The Prosecutor General confirms the launch of investigations Evidence: A letter and a recorded cassette. Ciko, Gjodhi and Shaqiri to be questioned SONG SCANDAL / “The newspaper reports forced us to act” Teodor Keko: “Faced with an accusation like this, the Prosecutor’s Office cannot remain silent. Investigations show that it is being taken seriously, but... let it not be true” TIRANA - The festival scandal ends up in the hands of the Prosecutor’s Office. Preliminary proceedings are expected to begin very soon at the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office concerning the accusations made public in the press, accusations directed at the festival’s artistic directors. Zhani Ciko “asked for 2,000 marks to accept Shaqiri’s composition, ‘Freedom’.” This is essentially the accusation made by composer Naim Gjoni. The story began about a month before the festival. The cassette had been held up at the border, while Shaqiri informed Ciko by telephone that “the cassette would definitely arrive.” But it arrived late and was sent back, with a request that it be supplemented with marks. It is alleged that this request was made in writing, which investigators will seek as material evidence. Ciko, Gjodhi, Shaqiri, the deputy director and Artid Gjebra, to whom the letter at the centre of the scandal was addressed, will be questioned. If the accusation is proven, the whole case will end up before the courts. Naim Gjoni and Ilir Shaqiri accuse Zhani Ciko On page 7

The Social Democrats propose a historic alliance Skënder Gjinushi TIRANA - The Council of Europe is making another appeal to Albanian politicians: “Urgently return to dialogue.” With this message, senior Council of Europe officials summed up yesterday’s meetings with Meidani, Nano and Berisha. But the same positions have also come from the Albanian political camp and the opposition. While Berisha may have addressed the elements of the circumstances, the government side reiterated its call for inclusiveness. TIRANA - The Social Democrats are seeking a historic alliance with both the left and the right. The strong proposal was put forward yesterday by chairman Gjinushi, who, in calling for the cooperation deemed essential for Albania at this moment, explicitly demanded the exclusion of PD chairman Sali Berisha. Gjinushi’s long-standing idea has been made public precisely on the eve of the forthcoming local elections, in which the parties of the majority coalition are preparing to go to the polls together. On page 2 On page 3

Ruçi and Hajdaraga at the head of the PS Gramoz Ruçi TIRANA - Grassroots Socialists are against the government. The PS KPD meeting was unable to stop the party’s criticism directed at a good number of current ministers, although the pressure was not clearly expressed in public. Wrong appointments and the government’s gradual detachment from the people were evident and troubling to the grassroots members who had won. To correct all these anomalies, the KPD decided that the Party chairman and Secretary should lead it; Gramoz Ruçi was elected by consensus. He and Luan Hajdaraga were also the two co-opted members of the PS leadership. Yesterday’s meeting also discussed at length the PS preparations for the upcoming local elections, and called for daily reports from the branches to the central headquarters. Contrary to expectations, the Socialists’ meeting did not say a single word about Berisha, although this had in fact been a request from chairman Nano. On page 3

FOR PRESIDENT KOSOVO - The Albanian Mandela, Adem Demaçi, candidate for the post of president of Kosovo proposed by the Parliamentary Party and the Democratic Forum, has been selected for the post of Kosovo’s top leader in the parliamentary elections to be held on March 22 this year. According to Jonuz Salihaj, vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Party, this decision was made at yesterday’s meeting of the forum, where Demaçi was also elected its chairman. Luljeta Pulaj, who is also chairwoman of the Social Democratic Party of Kosovo, was elected vice-chairwoman in his place. Demaçi’s candidacy is also an announcement of the new coalitions for the March 22 elections. As is known, Demaçi supports a hard-line approach and active peaceful resistance.

The Ministry brings in Sokol Bare Shkodër Police Station Storm in the police stations: The head of Elbasan has left. He helped smuggling; the chief of police of Laç is also involved On page 6

TIRANA On page 12

THE ALBANIANS: WE WANT TO BE THERE TOO On page 12

TIRANA On page 5

THE AMERICANS’ PROJECT “This is how we conduct trials” Judges as spectators TIRANA - Judges are learning how to conduct a court hearing. The American project, initially conceived for ninety high schools, will also train court personnel. A specialist from the Ministry of Justice, accompanied by an American lawyer, has also climbed the courthouse steps. In his bag he had a new project for the heads of Justice institutions: an open trial in which, for the first time, the spectators in the courtroom will be the judges themselves. Law students will play the roles of judges, prosecutors, lawyers and even defendants. “Initially, it was envisaged that these model court hearings would be attended by ninety high schools, in order to convey to them a general understanding of the American justice system,” says the Deputy Minister of Justice. Meanwhile, ministry specialists considered the project highly valuable for court personnel as well. In this way, representatives of the Justice system can gain first-hand experience and learn directly from the Perry Masons across the ocean. So far, judges in Shkodër, Elbasan and Durrës have attended these model trials. Representatives of the American project say they are pleased with the judges’ participation. “In the courts of these districts, the lawyers have shown curiosity and have willingly agreed to attend. No one has been indifferent, although most of them may have tried many cases,” the foreign lawyers say. Erjon Tase

FOOTBALL / EURO 2000 SPORT Hafizi: “At first glance the sport seems easy, but now the most difficult task begins. It is fair to aspire not merely to escape last place, but to move up from the bottom places.” On page 11 Hafizi, the national team coach

Cancer: Everything about the sign in 1998, in every area On page 11