their agricultural platform and made it public in parliamentary debates, in meetings with farmers, and in the press. The statement emphasizes that the President of the Republic deliberately distorts the PS positions and tries to present them as an obstacle to reform, while in reality, according to it, the policy pursued so far has brought serious social and economic consequences.

It is enough to read the article from the newspaper “Koha jonë,” “Benefits to the privatizers of private TV and to certain subscribers,” to understand how public money is being used selectively and for political interests. The article mentions favors granted to media close to the authorities, unfair distribution of advertising, and a lack of transparency in decision-making. This practice harms free competition and media pluralism. (Continued on page 4)

Statement by the leadership of the PS of Shkodër The leadership of the Socialist Party in the district of Shkodër expresses concern about the heated political language and attempts to incite division among citizens. According to the statement, the duty of power is to guarantee calm, dialogue, and mutual respect, not to fuel hostility and artificial conflicts. It calls for political responsibility and for avoiding hate speech. (Continued on page 2)

Statement by the PS leadership regarding the news item The recent developments, interpreted in a biased way by official propaganda, do not weaken the opposition or its stability. On the contrary, they make even clearer the need for a clear political stance and for civic mobilization. The PS leadership emphasizes that socialists are determined to withstand political and administrative pressure and to continue their opposition activity in accordance with the law. (Continued on page 2)