Berisha and Pollo meet Europe’s VIPs. PD leaders talk with Pack, Velzen, Calderon, Kiepsh, Ruperez, Langer, etc. The installed power of the Socialists is seeking the bankruptcy of Albanian newspapers. Publishers are announcing a general strike. On 15 November Albania without newspapers and magazines On 15 November Albania will wake up without a single newspaper on its kiosks, perhaps with the exception of some so-called newspaper, which apparently had the government’s approval. This alarm has been raised by Shtëpia Botuese and the Albanian Daily, which has sent an open letter to the country’s Prime Minister Fatos Nano, holding him responsible as the one ordering and inspiring this situation. The letter says that the government owes 100 million lek to the printing houses of Albanian newspapers, but through an absurd order it is paralyzing their work, with the aim of bankrupting the free Albanian press as quickly as possible. The independent publishers have al- ready warned the country’s prime minister that if nothing new happens by Thursday, they will declare a general strike by stopping the publication of all newspapers in the country. According to the independent publishers, by driving this country toward a general chaos with unpredictable consequences, the government aims to get the greater part of the Albanian press. In the notice of the Association of Daily Publishers and the publishing house “Koha”, it is said that Prime Minister Nano has long been aware of the problem, and that the government has issued arbitrary orders in order to block the means of production of the Albanian press. Bypassing the laws in force and legal procedures, this notice says that the government’s action is directly influenced by the astonishment of its ideology, with the hope that in this way the takeover and control of the independent Albanian press will also be achieved. As a sign of protest, the publishers have also announced other legal and procedural actions against this savage anti-Albanian, wholly non-socialist rule. In the notice of the Association of Publishers, signed by the publishing houses “Koha”, “Gazeta Shqiptare”, “Independent Albania” and “RD”, it says that it is compelled once again to denounce the grave situation in the printing houses of Tirana, which are now under the open control of the Albanian government, with the aim of total blockage of the independent press. The publishers’ letter says that the prime minister has been informed for a long time about the situation and that the government is unlawfully using administrative, police and military means to place the production of the free press under political control of the country. “If the government does not give up this unlawful path, we will daily shut down the country’s independent newspapers,” the letter says. In an interview published in the daily “Albania”, the chairman of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha accused the “Nano” government of taking unprecedented and unacceptable pressure against the Albanian press, through the blocking of printing houses. According to him, this is an unprecedented act aimed at destroying the free voice in Albania. Berisha said that the opposition will react with all democratic means against this repressive campaign. The writings and headlines in the center of the page illustrate the climate of the Albanian press: “Albania”, “Republika”, “Koha Jonë”, “Rilindja Demokratike”, “Gazeta Shqiptare”, etc.

Berisha and Pollo in important meetings in Toulouse, France At the end of the Congress of the European People's Parties and the European Democratic Union, it was decided that Albania should remain under special observation because of the political crisis and serious violations of the rights of the opposition. The delegation of the Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha and Genc Pollo, held meetings with high-ranking European officials and presented concerns about the situation in the country. According to reports, representatives of the EPP and EDU expressed alarm at the use of police against the opposition, pressure on the press, and the lack of normal functioning of institutions. Stronger international monitoring and continuous reporting on the situation in Albania were called for.

Statement by Albanian daily newspapers and magazines The strike will begin on 15 November, and the reason is the failure of the government of the day to meet the demands A press conference with Albanian publishers will be held on 13 November 1997, at 12:30 at Hotel Tirana. The reason for declaring the strike is the blocking of printing houses by the Albanian government. On 15 November Albania will wake up without a single daily newspaper in the kiosks. The decision was taken by the publishers of the independent newspapers and magazines after a series of illegal and arbitrary actions taken by the government against the free Albanian press. The government has blocked the production means of several printing houses by using the police, the army and customs. This action is contrary to the law and aims to place the printed media under political control. The publishers state that they will suspend publication until the blockages are lifted and the financial obligations toward the printing houses are paid. They consider this a direct attack on press freedom and pluralism. According to the statement, the government has driven the country toward censorship and the bankruptcy of independent newspapers.

The spirit of Dervisha returns to the PS; supporters of Pajtimi and Meta are targeted Nuno: I will dismiss 26 district leaders The spirit of Dervisha returns to the PS. Supporters of Pajtimi and Meta are targeted ON PAGE 3

Shkodra’s local authorities react sharply to the government’s transfer. Open letter addressed to President Mejdani On 8 November, the PS structures in the Shkodra district began a series of actions which the local authorities described as political provocations and interference in local administration. According to the reaction of the local authorities, attempts to shift powers and establish party control over institutions are seriously damaging the political climate in the city. In the open letter addressed to President Mejdani, representatives of the local authorities call for immediate intervention to stop these actions, considering them violations of local autonomy and of the will of the citizens of Shkodra.

Weather forecast Today at 12:00 The Secretary General of the Democratic Party Ridvan Bode gives a press conference at the headquarters of the Democratic Party Happy days for speedboats Evidence of trafficking in clandestine migrants and drugs ON PAGE 4 Madal and Blel up to their necks in corruption Government smuggling knows no limits ON PAGE 4

Interview with Albert Brojkin, Mayor of Tirana ON PAGE 2