Heads roll in the Government: Malaj resigns. Fino’s final hours Prime Minister: “Now we are ready to sacrifice power for the state” The marathon meeting of those in power is over. Everything about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and anxiety over the new changes Meksi takes over Finance. Meta takes charge of local government. Haxhi Aliko is to replace Agriculture Minister Xhuveli. Appointments after the visit to Italy Nano and Meidani decided on the changes to the government cabinet at their one-on-one meeting five days ago Nano removes two of his own people from the cabinet. They had tried to influence appointments in the Police and Finance in the districts they come from The changes in Public Order affect Besnik Bregu; Ahmetaj takes his place, Fadil Canaj replaces Shehu, and Idajet Beqiri replaces Cano On pages 2–3

Yesterday’s speech by Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano before the Socialist parliamentary group clearly showed the course he and the party he leads wish to pursue, from these politically heated days through the adoption of the Draft Constitution, which could secure the Nano government’s mandate until 2000. The first step appears to be the release of six former officials of the Democratic Party. The Albanian prime minister reaffirmed once again that he would support any institutional freeze that avoids punishment, and spoke of the need for genuine national reconciliation. In his speech on Albanian TV, Nano had said two weeks earlier that this issue was a matter for the justice system, while later he and President Meidani sent signals that they wan—secondly, in finance, customs, taxation and social insurance. Nano called this a “national catharsis.” He made clear the objective of his coalition, which is the adoption of the Constitution, expected to take place in November. A year and a half has passed since the left-wing coalition government came to power, and this is not the first time Albanians have heard their prime minister speak in these terms. Nano spoke of changes months ago, and nothing happened. The accusations of corruption and the lack of state authority created by Nano have distanced him from his party, which has often made Nano himself and various cabinet members a veritable target. It seems that now, when the country is on the brink of destabilization, demagoguery [?] punishment and spoke about the necessity of a genuine national reconciliation. In an interview on an Albanian TV channel, Nano had said weeks earlier that this matter was for the justice system, whereas later he and President Meidani sent signals indicating a change in position and a kind of retreat. Nano tried to soften this retreat by telling the Socialist parliamentary group that the Socialists’ shortcomings had not had an irreversible effect. He called the DP the “Demon-cratic Party” and said he hoped that in the future he would have a constructive opposition to deal with. But after offering the Socialists a few small gestures of conciliation, and rehabilitating his attitude toward his two strongest critics, Dritëro Agolli and Servet Pëllumbi, Nano made it clear that there would be changes at every level, even in the government. He reiterated his statement that “the Socialists are ready to sacrifice power in order to build a state.” According to Nano, both cabinet members and the opposition would be asked to make themselves available for reforms. From Nano’s speech it can be understood that the changes will be made in order, but mainly at the level of

BEE — Checkmate — On page 2

The head of TVSH speaks. Decision today TIRANA - “Edi Mazi must leave his post as director of Albanian Television.” The Director General of RTVSH, Adrian Klosi, appointed to this post only a short time ago after Albert Minga, has put Mazi’s dismissal on the table, citing incompetence and financial violations. A week ago, at a meeting of the Governing Council of Radio Television, the new director Klosi dropped a bombshell: Edi Mazi is incompetent and corrupt. According to Klosi, who also presented documentation, the director of Albanian Television abused advertising. The TVSH building (above) Klosi

Yesterday in Linzë, early in the morning TIRANA - An armed group exchanged fire for about 30 minutes with guards at a military unit near the capital. TIRANA - An armed group exchanged fire for about 30 minutes with guards at a military unit near the capital, seeking to blow up its depots in order to take weapons and ammunition. Military sources stressed that the attackers were numerous, since fire directed at the unit’s soldiers came from several directions. The unit personnel’s fierce resistance forced the attackers to retreat in an unknown direction before police rapid-response forces arrived at the scene.

CIA: They would attack the American embassy On page 12 American Embassy (top) Ossma Bin Laden

The head of TVSH speaks. Decision today Yesterday in Linzë, early in the morning

The water utility is heading toward ruin It pays the State’s VAT On page 5 GAZETA e Durrësit Newcomers from the North have problems with the law On page 7 GAZETA e Shkodrës Students on edge as university entrance exams begin On page 6

For everyone earning more than 40 thousand lekë a month Albanian salaries are shrinking On page 9

On page 12