Albania still in the days of crime ON PAGE 4

Ceka appoints and removes police officers, while dozens of people are killed every day ON PAGE 4

The Slavs refuse to investigate those killed at the border ON PAGE 4

The President clears the way for the Prime Minister. Nano acknowledges his failure in the Italian capital

The most negative outcome for Albania of the Rome Conference is that the donor countries ignored the program of the “Nano 3” government. This is the main reason for the failure of Nano’s newly installed administration, which returned to Albania empty-handed, bringing conditions instead of the aid so eagerly awaited to eliminate the consequences of the rebellion. But the greatest concern lies in the fact that it can now be said with certainty that the prospect of aid for Albania remains highly uncertain for a long time to come. In other words, this is not merely a delay in the arrival of aid; it is much worse than that. The conclusions of the Rome Conference clearly show the disregard and dissatisfaction that the “Nano 3” government’s program caused among potential donor countries, whose position is of vital importance to Albania. It is striking that there is no positive assessment whatsoever of the “Nano 3” government’s economic or social program. On the other hand, Interior Minister Ceka’s three-stage program for restoring order has been completely ignored. Given that these are the most important parts of this government’s program, it can be said without hesitation that Prime Minister Nano’s governing platform received a very low grade at the Rome Conference, placing aid for Albania in serious doubt. There is no doubt that only an acceptable government program, combined with the credibility of those who have come to power, can guarantee the continuation of good relations with the West and, above all, support in the form of aid for a country in difficulty such as Albania. In our case, we are dealing with a team viewed with reservations because of its past, while, more importantly, its program was met with considerable skepticism when first presented in Rome. Considering that the entire structure of cooperation between donor countries and Albania will be built around this program, it is easy to imagine just how uncertain the fate of aid for Albania remains. This is underscored by the fact that the Group of 24, which supported the Democratic Party government without hesitation, pledged 42 million dollars at the outset of the conference and opened the way for the years ahead. In the resolution of this conference, which notes that it was held in Tirana, the swift implementation of the socialist government’s program was demanded as the basis for granting aid. This comparison is a sure argument that inspires confidence, even if it is often a harsh one for Albania: an international joint program was drawn up around the program of the socialist government. At the Rome Conference, this was made abundantly clear in the closing statements. The conference’s conclusions call on Nano’s administration to restore order and reinstate all other human rights, expanding democratic standards, while the only comment on Ceka’s three-phase program is that it is “within the same framework”—a diplomatic expression that means there is no confidence at all. While Albania is being urged to achieve economic stabilization and resolve the problems caused by the pyramid schemes, the “Nano 3” government’s economic program is being completely ignored. Specifically, the Rome Conference set out 16 conditions for Nano’s cabinet, while also envisaging a high-level agreement that would help attract investment—in other words, a workable relationship with the West. Unfortunately, Albania will pay the price for this government’s failure from the outset, through the endless dragging out of reforms because of Nano’s old and new policies. Astrit PATOZI

Nano wipes away the sweat from the Rome Conference

Attacks against Berisha cannot compensate for the socialist prime minister’s political and moral inferiority The socialist prime minister cannot compensate for his moral and political inferiority by insulting Berisha. During a meeting with D’Alema, as he himself told the press in Tirana, he tried to smear the Albanian opposition and, specifically, its leader Sali Berisha. At a meeting in Rome with the leader of Italy’s PDS, he said that the opposition was destructive and that Berisha should leave the political scene. Socialist Nano’s audacity must have come after no small failure at the Rome Conference. ON PAGE 3

The Justice Minister threatens Tirana’s chief judge: “If you do not follow the order...”

Berisha meets the renowned painter Kodra The great painter gave Mr. Berisha the painting “Fantastic Albania,” inscribed “for his contribution to the country’s democratic development” Berisha meets the renowned painter Kodra Kodra: People will understand the truth very soon The great painter gave Mr. Berisha the painting “Fantastic Albania,” inscribed “for his contribution to the country’s democratic development” Yesterday afternoon, the leader of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, received the renowned Albanian painter Ibrahim Kodra, with whom he had a valuable conversation. Mr. Kodra thanked Mr. Berisha and expressed his deepest gratitude for everything he had done for democracy in Albania. Speaking about the developments there and his creative work, Mr. Kodra expressed his confidence that people would understand the truth very soon. The great painter gave Mr. Berisha the painting “Fantastic Albania,” inscribed “for his contribution to the country’s democratic development.” Mr. Berisha thanked Mr. Kodra for his efforts and for his artistic work. He said that he had done these things for a fantastic Albania. He also expressed confidence that Albanians have the strength and ability to bring about its revival and development. Naturally, Mr. Berisha stressed, this can be achieved not through unrestrained revenge, but through reconciliation.

Friendly messages from prominent international figures continue to arrive for the leader of the Democrats The head of the European Democrats praises Berisha’s contribution to democratic processes in Albania Friendly messages from prominent international figures continue to arrive for the leader of the Democrats Demirel invites Berisha to visit Turkey The head of the European Democrats praises Berisha’s contribution to democratic processes in Albania Friendly messages of appreciation continue to arrive for the leader of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, for his role and contribution to the development of democratic processes in Albania and the country’s integration into the European family. In a telegram, the President of the International Christian Democratic Union, Van Velzen, praises Mr. Berisha’s role in developments in the country and expresses his appreciation for the prospect of working closely with Mr. Berisha in the future, as leader of the opposition and of the Democratic Party, and as a member of the Union. Also, the President of Turkey, Sulejman Demirel, called the leader of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, at home that day. In his telephone message, he expressed his sincere thanks for Mr. Berisha’s contribution to friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He praised the decisive role Mr. Berisha had played in bringing Albania out of isolation, advancing reforms, and establishing a market economy and democracy in Albania, as well as in finding a political solution to the crisis that had engulfed the country. President Demirel invited Mr. Berisha to visit Turkey.

Communist revenge in the People’s Assembly as well The truncated presidium of the People’s Assembly. Violence and communist discord installed by force in the parliament elected on June 29; the communists overturned the decision on the standing parliamentary committees, which were to be chaired by the opposition. According to this decision, the DP will have three committee chairs. ON PAGE 4