EDITORIAL By Enkel DEMI The election campaign for the local elections is at its peak of intensity. Deputy Prime Minister Makbule Çeço has been held up in Lazarat by an armed gang. She went there without police escort, as if the municipality of Lazarat had declared independence. Everyone hurried to find parallels with Mrs. Topalli's incident, while the curious have put their minds at ease, since by now she will have received some previously unknown value. They call Mr. Mustafaj an ex-communist and a man from Tropoja(?!). Mr. Rama has been targeted over alleged sexual deviance. Arqile Gore is called “gore”. The DP has its hands full with Hysen Domi of Elbasan; the SP is afraid of the Republican candidate in this city... If we were to go on listing the events of this campaign, which one comes first, there is a whole field to explore— of the Albanian language, which they are enriching and bringing innovations to. This is the part of Albanian that is currently undergoing admirable linguistic development, thanks to the contribution of political leaders and spokespeople. This is, of course, a great value for our language, which is truly unique. It matters little that Albanians would rather hear a story about roads, jobs, local autonomy, businesses …having come without an escort of police, rushed to find a repeat of the incident involving Mrs Topalli, while the curious have put their minds at ease that, so far, we are 1–1 in incidents. Nano has accused Berisha of being a Pyramid and having lost his mind. Berisha has threatened a general peaceful uprising. In fact, the uprising is not peaceful, but it seems that over the years, it sexual. There, they call Goresë “gore”. The PD has its hands full with Hysen Dom of Elbasan; the PS we were to go on recounting the events of this campaign, the first to be covered so extensively by the electronic media, the epithets, events, quips, insults, and accusations could make up a book entitled “Campaign Dictionary”. What is astonishing is that our politicians possess a remarkable command of part of the platform of political leaders and spokespersons. This is, of course, a great asset for our language, which is quite unique. It matters little that Albanians would like to hear a story about roads, jobs, local autonomy, small businesses, sanitation, water, electricity, greenery, gardens, schools, entertainment centers for children... in other words, about a whole host of things. But they must be patient, because politics is heated and has no time to deal with such small matters.

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A group of American lawyers are suing the Albanian government Page 7

Socialists clash with Gjinushi's party The support that Gjinushi's Social Democrats have submitted to the CEC in favor of Edi Rama seriously threatens their relations with the Socialists. This somewhat surprising fact was confirmed yesterday by confidential sources close to the capital's CEC, where a heated debate was held over the signatures submitted by the SDP in support of Edi Rama as the SP candidate for the capital's municipality. Thus, at a meeting of this commission, the debate arising from Gjinushi's support for Rama centered precisely on the fact that this support obliges the Socialists to appear as allies of the SDP in the capital.

The elections are at risk because of the local commissions Page 4

Only 25 ha of the border zone have been cleared of mines Page 9

Vacant positions in the Police, the Ministry hesitates Page 6

The CEC backs down and once again violates the Code The verification commissions are being announced on the eve of the legal deadline, at a time when hundreds and thousands of names requiring the relevant corrections to the voter lists are being recorded. Citizens’ complaints about errors in the lists seem endless, with little hope of being corrected, when there are reportedly only 24 hours of “work” left. The three-member voter-list verification teams will apparently submit incomplete documentation, since irregularities in the registrations require more time than remains. Page 3

The Republicans continue their election tour The Republican Party launched its election campaign yesterday in the city of Shijak with the introduction of its candidate for Mayor, Halit Keçi. Present at the event were PRSH deputy chairman Maksim Begeja and members of the leadership of the PR branch in Shijak. “I have the pleasure and honor,” Begeja said in his opening remarks, “to introduce to you a very successful businessman from Shijak, and above all, a humane person. Page 2

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Protest Page 21