Signing fails State of emergency, SP: “It must be lifted”, DP: “Changes only” Signing fails Social pa[?]ct: parties’ negotiating table splits in two State of emergency, SP: “It must be lifted”, DP: “Changes only” Pollo and Majko before yesterday’s negotiating table (Photo: Plator Ilo)

Within a day, the Albanian currency loses up to 8 percent of its value The dollar “drow[?]ns” the lek Panic in the foreign-exchange market Yesterday, one USD was exchanged for 190 lekë. Money changers: “People are afraid, so they are withdrawing foreign currency” Gains on the gains[?] TIRANA - A threat and panic have gripped the currency market. In just a few hours yesterday—a day that can safely be described as a black-letter day for the Albanian currency—the US dollar dealt a crushing blow to the local lek. A storm of sudden rises in foreign currencies has caused the lek to depreciate rapidly, by around 8 percent. Along with confusion and uncertainty, many questions have begun to circulate in the foreign-exchange market: Is this depreciation of the lek the result of growing uncertainty surrounding the domestic currency, or simply speculation of the kind that has caused so many [unclear] in the exchange market since it began? But the most troubling question tormenting Albanian consumers and traders is: How much longer will this fall in the lek’s exchange value continue, plunging it into the depths of depreciation? Yesterday’s fall in the “price” of the lek is a record. In just a few hours, the exchange rate between the lek and the dollar changed from 1 USD to 175 lekë to 1 USD to 190. That is a drastic depreciation of 15 new lekë, occurring within a few hours yesterday. TIRANA - The SP reunites. Servet Pellumbi shakes Fatos’s hand. “Everyone against Berisha... Vlora will win... the SP will win...” This was the atmosphere of yesterday’s rally, which began and ended with the leader of the Albanian socialists. What was new about yesterday’s SP gathering was that, for the first time in three years, Nano appeared at rallies; only a few months after a quarrel with the “old guard”, the socialist leader once again called them to the platform united around the party. The attacks and harsh accusations against Berisha and his policies, high-profile election promises with a program and new alternatives for the future, as well as the renewed image of the party’s stance on the June 29 elections, were yesterday the main themes and slogans proclaimed by all the SP leaders before thousands of participants in the capital’s stadium. Photo: ... (Photo Plator Ilo)

Court suspends Malaj’s order TIRANA - The INSIG case will now be decided in court. Friday has been set as the day when Minister Malaj and the heads of the INSIG company will face Judge Luan Daci over the legality of Malaj’s decision. The Finance Minister’s order has been suspended until the trial. INSIG headquarters

The Prime Minister’s request was sent on Sunday On page 3

TIRANA - The SP reunites. Servet Pellumbi shakes Fatos’s hand. “Everyone against Berisha... Vlora will win... the SP will win...” This was the atmosphere of yesterday’s rally, which began and ended with the leader of the Albanian socialists. What was new about yesterday’s SP gathering was that, for the first time in three years, Nano appeared at rallies; only a few months after a quarrel with the “old guard”, the socialist leader once again called them to the platform united around the party. The attacks and harsh accusations against Berisha and his policies, high-profile election promises with a program and new alternatives for the future, as well as the renewed image of the party’s stance on the June 29 elections, were yesterday the main themes and slogans proclaimed by all the SP leaders before thousands of participants in the capital’s stadium. On page 3

Yesterday, the first team arrived, with 28 specialists Elections, a first experience Yesterday, the first team arrived, with 28 specialists The OSCE “youngsters” arrive Elections, a first experience Most of the technical observers are young, recent graduates. They will be deployed to observe four cities TIRANA - Somewhat tentatively, staying fairly close to the capital and constantly under the protection of the “Albes” soldiers, the first group of OSCE observers has begun work. On page 3

In Berat, unknown assailants demand lives or millions He didn’t pay the “fine”; he was butchered Former manager of “Populli” killed BERAT - “Pay up or lose your head.” The threatening message from unknown people, already directed at many Berat traders, has apparently claimed its first victim. A former manager of the “Populli” foundation was killed on Monday morning in Berat because he had refused to pay a ten-million-lekë “fine” demanded by unknown people. On Monday, the shop of another “disobedient” trader from the village of Poshnjë, who had also refused to pay, was attacked as well. Berat On page 5

SHKODËR Police guard the bridges against explosives The police station chief orders surveillance with a 24-hour service. Now five bridges—Bahçallëku, Buna, Rjoll-i...—are guarded. On page 5

BERAT Huge bond scam Former political prisoners have lost around 2 billion, after trusting a fellow inmate with a security, who later disappeared. On page 5

On page 3

Three thousand people for 16 million Aleksandër Grunasi On page 2

The most precious relics of Albania’s cultural heritage removed from the displays of the National History Museum Fear of theft: works of art moved to a secret location The Ep[?]itaph of Gllavenica, the Head of Dea and other works are now under “arrest” TIRANA - Unique works of Albanian art, frightened by the thefts, have been tucked away in a secret place. The Epitaph of Gllavenica, the Head of Dea and other works, now the most precious heritage of Albanian culture, have been removed from the displays where they were exhibited at the National History Museum and hidden in a secret place. “Although the Museum is guarded and, of course, we have taken measures to ensure the protection of these [unclear], to make the most precious works safer, those that are unique, we have removed them from the display cases and hidden them in a secret place known to a very limited number of people,” says the director of the National Museum, Vilson Kuri. A number of works had been exhibited in Germany for some time and, after returning from there, were put back in their places at the History Museum. After a long absence from the displays of Albania’s history, the famous Epitaph of Gllavenica was also brought back in recent years. Stolen two and a half years ago, the Epitaph has been returned to the National History Museum. Last year, during its absence, the Epitaph was guarded by the art guards, but [the following passage is unclear]... (?)... the works have been withdrawn for safekeeping, together with many other works, including the sarcophagus of the precious Epitaph. Mentor Kikia The Epitaph of Gllavenica

Juve-Dortmund: Clash of the giants Jugo[?]vic On page 7

NATO and Russia make peace Jelcin On page 4