The blood of the dead, the tears of grief and the unhealed wounds accuse: The man who armed the PD against the rest of the people, instead of leaving the political scene once and for all as a living example of shame, continues to “kill” Albanians by protecting criminals. He continues shamelessly to remain at the head of the state, despite having devastated and disgraced Albania as no one else in its history. He took lives and destroyed the army, the police, the banks, the state—in short, everything. And he still has the nerve to speak of national reconciliation, he who conceived and ignited division. He boasts about the declaration of March 9 as if he had made it willingly, while Albanians are now finally convinced that Berisha is the greatest evil that destroyed Albania. That is why the cry “Down with Berisha!” continues to echo like an all-Albanian refrain from South to North—not as a wish anymore, but as a necessity. Formally, Sali Berisha is the President of Albania. But most of the people do not want him; the untainted part of the Democratic Party has distanced itself, and continues to distance itself ever further, from him; intellectuals, regardless of their political views or party affiliation, do not want to hear his name or even see his face. The mothers who no longer have their sons and daughters, the sisters mourning their murdered brothers, the children left without parents and the parents whose children were killed, the military personnel ordered to abandon their units and hand their weapons over to “PD reservists,” the police officers ordered to kill innocent people and led by the perverse general, the officials who cannot even get near the bloodstained chair, the children left without school and the young people deprived of their dreams will never forget the notorious operation led by the general of crime, Bashkim Gazidede, above whom stands only Sali Berisha. All those good people forgave in the name of national reconciliation. But when someone gets in their face, when he sells them “bravery,” provokes them or tramples on their wounds, they feel insulted. And there is no more reconciliation; there is no forgiveness, no reconciliation. The blood of the dead, the tears of human grief, the unhealed wounds accuse. And once again, who is accused by the people? Who earns their hatred?

The man who armed the PD against the rest of the people, instead of leaving the political scene once and for all as a living example of shame, continues to “kill” Albanians by protecting criminals.

The Ministry of Finance provides the money; the police officers are still unpaid Page 5

Neritan Ceka: Berisha still has hope in Mr. Shehu’s gangs. Skënder Gjinushi: A general who beat his own people Zef Bushati: A correct decision on serious charges Page 4

Around 400 people, with a record of crimes during election campaigns, are being trained at the military unit near the village of Petovë in Fier.

YESTERDAY IN TIRANA Page 7

Page 8

The Ministry of Finance is organizing an expanded meeting on Thursday, April 24, 1997, at 9:00, to hold a public discussion and hear views as part of a constructive debate on issues concerning the companies that have raised loans from the public. Experts, consultants from Albania and abroad, individuals or consulting and auditing firms, lecturers from the Faculty of Economics, lawyers, and other qualified persons who can help implement this part of the Government of National Reconciliation’s program as effectively as possible are invited to attend. Participants are kindly requested to submit their details for the meeting together with a brief summary of their concrete proposals. Up to three people from each of the companies under investigation by the Parliamentary Commission into loans raised from the public are also invited to attend. All interested parties are kindly requested to register with the Ministry of Finance by phone/fax at 279-37 and 284-05, between 8:00 and 18:00.