The multi-year cooperation program for 1996-’99 and the 1996 operating program are agreed upon The multi-year cooperation program 1996-’99 includes Italian financing worth 140 million ECU (175 million USD), which will be allocated to Albania to sustainably support the Government’s economic program and the country’s integration into the European community The multi-year program will be supported by the Operating Program for 1996, which will include activities proposed in all priority sectors of cooperation, according to the agreement signed by the Albanian government and the European Commission on 26 July 1996. In order to promote and consolidate the reform process undertaken by the Albanian Government, within the framework of the Multi-Year Cooperation Program for the period 1996-’99, the following activities will generally be envisaged: Credit and guarantee program for SMEs; Restructuring of the financial sector; PHARE (membership program) and export credit swaps; Improvement of port roads and transport services; Subsidies for the private agricultural sector; Renewal of processing technologies and food reserves; Improvement of legislation; Assistance and vocational training; (14 MECU) Improvement of the insurance system to support business development and private activities; Improvement of the customs system and tax administration; (11 MECU) Urban planning and cadastre services; Justice and public administration; (7.7 MECU) Public administration reform; (4 MECU) Assistance for privatization and the continuation of economic reforms; (3.5 MECU) Assistance for corporate development; (11 MECU) Improvement of legislation and capacities for market activity; (0.8 MECU) Support for the energy sector, water supply enterprises and urban buses in Tirana; (17 MECU) A special facility for small projects will be created to co-finance funds provided by the PHARE program and other donor contributions. The movement of the socialists and the two movements has made from the statistics of the "swamp". Indeed, it is also lower than what had been suggested a few months earlier in Brussels. After the talks from 6 to 10 of this month on this issue, Albania benefited from this very large aid for the PD government. This figure of the package, as its spokesperson announced, has been granted to Albania because of the clear recognition of our country’s commitment to market reforms and a stabilized economy. In particular, he underlined that this amount far exceeds any aid the EU has given to any Eastern country in a real blockade and incompatibility

The multi-year cooperation program 1996-’99 and the 1996 operating program are agreed upon in the Italian government’s assistance for reforestation and feeder road projects The financing of the Italian government for reforestation and feeder road projects was agreed in Rome On 26 July 1996, the Italian Council of Ministers approved financing for the construction of forests and feeder roads needed to progressively reduce the damage caused by forest fires. As for the first phase and the financing of 6 million dollars, specifically for 1996, it will benefit from co-financing by the European Commission and the Albanian state, in accordance with the Multi-Year Cooperation Program 1996-’99 and the 1996 Operating Program established on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Albanian government. According to sources from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the project in question will aim to intervene in forests through the improvement of forest roads, which will facilitate rapid and efficient action against fires. The forest protection project also provides for measures in the monitoring system, the preparation of forest fire services, as well as training of personnel in the field of forestry. The Italian government will also support other projects for environmental protection and infrastructure development in the communities of Europe

Shehu meets Mr. Hanic Shvarc Xhavit, after discussing with the head of the legal office, Xhan Shvarc, a senior official of the New York City Fund, about the need to implement a modern legal framework in local administration. The meeting focused on issues of local government reform and on aligning Albanian legislation with contemporary practices. The parties assessed the importance of the law for local units as an indispensable basis for decentralization and for strengthening local institutions. The meeting also addressed opportunities for technical cooperation to improve urban administration and public services.

On the part of the Socialist Party, which for a long time has failed to reflect political and parliamentary activity, leaving the country in an opposition vacuum, a deep crisis of concepts and organization appears. The opposition crisis is now evident not only in its public rhetoric, but also in its concrete political behavior, offering no real alternative to the country’s reform processes. Internal disagreements, lack of cohesion, and clashes between interest groups have highlighted its inability to function as a modern political force. In this climate of confusion, the organization of its congress looks more like an attempt to cover up accumulated crises than to create a new political platform. It remains to be seen whether this forum will be able to produce any new vision or will serve only as a formal ritual to legitimize the internal status quo.

On the eve of the major clash between the Socialist camps The movement of the socialists of the two movements has made from the status quo of the "swamp". Indeed, it is also lower than what was suggested by Berisha a few months earlier. Because during the talks from 6 to 10 of this month on this issue, Albania benefited from this aid, so large for the PD government. This figure of the package, as its spokesperson announced, has been granted to Albania because of the clear recognition of our country’s commitment to market reforms and a stabilized economy. Page 5

From the opening day of the XVIII Seminar for Women, Albanian literature and culture Page 5

The Ministry of Health warns of extreme measures against doctors who take bribes Page 2

FLUTURA HYSKO Chairwoman of the LDG FLUTURA HYSKO Chairwoman of the LDG Page 3

In the Socialist Party only the process of divisions is taking place Kastriot Islami, Sabit Brokaj, Ylli Bufi, Musa Ulqini, Fatos Nano, Tritan Shehu, Piro Misha. Are these the others as well? They remain the preore clans. Aqolli and someone else, but if they do not reach the left wing, could it be from the centenary to enter the births and dilacerations that the Albanians experienced Page 3

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