Tension in Tirana following the opposition rally in the square. Police do not intervene to stop the protesters The opposition grows more militant, the government softens Berisha sings: Oh boys, grab your guns... Meidani: A legal solution for those arrested TIRANA - Yesterday, the opposition occupied the capital’s main square and boulevard for three hours, once again bypassing the police barricades. Berisha sang from the platform at the Palace of Culture, surprising the crowd for a moment. “Oh boys, grab your rifles, it’s death or freedom” — these were Gramoz’s lyrics, put into the mouth of the PD leader and then taken up by the entire crowd. The police took no action and remained calmer than ever. The Ministry of Public Order had warned that it would not allow the illegal rally to take place, but it went ahead without incident. Meanwhile, from Durrës, President Meidani said for the first time that a legal solution was needed for the six arrested PD members. The afternoon, which had been expected to be tense for the residents of the capital, passed without problems. Meanwhile, any intervention against the Prosecutor’s Office does not seem likely to be easy or to come without political cost. Chief Prosecutor Rakipi said a few days ago at a press conference that, among others, those who last March said they would put the opposition (today’s government) in a difficult position would also be investigated. The person who uttered those words was Berisha himself, the opposition leader. On the other hand, if the detention measure is relaxed or some other, less severe legal avenue is found, this could boost enthusiasm within the PD, which at every rally has raised the temperature of the hysteria with calls for the overthrow and re-imprisonment of Fatos Nano. The scales do not tip in only one direction. The radicals within the Socialist Party will react negatively and widen the distance they currently have from the party leader and Prime Minister. Nano faces two problems, each with its own price: either harden his stance toward the opposition or prevail over it by opening the way for a legal solution. …to ensure a swift, orderly and rigorously monitored process. Although he barely urged that events not be politicized and that there he also said he would support any discovery of legal avenues to avoid unnecessary tensions. There have also been growing voices within the Prime Minister’s Office saying that the Albanian Prime Minister is looking for some legal possibility to find a “softer” solution to calm things down. Many legal experts, including those at the Presidency, were unable to say exactly what softer solutions the law might allow. A well-known legal expert told “Gazeta” that the only possibility is to review the detention measure, so that the accused can be investigated while at liberty. This, among other things, presupposes informal intervention with the Prosecution, and at the same time is consistent with the hypothesis that Albanian Prime Minister Nano was not well informed about the arrests.

The Albanian police, unlike Christendom, do not intervene to disperse the Democratic Party rally in Tirana, giving even more encouragement to supporters led by Sali Berisha while disappointing at the same time the Socialist Party radicals, who are hoping for harsher measures against those who occupy Albania’s streets without permission. President Meidani also spoke yesterday in mild tones after a week of silence, indirectly casting doubt on the arrest of six former Democratic Party officials. He once again repeated his thesis “that Albania has no business recycling the illnesses of the past” and expressed support for a swift, orderly process that is rigorously monitored. Although Meidani called for the events not to be politicized and for there to be no interference in the work of the Justice system, he also said that he would support the exploration of any legal avenues for those arrested. In Shkodër, would put a smile on the opposition’s (today’s government’s) face a legal solution... …on the one hand. will overthrow the … who have accused the party leader and the Prime Minister. Nano faces two problems that he himself has brought upon himself: either to harden his stance toward the opposition or to take a step back and make concessions. By backing down, he may win some applause in the West, but may lose support among his own electorate. And that is not all. This move would put Nano in a difficult position both with his partners in the governing coalition and with the Albanian Parliament itself, which is dominated by Socialists who favor a hard line. Parliament Speaker Gjinushi, like Democratic Alliance President Ceka, has long called for investigations into Berisha as well and has taken a hard line against the DP rallies. But a trial that is legally unjustified is undoubtedly an obstacle that cannot be easily overcome. Now, the price will have to be paid; the question is which course will cost less politically.

An arms depot in Krujë is attacked: all the ammunition and weapons are stolen. In Shkodër, gasoline is poured at the door of the PS office, and shots are fired at the Police Station. Meanwhile in the south, protesters block the road in Lazarat and a high-voltage pylon is blown up Krujë, arms depot attacked On page 2

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A television for 10,000 lekë, a printer for just 7,000... TIRANA - The first auction of assets from five pyramid companies raised 45 million lekë. Yesterday, 19 winners were announced at the national auction center from among 32 prospective buyers who had taken part in the auction. The most sensational sale was that of the “Iliria” racetrack, for 40.2 million lekë. The former property of the VEFA company, the Durrës beach racetrack, sold for around 270 thousand dollars and provided the main share of the proceeds from the first sale. Meanwhile, the other assets sold were mainly office equipment and vehicles. A week ago, the management company “Deloitte and touche” put 280 items from the five pyramid schemes VEFA, Cenan, Kaj, mberi, Silva and M.Leka up for sale. The “Iliria” racetrack in Durrës

ANNIVERSARY Mother Teresa’s last letter to the Albanians One year since the passing of the most famous woman of the Albanian nation. Mother Teresa, the benefactor who shared her life with millions of poor people all over the world, is remembered by her compatriots as a figure who makes us feel proud On page 8

Has, 7 arrivals from across the border caught in a trap HAS - This is the first time this has happened to people arriving from Kosovo. Early Sunday, armed individuals threatened a group of arrivals from Gjakova with guns, intending to rob them. The group of seven, as was learned later, was ambushed by three unidentified armed men about 300 meters inside the village of Vlahat. The armed men took 700 marks in cash from one of them. Kosovar refugees

Answers tomorrow On page 9

GAZETA of Tirana The Kombinat district without water Municipality: we will not intervene On page 5 GAZETA of Durrës People arriving from the North become Durrës residents On page 7 GAZETA of Shkodër Laçeji: Politicians should help us, otherwise... On page 6

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