The Right-Wing Alliance did not split in two after its latest plenary meeting. Once again, its leaders were forced to repeat wearily to journalists that LDSH is united and has no intention of dividing, breaking up, or disintegrating. In short, LDSH is not experiencing any kind of crisis that would suit journalists or certain political circles. No serious signal of a crisis or split has ever come from the Alliance’s offices, yet the matter has often been discussed in the press and political circles. But why is such a crisis being sought on the right in today’s politics? There are two reasons: the first is political, and the second is commercial. The second reason is clearly connected with the press market, which, whenever it runs short of material, tries to sell imaginary facts that may interest readers of political scandals. The first reason is connected with current political developments. The election law alarmed all the parties that had pinned their hopes on the proportional-representation list. Lacking the strength to confront this law directly, some left-wing forces were forced by necessity to choose dubious and unstable alliances. The so-called Pol Grenc was created under these circumstances. The pressure exerted on this Pole from outside and within, and its lack of room to maneuver on the left, soon plunged it into crisis. The parties in the Pole, which sometimes went in and sometimes hesitated, never allowed it to be understood that in this election the Albanian Left was a five with nothing (this does not refer to the communists of PS). This crisis on the Left naturally called for some kind of reflection on the Right as well. The shortsighted thought that something similar had to happen to LDSH on the Right. Since the concepts of Pole and Alliance have no essential difference in the everyday vocabulary of Albanian politics, these forecasters thought it was only normal that there should also be a crisis on the Right. It should be remembered that LDSH was not an emergency alliance, as happened with the Center Pole. LDSH is a grouping of interests and is connected with particular strata of Albanian society, strata that have shaped traditional Albanian politics. LDSH was not organized yesterday as a major political grouping; it has been active for more than a year, and it is natural that it should be ready for these elections and feel consolidated. LDSH has followed, analyzed, and responded correctly to all the political changes and developments of recent times, which has not been the case with the Pole’s parties, which have often acted chaotically.

On the U.S. Department’s report Godo: Pay close attention to the Americans On the U.S. Department’s report Shehu: Rights violated in Albania? Misinformation Godo: Pay close attention to the Americans “Everything that comes from the USA should be listened to carefully, because it is a country that greatly respects human rights.” PR chairman Sabri Godo draws attention to the findings of the U.S. State Department’s report on Albania. The conclusions included observations about several instances of human-rights violations in our country. It noted executive interference in the judiciary and SHIK’s overstepping of its authority in relation to the independent press. Godo stresses that the facts presented by the U.S. State Department should be viewed with due seriousness, “because they,” he says, “may accept any violation, but they never tolerate violations of human rights.” Other Albanian politicians have also expressed concern about these findings, which the State Department of the powerful country has also issued for other countries. “I don’t believe this report will affect relations between our two countries,” AD leader Arben Imami tells Republika. “The USA asks even its friends to respect human rights, and that means nothing either for today’s opposition or for the opposition of the future.” Other opposition politicians have agreed with the American report. The government thinks differently. “The U.S. Department,” PD Secretary General Tritan Shehu said yesterday, “confirmed that democratic developments in Albania are on the right and proper path, and that human rights are respected.” The American report also had some criticisms. “There were criticisms of other countries too, as far as I know, including Greece. But in several points these criticisms were the result of misinformation from Albania. This arose from the malice of some people here. Nevertheless, I consider the report positive regarding the situation in Albania.” A. S.

Denial by the “Gjalllca” company The newspaper Koha Jonë, dated 5 March 1996, published a sensational story about the alleged robbery by a gang of 60,000 USD from the managers of the “Gjalllca” company. The journalist must have picked up this far-fetched story in some café, and it was published for sensation. Such publications not only increase psychological panic among citizens, but also aim to harm Albanian entrepreneurs themselves, who are trying, with their own effort, to contribute to the country’s economic recovery by providing people with jobs and increasing national production, an essential element for economic progress. No robbery has taken place at the “Gjalllca” company, and its operations are proceeding normally. In Vlora, there has been talk of a theft from a citizen on the street by unknown persons, involving a sum of 24,000 dollars, but this has nothing at all to do with the “Gjalllca” company, and, moreover, the incident has not been confirmed by the law-enforcement authorities.

Accused, among other things, of kidnapping A lightning operation by the Rome police’s operational squad ended with the arrest of three Albanians in the early hours of yesterday morning, at a residence on the outskirts of the Italian capital. In addition to documents, the police seized several tens of millions of lire, a considerable quantity of jewelry and other incriminating objects, and, among other things, managed to free three very young girls who had been held in isolation by those just arrested. No information is being provided about the identities of the girls, who were forcibly kept in isolation and pushed into prostitution for profit. According to the police, while held in isolation by their Albanian kidnappers, the girls had been subjected to violence and ill-treatment. In addition to the charge of kidnapping, the arrested Albanians also face charges of violating the Martelli law, using violence, inducing prostitution, and slavery. B. V.

The Court of Cassation “challenges” the Ministry of Justice for the third time........................ p. 2 The Tirana Court washes its “sins” away at sea......... p. 2 Names of the American lottery winners in September... p. 4 “Predators” over Bosnia again...................... p. 5 Greece will recognize Macedonia.................... p. 5 Italy: The deadline for submitting electoral lists has begun... p. 5 Israel warns Arafat....................... p. 5 Bob Doll wins New York... p. 5 The Federation is taking shape through quarrels.................. p. 5 Michael Jackson wants to buy Einstein’s house.... p. 6 Many goals, little play..... p. 8