While the Committee of 80 Elders continues its rallies in Vlorë ON PAGE 2

The Constitutional Court overturns the decision of caretaker Fino ON PAGE 2

Tirana, the capital of the dollar; traders sell in foreign currency ON PAGE 5

The armed wing of the Socialist Party in Vlorë yesterday dropped even the thin veil it had used to hide from the International Community, between the Nationalists and the rebel committees. These threaten the holding of free elections in Albania. The leading figure of the armed committees, Eduard Alushi, publicly announced yesterday that he and his friends had decided that Nano should run in Vlorë, to ensure his victory. Along with the leader of the SP, it appears that the Vlorë committee has also decided on the candidacy of Frok Çupi, in recognition of his particular merits as one of the most ardent instigators of the rebellion. The Socialist leader in Vlorë, Eduard Alushi, is well known to everyone as one of the organizers of the meeting of the southern committees in Vlorë, where it was decided to attack Tirana with weapons and call on the civilian population and embassies to abandon the capital. It was he who communicated and announced Nano’s candidacy in Vlorë, dispelling any doubts even among the least-informed people about the absolutely clear ties between the Socialist Party and the armed committees. The fact that Nano is running in Vlorë, where an order has been issued for the committees not to lay down their arms, also best explains why the Socialists did not sign the social pact offered by the DP, as well as their paralysis in not beginning the election campaign. The Socialists apparently feel confident of victory only in areas controlled by their armed men, who are threatening to count the votes. Nano’s candidacy in Vlorë was announced one day after the head of the Vlorë committee, Albert Shyti, declared that his armed men would protect and count the votes. Nothing is accidental in the convergence of the actions of the Socialists at the center with those of the committees at their grassroots in several southern cities. At a time when the Socialists have been definitively exposed as Albania’s prolongers of the crisis and the bosses of the armed committees, the Democratic Party is receiving strong signals of understanding and support from the International Community. The United States of America issued a strong warning to the Albanian Socialists yesterday, reminding them for the last time that they must remove the word “boycott” from their political vocabulary. As is well known, this word was introduced into the vocabulary of Albanian politics by the Socialists and other left-wing groups during the May 26 elections. The State Department statement calls on the Albanian government to create conditions for voters’ freedom of movement and freedom of the press, both of which are currently restricted and entirely obstructed in areas ruled by the Socialist Party’s armed men. The United States warns the Socialists that they must not only take part in the elections, but also accept responsibility for their results. The Democratic Party and all those with even a thousand teachers [sic] have responded to the International Community and to several irresponsible statements by SP leaders, which forecast that they would not recognize the elections if they lost—a prospect that is plainly unavoidable. Finally, SP leader Tritan Shehu concluded a successful campaign in Italy, where he received full assurances of support from Italian politics for its democratic campaign. The Democrats were in the West yesterday, while the Socialists and other leftists are steering toward a victory for their rebellion with the committees. Arbi PATOZI

Vlorë. Armed gangs want the SP leader as a member of parliament Zani and Albert Shyti will count Nano’s votes. The committees also select Frok Çupi as a candidate in Vlorë, rewarding his terrorist writings and incitement of the rebellion Vlorë. Armed gangs want the SP leader as a member of parliament Nano, boss of the committees Zani and Albert Shyti will count Nano’s votes. The committees also select Frok Çupi as a candidate in Vlorë, rewarding his terrorist writings and incitement of the rebellion The committees’ boss, Fatos Nano, and the head of vote counting, Albert Shyti

An American slap in the face for the Socialist Party ON PAGE 3

Statement by the U.S. Department of State on the elections in Albania

The Prime Minister does not recognize the decisions of the People’s Assembly Interview with the Speaker of Parliament, ‘Pjetër Arbnori’ ON PAGE 4

Interview with the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Tritan Shehu, after his visit to Italy In an interview yesterday about his visit to Italy, DP Chairman Tritan Shehu said that the purpose and result of his visit there was to fundamentally strengthen relations between Albania and Italy at this difficult time for Albania, when Italy’s assistance and support have been present and powerful, and when we are all interested in receiving this assistance. ON PAGE 3

The Socialist Party’s committees are seriously threatening the elections The June 29 elections are being threatened with every passing day by the SP and its armed wing. The military committees, which should have been disbanded long ago, have not only remained in place but, under orders from the political and governmental apparatus of the former Communists, are carrying out a series of violent acts ON PAGE 3

Shkodër policeman killed ON PAGE 2

Union for Democracy meets Recent political developments in the country and the threat to democracy posed by the resurgence of former Communist forces and their armed gangs were at the center of discussions yesterday at a meeting convened by the Union for Democracy. The parties of the Union for Democracy, several other parties, trade unions and a large number of non-governmental organizations noted with concern that the development of democracy and the reforms under way have been brutally attacked by the armed rebellion. Participants also discussed, with deep concern, several important issues and the rights violated by the committees and armed gangs, such as freedom of political activity and the circulation of the press, which has been blocked for several months by the armed committees; the terror, threats and murders of supporters, members and activists of right-wing political forces; and the looting, killings and threats against property owners and merchants. In addition to describing the political situation in the country and the threat to democracy posed by the resurgence of criminal gangs organized as committees and politically sponsored by the Socialists, the speakers—representatives of parties and associations—also expressed the view that the danger posed by the former Communists and their return to power would mean the burial of democracy. They also stressed that these parties, associations and trade unions had expressed concern about the Government’s inadequate measures to prevent the holding of elections, as well as its lack of interest in ensuring transparency concerning the pyramid schemes.

The National Privatization Agency informs all interested parties that publication is beginning of the properties to be privatized. You will find more detailed information in the newspapers: Rilindja Demokratike, Zëri i Popullit, Koha Jonë, Republika.