The final ceremony in Strasbourg The headquarters of the European Parliament On page 3

Still doubts about the calculation of days spent in prison. But Stefani and Mino may soon also be released “Cassation: new clarifications concerning Alia” Prisons Administration request also concerns the fate of the four former-bloc officials “What should we do with the former-bloc officials?” A few hours ago, the General Administration of Prisons sent a request to the Court of Cassation, containing the names of five senior officials of the regime, led here too by Alia. It is perhaps one of the rarest cases—even though such a procedure exists in the Code of Criminal Procedure—in which the Court of Cassation is asked to supplement a ruling issued some time ago by its judges. They are Ramiz Alia, Simon Stefani, Aranit Çela, Zylyftar Ramizi and Rrapi Mino, the people over whose cases the General Administration of Prisons has been left in a quandary. During the trial of the former-bloc officials On page 5

TIRANA - “We have removed Marx from the FRESH program.” This is the statement by Ilir Meta, chairman of the Albanian Eurosocialists. Meta spoke yesterday to the Albanian Gazette about FRESH’s views and policy. The new chairman explained the differences and points of contact that the Eurosocialists have had and will have with the Socialist Party (PS). “I don’t think Alia will join the PS, because he has made many criticisms of it,” said the FRESH leader, making it clear that he does not want former President Alia to join the PS. As for the responsibilities of his three political offices—he is now Chairman of FRESH, Deputy Chairman of the PS, and Chairman of the PS Foreign Affairs Commission—Meta expressed his conviction that anything could happen, but he would never abandon FRESH. You know there has been a great deal of debate about Marx in FRESH. Are discussions about him continuing in the Eurosocialist camp that you currently lead? The change made by FRESH’s Steering Committee a week before its Second Congress was that it saw fit to remove Marx from the program. It is understood that this was done unanimously and none of the comrades raised any objections. The PS did not react at all to Marx’s removal from the FRESH program. How do you assess Nano’s greeting to Berisha, and do you think the letter he sent to the Congress will change anything in FRESH’s plans? I view this greeting very positively. I am convinced that Nano’s position has been, and remains, that of a reformer of the PS. Ilir Meta (photo: A. Babani) “I am new to the PS. As for FRESH’s plans, its structural objectives include organizing regional conferences to address specific youth issues, and holding the second student conference of the Eurosocialist youth in September this year. Ramiz Alia has said, ‘I will engage in politics.’ Would you accept him if he joined the PS? I don’t think Ramiz Alia will come to us. I say this because Alia himself has made many criticisms of the PS. Where do FRESH and the PS agree, and where do they differ? As a political force, the PS differs in being more oriented toward power, whereas FRESH is more oriented toward youth and culture, as well as the further development of democratic socialist values. In a word, FRESH and the PS cannot be separated, nor can they be identified as one and the same. What are your relations with Majko now, and will you cooperate in the future? We have had a working relationship and cooperated, and I believe that this will continue in the future. I am the chairman of all the Eurosocialists. Arian Çani

Adviser Pollo delivers the message in Athens ATHENS - Another diplomatic move by the Albanian President. Greek Foreign Minister Papulias received Genc Pollo, an adviser to President Berisha, in Athens yesterday. He handed the minister a letter from Berisha addressed to Greek President Stefanopulos. Pollo asked the Greek side to support Albania’s association with the European Union. Papulias expressed his government’s confidence that it would support its northern neighbor in all European and Atlantic structures. Berisha’s adviser conveyed to Papulias the Albanian President’s commitment to further deepening the friendship and cooperation between our two countries. For his part, the Greek foreign minister said that “cooperation and understanding between the two countries are of great importance for maintaining stability in the region.” Pollo also discussed with the Greek minister President Stefanopulos’s upcoming visit to Albania. Under these circumstances, it appears that official Tirana and the head of state himself are pursuing several diplomatic initiatives at the same time. Just a few days after important negotiations with the same senior official, Foreign Minister Serregi was in Strasbourg yesterday, where he formally announced Albania’s entry into the Council of Europe. Tirana also concluded a successful visit by the Turkish President yesterday, signing, among other things, agreements worth 36 million dollars. Meanwhile, through his adviser, Berisha has asked Athens to support Tirana’s association with the European Union. In a short period of time, Albanian politics appears to be experiencing important moments in its life. Improved relations and close cooperation with Greece have made it an even stronger diplomatic point of reference. The Turkish President himself, in a reference to Greece, declared that “Good relations between Ankara and Tirana are not directed against a third country.” A.Ç.

Commission in Tirana The open border is also discussed Commission in Tirana Athens confirms: “We will legalize Albanian emigrants” The open border is also discussed On page 3

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The Turkish President sets off for Skopje Demirel in Parliament yesterday On page 3

Tremors yesterday DIBËR - The earth is shaking again. This time in Dibër, about 90 kilometers from Tirana. The tremor was felt by almost everyone, perhaps also because the intensity at the epicenter—according to the Seismological Center—was around five on the scale. Nevertheless, the strong tremors—as confirmed by all official information sources—caused no damage to property or people, although this assessment refers to the first moments after the earthquake. On page 5

DURRËS Hidden as mineral water On page 3

Fier On page 5

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Tirana On page 5

The Albanian Parliament passed the law yesterday TIRANA - From today, the operation of the electricity sector can pass into private hands. This possibility was made available by Parliament’s approval of special provisions for equipment, regulation and privatization of the energy sector. The laws on electricity and on privatizing this sector were approved article by article; the law regulating the electricity sector was approved only in principle. The privatization law itself prompted extensive debate over the part of the formula that would determine who held the shares. This debate compelled the session’s presiding officers to put it to a vote, and they concluded that the formula would be approved by the People’s Assembly. The very difficult conditions currently facing this sector, the main pillar of the Ministry of Energy itself, prompted the proposal to privatize the sector. The stated aim of ensuring consumers—especially those who keep the lights on—a continuous electricity supply led the ministry’s request to place its trust solely in the private sector. This package of laws sets out, in particular, the framework that forms the backbone of the energy sector, together with its rights and duties. The law therefore stipulates that anyone wishing to participate in this sector must obtain a special license from the Energy Regulatory Authority. The latter will have the right to set electricity rates and taxes, and also to establish conditions for the owners involved in privatizing this sector. The sector. KESH will also become a joint-stock company, in which the state will hold 51 percent of the capital. At the same time, the law also provides for a range of separated statuses. Entrepreneurs in the energy sector are to announce these prices at the request, while for part of the territory the Ministry…

Parliament Here are the new rules for work On page 5

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