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By Adrian THANO Today, 45 days before the local election date, we have counted four serious incidents with political motives. At the same time and at the same pace, we have heard just as many promises from the head of the Ministry of Public Order himself. He says the police are ready to maintain calm during the voting. Where does demagoguery end and realism begin? Or, lest we be misunderstood as the authors of a personal attack, let us put the question another way: How will calm be ensured in the elections? On one side, we have a campaign rife with criminal elements, an electoral campaign that knows no rules or tolerance. On the other side, a police force “keeping watch,” thrown off balance by its leaders’ summer holidays and brought to its knees while awaiting the “new law.” Between these two “barricades” stands a queue of insecure voters, who will wake up on the morning of October 1 with bad memories of previous elections. This is the reality. Any promise that does not begin by presenting ways to solve each of these problems is pure demagoguery. All the more so since people close to the Minister of Public Order say defiantly that there is still no detailed strategy for how the police will operate on election day. “In the hot spots, special units will be used.” (Not long ago, these same officials said that there were no more “hot spots” in Albania.) These “magical” special units, whose mention has long fascinated readers of police reports, cannot replace the detailed plans that should have been prepared long ago; long before activists pulled out their knives; long before baseless promises were made publicly. Otherwise, the mind of anyone wicked enough to consider using force on election day will once again formulate the old saying: The barking dog does not bite!

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The works risk taking 20 years to finish Page 5

Demand for emigration to neighboring countries declines IOM announces 700 Albanian emigrants as having won the right to enter the Italian labor market. Meanwhile, the quota set by Italy indicates that Albania must “send” 6,000 people as a workforce. So far, more than 4,000 Albanians have applied, but only 700 applicants have won the right to emigrate legally, and even then with a job in Italy. The Legal Emigration Organization supports every Albanian who is seeking employment in Italy. The only requirements are to understand a little Italian, provide an address in Italy, and enter the profession they wish to pursue in the network. Page 7

Archaeological excavations heading for destruction “Grab it and take it,” they attack culture. The rare treasures brought to light by endless archaeological excavations are heading toward destruction. The situation that has developed over recent months continues to worsen every day because of the state’s failure to protect our identity, which is attested more than anything by the existence of an ancient civilization. Page 21

Institute of Monuments Documents disappear, rents without contracts Page 15

The state destroys the machines; people pay privately Page 11

EL ENNA BRATISLAVA BUDAPEST LVIV KIEV ZAGREB BUCHAREST SARAJEVO BELGRADE SOFIA SKOPJE TIRANA DURRËS PODGORICA MOSTAR KOTOR SHKUP? [writing on the map] MONTENEGRO KOSOVO PRISHTINA NIŠ BUCHAREST CONSTANTA VARNA Burgas ISTANBUL ALEXANDROUPOLIS THESSALONIKI BARI BRINDISI TARANTO ANCONA SULINA KQR/Cost of the elections: 75 million lekë Residents of Tirana will vote 4 times The Central Election Commission approves the ballot papers for the upcoming local elections. At yesterday’s meeting, the seven-member leadership of the CEC considered how the ballot papers to be used on October 1 should be structured. There will be 2 types of ballot papers for these elections throughout Albania. One of them will list the names of the candidates for mayor. Page 4

To the PR branches in the districts On Thursday, 17.08.2000, at 11:00, all chairpersons of the PR branches in the districts are to appear at the Central Headquarters to report at the Executive Committee meeting on the preparations made so far for the campaign. Participants must bring all the required documentation. The Executive Committee