Suzana Anjeli in Tirana As always, Italy supports Albania Yesterday, Italian Foreign Minister Anjeli’s short visit brought an end to the pause in contacts at the highest levels betw- was that this time she came in a dual capacity: as head of Italian diplomacy, but also as the current President of the EU. For this reason, the issues discussed in her talks with our highest officials concerned both bilateral relations and those relating to the EU. As regards Albanian-Italian relations, after both sides expressed satisfaction with their level, greater emphasis was placed on economic cooperation between the two countries, primarily Italy’s contribution to our country’s economic development. Minister Anjeli once again confirmed Italy’s readiness to honor its commitments in Albania in various fields. Since Albania opened up to the West, Italy has always been in first place in providing assistance to Albania, as well as in the fields of cooperation and exchanges of an economic and cultural nature. Given the interest shown by Italy, Albania’s immediate neighbor, and the fact that during this six-month period Italy holds the rotating presidency of the EU, this would be a good opportunity for Albania to draw even closer. P.4

Tepelenë residents indignant at the irresponsible decision of the Socialist municipal councilors Yesterday GODO in Berat and Tepelenë After a brief meeting with the leadership of the PR branch in Berat, PR chairman Mr. Sabri Godo attended a meeting hastily organized by the PR branch of Tepelenë at the Cultural Palace of this town. At the meeting, the PR chairman spoke about several current issues and answered the many questions from those present. In fact, the topic of the day was the outrage of Tepelenë citizens over the decision of the Tepelenë municipal council, which declared Fatos Nano, former prime minister of the PP and current chairman of the PS, imprisoned for corruption, an honorary citizen of the town. They called this decision “a provocative act.” Asked about this, Mr. Godo replied that he personally did not know of anything Nano had done for Tepelenë that could in any way justify such a decision. After the meeting with the citizens of Tepelenë, a meeting of the branch’s Governing Council was held, attended by Mr. Godo as well. Election campaign issues were discussed. From the participants’ discussion, it emerged that the PR’s standing in Tepelenë has increased considerably, and optimism was expressed about the election result. Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Godo also visited Progonat, where he was warmly received by local residents. At the meeting, which lasted about two hours, those present expressed their strong conviction that democracy would win and, at the same time, their indignation at the insult inflicted on them by the arbitrary and irresponsible decision of the Socialist leaders of the town’s municipality to declare F. Nano an honorary citizen of Tepelenë. Today Mr. Godo will continue his itinerary in the south of the country, where he will meet Republicans and citizens in Gjirokastër, Përmet, Delvinë, Sarandë and Himarë.

Yesterday, an operation by Kavajë police led to the apprehension of four people in possession of a quantity of counterfeit 1,000-lekë banknotes. The incident took place in Kavajë, specifically near the “Besa” station, where A.C., 31, L.M., 23, S.N., also 23, and L.H., 30, all residents of the village of Xhafzotaj in Shijak, were caught in the act with 17 counterfeit 1,000-lekë banknotes. As a result of the suspicions raised, the police searched their homes. The search showed that the notes seized initially were only “the tip of the iceberg.” A considerably larger quantity of counterfeit notes of the aforementioned denomination was found in their homes. According to local police sources, a preliminary estimate puts the number of counterfeit banknotes found in the homes of the aforementioned individuals at more than one hundred. This is therefore considered the largest quantity seized by law enforcement authorities to date. BANK OF ALBANIA — ONE THOUSAND LEKË

(Durrës, Skopje, Sofia, Istanbul) Yesterday, the tender for the East–West corridor began. This is one of the most important tenders for the development of Albania’s infrastructure. Yesterday was only the first day of the tender, and it is natural that no information should come from the commission reviewing the tender documents and that confidentiality should be maintained; nevertheless, it is understood that major Western companies have taken part in the tender and will also face competition from Albanian companies. The project concerns the opening of a major corridor that will connect the Western world, via Albania, with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. More on P.4 This initiative of an exceptional-

The organs of power still

P.3 The organs of power are still far from recognizing and enforcing the laws P.3

The editorial office of the newspaper “Republika” has launched a “Family Notices” column. Anyone wishing to offer congratulations on family-event anniversaries or to remember deceased family members on the occasion of the 40-day memorial, six-month anniversary, or anniversaries may do so in this column by mailing or bringing to the editorial office a photograph of the person being congratulated or commemorated, as well as a congratulatory or memorial text of no more than 40 words, including the names of those taking part in the congratulations or commemoration.