The Prosecutor General appeals to Parliament and the Presidency Rakipi: All games of chance are turning into a cause of crime A new draft law is ready at the Ministry of Finance, but it is being kept secret... ELECTIONS RETURN [Photo: Citizens voting at the southern end of Vlora?] TIRANA - Local elections are being held this year, and the candidacy and certain appointment of this by the President of all sides? ... [column text partly illegible] On page 2 Kastrati Islami was “...”, a link between the faction and the politician

Arban Hasani The bureaucrats and meritocrats, the mili[tants], the socialists, the liberals, the social democrats, all collectively victors of June 29, have for days been ... pronouncing the figures and names of ministers, safeguarding or the number of ... [visible section cuts off] then... at the highest possible tension, following Prime Minister Nano’s call for changes to the government Cabinet. In other words, what is called the triumphant side of the latest parliamentary elections felt uncertain about the Albanian prime minister’s decision, shrouded in the shadow of the near unknown and possible changes. Over this mystery, so essential for the “Allies,” Nano has taken advantage of the unknowns he himself left after the latest elections, which will serve as seasoning for the government ministers’ examination. In this climate, far from ideal for politicians in power in Albania, 20 activists are trying; it seems that this has finally divided the wings of the governing coalition, and there the formation that made history in the short history of Albanian politics. The rumors of changes that have been clouding the Albanian political scene for days now seem to have split into two groups with new ideas: the Merito...crats and the Militants. The prime minister’s choice will show which way the scales of governing politics will tip. But until then, that is, until Nano makes his choice, the sides seem to have spread their wings over the government table. The first, the merito...crats, also called “shining stars” by the coalition’s shadow side, will take their April 20 examination along with their work records, with what they have done during nine months in power. They will lay their work records on Nano’s table, with their shortcomings and successes, with the projects that have been completed as well as the unfinished roads. They will present the long lists of criminals apprehended and the relative security of public order, but they will also explain the figures achieved, supported by thresholds, or the unforeseen number of crimes. Above all, however, the merito...crats of the Italian coalition “I...”, both its representatives and its achievements, are shared equally. By contrast, the Militants, who for nine months have been scorched by the merito...crats’ flames and are afraid to open up, like those in government who have been ... “shining stars” formally, have claimed that they are geniuses in their government, since they entered the government through the party register and the merito...crats were with the Party Organizations, constantly attacking, making the government anything but an extraordinary government, on the basis that they themselves are at its foundation. And both the first group and the militants declare themselves to belong to the parties or formations from before March 9, ’97. At the April 20 examination, the Militants will appear only with their pressure to determine the government’s priorities. Certainly, they will lose control over the casting of the political vote. They are certainly divided into two groups, which, in their view, do not deserve the “shining stars.” The future of the Albanian government seems set to pass precisely between these two groups. When Fatos Nano floated the idea of changes to his Cabinet about a month ago, perhaps he had not thought he would find himself in this situation; he simply intended to improve the Albanian executive on the basis of meritocracy. Now, in this very concrete game of competing interests, it will be almost impossible not to make concessions to each side. In any case, there is hope that Albania, for once, will not again become a hostage to militant compromise and the voiceless demands of the party grassroots. There is still plenty of time before April 20 to avoid repeating the past.

Half a million dollars in the hands of an enigmatic bride At the Savings Bank Half a million dollars in the hands of an enigmatic bride VEFA’s secret accounts discovered At the Savings Bank On page 3 Vebi Alimehmeti

T... [small illegible text]

TIRANA [Article text in small print, partly illegible] On page 5

GAZETA e Shkodrës SHKODËR - A child on the white coats. A doctor ... [visible text partly illegible] On page 8

GAZETA of Durrës [the article continues outside the photo]

The leading figures met only a few months ago TIRANA – Nano and Meidani, who have known each other for only a few months... The head of the country has been the “matchmaker” behind the connection between the magnates and the politicians. TIRANA – Nano and Meidani, who have known each other for only a few months, work closely together. It seems that the history of the relationship between the country’s top figure and the second person in government did not begin today. In their governance as a friendship, it seems that the story with Meidani dates back to ’96; the Secretary General of the Socialist Party had no particular acquaintance or friendship with him at the time. Their story is unusual: after his victories at the Congress, Nano appointed him as the PS representative from that moment on. On page 3 Meidani, Nano and Bushati during a ceremony

DAILY GAZETTE Traders Rebel at the Port DURRËS – Traders are rebelling at the port of Durrës. This time, it seems there is also a major strike by them, and their shops... At the port of Durrës...

DAILY GAZETTE Officers Announce a Strike VLORË – ...

BERAT – President Meidani arrives in Berat and meets... BERAT – President Meidani arrives in Berat and meets with the ... Throughout his visit... At the meetings...

GJIROKASTËR – ...

ATHENS – Greece will honor the memory of its archbishop, Serafim, with three days of national mourning. He was born in 1913 in Karditsa. He had been at the head of the Church since 1974, in the final months of the military dictatorship. On page 11 Setafim (ANSA)

in ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER Send your letters to: Rr. Dibrës 370, Tirana Prepared by the Italian Consul in the pages of “Gazeta Shqiptare” Another list of the names of people who will receive an Italian visa this Tuesday. The Consul answers citizens’ requests On page 12