I’ll tell Nano only: Appointments are made according to specific clans. Page 10 I’ll tell Nano only: Appointments are made according to specific clans Page 10

Given the state the country was in a year ago, the positive results achieved by the left-wing coalition government cannot be denied. In addition to the increase in the security coefficient, albeit not to a high degree, something has also moved in the economic sector. Alongside these, a few modest steps can be listed in the fight against some negative phenomena of recent years, such as smuggling, although in some respects it continues to prevail over the state. The agreements signed with various international institutions, as well as the ongoing support being provided from abroad for the recovery of the army and, especially, the strengthening of the police force, speak to a certain degree of confidence by the international community in today’s government, as well as in the effectiveness of its measures. But things are somewhat different with Albanians. Despite the positive facts mentioned above, most of the population continues to be caught in the downward current that began more than a year ago, at the moment the financial pyramids collapsed. So far, of all those dizzying figures mentioned in official announcements, the scenes of agreements being signed and, most importantly, the joyful news of work beginning on various fronts, people have not seen any tangible benefit. Indeed, in this respect, there have also been delays for unconvincing reasons. Thus, Prime Minister Nano’s promises to create 300,000 jobs over a four-year period now seem closer to utopia than reality. And given the strangling of part of the small-business sector, unemployment figures have deepened further. But efforts to create job opportunities as soon as possible represent the main challenge for Nano himself, above all as regards the country’s return to normality. Financial maneuvering to preserve various balances or achieve the parameters demanded by the outside world, in the absence of genuine economic activity, will only prolong the agony. For the most part, the ills currently afflicting Albanian society are linked solely to the lack of work. Consequently, in their efforts to secure a livelihood, people are forced to turn to illegal activities. Under such conditions, attempts to evade obligations, street crime, large-scale smuggling, and corruption among various officials are not only a normal phenomenon but also a lawful one. Perhaps the state itself, being aware of this, is compelled to turn a blind eye in many cases.

Page 3 The presidential couple, Meidani, during an audience with the Holy Father

He suspects that he mediated arrangements for relations with Italians P. 6

Alarm from Italy too: a wave of departures expected in summer P. 7

Leka’s invitation to the headquarters of all Albanian parties P. 2

He will also head the Anti-Corruption Commission P. 4

After VEFA, all investment companies under scrutiny P. 6

At the Oslo meeting, Fatos Nano’s party takes a major step. The decision on admission will be made in June ’99 in Paris We will take part in all SI meetings Yesterday, during a press conference, Foreign Relations Secretary Maqo Lakrori said that in the second half of 1999, the PSSH would join the SI, following the request made by this party to the President and Secretary General of the SI. At the joint meeting with the PSSH and PSDSH delegations, held in Oslo, Norway, on 18–19 May, the SI Secretary General, Luis Ayala, said, among other things, “from now on the PSSH will take part in all SI meetings.” P. 3