The PS candidate for the top post “sketches” the new leader “He should stand above the parties and respect the powers granted to him by the Constitution of a Parliamentary Republic” INTERVIEW / The Socialist Party’s number two speaks. “I still cannot speak as head of state” TIRANË. - “The next President must respect and represent the unity of the nation. He must stand above the parties; he must not sit on their governing bodies, nor even be a member of the party to which he may have belonged until yesterday.” The man speaking is Rexhep Mejdani, the number two in the party that won the June 29 elections and the politician proposed by the Socialist leader himself to assume the post of head of state. Mejdani has not yet said that he accepts his party’s wish for him to run for this important position. He is being cautious, suggesting that everything is done and said at the appropriate time. “I cannot speak about the post that has been written about in the press these days,” he explains. “This is only a wish expressed by the PS leadership, and I think this is not the time to discuss the matter. What is important at this moment is to finalize the platform and select the people for the next government. The main issue is drafting and adopting the Constitution. This also encompasses the question of the President’s powers... On page 3

An Albanian wounded in Macedonia (Photo ...ERS)

Yesterday’s statement directed at the Socialists TIRANË - The DP warns: “Don’t play with constitutional law.” A statement issued yesterday by the Democrats’ offices was directed at the Socialists and used harsh language. “Parliament lacks legitimacy and therefore cannot undertake constitutional initiatives.” According to the DP’s central offices, “the PS must suspend any initiative to distort constitutional law,” since any such move would seriously destabilize the country’s political life. Sali Berisha On page 2

SHKUP - The members of the PPD parliamentary group have decided not to take part in Parliament. The anger of the members of the PPD parliamentary group was further fuelled by a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In its statement informing the public about the recent events in Gostivar and Tetovë, the Ministry says that it will take all necessary measures to ensure public order and state order. The statement also says that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed criminal charges against the prefect of Tetovë, Mr. Diti, and the chairman of the council of this municipality, Mr. Bexhet, on the grounds of “reasonable suspicion that they committed the criminal offence provided for in Article 377 of the Criminal Code of RM”. Since Wednesday, large numbers of Macedonian police forces have been deployed in Tetovë and Gostivar, where two people have died and around 70 others were injured during clashes with Albanians in Macedonia over the issue of the Albanian flag. A large number of citizens have been arrested and beaten. On page 10

In August, “Alba” will leave the city On page 9

Photos and testimony about the shocking events TIRANË - The revolt that brought down the Meksi government and led the country to the June 29 elections was captured mostly on the cameras of foreign journalists. Hundreds of hours of footage and broadcasts on the television screens of many countries around the world make up what could be called the testimony of those hot and bloody days. Pages upon pages, so as not to silence the testimonies in “Albanian”: Saranda was one of the southern cities that then became one of the largest gathering points for foreign journalists, some of whom had arrived there illegally by speedboat from the shores of Corfu. The story of one who was taken “prisoner” by the insurgents in Përmet, the looting of a foreign journalist, the story of a boy from Tirana who served as a guide for dozens of journalists, and other accounts that, at least in Albania, were unknown or poorly understood. On page 11

Economy TIRANË - The price of drinking water is following the rising mercury on the thermometer during every hot day. The Tirana Water Supply Directorate reports that residents must now pay more to make use of the heat and ensure the necessary hygiene in their homes. And the price of drinking water has tripled compared with December of last year. “This price increase is dictated by the fact that the various costs of producing drinking water have risen,” explains Faruk Taro, director of the Tirana Water Supply company, “and the enterprise would not be able to survive under conditions where state subsidies have also been discontinued.” Meanwhile, it is reported by the same directorate that work on the Bovilla water supply system remains suspended. On page 12

PEQIN Bomb against police, but mother and daughter are killed Grenade in the middle of the city, thrown from a car being pursued On page 9

SPORTS GAZETTE The championship will resume in August The cup dates will follow. The next season will begin in September. Draw on July 16 The capital’s teams are already thinking about the next championship. “We’ll be thinking about it more” On pages 5–8 The championship resumes in August

BERAT The Ministry appeals: Protect doctors Terror reaches the white coats On page 9

SARANDË A Greek merchant is robbed and killed Still a mystery as to the motives On page 9

TIRANË A thirst for movement in the ministries Civil servants await changes On page 12