The Decemberists revive the climate of agreements. The great “opponents” meet in Parku i Europës. Berisha is pleased with Majko. Italy sounds the alarm in Tirana: 800 minors must be returned. Turko: Albania must keep its word P. 7

Majko-Berisha, The students in between... OR the melting of

in between.. OR the melting of politics Arben ILLAZI Majko and Berisha break the routine of frozen political relations. Yesterday’s meeting at “Rogner,” regardless of its motive or outcome, is a step toward peace and communication, elements that have long been excluded from political reality. The resolution of the overall crisis in Albania seems set to begin with politics, which is leaning toward mutual concessions between opposition and government. Confrontations and the battles in politicians’ minds leave behind only the destruction of democratic values and institutions, polarization and nonsense, which have greatly tarnished the image of political leadership. Ethics and the basic principles governing democracy and the “rules of the game” have been missing from the politics of the day. Roles have been paradoxically confused, and nonsense has been usurped by overt expressions of pseudo-institutionalism and totalitarianism. Albanian society has needed tolerance, genuine pluralism and democracy demonstrated through concrete examples. But only forms of egoism and destruction have prevailed; the provocateur of this courageous man is the government, but also sections of the opposition! Pragmatic visions have been put forward, adopting a broad outlook and a manner of conduct that Continued on page 3

Yesterday evening’s meeting at Rogner: Majko - Berisha Photo: P. Tllo Students reconcile with Majko TIRANA: Majko’s resignation is no longer a demand of the students on hunger strike. Following the meeting between Berisha and Majko, the students declared that they no longer demand Majko’s removal as Prime Minister, and have instead returned to their economic demands, which they had made previously. Developments within the hunger strike over the past two days have evolved at a breakneck pace. With no hope of dialogue from the Government, or of any word from them, it was the OSCE ambassador, Dan Everts, who managed to negotiate as a third party between the students and the Government. He achieved this within a two-day period, during the two meetings he held with them. Before their meeting with Majko and Berisha took place, the students had made one demand—that the Prime Minister resign—but this was dropped when the group of students who represented them at Hotel Rogner returned to the hunger strike. One of the co-chairs of the strike committee, Besnik Jaku, told “Republika” that student representatives will hold another meeting today at 9 in the morning with representatives of the rectorate and the Ministry of Education. But, he continued, we will not end the hunger strike without signing legal documents specifying the time limits we will give the Government to meet our demands. S. Bregu Yesterday evening’s meeting at Rogner: Majko - Berisha. Photo: P. Tllo

The mystery of the Berisha–Majko meeting is revealed; mediator is Daan Everts. He leaves Tirana today

Serbs fire at Albanian border guards with a sniper rifle 4 prosecutors and 7 officers in the mysteries of the banks’ forged checks Page 2 Gjinushi: PD, out of Parliament Tension, Omonia-PBDNJ Page 4 Majko: Speedboats, outside the law House arrest for a $3 million debt An Italian robbed of 10 million at home P. 6 The Palace of Culture in Durrës catches fire 20 Albanians arrested; they were exploiting minors Ulqini gets Nano’s villa P. 7

The death penalty, the punishment of politics. Republicans focus on Meidani. The Democratic Party discredits Dokle. Alibali: It has no value without the consensus of the parties. Garuli: Every day of delay costs human lives. Page 3