Interview with Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi given after the appointment of the new government The government’s main directions will be the main pillars of the Democratic Party’s program: rapid economic development, rapid growth in prosperity, the restitution of property, privatization, development of economic and human infrastructure, continued opening toward Europe, the national question, and other priorities. PAGE 3

Yesterday President Berisha appointed the new government Governance as cooperation Yesterday the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, pursuant to Article 28, point 19, and Article 33, paragraph 3, of Law No. 7491, dated 29.04.1991, “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” on the basis of the proposal made by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Aleksandër Meksi, appointed the Council of Ministers. Commenting on the composition of the government, President Berisha said that this government has three most essential features: it is the broadest coalition government the country has ever had. Following intensive dialogue between the DP and other political forces, it was agreed that the DP, PR, PBSD and PDK would participate in this government. The government remains open to cooperation with other political forces that have similar programs, at different levels of government. This government consists of ministers and state secretaries, members of parliament from parliamentary parties, and individuals distinguished by their professional and organizational abilities in leading institutions or in other work, by their great commitment to reforms, and by their integrity. It fully meets the current requirements for the stability of the country’s reform process. The new cabinet has the broadest representation of Albanian women in the country’s history, with 2 women ministers and 2 women state secretaries. In forming this government, two areas have been strengthened most: 1) education, for which the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has been created; and 2) privatization. To rapidly carry out the privatization of sectors deemed strategic—banks, mines, energy, telecommunications, and other medium-sized and large enterprises—the Ministry of Privatization has been created. RD CORRESPONDENT Governance as cooperation Yesterday President Berisha decreed the new government. It marks a qualitative change in its composition and design. It seems that considerable emphasis has been placed on standardizing governance along Western European lines; the models for this envisage its functioning in step with Albania’s new developments. The ministers have been vetted through the reform process—that is, through a work record that fully supports the President’s confidence in an efficient government, a normal government for a now-normal state such as Albania. Before the government was formed, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also chairman of the Democratic Party, held extensive consultations with other political parties. The consultations produced interesting proposals, which were also taken into account in arranging the ministries and appointing the ministers. Government cooperation is a democratic norm for a country under democracy, while for the political force that wins an election it is an expression of democratic civic-mindedness. The Democratic Party set up the negotiating table because it feels a duty to respect the electorate that did not vote for it, too. Despite its governing capabilities, which have now been under-voted because of its first four years in government, this party is able to act in accordance with the points where the interests of the majority and of the people most converge and coincide. This way of preparing the government team also fully accords with the slogan that represented the DP’s election campaign: “With us, everyone wins.” Of course, this is not about government posts but about ... government posts, but about cooperation between alternatives that best serve the interests of Albanians. Cooperation is all-encompassing. It is best demonstrated by alternating toward what is right and enduring. The Democratic Party’s government is capable of improving itself and continuing to function in pursuit of reform and the preservation of the pace of development, which is what voters and others aspire to every day. Cooperation is a coefficient of participation in success more than participation in responsibility. The new government has also achieved another thing in its composition. It now has four women, which means that women have a fitting role in the leadership of the country. This composition embodies what has now been achieved in the leading bodies of the Democratic Party and even in Parliament. Their participation in leadership serves the contribution Albanian women make to reform. Meanwhile, in line with the other commitments of the Democratic Party and its program, the government has elevated privatization to ministerial rank and opened a portfolio for higher education and scientific research. Neither of these ministries has previously operated at this level. It is clear that education is an important subject of DP governance, while placing privatization at the level of a ministerial cabinet paves the way for its final steps. This is not about state control of privatization, but about proper administration of the process and its capitalist formation. The government announced yesterday has all the makings of success.

The photograph shows two men, one speaking at a podium and the other standing beside him.

The “Mother Teresa” Gold Order for the French ambassador The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, presented the Gold Order to the ambassador, Lui Domenici, Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, presented the French ambassador to Tirana, Lui Domenici, with the Gold Order of Mother Teresa at a ceremony held at the Presidency. The Mother Teresa Order, awarded with the citation “for outstanding activity in the friendly relations between the Albanian people and the French people,” was presented on the occasion of the French ambassador’s departure from Albania. In his remarks, President Berisha said that President Shirak and France, the country of the declaration of human rights and freedoms and a great inspiration for people’s struggles and efforts against dictatorships, had strongly supported the democratic forces in Albania. We are grateful for the support France has given us directly within the European Union. Berisha added that, over the last four years, relations between our two countries had developed strongly in all fields. We are grateful for the support that the French government and other French institutions have given us in our efforts to integrate Albania into Europe, to secure its membership in the Council of Europe, to achieve the association agreement with the EU, and, most recently, for the support of French parliamentarians for the efforts of Albania’s democratic forces to continue moving forward without interruption, President Berisha said, adding: “I want to ...” at a ceremony held at the Presidency. Ambassador Domenici was especially praised for his contribution to securing the signing of the treaty of friendship, the agreement on the protection of investments, the agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, the agreement in the field of justice and other agreements, as well as for establishing comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Domenici described the order awarded to him as a great honor for himself, the French Embassy in Tirana and France. He added that President Shirak attaches particular importance to strengthening relations with Albania.

women state secretaries. In RD CORRESPONDENT 1. Mr. Tritan Shehu is appointed Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs. 2. Mr. Halit Shamata, Minister of the Interior 3. Mr. Ridvan Bode, Minister of Finance 4. Mr. Safet Zhulali, Minister of Defense 5. Mr. Kristofor Peçi, Minister of Justice 6. Ms. Suzana Panariti, Minister of Industry, Transport and Trade 7. Mr. Abdyl Xhaja, Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources 8. Mr. Albert Brojka, Minister of Public Works, Territorial Planning and Tourism 9. Mr. Maksim Cikuli, Minister of Health and Environment. 10. Mr. Bamir Topi, Minister of Agriculture and Food 11. Mr. Edmond Lulja, Minister of Education and Sports 12. Mr. Besnik Gjongjecaj, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research 13. Mr. Teodor Laço, Minister of Culture, Youth and Women’s Affairs. 14. Ms. Arlinda Keçi, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs 15. Mr. Dylber Vrioni, Minister of Privatization. 16. Mr. Hasan Halili, Minister without Portfolio. 17. Mr. Arjan Madhi, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers. 18. Mr. Selim Belortaja, State Secretary for Economic Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19. Mr. Robert Çeku, State Secretary for Tourism in the Ministry of Public Works, Territorial Planning and Tourism. 20. Mr. Niazi Kosorvasti, State Secretary for Local Government in the Ministry of the Interior 21. Mr. Leonard Demi, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense. 22. Mr. Sokol Bejleri, State Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources. 23. Mr. Arben Babameto, State Secretary for Transport in the Ministry of Industry, Transport and Trade. 24. Ms. Marjeta Pronjar, State Secretary for Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports. 25. Ms. Roza Pati, State Secretary for Youth and Women in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Women’s Affairs.

Confessions of a penitent Kola Zonja 5 Zofia Zonja PSD or PAD — There is room at the center for only one party Party… of yours …political weight PAGE 3

President Rugova holds talks with Germany’s foreign minister, Klaus Kinkel

Nano’s response to developments in the SP is delayed Imprisoned leaders have lost their arguments, their means and their people. Meanwhile, the leadership has them in abundance PAGE 3