The Constitutional Court ruled yesterday The vote will be cast before dark Polling stations open until 18:00 TIRANA - Last night, the Constitutional Court ruled that voting should begin at seven in the morning and end at seven in the evening. While the Government and the Electoral Commission had asked the Court to delegate to the CEC the authority to decide, the judges made the decision themselves. Representatives of the parties participating in the Government were also before the judges to ask them. The Court did not transfer its authority to the CEC, but made the decision itself. This also put an end to the major controversy that had begun weeks earlier over changing voting hours.

The trio of election “magicians,” led by La Lumiere, arrives in Tirana Vranicki: “Vote, or else...” The mediator’s final appeal before Sunday La Lumiere and her two assistants in Tirana. They will decide on the elections “If turnout is not massive, there is a strong possibility someone else will decide” TIRANA - “Albanians, Albanians, arriving in Rinas are those who have begun to be called ‘the election magicians’ in Albania: La Lumiere, Johnston and Rupert. All three will be the international guarantors of the vote on June 29; however, it will take at least two weeks before the three of them decide on the final report—at least, that is what La Lumiere has stated. Having left Tirana yesterday after completing the meetings, which he himself described as fruitful, Vranicki chose to return once again to Rome. Just one day after his inconclusive visit to Tirana, Vranicki issued another appeal to Albanian voters. While Vranicki was racking his brains over how the complicated Albanian situation could be resolved, in Albania arrived in Rinas: to return once again to Rome. On page 3

Two rival groups fought for nearly two hours on the outskirts of the city Revenge brings massacre to Cërrik The battle leaves 3 dead and many wounded CËRRIK - Two rival groups, about 100 people, fought yesterday for nearly two and a half hours on the outskirts of Cërrik. Armed with heavy weapons and anti-tank weapons, the rivals spared nothing in what was a real battle. At least three ... ... towards Gramsh, in Elbasan, they changed course, fearing possible revenge by their rivals. The police were unable to intervene to avert the tragedy, also because the blue uniforms did not enter the combat zone in the neighborhood ...

INTERVIEW / Marchal speaks From Paris to

Unknown assailants unleash bursts of gunfire in the capital’s neighborhood Gunfire around Nano’s house PS leader: “Not afraid at all, I’ve taken precautions” TIRANA - Kalashnikov shots have continued to haunt the “big shots” of Albanian politics right up to the eve of the elections. While news of the Lushnja incident had reached Tirana, unknown people tried to ... change the usual rhythm of ... bin, “Do you connect the incident around your house with the one that happened in Lushnja a few hours earlier?” Nano answered this question diplomatically. “I don’t want to link things like this,” he added, “now we have other things to think about, and we are only two days away from ...

CERRIK - Armed with heavy weapons and anti-tank weapons, the rivals left nothing wanting in a real battle. At least three people lost their lives and four others were wounded in the fierce exchange of fire. But this tragic toll is thought to be provisional; many people have been left on the battlefield because no one has dared to retrieve them. The wounded were taken to the hospital in Gramsh, in Elbasan, in fear… [?] of intervene to prevent the tragedy, also because the blue-uniformed officers have not set foot in the combat zone—in the Fermë neighborhood—for two months. The bloody brawl began as an act of revenge and has its roots in an old murder that took place at the beginning of the unrest. One of the rival groups—the attackers—came from Elbasan and fought against the locals.

TIRANA - Kalashnikov shots have continued to haunt the “big shots” of Albanian politics right up to the eve of the elections. TIRANA - While news of the Lushnja bloodshed had reached Tirana, unknown people tried to disrupt the usual rhythm of the neighborhood where Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano lives. The gunfire intensified enough to put the Socialist chairman’s guards on alert. Nano himself did not want to comment on the incident. “It isn’t worth talking about this incident,” he told Gazeta Shqiptare. “In any case, we are prepared, and these provocations do not frighten us.” Asked, answered diplomatically. “I don’t want to link things this way,” and we are only two days away from the June 29 elections.” Despite the calm messages Nano himself issued yesterday, the incident that took place around his home at midnight on Thursday had given many of his close associates and collaborators cause for concern. Nano himself, meanwhile, continued to attend rallies and oversee the final details of the election campaign. p.r.e.

THE MINISTRY CLARIFIES TIRANA - “The water in Tirana is not contaminated; all the alarms are unfounded. Checks are being carried out to ensure that the drinking-water network and the sewage pipes inherited from the previous system are continuously monitored...” The Ministry of Health has found time amid its many responsibilities to address a story that its own people had circulated through newspapers and on state television. Although we have tried to get them to retract their claims, we cannot help but be struck by this positive news, which finally arrived at the newsroom. The letter bearing the Ministry’s seal contained a reassuring message about the water: when we have it, of course, it does not give you a stomach ache. Not for this time... While continuing to respect, as we always have, the work of the previous administration in this country, we would like to explain a few things to Health Ministry officials. First, the alarm was not raised by journalists, but by doctors themselves and by centers already known for their work. If we had kept quiet about this alarm—a problem that many Tirana residents had begun to feel—we would not have shown proper respect for the doctors working in this field every day, much less for the capital’s residents. Now the Ministry says the water is clean, and the Ministry, as we know, is never wrong, especially about things “inherited from the previous system.” All we can do is be glad as we raise a glass of water from our bottles. From time to time, we may also see a little sediment at the bottom of the glass, but that does not matter very much. The Ministry says it is clean, and the Ministry is the authority on this subject.

TIRANA - PD and PS brought the rallies on Tirana’s central square to a close. Supporters, calls to vote, a battle of alternatives and confidence in victory. Amid the red and blue enthusiasm, the leaders of PD and PS declared victory. “Victory will bear the name of Tirana,” Berisha assured, while Nano said the Left would win decisively. Berisha’s appeal to all citizens, a battle of words and mutual confidence in the enigmatic June 29. Several hours later, the PD’s banners were put up over the Socialists’ posters; their flags and slogans were convincing. Calls to believe... PD, yesterday’s rally in Tirana (Photo: Plator Ilo) PS, yesterday’s rally in Tirana (Photo: REUTERS)

Concern at SHKD TIRANA - “Ensure the safety of our observers.” The S.O.S. signal came yesterday from SHKD’s central headquarters. The executive director of the Association for Democratic Culture, Miranda Gaqe, expressed concern for her “guardian angels,” who will be left outside ALBA’s protection. A few days ago, confirmation came from the multinational forces’ central command that ALBA would protect only foreign observers. General Forlani was the one who clarified the scope of its protective mission. But Gaqe expressed her reservations. “It is unfair to leave our people out.” More than 400 SHKD “eyes” will cover over 40 percent of polling areas nationwide. The association says this is an acceptable number according to the guidelines of sister organizations. Through a special communications system, SHKD’s large army of observers will be able to send the first results to headquarters within a few hours of the ballot boxes closing. Although unofficial, these will provide the raw material for foreign media and Albanian newspapers in their coverage of election history. It is well known that official results from KQZ are released only after several days of processing on its computers.

VLORË On page 5

LUSHNJE On page 5

GJIROKASTËR On page 5

From Paris to Kavajë to become a member of parliament On page 3