Shemsije Kadria arrives in Albania. In hiding because of the arrest warrant The company’s boss: “I am ready to cooperate with the judicial authorities” Page 2

Yesterday’s meeting of the PS General Directing Committee is awaited with particular interest, since it is there that the groundwork will be laid for this party’s national conference, which, as socialist leader Nano announced some time ago, will mark a real leap forward in the party’s organization and activities. Starting from Chairman Nano’s recent statements, this conference is expected to advance further the process begun more than a year ago with the famous motion, which shook the entrenched hierarchies of the socialist swamp. Specifically, yesterday’s meeting discussed “changes to the programme and statute”; working groups were even set up. Furthermore, given that changes in direction are also accompanied by leadership reshuffles at various levels, after the conference scheduled for 20 December, a real earthquake is expected in this respect within the PS. Mr Nano himself warned that all those who “have remained prisoners of the Kanun” would be removed from the party. As for the changes, while the motion led to the fall of the party leadership’s “heads,” the facts indicate that at the 20 December conference it will be the turn of the branch “heads.” Nano’s directive that those who have left various positions in government should return to the party also shows that the “operation” will be carried out under his strict supervision. By staying “close” to the party, Nano and his people will be able to monitor the actions of the “anti-motionists,” who may put a spoke in the wheel. Indeed, the meeting spoke at length about renewal at the grassroots, and a good portion of yesterday’s debate was devoted to guidance on the criteria for selecting branch leaders in the districts. This time, “meritocracy” was defined in terms of intellectual and organizational abilities, foreign-language skills, etc., although subjectivity in making such assessments is unavoidable. In addition, in some cases criteria were proposed that ran counter to the principles of “meritocracy,” such as the idea of enriching the leadership forums with women. Here, in a way, the socialists reminded us of Berisha, who demanded that 25 percent of the members of his party’s forums must be from the “weaker sex.” Nevertheless, it is believed that the sole—and certainly most effective—criterion for selecting socialist leaders at every level will be their position on what Mr Nano has called the “political bible”: his government’s right-wing programme, which was to be put into effect by the prime minister in order to free himself once and for all from the fanatical militants still remaining in the party’s leadership forums. Unlike during the motion, when the PS was in opposition and, above all, under the influence of Berisha’s disruptive actions, Nano’s success in this undertaking is beyond doubt. GAVROSH LEVONJA

P. 11 11-year-old girl raped. 4 children kidnapped

The prime minister promises: You will have me in the party every Saturday The socialist Steering Committee meeting concludes. “We do not pay tribute to militants” Fatos Nano and the senior leaders of the PS needed another five hours to show the socialist grassroots leaders the way to restructure their party. The purpose of yesterday’s meeting of the PS General Directing Committee was to make changes to the PS statute and programme, expand the General Directing Committee by 10–15%, and bring new people into the party leadership. At the meeting, the socialist leadership tried to shake off the inertia that had gripped the party after its victory on 29 June. P. 3

Democrats appoint people for the ceremony Vlora: PD must not dare P. 5 Albanian press leaders meet On 15 November, indefinite strike P. 2 Greek MPs against drug traffickers Death penalty for Albanians P. 10 Disagreements over the future of the pyramid schemes Arapi, duel with Nano P. 12 Brojka opposes the government’s decision Lawsuit in the Constitutional Court P. 7 Automatic gunfire and grenade blasts Fighting in Pezë, tanks set out P. 6 The Macedonian puts pressure on Albanian customs Stop calling us “former” P. 13