“Abuse of office for economic gain” The Minister of Privatization signs to the detriment of the State in order to favor a Greek company

Although the Socialist Congress has ended and the party’s governing bodies are expected to be elected, a serious problem has arisen for its new chairman, Fatos Nano. The General Governing Committee is not complete. If the Socialist Party statute were to be strictly respected, it states that: “The candidate who receives the most votes is considered elected, but no fewer than half of the votes cast by those participating in the voting.” It turns out that around 40% of the members of the Socialist Party’s General Governing Committee did not receive enough votes. The problem becomes even more delicate when one considers that some of those whose election has a “flaw” are well-known Socialist Party figures such as Kastrjot Islami, Ndre Legisi, Musa Ulqini, Ylli Bufi, Spartak Braho, Monika Kryemadhi, Flamur Hoxha, Ilir Zela, etc. 568 delegates voted at the Congress, and 47 ballots were declared invalid. On this basis, 32 members received fewer than half the votes. That is, they received between 229 and 259 votes, failing to reach half of those who participated in the vote. Among those who did not receive enough votes are supporters of both Nano and Majko. What should Nano do in such a situation? During his campaign, he repeatedly urged respect for the rules of the statute. Will he allow a breach of the statute, or will he convene the Congress to hold another vote for the candidates who did not receive more than half of the votes cast by those participating in the vote? If he is truly interested in effectively establishing the new rules, he should be the first to set an example by respecting them, all the more so when it comes to regulating matters through a statute. Otherwise, if he is directly bound by the statute. Otherwise, Nano would be taking an enormous risk, compromising the mandate he received at the Congress before even beginning his work. A breach of the statute now is very likely to pave the way for further violations, not to mention its distortion for personal interests or simply for personal gain. After this, ideal conditions would be created for a section of Socialist Party politicians to gain strength—particularly that section of PS politicians interested in preserving the current status quo. Certainly, in this way, more than anything else, Nano’s tolerance would become a powerful weapon in the hands of the opposition.

Page 3 Surroi yesterday at Kadare’s home. Photo: R. Tasho

The people of Zadrima who made the Bell go to the Vatican A large Bell made by Albanian children from bullet casings will today be part of the greatest religious celebration in the world. The ceremony will begin in front of St. Peter’s Church in the Vatican, where Pope John Paul II himself will bless the “Bell of Peace,” which will then travel to all the cities of Italy. Albania, too, will welcome this bell on 1 January 2000. Its creators, the Albanian children, will be received by the Holy Father himself, after three years of work to make the great Bell of Peace. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest tributes to the work of Albanian hands. Page 13

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