Socialist Minister Vukaj trampled on the blood of those killed in Cërrik ON PAGE 2

Governor Tusha speaks about inflation and bank privatization ON PAGE 5

Court rules: Qemal Disha remains director of INSIG ON PAGE 5

Democrats heading for victory, socialists heading for a boycott The International Community issues its final appeal to the Albanian left The PS openly sides with the criminals

. The Socialists once again cast doubt on their participation in the elections, while the international community issued its final ultimatum to the left to take part in the June 29 vote. At the Rome meeting, Europe told the Socialists and their friends, “See you after the elections,” which will be held with the support and assistance of the international community, but administered by the Albanians themselves. This conclusion definitively puts an end to the left-wing Albanians’ demands and complaints of recent days, who had been asking for the international community to play a role similar to the one it played in the Bosnian elections. But the Socialists did not wait for the Rome decision before deciding whether to participate in the June 29 elections. Yesterday, PS chairman Fatos Nano openly sided with the bandits in the tragic events in Cërrik, making it even clearer where the true perpetrators of the bloodshed that shook Albania should be sought. The Socialist leader said that his party could not take part in the elections if operations against armed criminals in several cities across the country continued, citing the tragic events in Cërrik. His irresponsible statement is, in fact, a clear expression of his party’s point of view: it regards police officers as bandits and bandits as heroes. At the same time, it is a grave insult to the blood of the innocent people massacred as they carried out their noble duty by criminal gangs of thugs. It is now clear that the Socialists are not calling for the state of emergency to be lifted so their candidates can campaign, but to give their armed men in several cities across the country greater freedom and opportunity to terrorize people. For more than a week, Democratic Party politicians have been campaigning intensively, adapting to the new conditions in Albania without fear. The only danger they have taken upon themselves is that posed by criminal gangs set in motion and directed from the highest offices in Tirana. The PS politicians, meanwhile, are not fighting today for a direct contest with the PD and the old right, but are bringing only their own criminal and violent elements into this political struggle. The Socialists’ decision to postpone once again, adding a new condition for their participation in the elections, came on the same day that a delegation from the Albanian government went to Rome to attend the preparatory conference on Albania. In addition to his party’s instructions, shortly before departing for Rinas, Fino was also subjected to strong pressure from Çeka and Gjushi, who threatened him and insisted that he convince Drita and Vranicki that they were entitled not to enter the elections. Whether or not Fino had the courage at that moment to convey the new, harsh complaints and demands to Dini and Vranicki, one thing is certain: the International Community did not make its decision to change the election arrangements on a whim, and whoever undermines them will bear a heavy responsibility. Fino would do well to relay all of this to them, since Vrasi and Dini have consistently stated all the changes they may have wanted up to yesterday concerning the weakening of the elections’ credibility and the heightening of tension during the campaign. The Socialists’ new game of trying to win the elections and protect their own people, who are playing a deadly game for everyone, is nothing more than a gesture—and, more importantly, part of a long game. The fact is that the PD is now politically fighting this party to get it to join the elections, while striving to get all parties to participate in elections under a social, micro-regional and eastern-oriented pact signed by all the parties. Faced with this great contrast, Albanians must choose between those who have called themselves the Albanian project and the backwardness and vileness of the Albanians, who are strengthening and emboldening their police through violence and crime.

The PS openly sides with the criminals

Vranicki at the Rome Preparatory Conference: Former Austrian Chancellor Vranicki yesterday in Rome described the elections scheduled for June 29 as “necessary.” “They (the elections) serve to get Albania out of this situation and usher it into a new chapter. There are still difficulties, but without elections chaos will be eternal, so we must move forward,” Vranicki said. After this meeting, it may be possible to give greater thought to the country’s social and economic reconstruction.

President Berisha summons Fino and Çelo President Berisha explains to Prime Minister Fino that, under the constitutional provisions, lifting the state of emergency is not within the competence of the President of the Republic, but of Parliament itself. President Berisha explained to Prime Minister Fino that, under the constitutional provisions, lifting the state of emergency is not within the competence of the President of the Republic, but of Parliament itself, at a meeting held on Sunday at which he was in favor of the normal conduct of the campaign and the electoral process. The meeting discussed the measures that need to be taken to conduct the election campaign and guarantee the electoral activities of the political parties. At this meeting, the President

the competence of the President of the Republic, but only of Parliament, at a meeting held on Sunday to which the Minister of the Interior, Belul Çelo, had also been summoned. However, the commander of operations, the Government and the Defense Council, on the basis of Parliament’s latest decision, must determine all the necessary measures for of the political parties. At this meeting, President Berisha and Prime Minister Fino agreed on the necessity of a social pact among all political forces to ensure the successful conduct of free elections in Albania.

The gangs are directed from the headquarters of the Socialist Party - The statements by Socialist leaders and the articles in their newspapers prove that the tragedy in Cërrik, like the one in Gramsh and the others, was planned in Tirana ON PAGE 3

The Socialist Party creates a new alibi for not entering the elections ON PAGE 3

President Berisha is greeted enthusiastically by thousands of residents of the city of Durrës ON PAGE 3

Why are the law enforcement forces not being paid 300 percent? ON PAGE 2

President Berisha decreed the Central Election Commission yesterday ON PAGE 3

Dozens of Albanians arrested in Gostivar Macedonian authorities removed the Albanian national flag yesterday from the façade of the Gostivar Municipal Assembly. Eyewitnesses at the scene told the “Enter” news agency that civilians identified as being close to the official Macedonian authorities removed the Albanian flag from the government building and tore it up. A small group of Albanians present at the scene reacted to this action. The situation escalated further, and the sides turned against one another until a clash broke out. Local police intervened and arrested all those involved in the incident. At around seven in the morning, hundreds of angry Albanian citizens had gathered in front of the Municipal Assembly and raised the flag again. The day passed amid tensions in relations between the two nationalities. The problems began when the Constitutional Court of Macedonia ruled that the use of the Albanian flag in the municipality of Gostivar was not permitted. All Albanian political organizations in Macedonia reacted against this ruling, while on Saturday, May 24, a large rally was held in Gostivar’s square under the motto “Let us defend the Albanian national flag.” Around 20,000 people listened to representatives of various Albanian political forces in Macedonia, who called the Constitutional Court of Macedonia’s ruling politically motivated and intended to divert attention from confronting the problems facing Macedonia. Among other things, the targeting of the Albanians’ national symbol is seen as an attempt to provoke a reaction from the Albanian factor, so that it can then be accused of being a destabilizing force in this republic. Rufi Osmani, Mayor of the Municipality of Gostivar, emphasized at the rally that the issue of the Albanian flag is as it was in the time of Skanderbeg. Referring further to Macedonia’s constitution, Osmani said that as long as the flag is not prohibited by the constitution, it is permitted. “The Albanian national flag will fly high; it is not a foreign flag,” as the Macedonian newspapers write. Those attending the meeting said that Macedonia cannot exist if people play with Albanian national feelings. They warned of the consequences Macedonia could face if it provokes the national feelings of Albanians.

Meetings at the highest levels of Italian politics At the invitation of the Italian party, the Chairman of the PDSh, Mr. Tritan Shehu, left for an official visit to Italy. During this three-day visit, Mr. Shehu will hold end of his visit, Mr. Shehu will hold a press conference in Italy.

Two of the police officers killed in the Cërrik tragedy and the head of the committees, Fatos Nano