Opposition rally and demonstration in Tirana: For judges, it is over in Tirana: Vlorë, Sarandë, Elbasan-Librazhd, Kavajë, Shkodër, “Long live the opposition!” Yesterday, after 20:00, all this was taking place in Albania. Movement and crowds everywhere. Not a sleepy protest, but a large, lively demonstration, with energy and loud slogans. In central Tirana the protest reached its peak, as expected, with thousands of citizens, young people, women and men, students and workers, gathered to oppose the government and demand its resignation. Banners and placards were held high. Short speeches and prolonged cheers. “Down with the government!”, “Freedom!”, “Long live the opposition!”. The demonstration also spread to other cities: Vlorë, Sarandë, Elbasan-Librazhd, Kavajë, Shkodër. This was one of the largest protests of that period and showed the depth of popular dissatisfaction. The organizers spoke of around 40,000 participants in Tirana, while the authorities did not provide exact figures. The images showed strong mobilization and a heated political climate. The rally also featured calls against corruption, against poverty and against political repression. The opposition warned that protests would continue if the government did not reconsider.

After threats from Tirana, the PD descends into “acting” Struck on the head with heavy objects After threats from Tirana, the PD descends into “acting” criminals on President Street! Ndre Legisi is brutally attacked He has been struck on the head with heavy objects Having been in grenade, and around 20:30 yesterday on the road of Spartak Ishtirokit The comments of the PSSHD during the provocative opposition and yesterday’s alignments by the PPD spokesperson repeat, copy, lie and intimidate with the declarations of their opponents. Again aggression and terror. Again street language. Again innocent people are made victims of the vengeful rage of this monstrous primitive politics drawn into the eve of the opposition protest. This time the object of this physical attack was the Socialist Party deputy, Mr. Ndre Legisi. He was traveling by car on the “Skënderbej” road when he was attacked by a group of unknown persons. “I was driving my car according to the traffic rules and suddenly several cars stopped in front of me. In an instant I found myself blocked and two people appeared before my eyes, who began striking the windows of my car with iron bars. I asked what they wanted, but received no answer. I ducked to protect my head and, as it seems, one of them opened the door and they began hitting me on the head and body.” Mr. Legisi was then urgently transported to the Military Hospital, where doctors found severe head wounds. Fortunately he escaped with his life, but his condition is serious. This attack takes place in a heated political climate and raises serious concerns about the safety of opposition representatives and the degradation of public life in the country.

After the statements of the PPD spokesperson, the ruling party’s representative repeats, copies, lies and intimidates with the declarations of its opponents: “Zëri i popullit”, after the written polemic, apologizes, but not for having published the truth, rather for its overly conformist attitude and for its silence. So let us begin with a general example, in which the government retreats before the opposition’s protest. Thus, for example, on 26 January 1997, in the daily RD, the PPD spokesperson Jozefina Topalli made an uncivil and offensive statement against the Secretary General of the SP, Marko Bello, which ends with the vulgar language of these years: “It is now clear to Albanians that Bino is also part of the organizational effort by the PPD and the PSSHD to block the institutions of the state.” Later, in the daily Aleanca, in the column “The wolf changes its coat...”, this statement by the PPD spokesperson was published at length. Without dwelling on the back-and-forth and the inexplicability of this behavior, which is supposedly held up as an example of reason in the Albanian right-wing press, let us stop at a small fact from this day. A statement by the chairman of the PPD was distributed, and it was republished by Bashkimi. Near the end, a rather unusual lapse suddenly appears, although repeated as a contrived device several times: “The creation of mafia clans in SHIK, about which both of our co-governors have raised their voices, is a pointed provocation by the authorities. There is a dragging out of the case of Gdo Zakonsoni, which is unbalancing people’s perception in this regard. The problem of the government officials and the communists is not the country’s orientation toward the West, but the illegal profits they make over the organizers. (our emphasis - ed.).”

PAGE 2 “Not with the used political status of calm. “Zëri i popullit”, learns that a dangerous act has been warned of through a denunciation with hidden hands. As long as the political climate remains heated and the opponents of the SP use street language and incite the crowds, concern grows about the possibility of attacks also against the opposition press. In such circumstances, insults and calls for burning are signs of a radicalization that may bring serious consequences. “Zëri i popullit” considers it a duty to make every threat public and to defend the right to free speech. Under the title “e[?]” continues on the second page for more detailed explanations.”

Yesterday, the Secretary General, Rexhep Meidani, together with the Secretary for Foreign Relations, Nako Ftohon, received at the PSSH headquarters the World Bank representative in Tirana, Carlos Elbiri. The World Bank mission in Tirana discussed the country’s transformation and the current crisis in our country. PSSH leadership

Press conference of the SP, PSD and PAD Page 2

Today, 28.1.1997 at 12:00 at the headquarters of PSSH, the environment and policy sections of PSSH will organize a discussion with words and a tele[?] form to participate in it. PSSH Presidency