Government officials' smuggling knows no bounds ON PAGE 4

Evidence of trafficking in clandestine migrants and drugs ON PAGE 4

The socialists' installed regime is seeking to bankrupt Albanian newspapers. Publishers warn of a general strike. On November 15, Albania will have no newspapers or magazines. On November 15, Albania will be left without its free press, and thus without one of the strongest pillars of a free and democratic society. The leading publishers of the Albanian press decided on an indefinite strike by daily newspapers and magazines in response to the government's disregard for their repeated requests to address the mounting difficulties that have seriously threatened the survival of the free press in Albania. The decision by the publishers and managers of Albania's leading newspapers to close their editorial offices was prompted by the irresponsible attitude of our senior government officials toward the acute problems facing the press today—not only economic ones. The increase in Value Added Tax and other fiscal obligations for newspapers has greatly narrowed the space in which the Albanian press can survive; even before these measures, it had faced many difficulties in the past. Yesterday's decision by newspapers and magazines to begin an indefinite strike came after several failed attempts to persuade the socialist government to ... have a change of heart and save the press, which is heading toward collapse—a decline that has deepened especially during Fatos Nano's 100 days in government. But instead of showing even minimal understanding of a problem that by no means concerns the press alone, the country's leading newspaper managers have faced the cynicism of those in power, who have made it clear that they care more about its bankruptcy than about the survival of free speech in Albania. The Albanian press has never asked the government for subsidies, but has suggested several ways for newspapers and magazines to ensure their survival. Yet this government, which in 100 days has only tightened the noose around the Albanian press's neck, has had neither the courage nor the slightest desire to understand and somehow loosen the heavy chains that have shackled the written word, one of the greatest assets of a pluralist society. Instead of taking the newspapers' never-excessive demands into consideration, our government officials have preferred to speak in the crude language of Kastriot Islami, who said there was no way to save them because, according to him, even the advertisements carried in newspapers run at a loss. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nano, who has not deigned to meet with journalists even once to hear their concerns firsthand, has spent his 100 days talking about the exaggerations and denigrations they have made, simply because they asked him for help. If this Albanian prime minister had been even a little human, rather than criticizing them, he could have helped them ... [text unclear] and mocked Albanian society in the face of the Albanian press. As for his aide Kastriot Islami, after closing the university when he was Minister of Education in 1991, it seems he has decided to bring Albania's dark history to a close by also shutting down Albanian newspapers and magazines. At an earlier meeting of publishers, one of them joked that it would cost the government very little to free the press from tax obstacles: all it would take was for one senior government official to give up the profits from a carload of smuggled cigarettes. Calling this the general burden of the present day, we understand clearly that none of them would make such a move, not without ... (continued on page 3)

Berisha and Pollo hold important meetings in Toulouse, France In November, the Council of Europe will send to Albania the chairpersons of all Parliamentary Groups to assess the political situation in the country, and within November a European Parliament delegation led by Doris Pack will examine political relations and the security and stability situation in Albania. In November, the Council of Europe will send to Albania the chairpersons of all Parliamentary Groups to assess the political situation in the country, and also within November, a European Parliament delegation led by Doris Pack will examine political relations and the security and stability situation in Albania. Meanwhile, for the same purpose, delegations from EDU, EUCD, PPE will soon send fact-finding missions. The PD leaders held numerous important meetings in Toulouse, France. The Democratic Party delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, which is attending a session of the European People's Parties, continued its many meetings yesterday with distinguished European political figures. He met with EUCD President Velzen; the Chairman of the People's Group in the Council of Europe, Shvimer; the Chairwoman of the European Parliament's Committee on Eastern Europe, Doris Pack; the President of the “Shuman” Foundation, Langer; the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Ruperez; the Chairman of the UDF Parliamentary Group in the French National Assembly, Francois Bayrou; the President of the Christian Democratic International, Calderon; and former President of the European Parliament, Egon Klepsh. At all these meetings, Berisha and Pollo briefed their interlocutors on the difficult political situation in Albania and on the violence and revanchism being directed against the opposition, institutions and laws. For their part, all the European political leaders expressed concern about the country's political situation, saying that these undemocratic and un-European acts now taking place in Albania were placing the international community before major dilemmas. Speaking at the Summit, German MP Schimpss, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Europe, stressed: “We must stop Miloshevicit's hand from reaching Tirana as well.” As a result of the Toulouse meetings, it was agreed that in November the Council of Europe would assess the political situation in the country, and that would PPE will soon send fact-finding missions. Further meetings by the Democratic Party delegation are also planned. Berisha and Pollo meet Europe's VIPs. The PD leaders talk with Pack, Velzen, Calderon, Klepsh, Ruperez, Langer, etc.

The strike will begin on November 15 and, depending on whether the government meets the demands, may continue for many days Yesterday, on November 11, 1997, all publishers and editors of daily newspapers and magazines met to discuss the grave economic situation facing the Albanian press as a result of the increase in VAT and other fiscal obligations imposed on the press. This situation has also been caused by the staggering increase in printing-house fees and the rise in the cost of transporting the press, which no press outlet can now afford. In addition, the press still cannot reach nearly 60% of the Albanian population living in rural areas, and it should not be forgotten that newspaper advertising is virtually nonexistent, which has led to a considerable decline in income from this source of marketing. In view of the grave economic situation, which will lead to the bankruptcy of the entire print press; in view of the repeated requests by press executives to meet with the Minister of Finance or the Prime Minister to discuss solutions; and in view of the Nano cabinet’s refusals, all the publishers and editors of the Albanian print press [sentence continues as printed]. - Aleksandër Frangaj, to negotiate with the government or the President of the Republic to resolve the demands of the Albanian press. 3. We call on all other Albanian newspapers and magazines to show solidarity with our strike. 1. On November 15, 1997, an open-ended strike by the entire Albanian press will begin and continue until the press’s specific problems are resolved. 2. The publishers and editors of the leading newspapers appoint a four-person committee consisting of: - Shpëtim Nazarko - Dalip Guma - Ylli Rakipi 1. Koha Jonë 2. Republika 3. Gazeta Shqiptare 4. Albania 5. RD 6. Dita Informacion 7. Klan 8. Bulevard 9. Hosteni Tirana, November 11, 1997 Statement by Albanian daily newspapers and magazines

Shkodër’s local authorities react sharply to the Government’s revanchism. Open letter addressed to President Meidani

The spirit of Bënça returns to the Socialist Party. Supporters of Pëllumbi and Meta are in the crosshairs ON PAGE 3

[Photograph featuring a collage of newspapers; visible headlines: “REPUBLIKA”, “GAZETA SHQIPTARE”, “Koha Jonë”, “Bulevard”.]

Today at 12:00, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Ridvan Bode, will hold a press conference at the headquarters of the Democratic Party.

Interview with Albert Brojka, Mayor of Tirana ON PAGE 2