While President Mediani is staying at the Brigades Palace, former president Berisha is dining at Hotel Tirana The Divided Celebration Even yesterday, on the National Independence Day celebration, the Albanian political forces did not rejoice together Page 3 The Prime Minister's justifications

Usually, festive days, especially commemorative ones, are also used as a moment for reflection on their history and as an opportunity to celebrate what you and I have tried to do well and what we have done badly. To celebrate with others and try to be joyful, without straying too far from the course of ordinary life, is possible only under conditions of political and social stability. Great celebrations always have to do with allusions to the future, or with where we stand and what prospects we have for the future. Independent Albania finds itself, has lost another year, so that even on Flag Day 1998 it bursts forth in a gray-shrouded cloud. Apart from the words of the two opposing camps, the recited ceremonies and the rituals of custom never succeed in bringing peace to people's hearts so that they can spend a calm and perhaps happier day. As happens with all consciences that are more troubled by difficult days, yesterday too begins from obligation. To laugh on Flag Day, to exchange wishes and drink a glass with friends, but under the shadow of doubt and mutual guilt, is something sad. Perhaps this is the result of what has happened this year in Albania. A moment has come that we must all accept as such. There are no absolute culprits and no infallible heroes. The entire Albanian political class, whether left or right, bears its share of guilt and responsibility for the situation we are in. The choice of a president unacceptable to opponents, the refusal of dialogue, the closing of parliament, attacks on institutions, endless boycotts, and the lack of courage to speak the language of the state are all signs that this celebration did not unite Albanians. For this reason, the celebration remained divided. AN

For 45 minutes, gunfire in the village of Poga[?] Serbian soldiers fire from the village, border guards respond For 45 minutes, gunfire in the village of Poga[?] Kukës, a battle on the border with the Serbs Serbian soldiers fire from the village, border guards respond Page 2

EDITORIAL TEAM hour[?]. From the teaching of public subjects it appeared with the arrival of outsiders who try to turn schools into the main recruitment bases. Where are the prosecutors of the main case. These are such penetrations that seem to me alarming signals and must be followed up as a priority. The testimony of a female student from the capital's schools publicly says that she has been involved in this network. If this is true, then the situation requires a swift investigation. Meanwhile, every report from people close to the case, from the police and SHIK bodies, in an attempt to do so, is becoming an alarm for placing under control the basic market of the young in schools, from where drugs pass into the hands of smaller dealers. If this is true - the actions must be focused. Organized, police officers and SHIK agents and countermeasures. Conclude with a deterministic stance. Authorities and some[?] hundreds? with? this burden “evidence”, where will it pursue before[?] presidiums and operations like say[?] mainly students? A Arifi Dima[?] there from terror. CAMOSH LEVONJA

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