Shots fired at PR leader during rally Nano changes his mind: I’m not going to Vlora Violence erupts two days before the vote. DP: We will take part

. More than a battle for a few more seats in the offices of mayors, the June 21 elections have an entirely different significance for the forces and actors on the Albanian political scene. None of the protagonists is now thinking about who might add some ordinary figure to the lists of offices, which would enhance—or perhaps lower—their political reputation. The June 21 elections are important only because they are the first official electoral test in which the political camps can measure their strength. This time the opportunity has come to everyone, unlike previous occasions, when one side imposed elections on the other and the other side forgot a great deal in order to bring them about. The June 21 elections, meanwhile, have been expected by everyone, for the simple reason that winning or losing them in absolute terms would cost the political parties nothing. They would bring them neither a loss nor a victory in the technical sense, since we are dealing with a few municipalities that can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and just as many communes. But, on the contrary, these elections will be a major opportunity to change Albania’s political climate. This would be a good chance for them to say that their theses had indeed been confirmed, namely that Nano had become detached from the Socialist electorate, etc., etc. The Democrats’ euphoria would be enormous. Berisha would immediately reactivate all his forces to demand early elections and anything else that came to mind to bring Nano down. He could do this even if he lost in Vlora, but if he won, the ranks of reasonable people who would agree with him would grow. Things would be completely different if Nano achieved positive results in Democratic strongholds such as Kavajë or Shijak. At that point, Berisha’s quiet opponents would have cause to celebrate; they would immediately call for a change in the opposition’s strategy. Euphoria would then move to the other camp, that of the governing coalition, which would immediately declare the opposition’s capitulation, thereby securing itself a long term in power. Looking over the battlefield, one can see that fear exists in the Socialist camp, while it is offset by the great euphoria in the Democratic camp. In fact, Prime Minister Nano would not drown out his campaign as he was expected to as a government leader; in Vlora, this showed the confusion that has taken hold of the left. Perhaps Prime Minister Nano’s refusal to visit was connected with his appearance in Flag Square, but the reasons seem more complex. Nano rejected the entire campaign, unlike Berisha, who has been more active in this election than ever before. Berisha used powerful electoral cards, which he believes will succeed: the pyramid schemes and de-Ko? sova. Nevertheless, both sides fear the possibility of a runoff, which would be fatal for both camps, in Kavajë, the Democrats’ stronghold, as well as in Vlora, where the Socialists predominate. Berisha has experienced this once before in Kavajë, on June 29, when former mayor Tritan Shehu lost to the candidate of the ballists. Since the Democrats came out battered from June 29 last year, they claimed that the law was being made by the Kalashnikov and that they could not send any kind of message to their electorate. A year later, the Democrats have before them a different picture of the situation in Vlora, where they can go, hold rallies, speak out against the Government, and even do so from Flag Square. So this means that the Kalashnikov argument belongs to the past. If Berisha loses in Vlora again this time, it will mean that Nano still retains a strong position in power. Nevertheless, it would not be a surprise at all if Nano lost Vlora and Berisha won it. In this case, Nano’s defeat would be a victory for the emotional figures in the SP, led by Pellumbi and Brokaj, for whom it would be an internal party matter.

On page 4 The truck carrying weapons seized yesterday in Durrës (Photo: Hektor Pustina)

FRANCE ’98 WORLD CUP Five red cards and nine yellow cards immediately after FIFA President Blater’s statement that referees had been far too tolerant of serious fouls against players On page 11

Government promises: 30-year loans for the homeless Millions of dollars also for rebuilding the internal roads within one year TIRANA - New apartments for those who lost money in pyramid schemes and usury, with good roads within the cities. This was Prime Minister Nano’s aim in establishing two special groups to implement the projects. Around 30 million dollars will be invested by the Albanian Government and foreign donors to build 2,500–3,000 homes for the homeless. The administration of these funds, as well as the establishment of a legal framework for this issue, has made it necessary to set up a special working group comprising several ministers. Malaj and Fino have also committed to putting these projects into effect by this summer. The moneylenders registered on the Government’s lists will benefit from the construction of 3,000 new apartments. But they will not be the only ones. Everyone who cannot afford a home—that is, people on low incomes—will benefit from the new project. The Prime Minister has asked to apply the Greek and Italian experience of “public housing.” On page 9

“We Hoxha’s aviators were the strongest in the Balkans”

TIRANA - New apartments for those who lost money in pyramid schemes and usury, with good roads within the cities. This was Prime Minister Nano’s aim in establishing two special groups to implement the projects.

Durrës Gazette . KESH threatens to cut off the water. DURRËS - Dridat issue an ultimatum to the water utility over its debts. Around 135,000 residents of Durrës could be left without water if the debts owed by the Water Directorate to KESH are not paid. The Water Directorate owes the Albanian Power Corporation more than one million two hundred thousand lekë. On page 8

Today, aircraft maneuvers, but there is no fuel For the first time, Gëzdar Veipi, former Commander of the Air Force during the regime, speaks. “We had better aircraft than our neighbors and flew 24 hours a day to defend the homeland.” This is how Gjadri came into being. On page 10 Gëzdar Veipi during the heyday of the air force

Shkodër Gazette . Gunfight with the gang; policeman wounded. SHKODËR - “Hello, they’re stealing here” — an anonymous phone call came in to the police headquarters at midnight on Wednesday. At the other end of the line, a man’s voice can be heard asking for help from the blue uniforms. After receiving the exact address, two teams on standby set off for the scene, this time in “war” conditions. On page 6

Vlorë Gazette . Incident at the PD rally. VLORË - A rally of Democrats in Flag Square. While one group of people responded with [unclear: atimitingun] to the warnings and calls of PD supporters, all dressed in blue, at the electoral rally held yesterday in Vlorë’s main square. Only the intervention of the police prevented an incident. On page 7

TIRANA / Police intervene . Uproar at the University; Dean threatened. TIRANA - Tension between students of the Faculty of Law and their dean. Several police vans intervened yesterday at midday on the premises of the Faculty of Law of the University of Tirana, following a report received from the faculty dean’s office. Law students said yesterday that a group of students had sent a threat to the dean’s office; according to them, the students were angry because the dean had said there would be widespread failure in the examination session. On page 5

REPORTAGE . Tropojë, between Kosovar suffering and business. TROPOJË - From suffering to business. This is the combination that has brought vitality—or, in other words, a revival—to the northeastern town over at least the past two weeks. Now, in addition to those fleeing the war zones, Tropojë is hosting a large number of journalists and experts from international organizations, who have given a development boost to the poor region. From arms smuggling to drugs for foreigners, a river of foreign currency has flooded the Alps, drawing the entire town and surrounding villages into the new business. Employed as drivers, guides, hotelkeepers and escorts, the people of Tropojë are experiencing prosperous times they could not have imagined just a month ago. And all this is a “gift” of the War in Kosovo. The Bajram Curri Hotel alone is making enormous profits; things have reached the point where a foreign television station paid eight thousand dollars to book an entire floor. Meanwhile, being at the center of attention has also made the state less stingy about some small but essential investments. On page 2 Kosovars in Tropojë