Creditors now protest outside the BTA ON PAGE 5

The white coats go on strike today ON PAGE 5

Residents protest at the Elbasan Prefecture ON PAGE 5

Meidani was promised that Ceka would be appointed Deputy Prime Minister solely to obtain his signature approving the decree. Nano appoints Perikli Teta Minister of the Interior. Luan Hajdaraga becomes Minister of Defense. Angjeli [s?p]raps Sherifi and Edi Rama, Arta Dade. Fino gets the posts intended for Ceka.

War three kilometers from the border Serbia provokes Albania into war OSCE blames Belgrade for refusing dialogue with the participation of a third party ON PAGE 3

Yesterday, Berisha meets Petersen Photo: A. FUSHA

Chronicle of a crime foretold. PD representatives Vejsiu and Çela console the family of Bujar Sula in Levan, Fier The offices of the criminal state continue to weave legends about Bujar Sula, who drew a state salary and had a weapon licensed by the state, and who, according to them, was supposedly “a person much sought by the police.” Sula’s only “crime”: being an active member of the PD A year ago, Gjinhushi had sworn that if he came to power he would not let Bujar Sula live... and he kept his word ON PAGE 2 Bujar Sula and his burned-down house

One of the most important ministers in the Nano3 government, Sabit Brokaj, told the Albanian press yesterday that the prime minister is installing the Mafia in the state. This is one of the most serious accusations ever made against a government, not only in Albania but also in Europe. For many years, Italy was continually suspected of links between the Mafia and the state, and a consequence of these links was the dissolution of the largest Italian party until 1994, the PSI. Since that day, the socialist leader Craxi, who meanwhile is still membership card number 2 of the Socialist Party of Albania, has been an example set by the Italian justice authorities. The Defense Minister’s statement is no sensation for Albanians, since he has declared that governments may have links with the Mafia, with the regional Mafia. The opposition had said something more from the very beginning of Nano’s government. What is different this time is that the socialist author of yesterday’s statement has himself repeatedly opposed it, at press conferences and in discussions within the government and forums of the Socialist Party. This time the sensation is that links between the Mafia and the state are being declared by the important people of that very state. Brokaj’s statement now creates a different picture of how the Albanian state functions, in society’s most troubling direction, implying other issues. Brokaj has also declared that the head of government is involved in criminal activity and has links to drugs and money laundering. Previously, all these names would have had some significance. Meanwhile, others in this government have declared that the socialist author of yesterday’s statement has himself repeatedly opposed it, at press conferences and in discussions within the government and forums of the Socialist Party. This time the sensation is that links between the Mafia and the state are being declared by the important people of that very state. Brokaj’s statement now creates a different picture of how the Albanian state functions, in society’s most troubling direction, implying other issues. Brokaj has also declared that the head of government is involved in criminal activity and has links to drugs and money laundering.

A PD delegation led by Genc Pollo set off for Italy Berlusconi invites the PD to the “Forza Italia” Congress A senior PD delegation led by Genc Pollo set off for Italy at the invitation of the leader of the party, at the invitation of the leader of “Forza Italia,” Silvio Berlusconi. The PD delegation, which also includes RD Editor-in-Chief Astrit Patozi, has been invited to take part in the first National Congress of “Forza Italia,” which will be held in Milan from 16–18 April 1998. The delegation is expected to hold various meetings during and after the congress with leaders of “Forza Italia” and sister parties in Europe. The Democratic Party of Albania and “Forza Italia” have maintained reciprocal relations since 1993, when “Forza Italia” was founded as a political party. In 1994, when Berlusconi was Prime Minister of Italy, he also visited Albania at the invitation of Mr. Berisha. “Forza Italia” delegations have given strong support to the PD’s congresses and its election campaigns.

PD leaders meet with residents of Fushë-Krujë Nano could no longer hide his unpopularity in the so-called new government. The new state of affairs and the removal of the communists from power could put an end to all this in the country ON PAGE 2

Berisha meets Denmark’s Foreign Minister. The political crisis in Albania is worsening PD Chairman Sali Berisha met yesterday at the party headquarters with Mr. Holger Petersen, Denmark’s Foreign Minister. Denmark’s Foreign Minister, who has come to Albania also as a representative of the European Troika, expressed his pleasure at meeting Mr. Berisha and asked about the PD chairman’s efforts and assessment regarding developments in Kosovo and options for resolving the crisis, as well as the current situation in Albania. In his assessment, PD Chairman Sali Berisha focused on the urgency of resolving the Kosovo issue for regional stability, as well as the importance of the 22 March elections in Kosovo, in which citizens voted for independence and for choosing a peaceful and democratic course for the future. Recognizing the commitment of the Contact Group and the international community to the Kosovo issue, Mr. Berisha stressed to the Danish Foreign Minister the importance of imposing on Belgrade the red line for Kosovo declared by US Presidents Bush and Clinton. Discussing developments in Albania, the PD chairman spoke about the deepening of the overall crisis and its worsening as a result of the policy of political revenge[?] and suppression of the opposition pursued by the Socialist Party and its government, pressure on and infringement of the independence of the judicial system, and the growing dominance of organized crime and massive smuggling, in which government elements cooperate with criminals. Mr. Berisha explained the PD’s alternative for emerging from this crisis and its efforts to form a technical government and organize new elections in Albania.

Gjinhushi: Parliament belongs to me and Nano ON PAGE 2

Meidani has demanded the removal of Fino and Malaj from the government Sources inside the government say that President Meidani’s objections to promulgating the law on the new government structure have less to do with his adviser Zogaj’s insistence that Ceka remain Minister of the Interior or become Prime Minister. President Meidani has asked Nano to remove from the government at least the Finance Minister, Arben Malaj, and Deputy Prime Minister Tritan Basha Fino. This is because the President has sufficient documents concerning their extensive involvement in smuggling, not merely as its beneficiaries but also as organizers of this mafia-style activity, which falls under economic organized-crime offenses. The information has remained in Meidani’s office since the time when SHIK was headed by a nephew of Pav... With a mandate in all the political parties. A month after the meeting of the parliamentary commission in Tirana, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers requested, in connection with the changes, the removal of one person from the government, so that the dismissal of Mr. Malaj would not be promulgated, a matter within the President’s authority, and so on. Otherwise, people will think that Meidani, too, has asked for his share.

A game of political hot potato between the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s Office. The SP and Nano once again mock Meidani