INTERVIEW / The writer speaks after Agolli’s criticism of Nano TIRANA - Ismail Kadare has decided to speak. But more than speaking, he prefers to stir up a storm over Albanian politics, politicians, statesmen, and the people themselves, “deprived of courage.” From distant, civilized Paris, the man of letters speaks at length about the raids, burnings, and looting, which, in his view, are “the ugliest signs of a people’s cowardice.” Kadare is also pessimistic about the future of national reconciliation, which, in his vision, is being undermined by anti-Albanian forces within Albania. Rezeart Xhaxhiu TIRANA - Ismail Kadare has decided to speak. But more than speaking, he prefers to stir up a storm over Albanian politics, politicians, statesmen, and the people themselves, “deprived of courage.” From distant, civilized Paris, the man of letters speaks at length about the raids, burnings, and looting, which, in his view, are “the ugliest signs of a people’s cowardice.” Kadare is also pessimistic about the future of national reconciliation, which, in his vision, is being undermined by forces of unbridled anti-Albanianism within Albania. For him, amid all these class conflicts and tumult involving politicians, statesmen, writers, and intellectuals, there is genuine pain, while the situation remains both dubious and miserable. One year after the March unrest and nine months of Socialist government, how do you view the political and economic situation in Albania today? This is a difficult question for me. Being far away, I am not in a position to follow in detail everything that has happened and is happening in Albania. But I can say that Albanians expected more and are still waiting. The news reaches me here, and it is more distressing than heartening. Only those who live far from their country can feel this more acutely. It seems as though people are waiting for something good to happen. But, as you all know, good things are often a long time coming. Meanwhile, bad things are never late. Could this perhaps be a curse laid upon this country and its people? I have not believed and

The last communist president also joins the polemic TIRANA - Ramiz Alia defends Nano against Agolli’s criticism, but also offers some comments on the government’s work. “Miracles cannot be expected in nine months, but the government should have shown greater resolve. There has been sluggishness and hesitation in making some decisions that were announced both during the election campaign and in the government program.” Alia has also attacked Berisha, who, according to him, led the country toward catastrophe. “In short, under Berisha’s government, the state was destroyed.” On page 3

National Front resumes dialogue with the Communist Party. It had not happened since 1943 A surprising move by the opposition in Parliament Old enemies reconcile. Democrats support the legalization of the Albanian Party of Labour National Front resumes dialogue with the Communist Party. It had not happened since 1943 Berisha sides with the communists A surprising move by the opposition in Parliament Old enemies reconcile. Democrats support the legalization of the Albanian Party of Labour TIRANA - The communists surprised everyone yesterday in the parliamentary chamber. Their historic enemies declared that they would defend them until the law legalizing them is passed. “Until the bill concerning the law on political parties is passed, I will defend your rights in Parliament,” declared MP Hysen Selfo, deputy chairman of the ... which had introduced the bill to legalize the Albanian Party of Labour. But Selfo was not the only one: the Democrats, through Ylli Vejsiu, also supported the communists. “We are not against discussing the bill to legalize the communists,” Vejsiu declared in Parliament. Nevertheless, it is the Socialists who hold the power to approve or reject the Albanian Party of Labour. Even within their ranks, polemics have recently erupted over the possibility of legalizing a Communist Party with a conservative Marxist program.

Pashko, Lubonja, Fino... Briefly Talk of changes in the government has now begun to take real shape, and the names of ministers who will be dismissed, or of those who may replace them, are no longer secret. As recently as Sunday, two of the names most talked about lately, Ceka and Malaj, were, in an ironic twist of fate, seen together in a fashion show, entering a luxury hotel on the outskirts of the capital. One voice has brought together many allies, and a few Socialists; the matter concerns the leadership. Gjinushi was alongside Ceka, and he too is now highly critical of the way the PS and Nano are trying to impose the changes. The two biggest allies among the coalition partners are not exactly very satisfied with the government. That was before; now, after the polemics over changes and head-cutting without justification. For days, the only thing heard in government offices has been talk of dismissing and replacing ministers. The press is full of controversy. Bio Ceka and Gino in his place—this is supposedly a government truth, after which no further verification has been provided. Because Merdani has also entered the game of changes; he does not want to accept a replacement of the people’s representative? especially Ceka with Timo? In any case, senior political circles have stated that “it has occurred to the Socialists to replace the leader of the Alliance with someone else.” If not the current Deputy Prime Minister, then the political secretary, Ruci, the PS’s long arm. Meanwhile, the return of Gramoz Pashko to head the Albanian Finance Ministry in place of Malaj also looks like big news; Malaj has not even completed his first year as minister. The departure of Elmaz Sherifi also appears certain, as does the replacement of Arta Dade, following her continual disputes with Nano, by a well-known figure, the publicist Fatos Lubonja. Without going into the state secretaries—Lleshi, Teta, Lakrori—it seems that anything is possible for Nano.

TIRANA Newspaper TIRANA - This year, the Tirana Municipality will collect more taxes from traders. At least, that is what emerges from its forecast plan for 1998, which lists all 23 types of taxes paid in the capital. On page 5

DURRËS Newspaper DURRËS - The largest ship in the combat fleet has arrived from Italy. It has been repaired by specialists from the neighboring country and has now begun sailing along the Albanian coast. On page 8

TIRANA - For the second consecutive day, the supervisory group has been unable to take the “castle” located in Avni Rusti Square, named after him. VEFA creditors have also chanted slogans against Arapi and have not allowed him, nor the other two supervisory strikers, Isa Simani and Shkëlqim Cela, to enter VEFA’s headquarters. On page 9

Gjinushi: Nano must consult us, otherwise... TIRANA - Gjinushi threatens Nano. “If you make the changes in the government on your own, you will be left alone.” The Speaker of Parliament and leader of the PSD has firmly opposed the proposals being floated in the press about changes to Nano’s cabinet. “The changes will be made only at the coalition table, and with mutual understanding,” Gjinushi told Gazeta Shqiptare yesterday. “The head of the legislature has warned that the atmosphere in the coalition is clearly tense. According to Gjinushi, there is no official signal of concrete changes in the government cabinet, which means that the formula under which it was formed must be preserved. The PSD leader has warned Nano that he must not decide alone. On page 3

TIRANA - An investigator has been arrested. Prosecutors from the General Prosecutor’s Office have arrested and handcuffed a prosecutor’s investigator, who is accused of “forgery” of an investigative document concerning smuggling. An unusual incident at the General Prosecutor’s Office. The arrest of an investigator who worked at the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office was carried out by the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. Vasil Martini has been arrested. On page 4

BELGRADE - On Kosovo ...

TIRANA - Cyclists without borders arrive in Albania. A new group of them from Albania has been traveling along the roads to reach the capital. A group of ... [bottom part of the text cut off] Gilber from Syria crosses into Albania by bicycle (11 April)

DURRËS - The large war fleet ship arrives from Italy. It has been repaired by neighboring specialists and has now begun sailing along the Albanian coast. DURRËS - The large war fleet ship arrives from Italy. It has been repaired by neighboring specialists page 8

GAZETA of Vlora The Port of Vlora on the brink of destruction VLORA - The Port of Vlora groans under the abandonment of ships. The city’s economic lifeline is now in its most difficult moments: damaged quays and merchant ships passing through these waters ever more rarely. On page 7

GAZETA of Shkodër April 2: The opposition descends on Shkodër SHKODËR - The opposition descends into the heart of the city. The commemoration of April 2 seems to have been the best occasion for the right-wing leaders to express their dissatisfaction. They accused the socialists of being responsible for and guilty of the massacre, and demanded that those convicted in connection with the event not be granted acquittal. On page 6