Fino, threaten less and work more Since the start of the campaign of the main parties in Albania, Bashkim Fino has launched a whole series of accusations, threats and insults against the Democratic Party. A former prime minister elected by vote [?]. A former head of our glass party [?]. A former first secretary of the committee of the Party of Labour of Albania and executive chairman of Gjirokastër. A former doctor, although he never represented either scientific medicine, social medicine or the Hippocratic and [?-?] and scientific [?-?] of mixed at least. For them the prime minister and the change in attitude matter, which is striking. What a strange case! He came out of the hands of the rebels and became prime minister. What a strange case! He governs Vlorë and is prime minister. What a strange case! He came out of [?-?] with weapons and as [?-?] prime minister. What a strange case! Bashkim Fino today speaks to the PD about order, when he does not accept its governing ability and defends the rebels. A former secretary of the PPSH! A former [?-?] of the executive of Gjirokastër! A man who has never risen through work, but through political support. The prime minister chosen by the committee, Bashkim Fino, is using this campaign to create an atmosphere of pressure on the electorate and to cover up the incompetence of his government. The time has come for him to understand that Albania is not governed with threats and political blackmail. The state belongs to no one. Citizens cannot be treated as spoils of war. In these elections the people will decide. And they will decide not under the barrels of Kalashnikovs, not under the pressure of committees, but by free vote. That is the real fear of the socialists. That is why they seek to replace the state with committees, law with violence, the administration with militants. Today Mr. Fino must answer the fundamental question: is he the prime minister of the Republic of Albania or the spokesman of the rebels' committees? If he is prime minister, let him act against them. If he is unable to do so, let him not threaten the opposition, but admit failure.

The socialists want to swallow the administration It expresses, before the democrats, its concern about the tendency to make political exceptions and to give the administration a one-sided character. This seriously threatens the credibility of the local and national electoral process. Socialist representatives seek to replace part of the election administration with people politically linked to them. On this occasion, the Democratic Party considers this practice to be a violation of the established standards and of the March 9 agreement. Any such interference would seriously damage the climate of cooperation and create an unacceptable precedent for the future. The responsible institutions and international partners are called upon to closely follow these developments and not allow the political distortion of election administration.

Ms. Leni Fischer writes to President Berisha The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, has received [?-?] a letter from Leni Fischer, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. It states that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is ready to observe the upcoming elections in Albania. The letter also values the importance of free and fair elections and stresses that cooperation with European institutions is important for democratic stability. The delegation will include [?-?] members of [?-?] and specialized observers. The Council of Europe will closely follow the electoral process and its administrative preparations. The letter expresses confidence that the Albanian authorities will guarantee the necessary conditions for a normal electoral process.

STRASBOURG/Geneva (according to the policy of the European Parliament) As part of a joint mission in Albania, delegations from European institutions are expected to hold meetings with senior representatives of the Albanian state and of the political forces. The purpose of the visit is to encourage political dialogue, improve the climate of trust and ensure the conditions for the normal development of the democratic process. European officials have expressed concern about political polarisation and the continuing insecurity in the country. They stress the need for the parties to show restraint and respect democratic rules. Diplomatic sources say there will be meetings with the President, the government and leaders of the main political parties. The mission is considered part of international efforts to support stability and the restoration of institutional normality in Albania.

Fino closes the final rally for RTSH Yesterday Fino admitted that the apparatus of state television had been used in support of the PS campaign. According to sources close to the RTSH administration, orders were given for one-sided broadcasts and for limiting the voice of the opposition. This has been described as a serious violation of campaign equality and of the public role of the state media. In its reaction, the opposition is demanding an immediate investigation and institutional accountability for this partisan use of public television. Media specialists assess that informational bias seriously harms the minimum standards of free elections.

The good is written in stone Page 4

Urban crime under attack Cities of Southern Albania Murders and kidnappings in Vlorë Page 2

Trino admits Vukaj's incompetence The government shows a great extension of the Multinational Force Page 3