Ministers with dual citizenship will leave the government A strict draft law on the moral character of those who will lead the state is ready

BY ENTON ABILEKAJ The two people most eager to carry out Berisha’s orders must themselves have been surprised yesterday when they found themselves at the same table as Meidani. Gjana and Topalli recited the same refrain, but their words became irrelevant after the PD’s major step of sitting down, for the first time, at the table with the President. Yesterday’s step can be called the beginning of a compromise, although many predict tensions on the eve of the local elections and perhaps the PD’s non-participation. But the first option—that of reaching a compromise on the Electoral Code article concerning the Central Election Commission—looks set to prevail by autumn. The plan, promoted once again by the OSCE, appears to be working. The Democratic Party was catapulted to Meidani’s table precisely one day before the arrival of foreign experts on the Electoral Code. The experts, who will spend two days in Albania, will work specifically to serve the political compromise on amending the article concerning the CEC. The solution seems imminent and will soon give way to many other disputes. But all the disagreements so far, and the PD’s subsequent claims, are not expected to lead this party to stay out of the elections. If the PD decides not to take part in the local elections, no pretext, however strong, will spare it the condemnation of the International Community, which, after several years of experience, now understands the scheming tricks of Albanian politics. On the other hand, non-participation would leave the PD without any share of power and would weaken the party in the parliamentary elections as well. There is no way out: the PD will take part in the elections and will wave high the flag of 29 June 1997, when it was at its lowest in terms of votes. (continued on page 3) photo P. Lilo

page 11 — Inis Gjoni tells her own story pages 16–17

A show will be held in the city’s central square, hosted by Ardit Gjebrea, Miss Albania 2000 Gentiana Ramadani and Agron Llakaj Tonight, at 19:30, in Lezhë Well-known Albanian artists taking part: 1-Ardit Gjebrea 2-Agron Llakaj 3-Zef Deda 4-Manjola Nallbani 5-Agim Bajko 6-Aurela Gaçe 7-Motrat Libohova 8-Françesk Radi 9-The group “Djemtë e Detit” 10-Bujar Qamili 11-Zylhila Miloti 12-Besnik Qenari 13-Drande Xhai 14-Edmond Halili 15-Dashnor Diko 16-Spirit Voice 17- The group “Mister” NOTE FROM THE ORGANIZERS: Artists from Tirana should be in front of Hotel Rogner at 13:00, where departure for Lezhë will take place