Discussion of the candidates for parliament, after their vetting by the Commission on Personal Backgrounds. According to the PR Secretary General, this was the main subject of the latest meeting of the PRSH Steering Committee. “Alongside this,” Mr. Mingomataj explains, “the list of high- and medium-priority districts was reviewed once again. Eighteen districts were selected from among those given priority, following a detailed study by the PR of its electoral base, its knowledge of the ground, and the strength of the local branch operating in those districts. These districts account for more than 20 percent of the electorate.” According to the PR Secretary General, this includes on Personal Backgrounds. [continues outside the frame] ... those “less powerful” ones, which, according to Mr. Mingomataj, are above 4 and 5 percent. At this meeting, agreement was reached on the conditions to be provided to priority districts regarding assistance, cooperation, and further support during the election campaign. Another issue discussed at the meeting was the legal completion of the candidates’ files. The lists for the candidates were distributed, Mr. Mingomataj says. Every parliamentary candidacy must be supported by 400 citizens’ signatures, accompanied by their identity-card numbers and exact addresses. [The source text is unclear here: “Shtetika dhe shumë vonë këto lista”], according to the PR Secretary General. The lists will now be completed and submitted by district by April 26. A parliamentary candidate must have a certificate of good standing, a declaration from the party accepting the candidacy, and the support of four hundred signatures from the electorate that will vote for them. The latter has districts distributed throughout Albania’s geographical territory. In addition to the “strong” districts on the PR’s electoral map, yesterday the so-called “medium” and “less powerful” districts were also identified; according to Mr. Mingomataj, these was reached on the assistance to be provided to priority districts in terms of financial and propaganda support, and coverage by party cadres and activists. The Right-Wing Alliance was not forgotten at this meeting either. The districts where discussions will be held with the Alliance were designated for co-

Two trials in two different courtrooms. Irregularities in the appearance of witnesses The trial of former senior officials of the former dictatorship has been dubbed the “Alloy of Crimes.” This is the conclusion drawn after the court hearing ... as they complain that they are suffering psychologically. Whether to save the proceedings, or because of the existence of some connection between [continues outside the frame]

The trial of former senior officials of the former dictatorship has been dubbed the “Alloy of Crimes.” ...maly of Crimes.” This is the conclusion drawn after yesterday’s hearing. The two groups presented before the court yesterday do not recognize their victims, while the victims, for their part, do not recognize their persecutors. Requests rejected on the fourth floor of the courthouse, requests accepted on the first floor; 30% of the accused are asking to undergo a psycho-legal examination because they complain of psychological suffering. Whether to speed up between the various genocidal groups, the trial was held in two courtrooms, with different panels of judges; so it would be more accurate to say that we were dealing with two trials. But what happened in the two courtrooms? Courtroom A: Defendants Foto Cami, Continued on p. 2

Along with him, 7 other Social Democratic candidates The “anti-genocide” commission shows no mercy to another opposition leader. One of the leading figures of “Polit” falls before it: Social Democratic leader Skënder Gjinushi. Yesterday, the Commission for the Verification of Personal Backgrounds gave him a negative answer regarding his request to stand as a parliamentary candidate. The rejection of Gjinushi’s candidacy was expected, since for several consecutive years he served as Minister of Education during the time of Enver Hoxha, making him a person covered by the provisions of the “anti-genocide” law. Naturally, the commission’s decision—which, in addition to Gjinushi, also denied the right to be elected to 7 other names on the Social Democratic list—provoked reactions among the Social Democratic leadership, as expected. The leaders of the PSD, like their partners in “Polit” and the Socialists, whose list of rejected candidates was expanded yesterday by 7 more names, the most prominent of whom was Deputy Speaker of Parliament Vukaj, have called the commission’s decision unjust. Like Zogaj, Çupi, and other figures from the PAD, Gjinushi has said that he will appeal to the Court of Cassation, asking it to annul the commission’s decision. According to one of the Social Democratic leaders, Gjinushi has documents with which he can overturn the decision made against him by the “cleansing” Commission. On the basis of these documents, Gjinushi claims that he meets the conditions for exemption from the “anti-genocide” law. SH. A.

After Mr. Islami’s provocations and [unclear in the source], it is Mr. Dokle who continues to pursue the PS’s strategy. His latest statements about spies who had slipped past the Verification Commission received a response. It is the PD spokesperson who has taken it upon himself to answer Mr. Dokle. After the PD spokesperson’s response, Mr. Dokle and his satellites hurried to amplify their campaign against the Verification Commission. The PS now knows that it has lost its battle with this Commission, and is likewise becoming convinced that the defeat is real for all those it has eliminated. The fact that many of those removed by this commission have avoided facing the court for unconvincing reasons shows that their battle has been lost, as predicted. The only way these burned candidates can diminish the Commission’s standing is by falling into the trap of provocations following Mr. Dokle’s familiar playbook. The latter, known for being “good” at pulling such bluffs, did not miss the latest opportunity. It seems the Socialists are aiming, through such “bluffs,” to turn them into people persecuted by the Commission again. Mr. Dokle’s provocation must now be taken seriously and assessed. It would have been good for this Commission to come out of its “shell” in some cases, especially when it comes to defending itself. Adrian NDREU

Even those who have never owned land are seeking compensation p. 2 The claimants in court proceedings p. 3