The US State Department and the Italian Parliament on the situation in Albania “Following the excessive and unnecessary violence used by police against opposition supporters demonstrating in an unauthorized protest against election rigging, we have urged the Albanian government and all political parties in Albania to show restraint and avoid violence in the current highly tense atmosphere,” the US State Department spokesperson said in a statement given to the BBC yesterday. “We are continuing our assessment of the elections in Albania.” Meanwhile, many Italian politicians have expressed concern about recent events in Albania, while a group of MPs are calling for an investigation into whether the Italian side bore any responsibility for the alleged pressure exerted on OSCE observers to soften their positions regarding the violations they had identified during the elections.

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Lala: “They asked me to become an informant for SHIK” “They fired a pistol three times over my head and threatened me again” page 2

Clarification by PBDNJ regarding the statement broadcast on RTV We have not changed our position since the 26 May statement The Central Commission must acknowledge the fraud, elections must be repeated in the areas where violations occurred, and those responsible for the violence in “Skënderbej” Square must be punished Regarding the PBDNJ statement broadcast today in the news bulletins, we are obliged to clarify that PBDNJ will reconsider its official position, adopted on Sunday, 26 May 1996, and confirmed in the joint statement of the six parties, only if: a - The Central Election Commission acknowledges the fraud and machinations identified during the voting. b - Elections are repeated in all the areas where serious violations were confirmed, at least in 15 areas where our party was openly disadvantaged by manipulation. c - Those responsible for using violence against opposition leaders on 28 May 1996 in Skënderbej Square are held legally accountable. At the same time, we wish to appeal to all the country’s political forces to help prevent any further escalation of political tension and to find the most effective ways to stabilize the situation. For the PBDNJ leadership Secretary General THOMA MIÇO

Korçë, attempt to keep the process alive Around 500 people gathered in the main park and 8 were arrested page 3

Përmet, large rally by opposition forces Violence against protesters Dozens mistreated, 14 others detained Yesterday at around 11:30, a crowd of members and supporters of opposition forces, which according to sources from Përmet numbered around 2,500, filled the city’s central square, chanting the familiar slogans “We want our votes,” “Victory, Victory,” “Down with the Dictatorship,” etc. The Përmet demonstrators were confronted by police, who intervened brutally, beating and mistreating dozens of opposition protesters page 3

The major American newspaper NEW YORK TIMES writes A new dictatorship under the authoritarian rule of President Berisha Democracy for Albania remains a distant dream page 6

Yesterday, the Central Commission announced the names of those who will go to a runoff Are the zones of compromise being divided? Mela opposed by Miço, Godo condemned page 5

Ceka against Berisha and Mela Ceka: “Berishian” authoritarianism is a solution that cannot come at the expense of the people, toward Albanians page 4

Belgian observers denounce: An appeal to the Brussels Government: “Put an end to the rule in Albania” page 4

human rights page 3