The May group: We are ready to govern Yesterday at the SP congress — Gjinushi and Çeka confirm the alliances NANO: “Mobilize and bring forth all your human and political energies... to win the necessary parliamentary majority of 2/3 together with the moderate opposition, and give Albania and the Albanians a genuine, contemporary democracy, instead of the current regime’s ‘steered democracy’.” GJINUSHI: “The PSD is ready to cooperate toward this goal with the main opposition forces; the SP has a primary role here, and we hope it will play it as it should.” ÇEKA: “We appreciate the joint efforts... The PAD considers this a valuable experience and remains open to any cooperation before and after the elections.” VALLEN, Secretary General of the PSE: “Join together so that you can win” Yesterday, at the opening of the SP’s second Congress photo G. SHKULLAKU Fatos Nano’s message to the Congress: We will win pages 3, 5 Yesterday at the opening of the SP’s second Congress — photo G. SHKULLAKU

Tritan Shehu: We have made mistakes, but that is how one works and makes mistakes PD rally in Shkodër page 4

Accused of desecration in ’90 at Kakavijë Gjirokastër — Killings at the border page 7

Rehearsals begin with the Macedonian director Floko, Ferri, Majo, Xhurani refuse the roles page 21

The President sets out the conditions for the renewal of the SP Berisha sends greetings to the Socialists’ Congress Expressing my conviction that without these conditions there can be no question of renewing the SP, to those who might misunderstand my message I want to recall Mark Twain, who wrote that “never tell the truth to those who do not deserve it,” whereas I cannot regard my opponents as such. Once again, I wish the first phase of your Congress success.

“The party in power is afraid of the voters’ judgment” European Socialists support their Albanian counterparts page 4

15 of them, in the districts where the lawsuits were filed The accused will not be tried only in Tirana page 2

Last night at the Palace of Congresses The season of sycophants has begun again Shkodër actor Paulin Preka in the role of chief sycophant TIRANA — Last night a major festive concert was held at the Palace of Congresses, organized to mark 22 March, the victory of the Democratic Party. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, was also in attendance; he spoke from the concert podium after being invited by the host, Reiz Çiço. In addition to the songs, ballet and other musical performances, the professionally accomplished performances by the two actors from Durrës, Fadil Hasa and Muharrem Hoxha, made a strong impression; they were warmly applauded by the audience. In contrast with these artists’ high artistic standard were the utterly sycophantic and characterless performances by the Shkodër actor Paulin Preka and a Tirana caricaturist, in the role of a university rector. Their sycophancy apparently had to do with the President’s presence in the hall, as well as with their still not having received an apartment or a job from the municipalities of their cities. In short: last night, the season of sycophancy began publicly, even for the so-called intellectuals and artists of the stage. A. M

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