Selami: “They are trying to justify their defeat” PS: “Violence was used” Selami: “They are trying to justify their defeat” Electoral tension PS: “Violence was used” TIRANA — Political tension erupts again, this time triggered by the elections of 29 May for the mayors of five communes. And once again the main protagonists, at the center of accusations and counter-accusations, of shadowy insinuations and mutual denunciations — in a new and bitter debate over the conduct of the elections — are the two largest parties in the country, PD and PS. The Socialist Party took the initiative first. In documents released to the press in the afternoon of 29 May, its leading figures strongly accused the Democratic Party of manipulation, intimidation, deployment of soldiers, vote-buying and even the kidnapping of deputies carried out on election day in the commune of Libofshë. According to this statement, the newly appointed prefect of the Fier district directed “fascist-style” violent actions by an “organized gang” against polling observers, representatives and later also against a group of PS deputies. The police forces are also accused — for their passive attitude toward the violence used — as well as some PD deputies who, according to the statement, were in that area at the time of the incident. The Democratic Party’s response was not long in coming, rejecting the PS accusations and describing them as “fabrications intended to poison the political situation.” “From the information I have received — Selami, Chairman of PD, told Gazeta Shqiptare — it appears to me that the accusations raised by PS against PD are not true. I think — he continued, while also expressing his confidence in a PD victory — that these are desperate attempts by PS to justify defeat.” Referring also to procedural elections — again according to Selami — this is a technical issue belonging to the pluralist election commissions, while responsibility for any incident lies with the persons who committed or instigated it, and not at all with PD, which is not a direct party to such matters. While the two big parties continue their “duel” with the other political forces merely spectators, the first data on the election results began to arrive in Tirana. It was the Association for Democratic Culture that informed Gazeta Shqiptare — in the late hours of the night of 29 May, when the article’s author was writing — that in Peqin 71 percent of voters had cast ballots and PD had obtained 55.7 percent of the votes, PS 18.9 percent, PBD 13.6 percent, PR 9.5 percent and PSD 2.3 percent. The Democrats TIRANA — Chairman Selami: “The accusations by the Socialist Party against the Democratic Party are not true. They are, as far as I am concerned, designed to poison the political climate and are part of the Socialist Party’s attempts to justify defeat in the areas where it felt itself strong and pushed through. Procedural irregularities, if they really exist, are technical problems of the pluralist election commissions. As for incidents, responsibility lies solely with the persons who carried them out or incited them, and by no means with PD.” The Socialists TIRANA — From the PS statement: “By fascist-style actions, an organized gang led by the newly appointed prefect of Durrës and by the Mayor of Kuman was placed under threat and terror, and part of the voters was subjected to violence. The representatives of the voting commission were forced to leave. Army forces were also seen in the area. Later, a group of PS deputies arriving in the area in order to protest was attacked and prevented by an armed gang. Meanwhile, foreign representatives were openly seen in the polling centers.” Andrea Stefani

Diplomacy Tirana: Greece aims for conflict TIRANA — Tirana has once again reacted sharply to Athens’ accusations. The spokesman of the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for the Greek position to be examined by the European Union, the United Nations, the USA and Russia. According to the spokesman, only in this way can the trap of a new conflict in the Balkans be avoided. “The Greek statements clearly show that a new policy is now replacing a policy of retreat, with regard to Serbian positions. It is precisely this latest statement — the spokesman said — that allows Greek regional policy over the last two years to be understood and interpreted more clearly and convincingly.” Once again, in his comments, he expressed the firm position of the Albanian government in confronting the war-mongering demands coming from the Greek government. “As the oldest nation in the Balkans, Albanians ask for nothing, and they also consider as good those who respect them and do not try to impress Albanians with threats. A policy of threats is the policy of failure,” he said. Only a few days earlier, Tirana had sent a note of protest over the statements and threats made by the Greek chief of the general staff, Admiral [?], as well as over statements made by other Greek officials. At a press conference the spokesman had declared that “Greek radicalization and arrogance are a policy of peace.” (p.r., v.t.)

Sport Brescia is also promoted, while Ravenna and Modena are relegated World Cup in the United States: Argentina, one of the favorites, is surprisingly beaten by Ecuador In the Giro d'Italia, the myth of Indurain fades, as he is overtaken in Follonica by a Russian rival Greco-Roman wrestling: Italian champion Menenza will retire from competition after the next meeting

RWANDA, THE GOVERNMENT ARRESTED — In Rwanda, the civil war may now have reached an important turning point: leading elements of the Tutsi rebels of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR), the bulk of the provisional government, formed eight months after the coup, have been arrested in Gitarama, their base located 40 kilometers south of Kigali. The news was made public by the UN spokesman. BRUSSELS, WORK TO SHOW THE SERBS THE THREAT OF GENOCIDE — The informal council of the 16 capitals of the European Union has sent a warning to Belgrade, in a joint note, stating that the conditions of the Contact Group must be accepted and genocide in Bosnia must be fought with all means. THE CLINTON SCANDAL, OFFICIALS HURRY HOME — The scandal that for months has been troubling the Clinton administration has moved a step closer to the forefront. Many high-ranking officials of the state administration suddenly found themselves spitting in their face by accident. The late alarm against the mechanically Bushite power is increasing pressure on the White House. Honecker, died

IN SHKODËR THE FIRST ANTI-COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION IS COMMEMORATED — In one of the halls of the University of Shkodër “Luigj Gurakuqi”, the association of former politically persecuted people inaugurated a discovery in an event commemorating the 49th anniversary of the “Bashkimi Shqiptar”, the first anti-communist organization in Albania. The first association had been created at the time by several professors, clerics, former officers and young anti-communist members. IN BURREL DID IT STOP IN PRIVATE? — At the moment of retirement, the “Bombi” of the apartment of the municipality council member Barbashek has delayed the privatization process of several residential apartments in the Mat district, causing disputes among the interested families. IN LAÇ, 1,000 FAMILIES FROM THE NORTH WILL BE SETTLED — The resettlement of a group of apartments in Laç is underway, as the district administration has announced, and a number of families from Kukës, Dibra, Puka, Tropoja, Malësia e Madhe, Mirdita will be accommodated in this district.

Former Yugoslavia BELGRADE — The artillery of the Bosnian (Muslim) army has opened fire against the town of Dudit [?] in northern Bosnia, which is under Serbian control. Meanwhile, the Serbs have left free rein to the movements of trucks and the area around Bosnia. A large number of people have been wounded in Dud [?], the local Sma agency has stated. The town hospital has also been hit. Duboj is one of the seven towns currently protected under Serbian control, which Bosnian army commander Rasim Deliç believes should be retaken by force of arms. UN sources in Sarajevo have said that the commanders of the Serbian army have given UN observers an undeniable “forbidden zone” around the town and ordered them to turn back with sixty rubber shells, bullets and stones. Other sources from Sarajevo say that Serbian bullets are still hitting civilian areas.

In the trial against the dictatorship TIRANA — The judicial investigation phase in the process known as the “historical trial against the bloc leaders” in Tirana has been closed. At the end of the latest hearing, two of the best-known — and at the same time highest-ranking — figures of the old regime, the defendants Ramiz Alia, former Deputy Minister of the Interior, and Zylyftar Ramizi, former Deputy Minister of the Interior, spoke. Ali appeared calm in the face of the indictment and the questions addressed to him by the judge and the prosecutor general maintained a denialist stance. He stated that he was not guilty of all the accusations and that he was not responsible for political killings and internments. He also rejected the accusations concerning the use of torture by the State Security and said that “I did not give orders for anything like that.” Veliu Haderi also did not accept the charge upheld by the prosecutor. Both defendants are expected to speak in the following hearings as well. (p.r.)

BUDAPEST — The Socialist Party of Gyula Horn, heir to Kadar's communist regime, has won the elections by taking an absolute majority. With 94 percent of the votes counted in the central single-member districts, this gathered 182 seats out of 46 in Parliament, which becomes 201 when combined with the 56 it won in the first round of voting. Its absolute parliamentary majority has been secured by the votes of its allied liberal party. Based on the results so far, the liberals are taking 69 seats. This year democracy is also adding 65 seats, which, under the Hungarian electoral law, are distributed to the parties that received fewer votes. According to the data, the Socialist Party, although less favored, may also obtain 67 more seats, thus creating a considerable majority. The Free Democratic Youth Alliance (SDSZ), which had won 18 seats (28 in the first round), has a total of 66 seats.

Beach holidays are becoming ever more dangerous for many people DURRËS — A serious tragedy occurred on Saturday afternoon at the nearby beach of Shkëmbi i Kavajës. An 11-year-old child lost his life, crushed under the wheels of a car while he was peacefully playing with his friends by the sea. Ervin Xhelo, living in Durrës, died instantly from the violent impact with the car that had driven down onto the coastal highway. The police managed to find the red “Ford” car that caused the fatal accident and are searching for its driver, who was at the wheel at the time of the incident. Ervin Zhyleku had come to Durrës that same day. He was accompanying his older sister and some of her friends, boys and girls. He was playing ball by the sea at the moment when the red car struck and threw the young man [sic] onto the shore with great force. Thus, that day which should have been a day of joy was turned into tragedy. The police are continuing their investigation. To prevent other cases, residents are demanding a ban on vehicle traffic along the coastline.

First talks CAIRO — The Yemeni Foreign Minister, Mohamed Salem Basandawa, declared in Cairo that the north may accept a long-term halt if the south gives up separatism, it was reported on 21 May. “The removal of division has been the basis of talks with the Muslims and with the President of the South, Hysen Mubarak — it must be done under conditions of peace.” North Yemen and the cancellation of its division with the South leave the country in two parts and remain governed according to the Yemeni Constitution. Regarding the meeting of the UN Security Council devoted to Yemen, the Foreign Minister stated that the need for a single and united country, as well as for the democratic process, should be emphasized.

A sexy novel about Lady Diana Harsh reactions in London A story made up by a screenwriter ON THE LAST PAGE Tirana, thousands at the premiere of “Beyond the Barbarians” Great success for Liri Begeja ON PAGE 2