Yesterday the Government set out all the procedures to be followed for returning frozen funds Only 60 percent of the money from “Populli” will be returned Today, the amount of lekë to be reimbursed from the deposits of the Xhaferri foundation will be announced Free rein to withdraw money. Meksi: “People can choose for themselves whether they want cash or a passbook” On page 3 Yesterday the police closed the headquarters of the Gjallica company. The cashboxes and service counters were sealed, along with all the documentation On page 2

LAST NIGHT ON RAI UNO Fatos Baxhaku The Italians have finally remembered. “We absolutely have to show it,” someone in the Roman offices that make decisions about RAI UNO seems to have said. And the Italian television signal brought the painful events involving the refugees back into our homes last night. This is one of the most controversial films ever made about Albania. “Lamerica,” by the well-known Amelio, has prompted many people to write, debate, become upset [?], get worked up—in a word, to discuss it. Since that is the case—and if we have any film experts—we would suggest saying that, despite the fact that the film was made by one of the most prominent names in Italian cinema, that is all it amounts to. Many have defended it; many others—including Kadare and Vargas Llosa—have criticized it. The truth is that the film does not achieve the success its producers were aiming for. We do not wish to, nor is it our place to, assess its artistic merits fully. One question has not left us throughout the time we watched Amelio’s film. Why precisely now? The story of the screening of Amelio’s film begins with its first screenings in cinemas. At the time, it was said that the director himself wanted to hear Albanians’ impressions of his latest work. The film was even ready to be shown in one of Albania’s few cinemas. But that did not happen. Italian sources said, “elegantly,” that the film could not be shown because of the recent polemics. Later, Albanians forgot about it, caught up in the “wave of pyramid schemes,” until it reappeared on RAI UNO—and this is as if it were being shown in Albanian cinemas, perhaps even more so—precisely when Albania is gripped by a new wave of unrest that brings to mind the Albania seen by Amelio. From the other side of the coast, there is no self-defence. Yesterday the Italian journalist had, for the most part, only one question: Will there be a new wave of revolt? At the same time, checks are being stepped up in the narrow Strait of Otranto. We cannot help thinking that the artistic images of the “Albanian Fëmurcë” in the film are part, if not of this plan, then at least of this mindset, which we can rightly call “fear of Albanians.” The powerful are powerful and the poor are poor; that is understandable. The only thing we truly regret is that an artistic work such as “Lamerica” should take on a course within such a mindset. This is truly sad.

The President’s invitation to 20 parties in the country Mejdani Berisha Godo On page 4 Mejdani. Berisha. Godo.

IN THE PS Angjeli: “The companies must be shut down quickly too” Socialist experts met yesterday to discuss the problem of pyramid schemes On page 4

THE NEW FORUM Fatos Lubonja and Daut Gumeni at the head with Kola Today the program and platform for the unification of the opposition forces will be announced On page 4

. TIRANË – Large investment companies are lowering their interest rates. At a meeting held yesterday with their presidents, Cenaj & Co, Kamberi & Co, Vefa Holding and Silva concluded a joint agreement to lower interest rates to 5% per year. “We have been under pressure from the so-called ‘charitable foundations’,” their joint statement said. “We have been forced to offer their leaders high interest rates, which will soon bring our businesses back to normal.” The companies also claim that, because of their rapid growth and the well-known restrictions on bank lending, they have been forced to mobilize the collection of a significant portion of the population’s monetary savings, which, they say, have been invested in production and services. On page 3 Vehbi Alimucaj and Ferdinand Kamberi

. Sudja is in trouble again. TIRANA – The “Sude” case is becoming more complicated. Two usurers who took money from the town’s unfortunate people put it into Sudja. Their case file has now been joined to hers. On page 2

Cenaj & Co and Silva too: “Interest rates as high as the banks’”

The Socialist experts met yesterday to discuss the problem of usury. On page 4. Today the program and platform for uniting the opposition forces will be announced. On page 4