A surprise meeting dismisses Valer Xheka The ousted chairman, a professor: “It was a real coup. Justice will have its say...” “If this is Hajdari’s personal initiative, then it is one of his usual acts of madness. Nevertheless, Justice must now have its say.” “I am President of the BSPSH and I do not recognize Hajdari as my replacement, nor do I recognize the decision of yesterday’s phantom conference held in Durrës.” TIRANA - An earthquake in the Independent Union of Albanian Trade Unions. Azem Hajdari, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Public Order and Security, was placed yesterday at the head of Albania’s largest trade union, following an extraordinary conference convened yesterday morning in Durrës. Meanwhile, the president of the BSPSH, Valer Xheka, described yesterday’s conference as a coup against the trade union movement in Albania. “Azem Hajdari at the head of a trade union? This is the greatest disgrace for the trade union movement in Albania. Hajdari is vested with power and can under no circumstances head an organization for the protection of workers’ rights. If state elements are hiding behind Hajdari, then this is the end of democracy in Albania,” Xheka told the newspaper. According to him, a gang of hooligans attended this conference, which had been convened illegally, and, strangely enough, Hajdari was among them. Xheka said that he did not recognize this decision and would remain at the head of his union until the National Congress that elected him removed him. On page 7

“Battle” in Tirana: six injured. TIRANA - Six injured and five detained by police: that was the aftermath of clashes in a real battle that took place yesterday in Allias, a district on the outskirts of Tirana. Two rival groups opened fire on each other, putting the entire police station and the rapid-response special forces on alert. The scene was quickly surrounded, and a massive operation was led by senior officials of the Ministry of the Interior. The injured—one of them a girl and a police officer from station number two—were taken for medical treatment to the military hospital and hospital number two. Doctors say they are out of danger; they were injured mainly in the lower limbs. It has been confirmed that the clash occurred over trivial reasons and that all five participants were detained along with their weapons. On page 5

ELECTIONS IN THE USA Bill Klinton (Photo: REUTERS) Clinton drinks the champagne of victory On page 2 Bill Klinton (Photo: REUTERS)

Reservations and options concerning the country’s fundamental document “A Constitution? It’s still too soon” The opposition reacts after Arbnori’s interview TIRANA - The issue of the Constitution has returned to Albanian politics. Following an interview given by Arbnori, in which he also outlined some of the directions the approval of the Constitution would take, political parties have expressed their views. “The PS has no alternative whatsoever for the Constitution,” Namik Dokle said yesterday. Ceka was more forceful, declaring that “Arbnori’s position is an expression of the political crisis the country is going through.” Next, PS chairman Fatos Nano. According to the head of Balli, “the time has come to review the issue, while also taking into account each party’s proposals.” Godo says that “a round table would also be acceptable for this cardinal issue.” It seems that soon, after the parliamentary and local elections, Albanian politics will be dominated by the question: A Constitution—but how? On page 3

INTERVIEW Godo confirms the right’s crisis; another alliance soon TIRANA - “LDSH has not been functioning for a long time.” Sabri Godo reveals some of the mysteries that have long been concealed within the right-wing formation. Founded at the beginning of ’95, the Right Alliance, according to Godo, has been caught between contradictions and tensions. Without blaming anyone by name, its founder suggests that another political formation should be built on the Alliance, which had already breathed its last before the May elections. The head of the PR believes that the remaining groups in this political formation should soon return to the alliance on a basis of cooperation and with a comprehensive political platform. On page 3

THE DRAMA OF ILLEGAL MIGRANTS Italians catch 133 refugees LECCE - Albanian illegal migrants continue to arrive. During Monday’s arrivals and yesterday morning alone, 133 Albanians were caught by police shortly after setting foot on Italian soil. This time, a powerful speedboat was also seized; it had been unable to escape the Italian pursuit. On page 5

FOOTBALL; On page 6 FOOTBALL Blomqvist now at “Inter” On page 6

THE POLISH CAPITAL’S MUNICIPALITY Skënderbeu “rides” in Warsaw The legendary figure’s bas-relief in the middle of the city TIRANA - Skënderbeu “arrives” in Warsaw. The name of the legendary figure in Albanian history will now appear on a bas-relief, which will be installed in part of the central park of the Polish capital. Against a pleasant backdrop combining the park’s architecture with a plaque bearing the famous name “Skënderbeu,” Poles will enjoy a “breath” of Albania that will now be present every day. It was the Council of the capital of Poland that, at its 34th session held on October 21, unanimously decided to name a green space in the city after the great warrior “Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu.” The news was confirmed by a source at the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its “map location” is in the central area of Warsaw—Central Warsaw—and it is bordered by two important thoroughfares of this well-known city, Spacerowa and Belvedere. The garden is a spot frequently visited by residents and has an unexpected beauty. Under this decision, the Department of Culture and Art of the Warsaw Municipality will carry out the naming by means of a plaque in bas-relief form, which will fit perfectly into the capital’s large park. This is not the first time the name of the legendary Albanian leader has brought Albania to mind. A magnificent monument to Skënderbeu stands in Rome, where the square in which it “reigns” in the capital is called “Piazza Skenderbeg.”

ECONOMY; On page 7 ECONOMY Albania has lower production per capita On page 7 THE TRADE UNION FEDERATION OF

ENTERTAINMENT Baryzhnikov, the greatest dancer in the world Interview with the current genius of world ballet. His life and inspiration. On page 4 Baryzhnikov