MEKSI—DP chairman, KOPLIKU—Prime Minister, SELAMI—Foreign Minister» Thus, during these hot summer days, today’s government ministers will feel the process of evaporation most keenly. Indeed, according to the unofficial information available so far, it is being reported that the changes in the Government will not spare Prime Minister Meksi, who is believed to be slated for the post of DP chairman. In this way, Bashkim Kopliku would be free to continue leading the reform process, moving one chair higher than that of deputy prime minister. Meanwhile, there is much discussion about the fate of chairman Eduart Selami, who prefers the Foreign Ministry, with Serreqi being moved back to his own profession, that is, the Ministry of Health. The question remains whether the other doctor, Mr. Tritan Shehu, will be satisfied with the diplomatic post of ambassador. Something remains unclear, and that is the request Ali Spahia, in his capacity as chairman of the DP parliamentary group, is making to Pjetër Arb­nori to suspend Parliament’s proceedings and let the deputies go on holiday. Although this may be connected with the emptiness of the chamber after PS and PSD deputies abandoned it, many believe it is connected with the fierce struggle within the DP, so that the government changes are not made before September.

— AZEM HAJDARI DECLARES — Bujar Hoxha’s daughter protests over a document withdrawn from the Albania–Yugoslavia relations archive This matter will be pursued to the end, regardless of the political support enjoyed by those responsible ATSH and Radio Tirana have misinformed public opinion — READ THE INTERVIEW WITH MR. AZEM HAJDARI ON PAGE 2 —

At Wednesday’s parliamentary session, such a statement did not seem to surprise the majority’s deputies. Minister Ruli came to Parliament and, as usual, proposed raising taxes at the expense of traders in order to cover the budget deficit. As it emerged, in six months Mr. Ruli had spent 5.7 billion new lek out of the 3.7 billion he had at his disposal, bringing the budget deficit to 2 billion new lek. Ruli’s proposal to increase taxes was immediately opposed by deputy Peshkëpia. After receiving an ironic reply from the Minister, deputy Peshkëpia accused Minister Ruli of being directly responsible for the entry of smuggled cigarettes into Albania, as well as of becoming a millionaire through dishonest means. “At a time when you are seen as the hope of the Albanian economy, you have destroyed the Albanian economy,” Peshkëpia concluded, addressing Ruli.

In the next issue you will read: By Selim Shabanaj. The article is not merely the author’s apologia in response to the “untruths” of some newspapers, as he himself puts it, but also sheds light on certain uncovered truths about the relations among Albanians in business.

Read on pages 3–5