Yesterday, 106 candidates from 5 parties in self-confinement Socialists in an indefinite protest. Poli will be “released” on Monday. Gjinushi: “We had no other choice” The opposition confined in a hunger strike Yesterday, 106 candidates from 5 parties were in self-confinement An extreme protest by opposition parties to achieve their demand for new elections in Albania In the confinement rooms, parliamentary candidates have books, cigarettes, Coca-Cola, and sportswear On page 3 Yesterday’s hunger strike, (above) the PSD headquarters closes its gates (Photo: H. Pustina) Yesterday’s hunger strike, (above) the PSD headquarters closes its gates (Photo: H. Pustina)

But the date will be set by the President Revotes in 40 constituencies? 4 parties lodge complaints with the Commission “This is how we were manipulated.” This is the “shower” of complaints now pouring into the Central Electoral Commission. The electoral entities still in the race are submitting them by the meter, prompted by the manipulation of their respective electorates’ votes. Archived in the Commission’s complaint files, the irregularities appear to have created a new climate that could affect the final electoral map. Sources within the Commission confirm that it has received complaints from PD, PR, PBDNJ, PDK and other parties that were disadvantaged during the voting. On page 5 Electoral Commission

“Dialogue among political forces” A statement sets out Europe’s position on the elections . EU: Voting in the contested constituencies. “Dialogue among political forces.” The Vienna session decides on “Central Europe.” The latest situation in Albania, following the tense election campaign and, especially, the recent violent events, has also become a subject of discussion among the leaders of the European Union. The day before yesterday, Italy, in its role as the country holding the rotating presidency of the most powerful Community on the “old continent,” issued this statement, consisting of five fundamental points. On page 5

There will be sections for family matters, property...

Melo: “Miço’s statement surprises you” On page 3

March in Tirana On page 5

TIRANA - Mini-courts are being established in Albania. Starting today, with the entry into force of the new Code of Civil Procedure, three sections will operate within the Albanian justice system in the role of special courts. From today, citizens’ problems with the authorities, disputes with the state administration, disagreements between merchants, and various problems within the family, such as divorces, paternity recognition and property issues, will no longer be heard by district courts, but by special sections to be set up at the district courts. On page 7 Tirana Court

SPECTACLE On page 7

A “men’s agreement” with the police KUKES - The institution of besa also resolves political problems. The local police in Kukës “put in chains” Socialist sympathizers with nothing more than a word of honor between men. “We will not go out into the square, but we will disperse peacefully if you allow us to demonstrate in the Palace of Culture.” This is what the local PS leaders told the police on Thursday evening; the previous day, the police had surrounded the doors of this center to prevent people from going out into the square. The besa, given and accepted by both sides of the “barricade,” worked a miracle: the Socialists were able to protest the outcome of the May 26 elections, while the police were not obliged to intervene by force. In this way, Kukës avoided the clashes seen in a number of Albanian cities, where there has been high tension between the opposition and the security forces. The besa that had been given also made the special forces unnecessary in Kukës. They had arrived in the city from Shkodra as soon as word came that the opposition had planned to take to the square. Faced with the prospect of a clash with the demonstrators, a senior local police official decided to “allow” the mountain code to prevail. “Since they have given their word that they will disperse peacefully, perhaps they can demonstrate in the Palace of Culture.” At first, the police offer was difficult to accept because some of the Socialists insisted on going out into the square at all costs. But the view of the local PS leaders prevailed: they wanted to avoid a confrontation that could ultimately have serious consequences. “We have no taste for police batons or their dogs,” the local PS leader [text unclear] nevertheless [text unclear] after debates for and against, the two men of honor [text unclear] that the citizens’ protest would have the same effect inside the walls of the Palace of Culture. No. Ha.

From the World Immediately after the elections, Israel reacted against Hezbollah. On Thursday night, Israeli fighter-bombers launched an airstrike against a position of the pro-Iranian Shiite Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Seven civilians were wounded in the bombing, the second since the ceasefire reached on April 27. Four Israeli soldiers, three of whom were killed during the operation carried out by Hezbollah. On page 2

The Vienna session decides Following the recommendations made at the Warsaw meeting in October 1995, the Central European Initiative accepts our country as a member Albania is now becoming a member of the Central European Initiative. At a two-day session whose proceedings are continuing in Vienna, our country has been accepted alongside four other states: Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Belarus. The foreign ministers of the member countries themselves unanimously made the decision to admit it. On page 5

On page 3 BERAT They dress as policemen and carry out a raid On page 7 TIRANA Koçollari asks: “Get me out of prison” On page 7 TIRANA The socialist leader of Bulqiza is released On page 5 BERAT Flour with bullets attacks again On page 7