Anyway 20% of the electorate, Kalakuta 22%, Pellumbi 17.7 percent, itself one quarter of the foreign part of the thing[?] Anyway 20% of the electorate, Kalakuta 22%, Pellumbi 17.7 percent, itself one quarter of the foreign part of the thing[?] THE ART OF PRETENSION THE RIT SHOUTS The latest article in the Italian cartoon magazine «Cuore» has shed light on the contrast between the left-wing vote in Italy after the elections and the internal clashes within PDSH and its allies. The article stresses that the decision not to enter into a coalition with the Aki-PDSH wing led by Servet Pëllumbi was considered a possible mistake by the moderate wing. According to the author, who cites comments from Rome, while PDSH tried to affirm its own identity, the dispersion of the left-wing vote gave the other wings an advantage. It further says that if the left block had run united, it could have reached around 22 percent of the vote, while Pëllumbi’s faction would have obtained around 17.7 percent. Comparing this with the actual result, the article suggests that the coalition split had a negative effect. The analysis also mentions the other party, which received a modest percentage, and the strategic clashes among leaders over the orientation of the left in relation to former communists and social democrats. (Continues on page 7)

MONDAY, 14 MARCH Press conference of the Association of former politically persecuted persons of the Shkodër district. Its chairman, Mr. Mehmet Hoxha, accused the executive and the district prosecutor's office of the early release of police officer Shkëlqim Peregja, sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for mistreatment of political prisoners in 1991. On this occasion, the Association of former politically persecuted persons in this district declared an indefinite hunger strike, or a strike without a deadline, against the court's decision 3. In a protest on that same day, the branch of the Democratic Party in Vlorë denounced the arrest of Professor Pjetër Arbnori and the local judiciary for the way the case was handled.[?] TUESDAY, 15 MARCH The leadership of the National Association of Former Politically Persecuted Persons of Albania requested in a press statement the death sentence of the former dictator Enver Hoxha, the repatriation of his remains, and the implementation of the lustration law.[?] In Berat, the farewell ceremony was held for the last resting place of PD activist Hysni Hoxha, killed the night before. In Kavajë, a group of former prisoners and politically persecuted persons held a rally in front of the historical museum, demanding the removal from the city square of the monument to the «Heroes of Vigu». WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH The National Front Party declared itself in defense of the «Gjallica» pyramid scheme, asking the government to review the measures against it. Party chairman Adriatik Alimadhi said the company had a positive role for the domestic economy. President Sali Berisha, in a meeting with independent media representatives, said he had no intention of removing Prosecutor General Maks Haxhia from office, despite criticism from the Democratic Party. THURSDAY, 17 MARCH The chairman of the parliamentary Defense Commission, Spartak Ngjela, called for an investigation into arms trafficking and accused the secret services of failures. At the parliamentary session, the opposition criticized the government for impoverishing needy groups, while the majority defended market reforms. FRIDAY, 18 MARCH After a quarrel between two groups of residents in a village in Lezhë, the police arrested four people. The opposition linked the incident to local political tensions. The government approved an additional package of measures to control imports and combat smuggling. SATURDAY, 19 MARCH A rally of the Alliance for Democracy in Tirana called for free elections and deeper institutional reforms. In Korçë, a verbal clash was reported between right-wing and left-wing municipal councilors over the local budget. (Continued on page 2)

Foreign agencies on the Report of the OSCE Commissioner on National Minorities, Mr. van der Stoel AFP THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ALBANIA IN ALBANIA AND THE RIGHTS OF ALBANIANS[?] It was of particular importance that Greece had chosen not to use its veto at the European Union meeting, said the Prime Minister of Albania, Aleksandër Meksi. According to him, this shows that despite the harsh rhetoric, Athens did not want an escalation of the conflict with Tirana. Meksi said that the report of the OSCE commissioner Max van der Stoel on the situation of the Greek minority in Albania and the rights of Albanians in Greece was a valid basis for moving forward in bilateral relations. He stressed that the Albanian government had taken measures to respect the cultural and educational rights of the minority, but also that it expected reciprocity from the Greek side. Meksi stated that he had asked European partners to assess the situation in the region objectively and not allow the political use of ethnic issues. (Continued on page 2)

From the report of the International Conference on European Integration BLEDI KASMI The international conference on European integration assessed the importance of democratic and economic reforms in the countries of Southeastern Europe. In presentations and discussions, the need for stable institutions, the rule of law, and regional cooperation was emphasized as a precondition for drawing closer to Western structures. Representatives from different countries pointed out that Albania needed to accelerate the modernization of the administration and improve the investment climate. The role of international organizations in supporting the transition and the possibilities of economic integration were also discussed. (Continued on page 2)

Press conference of the President of the Court of Cassation, Mr. Zef Brozi At a press conference, the President of the Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi, expressed concern about pressure on the justice system and the need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary. He said that legal reforms had to be accompanied by respect for procedures and by professionalism from law enforcement institutions. Brozi called for political debate not to affect judicial decision-making and stressed the role of the Court of Cassation in guaranteeing standards. (Continued on page 2)

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Notice The chairman of the Party of Block 1994, at 11:00 a.m., its headquarters, in Tirana PDSH, convenes the National Council of PRPD. THE PRPD LEADERSHIP

Great healing[?] of the body[?] socialist ministers to[?] forced[?] competition[?]