The idea of a boycott of the local elections by the PQ and several other parties will undoubtedly soon become a reality. It is precisely the local elections that, at Mr. Arbnori’s request as well, are to be monitored. This request to Europe was initially made by PQ politicians and was reinforced by the head of the Albanian Parliament. The positive response from Ms. Fisher seems to have left PQ politicians without an alternative. Monitoring, the fear of the current government, and the external pressure exerted on it will apparently be an immovable guarantee of fair elections for local government. It is clear that Tirana. As can be seen, this is not in the interests of the PQ or several other entirely insignificant parties, which create more of an impression of numbers than of strength. By abusing democracy, violating it, and pursuing neo-dictatorship, the leaders of the center are announcing a boycott. Preparing such a situation by placing the institution of the President directly under pressure could create an absurd state of affairs, given the political consequences of the institution in question. The PS will also take part in this boycott. The first step in this direction has apparently been taken. The PS’s failure to attend the roundtable organized by the President on the local elections may be interpreted as a step by the socialists toward the PQ’s new ideas. But this cannot yet be taken for granted, bearing in mind the major crisis engulfing the party in question. The PQ leaders have by now almost openly declared their support for the “Nano” line. This surely cannot satisfy some others who are by no means without influence on the Executive Committee the present government is not so short-sighted as to repeat the same scenes of May 26. Indeed, more than ever, this government is interested in normal, open elections—ideally exemplary ones. This would go a long way toward unlocking Albania’s political crisis and the diplomatic stalemate. It is only natural that some other parties will have no appreciable effect of any kind. This is also because everyone knows the relative weight of the parties that join the roundtables organized by the PQ. The situation would worsen if it had engulfed without influence on the PS Executive Committee and its other structures. The PS showed this discontent as well by sending a low-ranking representative to the PQ’s high-level roundtable. This means that a considerable part of the PS leadership and its other forums is just as close to ignoring the PQ’s ideas as Continued on p. 2

The Appeal Court awaits other genocidaires . Will the decision be modified again? Six former senior officials of the communist regime, tried on June 21, 1996, by the Tirana Court of First Instance, are due in court tomorrow at the Court of Appeal. At the Tirana Court of First Instance, defendants Foto Çami, Prokop Murra, and Muho Asllani were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Petrit Kaja for crimes against humanity. Defendants Zef Loka, Dilaver Bengasi, and Gaqo Nesho were also found guilty. At the end of the trial, Judge Petrit Kaja sentenced Zef Loka to 20 years in prison, Dilaver Bengasi to 18 years in prison, and [the source omits the sentence for Gaqo Nesho] to 16 years; in their final statements, they had sought acquittal, which they are also seeking from the Court of Appeal. Ten days after this appeal, the Court of Appeal set August 12, 1996, as the date for the trial against them. According to the court’s announcement, the trial is to begin at 9:00. The name of the judge who will preside over this trial has not yet been made public. The six defendants are accused of having sent dozens of citizens into internment and exile simply as political revenge. This is the third group of former senior officials of the dictatorship to face trial at the Court of Appeal. For the first two groups, the Court of Appeal changed the ruling of the Tirana Court of First Instance, prompting protests[?] from various associations. For this reason, it is not known whether these protests will affect tomorrow’s hearing’s decision. I.Z.

Rugova: Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova said on Friday that the presence of Serbian paramilitary forces threatens peace in Kosovo, a province whose population is 90% ethnic Albanian. Rugova, speaking at a weekly press conference, said that the presence in Kosovo of paramilitary groups, particularly that of Zheljko Raznatoviç, known as Arkan, threatens peace not only in Kosovo but also in the Balkans, since no one can know what role this militia plays in Croatia and Bosnia. Rugova called for the militiamen to withdraw from the province so as not to endanger the Albanian population. Arkan and his Tigers are responsible for atrocities in eastern Croatia and northeastern Bosnia. The United States considers Arkan a war criminal. The Belgrade press reported that Arkan went to Kosovo on Monday to conduct his own investigations, immediately after a series of bomb attacks against four Serbian police stations. Rugova criticized Belgrade, which has blamed Albanian terrorism for these attacks. Recalling that he had urged the Albanian population to exercise restraint in the face of Serbian provocations, Rugova emphasized: “We do not want the spiral of violence and terrorism in Kosovo to escalate.” He emphasized the positive, stabilizing effect of the presence in Prishtina, since May, of an American information center. Rugova, for whom the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is the main political opposition formation to the Serbian regime, recalled that he was ready to talk with Belgrade only under the mediation of the United States and in agreement with the European Union. The Serbian authorities suppress the aspirations for independence of the Albanians of Kosovo.

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Branch chairpersons or secretaries are to report to the PRSH Central Headquarters at 10:00 on the dates below, regarding matters relating to the local government election campaign. Monday, 12.08.1996 Tiranë, Durrës, Krujë, Laç, Shijak, Kavajë, Elbasan, Peqin, Cërrik, Gramsh, Lezhë, Fier, Berat. Tuesday, 13.08.1996 Tropojë, Kukës, Has, Dibër, Bulqizë, Mat, Mirditë, Pukë, Shkodër, M.Madhe, Skrapar, Kuçovë. Wednesday, 14.08.1996 Sarandë, Gjirokastër, Delvinë, Tepelenë, Përmet, Korçë, Pogradec, Devoll, Librazhd, Mallakastër, Vlorë. The Executive Committee