“The deputy chairman has said he would leave the PS together with the bust of Marx” Pëllumbi may seek the post of secretary-general at the congress page 5

Berisha yesterday once again dealt a sharp blow to the opposition by creating, through a decree, the Permanent Central Election Commission. The news released by the press and information office of Albania’s top official specifies that this election commission will have 17 members. Its leadership—the chair, deputy chair and secretary—is proposed by the Council of Ministers, with the stipulation that the first two must come from university academic circles, while the secretary’s duties are carried out by the head of the Directorate for the Organization of Elections and Referendums at the State Secretariat for Local Government. According to the decree, the remaining seats on the commission are divided equally among the political parties of the ruling side, the governing coalition and the opposition, in accordance with the results of elections to local government bodies. A separate article of the decree also provides for changes in the balance between parties depending on the results of local elections and the political position of the respective parties, whether in government or in opposition. The state leader’s first blow against the entire political spectrum is clearly seen in the second act: the appointment in advance of 17 people who will deal permanently with Albanian elections, whether parliamentary, local or referendums. By an additional decree, President Berisha appointed the leadership and members of the Permanent Electoral Commission. The leadership of the Central Commission consists of Nestor Tere[?], chair; Pëllumb[?] Çela, deputy chair; and Figiri Kupe, secretary. The permanent members follow; according to the head of state, they were proposed by 19 political parties, and the balance from the by-elections for local government was also taken into consideration. To accommodate the opposition, the names on the commission were limited to those whom the president considers to represent the government and its coalition. Thus, Eva Karagjozi, Hysen Osmani, Paskal Cabbë[?] and Arben Xhiku were appointed for the Democratic Party; Shekibim Barushi for the Republican Party; Marenglen Gjonaj for the Christian Democratic Party; and Behar Gjoka for the PBSD. This brings us to the third blow reserved for the country’s political scene. (continued on page 3) ARBAN HASANI

photo A. BABAI Albanian art lovers trying to see “La Bouche” without tickets

Police identify 5 people as participants in the crime. Several detained and searches underway in the area of Mount Dajti Following the killing of the Neziri brothers on the outskirts of Tirana Only a few minutes had passed since the killings, which took place at 9:30 p.m. on Monday evening, when two cars were seized. According to the police, the perpetrators used these cars to carry out the killings and then flee. It was specifically the verification of their ownership documents, as well as fingerprints and other evidence, that, according to investigators, led to the identification of the people whom the Ministry of the Interior also describes as the perpetrators of the high-profile killings. page 2

On 27 August, 7 parties will discuss genocide, the media, the police and the role of observers during local elections After the government approved the agreement with the Islamic Conference page 3

On 27 August, 7 parties will discuss genocide, the media, the police and the role of observers during local elections page 4

Tirana Chief Judge Qazim Gjonaj addresses a letter to the head of the Prosecution Deadlines and laws governing proceedings are not being observed on time page 9

Project to expand maritime infrastructure page 7 5,024 students will take their seats in lecture halls on 1 October University: A dream that is easier and more expensive page 21