Compromise, a forgotten word for politicians. PD: “We may accept some modifications” Parties at the table, hell in the South Fino puts forward changes. PD will not give ground on the districts Three days of meetings and talks among 10 political forces. The opposition insists: “Modifications must definitely be made” Two roundtables yesterday. The Prime Minister proposes a new division and changes to the commissions. On page 3 Gjinushi at the meeting: “If no compromise is reached, we will leave the government.” On page 3 At yesterday’s meeting of the parties with Prime Minister Fino (Photo: Plator Ilo) The President’s tour in Laç and Shijak. Optimism about a PD victory, accusations against PS Berisha will not back down: The law will not change “I will not decree the demands of some parties”

At yesterday’s meeting of the parties with Prime Minister Fino (Photo: Plator Ilo)

VLORA A day of hell in the city: Gang war with anti-tank weapons The armored Benz is bombarded. Two dead. Another group retaliates On page 2

TEPELENË Clashes with police: Two hostages and four dead Bandits abduct a military officer and a member of the Rescue Committee On page 2

GJIROKASTËR The stone city is isolated: Explosives again target the bridges Kardhiqi is destroyed for the fourth time; the Viroi bridge has also been blown up On page 2

After the latest visit, OSCE impressions TIRANA - “It is the Democratic Party that must make greater concessions.” From Vienna, the OSCE negotiator on the Albanian crisis gives his impressions of his latest visit to Tirana in an interview with the BBC. Still skeptical, he nevertheless expresses hope that a compromise can be reached; otherwise, “Goodbye to all assistance for Albania. Everything could be reconsidered if confidence in free and fair elections is not established.” How do you assess the government’s efforts to reach a compromise, despite Parliament having passed an electoral law? “I think that what is being discussed at present is very important. I also think that the political parties should do everything they can to reach a compromise, because the time available to prepare for the elections is very short, considering that they must be held at the end of June.” Dr. Vranicki, the political process in Albania has stalled. Do you think that, had the political agreement you mediated included more specific provisions, the current problems would have been avo[?]… electoral law, which did not enjoy the consensus of most of the other parties—is this a strong reason why agreement in the electoral process cannot be reached? “I am not an arbiter between the political parties in Albania. Nevertheless, the OSCE and the international community have been convinced that the 1997 elections should not take place in the same atmosphere of suspicion as last year. Therefore, I think the Democratic Party should show a willingness to negotiate. I have also said before that it will be difficult for the international community to continue its cooperation if all the political forces in Albania cannot find common ground on the country’s future. I have spoken with the governments of OSCE member states, and they have told me that if we do not see a democratic, free, fair and transparent electoral process, we may reconsider our economic and financial cooperation. Naturally, this week we need to form a clearer view within the OSCE of whether elections can be monitored and observed when the political parties in Albania do not agree on what is ‘important.’” But most parties have expressed their objections and doubts about how the current law provides for the appointment of election commissions, or about the use of radio and television, or even about the management of SHIK? “These are very important issues. It is up to the Democratic Party majority and President Berisha, who has the majority, to offer some kind of compromise that will dispel the doubts of the other parties. In this regard, the Government of National Reconciliation is making efforts to reach a compromise.” But we are dealing with a government that has been excluded by the law that was passed. A government that has no say in appointing the heads of the Central Electoral Commission or in administering the elections? “That is why it is right and urgent for Prime Minister Fino to do everything so that the Fino government is not merely a spectator. The government is the political body responsible for holding the elections. Naturally, they must bear political responsibility for this.” Should both sides be dismissed? “Of course, one could say that since no compromise has been reached, neither side… brief when we consider that they have to be held at the end of June.” Doctor Vranicki, the political process in Albania has been blocked. Do you think that the political contract you mediated would have included more specific provisions, and that the current problems could have been avoided? “No, I don’t think so, because the political contract is undoubtedly a norm for the agreement among the 10 parties. I think it is an important document that was drawn up recently, and at that time it was clear that a parliamentary debate would take place, which would be a good opportunity for the government and the political parties to reach some kind of compromise.” Nevertheless, despite your desire to reach a compromise, the DP, notwithstanding the agreement reached, approved its version of the transparency law in Parliament. Can it be reconsidered by the assembly? “We are ready to cooperate in the economic and financial field, and of course this week we would need to form a clearer idea within the OSCE about how the in Albania do not agree about the elections of 29 June.” Mr. Vraniski, agreements between political forces in Albania currently concern not so much the form of voting as the process of monitoring the vote. Do you think the way the law is implemented is more important than the form of the law itself? “It is, and it will be, very important that all the parties in Albania competing in the elections are 100% certain that such elections will be free and fair, that the process will be transparent, that there will be no violence, and that the votes will be counted correctly. These are very important aspects.” Should both sides be blamed? “Of course, it can be said that since no compromise has been reached, neither side can escape blame. But I want to emphasize two things: compromise is essential in order to secure broad recognition of the elections and their results. On the other hand, the international community has made it clear that further cooperation will depend on whether the elections are held democratically or not.” Do you think free and fair elections will be held? “There is a great deal of distrust between the sides. But if I did not believe in compromise, then all our efforts would be in vain.”

“I will not decree the demands of some parties” PD victory, accusations against PS TIRANA - “I will not sign any declaration by the parties; the law has been passed and it is very good.” That is the essence of Berisha’s statement, just a few hours after he promulgated the electoral law. The President’s response came on Sunday from Laç, the first stop on his electoral tour. Berisha again made serious accusations against the Socialists, as well as alluding to ties between the Committees and that party. The state leader spoke in the same tone before the residents of Shijak, where he expressed his conviction that the PD would win a majority. On page 4

Relations between the leaders have frozen Ermenji: “I had no points of disagreement with Selfo.” The deputy chairman: “I built the party with my own hands.” Relations between the leaders have frozen Brawl at Balli: Selfo leaves the Council Ermenji: “I had no points of disagreement with Selfo.” The deputy chairman: “I built the party with my own hands.” On page 4

FOOTBALL TIRANA — Alarm in the youth teams’ camps. The Federation has no money for their training camp. Today coach Mema will talk with the players. Whoever has money can come. On page 6

FROM THE WORLD PRISHTINA — The situation of Albanians in Kosovo is worsening. After the killing of 2 Serbian police officers, the police have arrested and mistreated more than 30 Kosovars. On page 7

UNKNOWN DOCUMENTS FROM THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT On page 5 Tritan Shehu Achille Occhetto