17 Serbian shells one kilometre inside Albanian territory. Meanwhile, the wounded and the children are leaving Padesh. Villagers respond to the Serbian army artillery. The government is safe in Tirana ON PAGE 3 1 view of the NATO forces’ exercise in Bizë 2 Arrivals from Kosovo in the village of Padesh, Tropojë

USAID, ORI, the American Information Center, in crossfire Over the weekend, through diplomatic activity, the US Embassy in Tirana issued instructions for all employees of these institutions to leave Tirana. On Monday, American authorities closed their offices near the US Embassy, while the American Information Center suspended its activity. ORI explains that the request, made by almost the entire region until Monday, came from the State Department with the aim of ensuring the lives of their employees from any terrorist attack. According to the authorities of the newspaper “The Washington Post”, Albanian officials had been informed as early as last Friday, but they kept the news secret.

The market situation within the three summer months Fruit and vegetable prices saw a significant increase with the arrival of August, and for this reason farmers justify it with the decline in domestic production and the tourist season that expanded consumer markets. The residents of Kamza, protesting the abnormal rise Albania has entered the brink of an economic catastrophe. As the average economic aid decreases and the average price level rises, the Albanian family basket becomes even harder to fill. The country is increasingly facing the consequences of the “throne” of the new government from yesterday’s government, which is failing to stabilize even slightly the market for basic goods of life. The abandonment of the countryside and a wave of population movements toward the capital or other urban centers are making it possible for many ordinary agricultural goods to be sold at prices never seen before. Yesterday, in the Kamza market, a large number of sellers had raised the price of tomatoes from 60 lek to 70-80 lek per kilogram, while peppers cost from 80 lek upward. Unusually, during these weeks there has also been a shortage of local onions and potatoes. According to sellers, stocks have decreased and goods coming from different areas of the country cannot meet demand. As a result, consumers are paying more, while farmers say production has fallen sharply because of drought and lack of irrigation. Beyond the Kamza market, the same picture is also seen in other Tirana markets. The rise in prices is affecting especially low-income families, pensioners and the unemployed. In the absence of state control, traders set prices according to the interest of the day and citizens have no guarantee of stability. If the situation continues like this, an even greater deterioration of the economic situation of Albanian families is expected in the coming months.

According to the statute, Socialists are waiting for new elections for the party leadership ON PAGE 3

Economic aid will be available only in shpengurgjëri after 29 June. Residents of Kamza, protest on the national road The state continues to be completely uninterested in the interests of the poor strata. Leaving them in difficult conditions for their income, the new government that emerged from the elections of 29 June has paid very little attention to the broad mass of the population, which can barely make ends meet from day to day. This indifference of the state structures is clearly shown in the way economic aid is being distributed and in the lack of clear social policies. The problem becomes even more serious for families in Tirana’s peripheral areas, especially for the residents of Kamza, who for days have been protesting because they were excluded from the aid scheme. According to them, the institutions are favoring political relatives and leaving out families that are most in need. The residents have stated that if the situation does not change, they will escalate the protests and block the national road again. They are demanding transparency and equal treatment, while directly accusing Nano’s government of discrimination against the poor. ON PAGE 2

PD denounces the Serbian attack on Albanian territory ON PAGE 3

Even the blocking of its emblem by the Tirana Court, as it is being split in two by the trifles[?] just as the doubling of the assets of the PS is splitting it in two, has raised concern in its official organ. The dark side of this story is happening on the front pages of the newspaper “Zëri i popullit”, which continues to deal with internal polemics and with a heavy political language. Nano government must go as soon as possible PD of Cilkoçastë[?] denounces the government’s irresponsibility Nano government discriminates against the poor PD denounces the Serbian attack on Albanian territory How Prime Minister[?] Nano distorted the government of ng. The local employees of Nano return A deputy votes for Nano and

The anonymous callers demand the death penalty for the Prosecutor’s three local bosses ON PAGE 4

The prospects for opening jobs and local employment remain out in the streets ON PAGE 5

Merchants rejoice at the head of the country’s police ON PAGE 4