CORRUPTION SCANDAL / The chief finance official breathes easier after attacks from coalition leaders The Prime Minister assures him: Don’t be afraid of the accusations; I’ll protect you Confidential meeting late at night. The Majko lead is ruled out CORRUPTION SCANDAL / The chief finance official breathes easier after attacks from coalition leaders Nano: Malaj is untouchable The Prime Minister assures him: Don’t be afraid of the accusations; I’ll protect you Confidential meeting late at night. The Majko lead is ruled out TIRANA - Malaj breathes a sigh of relief. Nano has assured him that he will not be removed from his post, despite attacks coming from every direction. At the confidential meeting held on the evening two days ago, Nano informed the Finance Minister that he still had his support, sources from the Prime Minister’s Office confirm. Malaj’s remaining in the post of Finance Minister had become a Gordian knot in the highest circles of the political class governing the country. But Nano has thus put an end to the endless demands and speculation about the removal of the most heavily attacked minister. At around 8 p.m. two evenings ago, he summoned Malaj to his office and informed him that he could continue calmly to manage the country’s finances. On page 3 Nano Malaj

YLLI VESJIU The tense atmosphere and the political divisions that prevail in the country today have a variety of causes, the fundamental one being the lack of dialogue and compromise among political forces. I think two things are very important for politicians to understand in today’s politics: hotheads who block consensus even on very important issues, such as the national question, disarmament, etc. The first concerns the outcome and results of the latest local elections, which cannot be said to have been won by anyone, since apathy won. In this interpretation, what matters is not only the number of areas won by one party or another, but also the strikingly low voter turnout. In many cities it was very low, which shows the degree of voters’ distrust in today’s politics and political forces. This is a bad sign that could put future politics at risk. It is easy to see that, at the moment, there is a tense political climate that offers no hope of compromise. The debate over the Ngjela Commission, and the harshness with which people are speaking, does nothing to calm the political climate. On the contrary, it contributes more to political radicalization and tension, which could prevent important political initiatives from being taken. One such initiative is the consensus needed for the opposition to participate in the constitutional process. If this confrontational spirit, fostered by certain segments of politics, continues, it will become a real obstacle to getting past these moments of reflection facing the Union for Democracy and the Democratic Party. This climate also runs counter to the recommendations of the European Troika, which, in a reproachful tone, spoke out against this harsh political climate that leads to a lack of consensus on resolving problems. I have always believed that, for many of the major problems facing the country, there must be compromise, dialogue, and round tables where these issues can pass through the filter of discussion. It would not be good if such major issues as the national question, disarmament, corruption, attracting foreign investment, unemployment, and so on, were not the result of compromise and consensus; all political forces are interested in resolving them properly. And there is little chance that this tense political climate will ease and become more conciliatory on its own, so that the dialogue we so urgently need can prevail. In a way, this is a silent protest against today’s politics, against the way important problems are dealt with, and against the confrontational nature of today’s political life. But what confirms this for me most of all is the World Bank’s recent study on corruption, a clear picture showing that one of the main causes of the crisis Albania is experiencing is the lack of political consensus. This amounts to an unwillingness to resolve problems through dialogue, rather than always using the force of the vote and the force of the majority, particularly given the extremely harsh language that has recently become evident among various politicians. If we look carefully at the World Bank experts’ study, we can say that 76% of people consider the lack of political consensus among parties in Albania to be a cause of the severe crisis, alongside other causes such as corruption and a lack of trust in the political class, etc. This kind of public reaction shows that

Topalli “We should not be seeking a solution” TIRANA - The Democratic deputy speaker of Parliament believes that calling for an early solution is the opposition’s duty when the country is in crisis. Without thinking that the DP has lost its

TIRANA - The former chief state auditor says the DP has been more transparent than the Socialists on the issue of corruption. “I have denounced everyone, from deputy prime ministers to important district directors,” explains Blerim Çela, who today holds the position of chief finance official in the DP. “If they had invited me to the World Bank seminar, I would have gone without asking anyone,” even though Berisha, Karamitro and Bode had turned down the invitation. On page 2

WORLD CUP SPECIAL FRANCE ’98 A mistake by Di Biagio sends the Italians home. Brazil suffers greatly to get past the unlucky Danes. Everything on the scorecards for today’s two quarter-finals. On pages 10-11 Italians, the despair of elimination (Photo: ANSA) The Italians, despairing over their elimination (Photo: ANSA)

CONSTITUTION / No concern about the Democrats: They won’t get in my way

TIRANA - The Democratic deputy speaker of Parliament believes that calling for early elections is the opposition’s duty when the country is in crisis. TIRANA - early elections Without considering that the DP lost the latest partial local elections, Jozefina Topalli. On page 2

GAZETA e Durrësit Anti-smuggling wall at sea DURRES - A major operation at sea against smuggling. Dozens of Albanian customs officers and Euro-customs officers have set out in recent days on a series of expeditions in the open sea aboard patrol boats with Italian-Albanian crews, as well as other border guard vessels. A new wave of smuggling is expected to fall into the hands of the “Guardia di Finanza” and the Albanian police. At least, this may happen on the basis of operational information sent by the international body of Division 21. On page 8

GAZETA e Vlorës Public works, otherwise no assistance VLORE - More workers in public works. The projects planned for the district of Vlora within the month of July will increase from seven to ten. According to representatives of the Employment Office at a press conference, these projects will also provide opportunities for dozens of other residents of Vlora to find work. It seems that the days when the people of Vlora received assistance from the state have now truly come to an end. On page 7

GAZETA e Shkodrës The masks go to Venezia SHKODER - A mask workshop in Shkodër. Although masks and their use are as well known in this rugged mountainous country as cars, Kalashnikovs or pistols, what is surprising is the fact that masks are being produced. And this is not about knitting balaclavas with two holes or making sock coverings that ordinary robbers put over their heads. The workshop in the northern city produces genuine Venetian masks in various shapes and countless colors. On page 6

CONSTITUTION / No concern from the Democrats: They are not making trouble for me Godo: Property rights, or I will resign The PR leader’s threat falls on the Socialists TIRANE - The battle over property rights begins in the Constitutional Commission. “The Socialists must keep their word, otherwise...” Sabi Godo, co-chair of the Constitutional Commission, threatened yesterday that he might leave the forum guiding the constitutional process if the Socialists break the agreement set out in the letter at the beginning of discussions on the foundational constitutional draft. “I don’t like making threats, but the Republican Party’s position on the constitution depends on this issue,” Godo said yesterday, one of the people most involved in this constitutional process. Meanwhile, the Socialists have chosen to remain silent and continue working on the parts of the constitutional draft that interest them, leaving the battle over property rights until the end. Pandeli Majko himself, the Socialists’ secretary general, has promised a compromise with the right wing on the property issue, drawing criticism from conservatives within his own party. But for Godo, the time has now come for the property issue: the Socialists must keep their word and not block the constitutional process. The compromise discussed only on paper between Majko and Godo envisages a special provision. On page 2

“It will hit Albania’s finances” The fact-finding mission warns our authorities The IMF is warning the Albanian authorities to include the conflict in Kosovo as a cost that the Albanian economy will have to bear. “The crisis in Kosovo will have negative consequences for budget revenues and expenditures, as well as for your country’s entire economy. Calculate its economic cost,” members of the International Monetary Fund’s fact-finding mission are reported to have said at a meeting with Finance Minister Arben Malaj. The country’s financial authorities have also warned of the same concern. “The conflict in Kosovo has a direct and an indirect cost,” Adriana Berberi, Deputy Minister of Finance, confirms to the newspaper. She considers unplanned budget spending to be a direct cost. But the indirect consequences are even more serious. The main one would be a slowdown in investment. This would be accompanied by an immediate downturn in the economy.

Republic of Albania Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health informs all interested parties who have submitted documentation for licensing in private practice to the licensing department to collect their professional license. They must report by 15 July 1998; otherwise, Order No. 177 dated 13.06.1998 of the Ministry of Health will be applied.