In Tirana, the PD will win over 50% of the votes A strong statement by the chairman of the PD for the Capital “In my opinion, the opposition will never win in Albania. And I base this on what the Democratic Party has done over these four years and on the great faith I have in the people who work alongside the Democratic Party. But I am obliged to answer the question: if the opposition wins the opposition [or, God forbid], this will be a great misfortune for Albania and for the Albanian nation. So, if the Democratic Party ends up in opposition (this will never happen), it will be such a strong opposition that it will never allow communism to live on in Albania, even for a little while.” page 9 Albert Brojka, Chairman of the PD for Tirana

“What will they do with the Socialists before the elections?” Concern among some political forces aligned against the PD

PS: “The MPs and those responsible will not escape the law” After Nano’s “letter” page 3

The 18-year-old who had been bought had been exploited for two months A prostitution den uncovered in Kavajë page 5

The commander of the crime squad is arrested Korçë: the “Katania file” begins over illegal detentions page 7

The deafening explosion shook the director’s doorstep page 7

He is presented with the “Paul Laurencit” Peace and Freedom Award The award is presented yesterday in Denmark

US chief negotiator R. Hollbruk gives no details about US initiatives for Kosovo page 10

Summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office yesterday over statement about vote manipulation SHIK reports the PS deputy chairman The National Intelligence Service is behind this report. It is said to be on the offensive. Yesterday, following one of its reports, investigations began and the deputy chairman of the PS and, at the same time, head of its Parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, was summoned to testify at the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. The reason for the report was a statement he made at a press conference of the opposition’s four parliamentary parties on 2 February this year, quoted the following day in several newspapers. Dokle was notified to appear before the investigating authority at 14:00 yesterday, but chose to respond by sending a letter in which he clarified the circumstances and the accuracy of his remarks, which he claims were incompletely represented in the report; he also enclosed his clarifications and the full text of the statement published on 3 February in “ZP”. Thus, after being summoned nearly six months ago to testify at the Prosecutor General’s Office in connection with the 400,000 dollars belonging to “ZP”, this is the second time Dokle has crossed the threshold of this institution, this time not in the role of a witness. page 2 photo A. Bani

Greeting message to Muslim believers on the occasion of Eid al-Adha On the occasion of the blessed day of Eid al-Adha, I wholeheartedly wish all Muslim believers in Albania and wherever they may be a happy holiday and many happy returns of Eid. The holiday of Eid al-Adha comes after the month of Ramadan, during which Muslim believers passed the noble test of steadfast self-discipline. They shared hardship, generosity and charity, and triumphed over temptations. This day is a celebration that brings people together in the name of faith in God and human kindness and love. Eid al-Adha is a day of respect, harmony, mutual understanding, tolerance and brotherhood for all. This year we celebrate Eid more united than ever on the righteous path we have chosen, the path of God, steadfast in our national ideals and in our great efforts to build a better future for all Albanians. With faith in God, the path we have embarked upon is already bearing, and will always bear, fruit. Once again, I wish all believers a happy Eid al-Adha. Glory to God! SALI BERISHA President of the Republic of Albania

The board of the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania and the leaders of the independent press will meet today, 20 February, at 17:00, at the central offices of “Koha Jonë” (neighborhood No. 8, near the “Petro Nini Luarasi” high school) to consider the measures they will take following the decision by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Dyher Vionçi, to shut down 14 press outlets on 22 February 1996, including “Koha Jonë”, “Albania”, “AKS”, “Sporti”, “Sport Ekspres”, “Aleanca”, “Dita Informacion”, “Populli Po”, “Intervista”, “Politika”, etc. All the leaders are requested to bring to the meeting the court rulings by which these press outlets were registered. Journalists from other media outlets, as well as the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana, are invited. Board of the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania

Happy Eid al-Adha