Scandal at the OSCE. Serious accusations by the departed chief observer Pridham’s enigmatic letter uncovered. The official objected yesterday: “I had professional reasons” According to the Englishman who resigned, “important people are involved in the elections” “High-level circles are inclined, or may even have taken concrete steps, to reach a preliminary agreement before the elections, with the aim of ensuring that the outcome of the 29 June vote preserves the current balance of power in government” On page 3 INTERVIEW WITH ZEPHENS The OSCE explains its observation strategy Murray: “We will monitor with 1,000 observers. We will prevent possible manipulations” OSCE observers

THE USURY “ADVENTURE” On page 2 Nano and Berisha campaigning “The blank cheque”: Rrapush Xhaferri Sudja

TIRANA - Kadare has launched a harsh attack on the entire class of Albanian politicians. In an interview with the well-known Italian daily “Corriere della Sera”, the renowned writer described Albanian politicians as “the cause of the tragedy the country is going through”. “Like all Balkan countries, Albania is not yet mature enough for a full democracy,” the writer said, among other things, “so not only my country but the entire region must be placed under the guardianship of the international community.” Kadare made serious accusations not only against the party that holds a parliamentary majority, but also against the opposing camp. “They shout ‘Down with Berisha’, but offer nothing else.” On page 3 Ismail Kadare

At Rinas

TIRANA

Nano and Berisha campaigning Nano at the rally in Vlora FUSHE-KRUJE - Berisha went to Fushë-Krujë yesterday. Once again, he launched harsh attacks against his socialist rival Nano. “The communist leaders, after organizing the rebellion, issued the blank cheque.” According to the head of state, the vote should be for the Democrats and for the prosperity of property.” Yesterday he promised the people of Krujë that social assistance and a liberal system would be given consideration. On page 2

In Rinas TIRANA - The diplomatic suitcase of the English embassy has disappeared at Rinas Airport. As they were preparing to leave for the English capital, London, one of the leaders of the PS, Pandeli Majko, and an official of the British diplomatic mission in Tirana made categorical efforts to find the secret suitcase. According to the most basic rules of diplomacy, the suitcase must be entrusted to the pilot himself. Majko had set off to attend a conference organized by the European Union, concerning the new challenges facing the Old Continent. Diplomatic suitcases normally contain classified documents, which are to be used by people within the diplomatic corps. The lost item also contained Majko’s own passport, with the relevant visa for entry into Britain. Within a few days, this embassy has become the “victim” of another incident. Two days ago, the number two diplomat of England in Albania was stabbed on one of Tirana’s streets. “Personal reasons,” he explained to the Italian investigators, while an “Alba” helicopter took him to a hospital in Brindisi.

ELBASAN / Tragedy at the Cement Factory. It was overloaded Doctors: Very little hope of saving them ELBASAN / Tragedy at the Cement Factory. It was overloaded Horror in the furnace: 4 workers burned Doctors: Very little hope of saving them TIRANA - Tragedy in Elbasan. Four workers have been burned following a serious accident that occurred in one of the furnaces at the Cement Factory in Elbasan. The furnace exploded while it was operating, causing all four workers on shift to suffer burns over most of their bodies. After the accident, the workers were taken to Elbasan Hospital and, half an hour later, transported by helicopter to the burns hospital in Tirana. On page 5

Elbasan, gunfire in the hospital ELBASAN - After the doctors’ scalpel, a bullet; a 21-year-old from Elbasan was gunned down in the surgery hospital, immediately after leaving the operating room. He had been taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. On page 5

GREECE, UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS MAY COME TO VOTE Elections: “Permission for refugees” “After June 29, they can return again” TIRANA - Greece has promised to make every possible arrangement so that undocumented refugees in Greece can come and take part in the voting for the parliamentary elections to be held on June 29 this year. This was reported by ATSH, citing a statement by the Greek Government spokesperson, Dimitris Reppas. The Greek Government’s announcement came as Greece was preparing to welcome the two leaders of the main parties in Albania. Tritan Shehu and Fatos Nano had planned a series of meetings with Greek political figures and the leaders of political parties. Shehu has met the foreign minister, Pangallos, while Nano will also meet the Prime Minister, Kosta Simitis. According to figures from the Greek Ministry of the Interior, there are at least 300,000 undocumented Albanian refugees working in Greece. To make it possible for them to come home to vote, the Greek government has promised to take all the necessary measures so that, after the polls close, they can return to Greece and continue working. Spokesperson Reppas said that the government would prepare permits for everyone going to vote, so that they would then be able to return. The Greek authorities have promised that they will be willing to issue new permits to those who may obtain them, as before. However, they have not specified a deadline for when this process might begin.

Murray: “We will monitor with 1,000 observers. They will prevent possible manipulations” On page 3 Soldiers of the “Alba” mission in Albania

MEDITERRANEAN GAMES BARI ’97 Albanian sport tomorrow in Bari On page 7