The prime minister is not dismissed, but some cabinet ministers will leave their posts In the first round of the PS leadership meeting, the prime minister manages to draw level. The decisive showdown is expected, in which Nano will accuse specific ministers of corruption as well as of being linked to Meta

The clash between Prime Minister Meta and the socialist leader, Nano, is linked to the dismissal of Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, considered close to Fatos Nano. The strongest candidates for the post of Foreign Minister are the Austrian Chancellor, Kokoedhisari, and another figure close to Meta. According to a decision from Nano’s camp, replacing a minister independent of another figure close to the leader of the socialists would lead to victory for Fatos Nano. However, last night’s clash dragged on before a clear outcome was reached, which from Meta’s camp appears to have been some kind of compromise, with insistence on keeping his own ministers in place. Moreover, in order to secure at least a moral victory, it is clear that the prime minister seeks to rely on the figure of the country’s president. In the first round of the PS leadership meeting, the prime minister manages to draw level. The decisive showdown is expected, in which Nano will accuse specific ministers of corruption as well as of being linked to Meta, but the other side is suspected of moving first, so the matter will revolve around the parliamentary threshold card. Meta is expected to leave his post at the head of the government after resigning from the leadership. Apparently, he already has a candidate prepared for this post, before rising to power. If the prime minister’s post becomes vacant, the strongest candidates to head the government are presented by Pandeli Majko, with the party’s vote and also with the support of former president Meidani. The balance of forces within the PS itself is heading in two directions: the first is to reach an agreement within the party, while the second and more likely one is governing. In the first round of the leadership, the prime minister was asked to make changes in the cabinet. One of the names being discussed for replacement is also that of Artur Kriushi, because of the conflict with the presidency. The prime minister has asked for understanding in order to go before the special session and arrange the dismissals himself. The postponement gives him a chance to reorganize. If the situation drags on and the government does not hold, the crisis could deepen. At the end of the meeting it was implied that the first words went in favor of compromise, while the political battle will move to the next session.

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Large forces block the crossing 5 km inside the Montenegrin border After the agreement to open the border between Albania and Montenegro, the Serbian army blocks the way. The NATO forces commander, Clark, warns of a coup and a war situation in our northern neighbor photo R. ILO Prime Minister Meta and his Turkish counterpart Ecevit yesterday at a press conference Page 10

05 March 2000 5 TUPLE-BINGO with TEN MILLION each 1 MAGIC-BINGO 5 MILLION 1 STAR-BINGO 1.5 MILLION 100 WINNERS OF MINI-BINGO WITH 100 THOUSAND LEK EACH Friends of Albania: “Theoretically you are in order” Pages 2-3