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EDITORIAL By Adrian THANO “Whoever does not untie it, cuts it,” says an old proverb, as old as the very concept of “problem.” At present, anyone following the pre-election process closely is observing, day by day, the formation of a knot whose untying is becoming increasingly difficult. Three weeks before the vote, the Central Election Commission is facing three main problems: challenges to the number of voters, the inability to set up local subcommissions, and disagreements over the voter lists. Added to these are a series of secondary conflicts within the CEC itself, as well as between the latter and local government. This avalanche of problems, whose origins lie in the CEC’s own delayed start to work and which is growing hour by hour with unresolved dilemmas and proposals left pending, is seriously jeopardizing the electoral process. As of today, serious doubts have been raised about the accuracy of the number of voters; the mini-commissions that are supposed to organize voting in the districts still have no offices, stamps, logistical resources, etc.; small shop owners refuse to allow the lists to be posted on the walls of their buildings; voter cards have both been made and not made, since they are missing photographs. The Central Election Commission is discussing the possibility of photographing 2 million voters, an idea that leans more toward science fiction than reality. Thus, the organizers appointed by the state to manage the electoral situation are heading toward October 1 shackled by a chain of problems which, at the final moment, they obviously will not be able to solve. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the ballot boxes will be opened. The real danger does not lie in the holding of the elections, but in the creation of circumstances that would make it easy to challenge their result. Following this line of reasoning, the danger of post-election social unrest cannot be ruled out.

Publication continues of the lists of people who have been granted the right to work in Italy Page 16 VENDETTA Ambush on the road Head of the Crimes Unit wounded Page 7

Financial sources, to be audited after the elections Political parties’ financing for the election campaign remains beyond the control of the Central Election Commission. All 35 political parties, in addition to receiving funds from the State Budget, amounting to a total of 40 million new lekë, also receive other funds, known as secondary funds, to cover the election contest. Regarding the auditing of secondary funds, also called suspicious funds based on the experience of election campaigns here and around the world, the CEC states that this institution has no legal authority whatsoever to audit political parties. Under the Electoral Code, the CEC has allocated the 40 million lekë in question among the parties participating in the elections. Page 4

PR candidate challenges his Socialist rival The PR candidate for Tirana, also basing his position on the professional aspect of the issue of the Socialist candidate competing while wearing the hat of Minister of Culture, said that it is unforgivable for Rama to run for the PS and at the same time retain his ministerial career. “From a civic and moral, as well as a legal, standpoint, Edi Rama must resign from the post of Minister of Culture. Page 2

Elections/Today is the final deadline for submissions Local Government Election Commissions have not been established throughout Albania; they have not even been established for Tirana’s 11 municipal units. According to various sources close to the CEC, LGECs have not been established for the communes and municipalities in many districts. It also appears that some of the LGECs that have been set up do not have suitable premises in which to be housed and carry out their responsibilities in organizing the elections. Page 3

Complaint against “Melrose Investment Group” Page 6

Chaos in voter registration Page 3

The state abandons the “golden students” Page 8

On Saturday, 9.9.2000, at 11:00, the chairpersons of the PR branches in the districts are to report to the Central Headquarters to submit the candidates’ documents and collect the campaign publicity materials.