The return of Albanian refugees from Greece is not a “sweep.” Opening of the Greek consulate in Vlorë postponed. Seasonal employment agreement signed. Greek foreign minister concludes his visit to Albania

The head of Greek diplomacy, Teodoros Pangallos, yesterday expressed in Tirana Greece's willingness to continue its very good relations with Albania. At a meeting at the headquarters of the Democratic Party, the Greek foreign minister praised the major contribution of its leader, Sali Berisha, to cooperation and prosperity between the two countries, emphasizing the determination to further develop relations between the two states. Mr. Pangallos's statement is a clear and unequivocal response to the attempt by the Socialist-installed administration to dismantle all the achievements made by the Democratic Party government over the past five years. Only a few days ago, Prime Minister Nano put forward the “year zero” thesis, which is also the distillation of communist revanchism against institutions and all Albanian society by the people who seized power with the help of gangs. Yesterday's Albanian-Greek talks could not begin at zero simply because that is what the Nano-Meidani clique wants. They began precisely where they had reached through the joint efforts of the Democratic Party government and the Athens administration: relations that had reached their high point with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Understanding between the two countries. Likewise, the signing of the agreement on seasonal employment for Albanian refugees in Greece was preceded by ongoing negotiations by the Albanian government, up until the moment the communist rebellion began, plunging the country into chaos, bloodshed and destruction and leading to early elections. The Democratic Party has always considered relations with Greece extremely important for Albania and has made every effort to bring them to a high level. Meanwhile, it cannot accept the revanchist “year zero” thesis for Albania, which seeks to turn everything in this country into a “tabula rasa,” with the same barbaric destruction carried out by their gangs, who killed, burned and destroyed the country's cities with weapons. Yesterday, the Greek foreign minister gave the Socialist revanchists a clear lesson: they must understand that [the country] is not governed by the primitive logic of dismantling and transforming what they consider to be theirs. It is truly unfortunate that those who are now talking about the “year zero” recently declared that the Greek minority in Albania had been shut up in ghettos—a claim that makes even the most ultranationalist circles in Greece laugh—while there is no question that protection of the minority must be ensured, even confidentially by official Athens, before opening a political Pandora's box. A guarantee of good relations with Greece, and with every other country generally, cannot be built on the basis of self-interest or a policy of destroying what the opposition achieved while it was in power. If the Albanian foreign minister learns about a reported incident involving our flag in Athens at a press conference, along with the newspapers, that is yet another blow to the dignity of the Albanian state itself. A scandal written about by all the Albanian newspapers could not have escaped the attention of the press, which should have asked the Greek foreign minister for clarification, even assuming the best—that the incident had never occurred. Albania's foreign minister was handed a document prepared in advance by the delegation, which, despite Prime Minister Nano's statements, speaks of Albania's “year zero.” But perhaps what the new ruler of the Nano-Meidani clique called a success has to do with many of the demands made by the previous government: the transport corridor and the corridor for the movement of immigrants; an incident now forgotten warns of a “year zero” imposed by Albanian politics.

The leadership approved the new structure of the departments within the PDSH, as well as the expanded group that will handle preparations for the National Assembly Yesterday morning, a meeting of the Democratic Party leadership was held. The meeting analyzed the political situation in the country and the steps that the Democratic Party would take going forward. The leadership approved the new structure of the departments within the PDSH, calling for greater activity in the future. In response to the decision of the last meeting of the National Council, the PDSH leadership approved the expanded group that will handle preparations for the National Assembly. The leadership described the PDSH parliamentary group's decision not to participate in parliament up to now as positive and as having fulfilled the political aims for which it was taken. The leadership decided that, once the issue of the mandates for Teodor Laço and Zef Bushati—arbitrarily annulled by the Socialist majority—has been clarified, it will convene a meeting of the National Council to decide on entering parliament. MORE ON PAGE 2

PD expresses concern over sweeping purges in the administration Yesterday, in an official statement sent to the entire Albanian press, the Democratic Party (PD) called on citizens to support the police’s lawful efforts to restore order. The country’s largest opposition party is the first party to publicly address all citizens, asking them to support the restoration of order and viewing it as a fundamental condition for ensuring and preserving the values of democracy.

PD: The government must distance itself from Ceka’s statements ON PAGE 3

Finance Minister Malaj addresses the press: “Here is what happened in Rome.” The Socialists are looking for the key to aid. “Nano 3”: the autumn exam in Brussels ON PAGE 5

Communist revanche: a risk of stalling reform in the country No one expects Ndre Legisi to keep Sekol Muslamani, the symbol of anti-communism in Albania, in a job, or Neritan Ceka to keep Sali Shehu, the symbol of March’s Tirana, in a job. Nor is it expected that Paskal Milo will retain those who raised relations with Germany, France, Italy, Austria, etc. to the highest level, instead of those with whom he collaborated to write the book against a united Europe. It is not expected that Sabit Brokaj, syringe in hand, will promote to general rank those who defended the military depots, instead of those who caused these depots

The head of the EDU expresses concern over the communist revanche ON PAGE 2

The Kalashnikov Parliament appoints the anti-RTSH squad The Kalashnikov Parliament approved last night the guard that will carry out the purges at RTSH. The right-wing squad entrusted with cleaning out the country’s only national information institution, as well as imposing political influence on RTSH’s journalists, operators, creators and other employees, has already provided ample proof of its service to the PS, even by pretending to be cheaper than Albanian emigrants abroad. Despite the assurances regarding this squad’s composition, it is necessary to identify its members by name. Here is the ten-member squad entrusted with taking over RTSH: Fatos Lubonja, Gëzim Podgorica, Eduard Mazi, Natasha Sheshi, Martin Leka, Ylli Pango, Dhimitër Gjoka, Plator Nes-tun, Gaqo Bushaka and Aleksandër Fran-gaj. The new RTSH Commissioner will be appointed today; he may be a well-known ideologue of this year’s communist Revolution.

Pangallos after the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Italy offers extensive assistance to the Albanian army ON PAGE 4 Italy offers extensive assistance to the Albanian army Andreata: Radical reorganization is needed ON PAGE 4

Tirana Court backs prosecutors' request ON PAGE 4 Tirana Court backs prosecutors' request Investigation in custody into the journalist's murder ON PAGE 4

Italian soldiers will not be involved in maintaining public order ON PAGE 4 Italian soldiers will not be involved in maintaining public order Ceka: We will do it with our own forces ON PAGE 4