President: “Changing the rural-urban balance is extremely important” Berisha at the press conference (photo: L. Lika REUTERS) TIRANA—Visits to China, Israel and Malta, but mainly the country’s problems and recent political developments, brought President Berisha together with press representatives for about 70 minutes yesterday. Ambitious accusations, privatization, freedom of movement, the electoral law, Albania’s relations with the EU: these were the main issues Berisha addressed as he responded to journalists’ questions. On page 3

The cause of the poisoning is still unknown. Suspicions focus on the village mill Lead in the blood: two children die An entire family is infected and admitted to hospital Lead in the blood kills two children and threatens to wipe out an entire family. A 17-month-old toddler and his four-year-old brother died within a week in the Elezi family of the village of Mbolan, in Berat, while their parents and six-year-old sister narrowly escaped death. The swift intervention of the hospital doctors made it possible to keep the family’s three other members alive, while nothing could save four-year-old Bledar Elezi. On page 5 Berat Hospital

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ELBASAN—“We want clean streets, but not at the cost of our sleep.” A protest by a group of residents of the city of Elbasan broke out late at night, from different cafés and apartment buildings overlooking the squares and streets. An unusual conflict then ensued, ending only because of fear of the “police.” It happened not only in the dead of night, but also in the heart of the city, on its boulevard. The cause of this phenomenon was the municipal services, which do their work when the city is asleep. It seems they wanted to break the monotony of their work, and the sweeping and swishing of the brooms became the setting for a lively group conversation. But soon control was lost, and the sweepers’ laughter and shouts rang loudly through the city’s silence, disturbing the sleep of many residents nearby. Angered, they appeared at their windows and told the “noise-makers” to stop. But they got no agreement. A volley of insults came from below, further inflaming the anger of the “newly awakened.” Then the conflict escalated. Some residents came out into the street, where they were hit with brooms. But the municipal “Bashkalia” had just resumed its “business” and came at them with brooms and shovels. The residents were left out in the street. Then another “police”—the “pronunciation” police, as you can imagine—put a stop to the counterattack with the broom-men’s terror. Arben Dervishi

More than 80 new appointments made TIRANA—Prosecutors and judges have been dismissed, and new jurists have taken their place. Numerous decisions were made yesterday at a meeting of the High Council of Justice, convened in the presidential offices around a table chaired by Berisha himself, in his capacity as head of the institution. For several hours—the members, representing the entire legal system, had gathered at 14:00—they reviewed all the latest matters concerning the administration of justice. Judges and prosecutors who had acted against the law faced disciplinary measures, including dismissal. On page 5 Presidency

Parliament will appoint the people who will verify the integrity of officials Anti-corruption commission coming soon Parties will put forward their candidates Parliament On page 3

PSD, PD and PS meet European parliamentarians TIRANA—The genocide law, the vetting of public officials, and the recently adopted electoral law were the focus of a letter from the main Albanian parties, presented at a 25-minute meeting with the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Hose Maria Mendiluce Perreiro. While PSD chairman Gjinushi felt it was important to take a firm stance on these issues, and Ali Spahiu spoke on behalf of the PD to express determination regarding them, a more nuanced political picture was presented by Socialist chairman Dole. On page 3

Arresting military personnel accused of war crimes threatens the peace process On page 2

Oketo reports to the PES leadership On page 3

No candidates under the Union’s name On page 3

Flowers for the artist (photo: H. Tushtina) TIRANA—A life lived in poverty, but one that left a deep mark on colleagues, relatives and audiences. It has been 25 years since the death of the stage and screen artist Bexhet Nelku, also known as the Doctor in the film “I teti në bronx.” Yesterday, a ceremony was held at the National Theatre in tribute to this figure who, despite his short life, left a lasting impression on Albanian art and dramatic theatre. A fir tree in the courtyard of the National Theatre, planted in his memory, has by now become a tradition; commemorative wreaths are laid for the greatest figures of the stage. Nelku was among the first graduates of the Albanian school of acting, making his stage debut alongside Naim Frashëri, Marita Greva, Kadri Roshi and Sandër Prosi. He would later become one of the first teachers of this art, both beautiful and so popular. At the ceremony, excerpts were presented from roles performed with great finesse by Bexhet Nelku, evoking deep emotion among his colleagues and the other guests. Contemporaries and friends of the artist shared memories and spoke highly of the important role and place Nelku occupied in dramatic art. SHKODËR The stage loses Piranjan SHKODËR—One fewer actor on the stage of “Migjeni.” On Wednesday, 27-year-old Shkodran actor Nafil Piranjani passed away, leaving his relatives and his audience. The drama and comedy actor spent his entire life on the Migjeni stage, performing more than 70 roles. His artistic career began in 1958 and ended in 1995. His role as Uncle Halil in “Fyelli i dytë” will remain in the history of “Migjeni” and the National Theatre; he was the son of a fanatic, with the mastery of Pranika Iulaju in drama and comedy, while his repertoire also included more than 53 films, with character roles such as Hashkali’s bear in “Te pafunari,” Besikti in “Nata pa hënë,” the driver in “Vrasje në qytet,” and many others. Yesterday, the city of Shkodër accompanied a figure of its popular art and culture to his final resting place with sorrow. Veterans of the Shkodër stage had to bid farewell to him; he was only 65 years old. e.m.

Besides “Qemal Stafa,” the stadiums in Durrës and Kavajë too TIRANA—Soon there will be three stadiums in Albania meeting international standards. The stadiums in Tirana—the “Qemal Stafa” complex—and those in Kavajë and Durrës will be ready next July to host Albanian teams competing in the European cups. A UEFA rule requires every team participating in European competitions to have its own stadium, fully equipped in accordance with all the regulations set by European football organizations. This has prompted Albanians to start renovating their football stadiums. Senior football official Gjeqi Thaka himself stated that “all three stadiums have been included in the reconstruction plans.” “As of now,” he noted, the National Stadium “Qemal Stafa” is ready for the construction work on the Albanian national team’s facilities, which will begin next October. “But,” Thaka added, “the stadium reconstruction work will be a problem, since Albanian clubs do not have much money to allocate to this.” So, if Albanian teams want to play in Europe, they must first think about their stadiums.