The Pole of the Centre yesterday challenged the 16 June elections before the Constitutional Court, claiming they were illegal.

Gjinushi: “We demand that the election campaign be held again” On the very eve of the third round of elections, which is to take place on 16 June, the elections have ended up in the dock. PAD and PSD—the two parties that make up the Pole of the Centre—yesterday submitted to Albania’s highest judicial institution, the Constitutional Court, a complaint seeking to have them declared illegal. Meanwhile, these opposition parties have reaffirmed their insistence that the elections be held again nationwide. On page 3

Coffee breaks shut down government offices TIRANA - “Has [he] gone out? What about the specialist? The director? There’s no point trying to find civil servants in the government departments in Tirana. The answer repeated hundreds of times a day is, ‘He’s gone for coffee; maybe he’ll come back later.’ And people wait for hours for the coffee break to end first. Meanwhile, cars with yellow license plates set off to take care of ‘some urgent business’, and, curiously, there isn’t an empty chair to be found in the cafés around the ministries. Those who have become familiar faces at office doors—naturally, they are the most patient—also take a walk around the nearby cafés until they spot someone who has been writing for days on end. Sadly, this is the state of the capital’s administration during these hot summer days. Whose fault is it? The post-election gods, the everyday stress that has now become unbearable, or the distracted people who come knocking far too often? And if you manage to meet the officials, you hear countless complaints whispered in your ear: ‘Too much work, too much heat, people are difficult.’ But that’s not all. If you wander through the ministry buildings, you will find quite a few offices—where two or three people could be working—closed. You turn the door handle for nothing, hoping it will ‘yield’ to your purpose, but after a glimmer of hope… And the problem grows, with no solution in sight. You can see that apathy has taken deep root. Why? Albania is experiencing widespread political and economic stress. A difficult transition is now accompanied by a marathon election period whose end date is still unknown; meanwhile, despite the state’s efforts to resolve the budget issue, civil servants’ salaries are extremely low compared with those of people working in the private sector. And this takes its toll. Some leave the departments on bicycles, while others leave private-sector jobs in ‘Benz’ cars. They may have graduated from the same faculty… Nevertheless, all these anomalies in the centers of authority come at the expense of thousands of others. Should sacrifices be made? Perhaps a spiritual motto is needed to emerge from the stagnant state that has paralyzed some of the offices in Tirana, even though the taste of money is very sweet. Hundreds of people wait outside the door during office hours. And one thing is certain: indifference may not tire you, but it doesn’t get you anywhere… Arlinda Çahusholli

EURO '96 Liverpool, a huge surprise arrives Little Czechia beats big Italy EURO 96 has produced its first major surprise. Although bookmakers had given the Czech team odds of 1:150 to win the championship and the Italian team odds of 7-2, Liverpool’s stadium has turned all predictions upside down. The Czechs won 2:1. Portugal’s performance was poor, and its victory over Turkey was inglorious. Today at Wembley, the British derby will be played—the first international match in the history of football. Debate in the German camp. Basler: “I didn’t come from Germany to sit on the bench.” Chaos and anger in the Romanian camp. Hagi: “Munteanu’s goal was perfectly valid.” On page 7 The Czechs celebrate the first goal (Photo: REUTERS)

DURRËS On page 5

Yesterday: lawyers’ press conference The OSCE’s conclusions on irregularities observed by foreign observers… The OSCE’s conclusions on irregularities observed by foreign observers in the parliamentary elections in

The OSCE’s conclusions regarding irregularities observed by foreign observers during the parliamentary elections in Albania have met with a harsh response from the Central Election Commission. At a press conference, lawyers from the commission described the document received from Vienna as unsupported by arguments and facts. After emphasizing that OSCE observers visited only 7 percent of polling stations, the commission’s representatives pointed out that the OSCE report says nothing about the Opposition’s arbitrary abandonment of the zone and polling-station commissions. From the press-conference podium, suspicions were also cast on some OSCE observers as “invited by the SP.” On page 3

Sunday’s elections: a new European “eye” Europe is once again sending the “eye” that will monitor the new elections in Albania. There are more than 30 observers. Proper judicial observers are absent; those who have already arrived are considered specialists, unlike those of May 26. On page 3

From our correspondents in Moscow Armand MERO, Doriana LIKA THE CAMPAIGN ENDS The Russian steppes hold their breath: tomorrow, the Yeltsin-Zyuganov duel From our correspondents in Moscow Armand MERO, Doriana LIKA Yesterday was the final day on which Yeltsin and his strongest rival, Zyuganov, addressed the electorate with promises as well as accusations against one another. The Russian president chose to end his campaign in Ekaterinburg. Meanwhile, Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party, delivered his propagandistic phrases to the Albanians in Moscow. Alongside the two leading candidates, 12 others are also competing in Sunday’s elections, including Gorbachev. On page 2

Records two songs during a one-month stay in Goteborg . On page 4 Redina Tili, Blendi Çota

Tuna, dressed up, sang to the “guests” in the southeastern city. On page 4 Reda Makashi

Second visit by the former US president A luxury yacht, “Alek-sandria,” once owned by Onassis, brought former US President Xhorxh Bush and his wife, Barbara, to the waters of the Bay of Vlorë. Berisha, who arrived by helicopter from Tirana, hosted the dinner on the evening of their arrival. The people of Vlorë rushed over as they watched Bush, accompanied by the running “Uli i Ftohtë.” On page 3

Family and commercial sections are being established in Tirana... On page 5

There are even dogs studying abroad on scholarships. It may seem unnecessary, but in reality it is extremely essential. An anti-terrorist squad of police dogs has also been established in Albania. A group of police dogs has been trained in Italy, and another is being trained in Romania. They are able to detect even the most sophisticated weapons and explosives. On page 5

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THE OBSERVERS ARRIVE THE CAMPAIGN ENDS

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