Macedonia signs the Association Agreement The EU shuts the door on Albania. Meidani disappointed in Zagreb. Page 3

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Tragic death of a high-school student from Tirana. A handful of pills kill the 16-year-old. Police launch an investigation; experts seek the causes. Page 5

By Agim Baçi Political Europe was once again forced to shut the door on us because there is still “not a shred of dialogue” between Albanian parties. Yesterday, Zagreb put its signature to what the entire opposition has been asking the Albanian Government for over the past three years: for the authorities to engage in dialogue. Albania’s disregard at the Zagreb Summit appears to have its roots in those green ballot papers outside [text interrupted] that rejected the opposition’s efforts to have a different Electoral Commission, a single set of voter lists, and a calm day for voting. Zagreb’s disregard remained at the President’s office, staying awake in every sleeping mind of the government officials who have enthusiastically rejected every opposition request to discuss ways of moving towards the normal life of Europeans. ...Once again, we remained hostage to our failure to learn the first violin of democracy: political dialogue. Because of this broken string between the Government and the opposition, Albania will still have to—continues to take us successfully from one defeat to another. ...In Zagreb, facing Europe, we once again came last. What happened cannot be undone. But at least the Government must admit that Zagreb can serve as a lesson, so that this does not happen again according to the old formula: realizing that we have made a mistake only when foreigners tell us so.

Meidani, for as long as the latter was unable to overcome his party’s desire to [glabëruar] everything that would keep them in power. Albania’s disregard in Zagreb remained towards the normal life of Europeans. It will take yet another period of time to show the European family that it deserves to enter its door... Political dialogue in Albania has for years remained in the field of distrust, a field that continues cannot be undone. But at least the Government must [text interrupted]

Protesters “strip” Skanderbeg Protests in Tirana’s square grow more heated The Democratic Party’s protest in “Skanderbeg” Square was accompanied last night by more heated actions than on previous nights of the rallies launched by the Democratic Party. Bottles of petrol, broken windows, and the stripping of the National Hero’s monument in the center of Tirana. Yesterday, the demonstrators also turned against the Ministry of Public Order. Stones and bottles of petrol were thrown at the Police Ministry, putting the line of police officers stationed there in a difficult position. Last night, the Democrats did not head for the Prime Minister’s Office. Page 7

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Year 2001 / Storm in the public administration The public administration is facing a far-reaching reform, the main consequence of which will be the dismissal, during 2001, of 2,200 budget-funded employees. This figure was published in the explanatory report accompanying next year’s draft budget, prepared by the Ministry of Finance. According to arguments coming from sources within the administration, the job losses will affect that part of the public administration considered unprofessional. Page 9

The new law / Public order is not an armed force The Albanian police will soon have no ranks. More precisely, this is expected to happen as soon as Law No. 8643, “On Ranks in the State Police,” which has passed through Parliament and been approved by its members, enters into force. This law sets out the ranks and the positions corresponding to them, the criteria for awarding them, as well as how officers advance through the career ladder in the public order forces. Page 4

The man who does not acknowledge his children Page 11

Today at 10:30, at the PRSH Central Headquarters, the Presidium will hold a press conference.