The government promises: 30-year loans for the homeless Millions of dollars also for the reconstruction of internal roads one year

More than at any other moment since the start of the unrest in the autumn of 1990, the Albanian political class today faces the greatest risk of losing power, not in an election under its own control, but under the conditions of a serious crisis. All the symptoms are evident. The political climate has long since entered an increasingly tense phase, in which the harshest words, the roughest methods, and the least lawful means are being used. It is clear that such a perception of the situation also dominates the opposition’s actions. This has led the final acts of its politics toward ever greater radicalization of its campaigns. On the other side, instead of a political response, the Albanian political class throughout this period produced fireworks-like rhetoric that has only intensified the political climate. Just a few days ago, Prime Minister Nano was describing the opposition’s supporters as a “hysterical, barbaric crowd,” while PD figures said that “very soon” the “end of the communists” would come. The local elections have further worsened the political climate. Without support from an electoral code, with provisions negotiated at the last minute, unconstitutionally by representatives of the PS and PD, the elections are being held under increasingly troubling circumstances. In just one week, electoral lists, polling stations, and the composition of election commissions have all been the object of manipulation by all sides. The latest opponent has avoided all possibilities for a last-minute agreement to create room for mutual guarantees. It is quite likely that only two hours before voting begins, the opposition, which has still not decided whether to boycott the elections, will change its decision. In the best-case scenario, by refusing to take part in the elections, PD would also make official in the public mind what is an exclusive logic of this year’s political events in Albania. It is the first political force to use, for the first time on this scale, the means of non-institutional political action in service of another seizure of power, without normal electoral procedures. If PD takes part in the elections, its defeat or victory will largely determine the political climate and produce different scenarios. If it loses, given the climate in which the electoral process is taking place, the chances increase that its more radical wing will reject the election results and steer PD’s political action even further toward extreme action. If it wins, to a considerable extent this could take on the character of a defeat for the government, which would lose the main cities. But, regardless of the result, in this climate completely outside the standards of a normal country, the government’s strength will be greatly depleted. No longer being a majority even in local government, the Albanian government may find it much harder to confront the harsh decisions it has undertaken. Even in the event of a victory, it could feel threatened by an ever more radical opposition. This is very likely to narrow the government’s horizon into action increasingly diverted from solving major problems and oriented toward survival. At a time when the most important factors of the international community are already actively involved in the process of normalizing the country, such a possibility could have serious and entirely unpredictable consequences for the country. By stressing several times the need for constructive dialogue, they have made it clear that they will not tolerate the continued escalation of the crisis. Here too lies a delicate moment for the country, uncertain and in doubt. Nothing is known about what happens with this scenario. [Photo: Ilir Pllana/Media] The risk of losing continues on page 3

The “Aircraft Defense” article was published, because fuel is lacking Cezar Galja the only one to make the aircraft fly.

REPORTAGE TROPOJA - “We feel freedom’s pain more than the loss of business,” says one of the people familiar with Tropoja in the middle of the conversation in a café. Now, only gone, gone. The locals have become honest and timely customers. It has come to the point where Albanians have new arguments with knives in the neighborhood, which must be calmed and managed carefully. “The time has come to think about the war and not only about the pocket,” says another. In the background you can hear conversations about the border, about the arrivals from Kosovo, about children, about women, and about aid. In the city there are young people involved in trade, trucks coming and going, people buying and selling. War and business coexist in a painful way. Friend - “The house took us to the police” - a worried voice can be heard on the phone. No one knows how this story will end. Everyone is waiting. Everyone is looking toward the border. On page 2

TIRANA / Police intervened TIRANA - Tension among students in the dormitories of the University of Tirana and the intervention of the police last night have brought about and inflamed the situation in the capital. Clashes with the dean of the Faculty of Physical Engineering and damage to several offices in the university building were accompanied by student protests, who accuse the leaders of a lack of conditions and abuse of funds. According to a student, “in these buildings there is no longer even electricity, water, or minimum conditions.” Police representatives said the intervention was carried out to prevent the conflict from escalating. On page 4

WORLD CUP ENCYCLOPEDIA / Set No. 21 and 22 Strong article set from the French Encyclopedia '98. Germany continues

Trucks with weapons seized yesterday in Durrës (Photo: Hukkel/Persina) On page 4

WORLD CUP FRANCE '98 FIFA: DAY OF SANCTIONS Five red cards and a difficult, self-confident night after the latest FIFA scandals, above all the victories against India and Ireland in the players On page 11

KESH turns back with the lowering On page 8 War with the gang, policeman injured On page 8 Mladenov in the PD rally On page 7

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