TIRANA - Yesterday, the Government’s outstretched hand moved, while remaining in Tirana, from Rome to Athens. Smiles again, warm handshakes again, and promises of aid again. Just a few days after Italy had been declared the Albanians’ main partner, the Greek delegation rushed to Tirana. In fact, this was a promise that Athens had diplomatically put off for a long time. The race between the Italians and Greeks to help Albania has been going on for a long time. If we look back to the previous century, we will recall the time when Greek bands were moving around Ioannina, then under Ottoman rule. At precisely that time, from the opposite shore of the Adriatic, a group backed by a famous defender, Garibaldi, nephew of the hero of Italian unification, was making preparations to “help” the Albanians free themselves from the yoke. Later, Italians and Greeks clashed many times, especially along Albania’s southern borders, until the Second World War arrived and Duce’s armies were badly defeated in the mountains of Tepelena and Mokra. Greek artillery had wrought havoc. Fortunately, times have changed now. Albania’s two neighboring states are now equal partners in the European Union. Their services and involvement, including in Albania, have given way to diplomatic cooperation to rebuild a country that has caused both sides so many problems. All the same, the shadows of the old rivalry seem to have remained. If not in the history books, then at least in the rivalry between the two states over providing help. It seems even aid has its own competition. Perhaps those who have grasped the baton have done so very well, right at the end. p.re.

According to the opposition, the decisions to dismiss senior ministry officials are illegal The civil servants’ revolt PD issues a call: “Don’t accept being dismissed” The ministers have told senior officials in their departments: “It’s better to leave on your own than for us to dismiss you” Government Headquarters TIRANA - A storm is brewing over the Albanian administration. Prime Minister Nano’s decision to dismiss deputy ministers and ministry department directors has caused a major upheaval in ministerial circles. The opposite, a retreat, a coffee and much speculation. This is the atmosphere that has settled over the corridors, offices and cafés of the departments of the Albanian executive over the past two days. But PD has hurried to issue a call from its central headquarters: “Stay where you are; no one has the right to move you.” The Democrats’ statements sought to reassure their people, who have for years held the highest positions in the administration. But it seems the Socialists have taken their latest move seriously. “In appointments, professional and political criteria should take precedence,” Nano said, thereby raising the storm expected to sweep through the senior offices of Albania’s departments. The Socialists believe it is only normal that, as the new administration faces a new program, it should also have qualified people, not political ones. Hours of anxiety and waiting in the corridors and buildings of the ministerial offices. What will happen to us? The first storm begins. Minister Kondi: “All directors, leave on your own” On page 2

THE LEADERSHIP DECIDES BY VOTE TIRANA - The big purge is beginning in PD. Yesterday, the party leadership removed several of its prominent figures from the team that will lead PD until the Congress. After a secret ballot, Shehu, Meksi, Brojka and Spahia found themselves outside the political team that will oversee the party’s reorganization and lead it toward the autumn Congress. “The leadership has no right to remove those people who gave PD its name and defined its statute and program.” The first response arrived a few hours later from Aleksandër Meksi himself. But the leader of PD seems determined to respect the request that came from the grassroots. “Enough of the old faces.” The saying that came from the periphery has now been used successfully by the head of PD at recent meetings of the National Council. The directors and department directors in the Ministry were central. move you.” Statements about professional criteria and the administration—that the directors of departments in the Ministry were central. move you.” Statements about professional criteria and those of latest move seriously. “In [the] place”—my view is that political equality must be restored, with a program that also includes capable people, not politicians. ... senior offices in Albanian ministries. The Socialists believe it is normal that, under the circumstances, when the new administration is facing a new program, it should also have capable people, not politicians. ... Pangalos: ... gave the DP its name and drafted its statute and program.” The first reality arrived just a few hours later from Aleksan... “Enough” of so far been used successfully by the head of the DP at the latest meetings of the National Council. Shehu Meksi Brojka

“There was corruption” PATOS – New facts about corruption at the oil corporation have come to light. Albpetrol has had a new director at its helm for four days, but the latter has still not appeared before the press: “I am nervous; the appointment was unexpected,” he stated. Meanwhile, around 1,500 workers continue their protests in front of the corporation’s headquarters. Most of them are presenting various facts about corruption at the company. One of them, however, points out that it will be difficult to find those responsible. “Although it is known where the ruin came from, all the documents that could establish it were burned during the events of March.”

Seasonal employment for Albanians is legalized Pangalos in Tirana. Promises worth 20 million dollars TIRANA – Athens is openly in favor of legalizing Albanians. The opening of the … took place yesterday. Greek Foreign Minister Pangalos signed the important agreement entitled “Seasonal Employment.” From now on, Albanians in Greece have the right to obtain the relevant document, which will allow them all to work. The agreement was … by parliament, marking the first hopes between the two neighboring countries. Since 1991, when the first waves of Albanians began arriving in Greece, seasonal work permits have remained one of the most delicate issues between the governments of the two countries. During the five years of the Democratic Party’s government, there was much talk of possible legalization, and on several occasions Athens used this issue as a means of exerting pressure on Tirana. Pangalos and Milo in Tirana yesterday (Photo: Plator Ilo)

TIRANA – Another bloody day in the capital yesterday. Three dead and one wounded: this was the tragic toll of Tuesday in the capital. – Another bloody day in the capital yesterday. Three dead and one wounded: this was the tragic toll of Tuesday in the capital. The motives, as such cases have come to be called, were once again “trivial.” The Police has yet to apprehend anyone in connection with any of the shootings. A woman was the cause of the death of a man living in Brakë, Tirana. The other two victims were killed while sitting in a café on the outskirts of the capital. It all stemmed from revenge for a son who had been killed. A young man from Allias was also shot and wounded, at around 4:30 p.m., for reasons that are still unknown. The first incident occurred in the early hours of the morning.

TIRANA – “The signature of Lunik on the new lekë is another previous undertaking from when he was Governor of the Bank, and there is nothing wrong with it” — the Bank’s deputy governor offers this explanation regarding the presence of the signature of Kristaq Lunik, the Bank’s former Governor, on the new banknotes. According to her, Lunik’s departure from office shortly before the banknotes were issued was a coincidence. The entire process began in 1995–96, when the tenders were decided. “New banknotes take at least some time to be produced before they can enter circulation, so we cannot disrupt an entire process just because of the signature.” The deputy governor explains that such a procedure takes place all over the world, and the losses that would result if the signature had to be replaced would be very large. According to her, when Lunik left office, the banknotes were close to production. The year 1996 is printed on them, which, according to specialists at the central bank, corresponds to the time when the contract was signed with the company that won the tender. Meanwhile, banknotes bearing the signature of Ilir Hoti are also in circulation. The Bank’s former governor was accused of abuse of office, but, after spending some time in prison, he “escaped” during the events of March. BANK OF ALBANIA — ONE THOUSAND LEKË

Decision yesterday TIRANA – Ali Ukaj’s killer, the journalist from Gazeta Shqiptare, ends up in prison. Yesterday, the Tirana Court ordered the detention of Selman Ukaj, who admitted to the charge of killing journalist Ukaj with blunt-force objects. After the indictment was read, prosecutor Dritan Ribaj requested detention in prison. The defense lawyer, meanwhile, asked the court to change the requested measure. According to the 46-year-old, Ukaj is partially paralyzed and has disability status in Switzerland. Lawyer Berti also stated in the courtroom that his client is in a very serious mental state. The defense requested that the charge be temporarily replaced with psychiatric hospitalization, changing the detention measure to imprisonment. The accused did not wish to speak and asked to remain seated for health reasons. At the end of the hearing, Judge Arjan Balliu decided not to change the detention-in-prison measure requested by the Prosecutor’s Office.

FOOTBALL TIRANA – Tirana win the capital derby against Partizani; after Fortuzi’s penalty, the Whites and Blues now see the title within closer reach. On Saturday at Qemal Stafa, politicians and sports journalists will play an exhibition match. All the “big” names in Albanian politics have been confirmed. Athletics is at its peak. Late last night, Michael Johnson won the gold medal in the 400 metres with a time of 44.12 seconds.