Perikli Teta, State Secretary for Defence. Arben Imami undertakes the reform of the institutions The secrets of Nano’s villa The new government: yesterday, meetings between the Socialist Party leader and allies Skënder Gjinushi now in Arbnori’s chair, Neritan Ceka takes the Interior portfolio, Paskal Milo becomes Foreign Minister TIRANA - Sometimes it happens that a simple, very simple house becomes a meeting place that changes the fate of many people. That is what happened yesterday in Tirana. Fatos Nano’s house suddenly became one of those places where party leaders usually gather. Who will be the next minister—say, of Labour or Health, and so on? After the election itself, which is now over, the victors have begun to bargain and negotiate to shape the future team that will soon govern. The talks were held in a completely private atmosphere, and yesterday it was difficult for us to confirm the venue of Nano’s meeting with Gjinushi, Melo, Ceka and the others. None of them wanted to reveal the host’s location, but some things are hard to keep to oneself... Had it not taken place at Fatos Nano’s house, everything would have seemed quite ordinary. But yesterday, discussions about the government and the future of politics in Albania took place precisely at the two-storey home of the Socialist leader. On page 3 Fatos Nano’s house in the Capital

YESTERDAY: FINAL REPORT European Troika gives its seal of approval: Albanian elections are recognised TIRANA - Europe has given its seal of approval to the elections. “The elections in Albania can be considered acceptable, taking into account the circumstances in which they were held. Nevertheless, there were problems and incidents, some of them serious, but they cannot invalidate the elections” - The European Troika, made up of Catherine La Lumiere, Sir Russell Johnston and Javier Ruperez, yesterday definitively sealed the recognition in Europe of the election results. A detailed report covering the difficulties, problems, incidents and Albania’s efforts to organise the elections despite the difficult circumstances was signed yesterday by the three most prominent European figures present in Albania to assess the conduct of the Albanian elections. The Troika’s report lists the unresolved problems in turn: delays in preparing voter lists and candidate lists, lack of information, difficulties in conducting campaigning, delays in setting up polling-station commissions, and the media. TVSH, at some rallies, used footage from a party’s event a year earlier, when there had been large crowds. The newspapers, according to them, had split into opposing camps, although the actual public impact was much smaller than that of television. The Troika noted the absence of some of the press in certain areas as a result of attacks on newspaper vehicles and materials. Around 500 OSCE observers had been divided into 250 teams and, according to the Troika, covered a large part of the voting population. The report notes excellent cooperation between the OSCE and the polling commissions. The election day is described as having gone well overall, but there were incidents, including attacks on commissions, the killing of a police commissioner at a polling station, and the attack on the CEC after a rally. There were also violations in the counting of votes and the completion of the official records. The Troika gave almost the same assessment of the run-off day. Nevertheless, the report notes, these violations did not affect the final election results.

TIRANA - Leftists, right-wingers, former communists, social democrats, republicans, democrats... These are all terms that have increasingly begun to fill our everyday vocabulary. What is the true Albanian meaning of these concepts? A slim book published recently helps us better understand the meaning of the “great clash” between the two major spheres of contemporary politics. Norberto Bobbio provided the impetus for this page, prepared by Virgjil Muçi. All in one boat All in one boat (Like Rehova)

Marathon meeting of ... New positions, lengthy debate in PAD Controversy among Alliance leaders: What do we think? TIRANA - “Let us define the philosophy of co-governance.” This was the topic of the PAD Presidency meeting, just a few days after the new government was announced. With its liberal programme, the democrats want to contribute to the future executive. Namo 3. What aims is PAD pursuing by joining this cabinet? This was the subject of a lengthy discussion among the 11 members of the Presidency present at the meeting. Yesterday, while meeting Socialist leader Nano, Ceka was still clarifying the dynamics of co-governance. On page 3 Neritan Ceka

YESTERDAY: GRUNASI Usury trials begin

In the PD: “Everything must be changed from scratch, starting with the leaders” TIRANA - A motion of no confidence in the PD leadership? The idea has been put forward by one of the PD’s senior officials. Afrim Krasniqi has said in private circles that he will propose to the KK a confidence vote on the entire PD leadership. Krasniqi’s idea does not appear to have been welcomed enthusiastically by other members of the leadership. On page 3

TIRANA - The trial against the Grunasi company began yesterday, marking the start of a long series of anti-usury proceedings. The case file has also revealed the secrets of its operations. After the investigation into this company began, only 227 dollars were frozen in its bank account. Meanwhile, it has emerged that Grunasi had been operating since ’91 and was registered with the court only in 1995. On page 5

Meeting at the Presidency before the resignation The President gathers his people: Find yourselves a new job TIRANA - “I am leaving, think about yourselves.” With these words, the Doctor addressed the employees of the Presidency yesterday afternoon. It was an emotional meeting that Berisha held yesterday, a few days before, with the staff of the presidential palace, who had been there for five years. Advisers on alert, personal guards, service staff, typists, translators and secretaries. Everyone heard the Doctor’s farewell, unable to hold back a tear of parting and a sigh of longing. “Thank you for everything you have done for me,” he said, unable to hide the sadness that comes with parting from someone who has worked for you for years. “Now take care of yourselves,” Berisha said as he said goodbye to everyone at midday on Saturday. It was an emotional meeting that the Doctor had with his staff for only a few minutes. Without rhetorical speeches or posing, but with only a painful expression of farewell, Berisha reminded them of the enthusiasm they had shared throughout their years of working together. Just a few hours later, Këolec Topalli, Fatos Beja, Ajda Shehu, Linda Ihsani and many others began thinking about removing their personal belongings from their offices. The people who have been close to Berisha do not seem to find it easy to leave without him. “The Doctor really is a man of honor,” says a Presidency employee who has worked directly with him for five years. Others are also lost in thought, remembering Berisha during the long hours of work or having a coffee together. Berisha told his people that he would help them even though he would no longer be President. But the farewell could not, all the same, dispel the President’s optimism about the fate of his employees. Everyone was thinking about where they would continue working in the post-Berisha era, leaving behind the presidential palace, which had inspired awe in the ordinary passersby who walked timidly past it. Sali Berisha

TIRANA - “Rexhep Mejdani will resign from all party positions.” Socialist Party spokesperson Kastriot Islami said yesterday that Mejdani would also “lose” his membership in the SP, because he is seen as the person who will replace President Sali Berisha at the Presidency after his expected resignation from office. At last, the Albanian president will be “above party politics.” Under the package of constitutional laws, the symbolic figure of the nation must not belong to any political force and must act as an arbitrator between them. And if the Socialists finally choose Mejdani as President of the Republic, he will, at least formally, hold no position in the SP. “The next president is expected to be Rexhep Mejdani, who will soon also hand in the party card of the party he recently joined,” Islami said. Nothing of the sort—the handing in of the PD party card—happened with President Berisha. During his two terms, he simultaneously held the position of a member of the PD leadership and was, in fact, the leading figure of the Democratic Party. Mejdani

The Beko Hida family informs relatives in Fier, Vlorë and Gjirokastër of the sudden death of their son in Germany, Maksim Hida, known by the name Çoku. The funeral will take place in Tirana on Wednesday, 09.07.1997, at 16:00. Address: Near the United School.