The PD alone against all Albanian parties Berisha and the PD overturn the table of understanding. Albanian people: The essence of the law has changed, the PD leadership dilemma has come to an end, betrayal has turned demagoguery into deception. The way is being opened for manipulation. The aim is to steal your votes. Political parties: Forget political differences; apparently the time has come when, regardless of religion, region or political belief, we must all create the National Salvation Front of Democracy. On pages 4-5-6-7 Special on the draft election law: * Autopsy of deception and manipulation Dr. Kastriot Islami * The PD tries to manipulate the elections Elmaz Sherifi, lawyer * Opinions by Skënder Gjinushi, Arben Imami, Sabri Godo

Editorial In recent days the variant of the Democratic Party for the Electoral Law arrived in Parliament (although it continues to be on a long winter break, apparently to make up for the rush until the last days of the outgoing government?!) . In recent days the variant of the Democratic Party for the Electoral Law arrived in Parliament (although it continues to be on a long winter break, apparently to make up for the rush until the last days of the outgoing government?! ). As expected, President Berisha did not keep the promise he had publicly made at the round table he organized on 13 March of politics. The propagandistic sweetened treat quickly turned sour, and now we are feeling the bitter taste of the presidential statement. Because the Electoral Draft Law differs greatly from the existing Law; because it is dominated by the Stalinism of the 1930s; because it violates the fundamental principles of democracy; it clashes with the European standards of the rule of law. Sali Berisha has not abandoned the failed, endless ideas of November 1995, despite the lesson he was given, and what he failed to achieve then thanks to the popular vote and the determination to preserve it, he now seeks to achieve with the Draft Law served up for the upcoming elections. And for this he uses all means, all machines, all the state apparatus. It is no coincidence that while representatives of 13 political parties had gathered to discuss precisely the electoral draft law, representatives of the Democratic Party went to the meeting without their Draft Law; which they had sent to Parliament blank in order to smooth it out, just as it is no coincidence that the police check and blocking of the vehicles of the press-distribution agency “Koha jonë”. Everything has been cunningly planned and carried out in the same way. So, it all amounted to a terrible trap carried out with dilettantism and, unfortunately for the “Advisers,” it did not last long. Knowing that our public opinion and the international one are very sensitive to police violence and attacks against the free press, they played precisely that card to attract attention. But they forgot that even with naïve people one does not develop democracy in Albania through the demands of Kolec Topalli or even Tritan Shehu to turn the newspaper “Koha Jonë” into the mouthpiece of the PD. No, something much bigger is at risk. And that is the tribal chieftain psychology that leads the Democratic Party, the thirst for unlimited power of Sali Berisha. We must not underestimate this for a single moment. Albanians have more than once shown that they know how to prevail over totalitarian and chieftain-like imposition. They have also shown more than once that they know how to prevail over Sali Berisha and force him to accept defeat. The state’s propaganda machine and all its other mechanisms will do their work. There will be more slander and traps, we will be threatened and accused, but these are nothing before an entire people, they have no value in the face of the determination to defend democracy from rape and trampling. People must become aware today more than ever! For your good, for the good of all, for the good of Sali Berisha and the Democratic Party, for the good of Albania, for the advancement of democracy. Luan M. Rama

Observation of the day Page 8

Politics for me is a question mark Two short stories by Mimoza Ahmeti Birds die while flying To make art, you need work and love for it Once again about the Albanian Mozart On pages 10 - 15

Regarding the new political situation created in the country, the Presidency of the SPSh announces: 1. The PS district conferences planned for these days are to be postponed to a later date. 2. On Monday, 29 January 1996, at 12:00, at the headquarters of the SPSh there will be an urgent and extraordinary meeting of the General Steering Committee, at which the measures to be taken to confront the manipulation of the upcoming electoral elections that the Berisha regime has planned to carry out through the draft law on elections, brought to Parliament by the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party, will be discussed. The Presidency of the SPSh Tirana, 27 January 1996