Two young men are shot dead, terrorizing the capital’s residents ON PAGE 4

Tomorrow, “RD” begins to uncover the rebellion. The hour of truth has come How the rebellion in Vlora began; who the members of the so-called committees were and what their mission was; which current MPs set fire to the city hall, who ordered the execution of Vlora’s residents as well as the robberies of money; who called for the attack on the SHIK building; how the employees of this service were massacred; where Gjinushi met Zani Çaushi and what Brokaj’s role in the rebellion was; who stole SHIK’s secret documents, and where they took them? Tomorrow in “RD,” all the names of those who set Vlora ablaze. The newspaper has chilling facts and testimonies about everything that happened at the beginning of last year and the people responsible. “The Vlora File” is only the first page taken from the great file on last year’s rebellion, which will be fully uncovered in the newspaper “RD.”

Mysterious meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office. The SHIK chief gets the better of the prime minister: “If you remove me, I’ll tell everything I know about smuggling” The head of the secret service was in Nano’s office a week ago at around 23:00. Klosi is leaving for the USA soon ON PAGE 3

The doors to dialogue remain open

Berisha held a working meeting yesterday with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine The chairman of the DP, Sali Berisha, held a working meeting yesterday with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and the delegation he heads. The chairman of the DP, Sali Hubert Vedrine and the delegation he heads. At the outset, Vedrine asked about the current situation in Albania. Berisha gave the French foreign minister a brief overview of political, economic and social developments since the period of the communist rebellion. “During the socialists’ nine months in government, the crisis has deepened in every area. Numerous problems have arisen from violations of constitutional laws, such as the flagrant dismissal of the president of the Constitutional Court, the dismantling of institutions, massive government smuggling, etc.,” Berisha told the French minister. Regarding the failure to establish public order, Berisha stressed that “this is the most important problem today ... The French foreign minister was interested in hearing the DP chairman’s analysis of developments in Kosovo and the talks with ... Millosheviç in the future, to bring about serious negotiations to resolve the Kosovo problem.

The French foreign minister welcomes the Rugova-Millosheviç meeting. Pressure from the Contact Group has produced results The head of French diplomacy said he supports the continuation of bilateral negotiations to secure “substantial autonomy for Kosovo” Yesterday in Belgrade, Rugova-Millosheviç meeting The French foreign minister welcomes the Rugova-Millosheviç meeting. Pressure from the Contact Group has produced results Vedrine: The Contact Group will remain vigilant The head of French diplomacy said he supports the continuation of bilateral negotiations to secure “substantial autonomy for Kosovo” The foreign minister was interested in how political life is organized in the country. Berisha informed him about the proposal made by the Democratic Party to withdraw from the round tables of the political parties, a proposal rejected by the government, and about the proposal for a technical government, which was also not accepted. “We will continue,” he said, “to insist on a political solution and will work towards finding new solutions.” The French foreign minister asked about developments in Kosovo and the Rugova-Millosheviç talks. Berisha told Minister Vedrine, “We are in favor of this meeting. There are two lines in Kosovo: Rugova’s, which supports a peaceful resolution of the problem, and the radical line. Albanians have voted twice for their independence and a peaceful solution. If Millosheviç pushes the Albanians onto the path of radicalism, the situation will explode throughout the region.” The French foreign minister informed Mr. Berisha about the Contact Group’s activities and the pressure it has exerted and will exert on Millosheviç in the future, to bring about serious talks to resolve the Kosovo problem. Berisha insisted on the need for pressure from the International Community on Millosheviç—otherwise, the situation in the region will continue to deteriorate, he added. At the end of the meeting, Berisha praised France’s comprehensive assistance to Albania, which was also forthcoming during the most difficult period, that of the rebellion. The meeting was also attended by DP vice-chairman Genc Pollo, vice-chairwoman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Jozefina Topalli, and DP Secretary for Foreign Relations Leonard Demi.

Fatos Nano’s political police know only communist hatred of democrats ON PAGE 2

The first signs of implementation of the education agreement The three faculties in Pristina were returned yesterday to Albanian students after more than seven years. This was confirmed to us by Abdy Ra... [?], a member of the Albanian side in the talks on the education agreement. Rama stated that in Belgrade he received the keys to the three technical faculties from Vinqenco [?] Paja, a member of the technical commission roman [?] ... in an education agreement between Rugova and Millosheviç. Meanwhile, the official news spokesperson Tan... [?] in Kosovo, together with the head of Education, Jovo [?] Todoroviç, returned to Paglia, who had received them, the faculties of sciences and the technical faculties, as provided for in the agreement on the normalization of education in Kosovo. Meanwhile, spokesperson Rama [?] added that Albanian students could enter the technical, electrotechnical and mechanical-construction faculties. In addition to these faculties, the Serbs had returned, as of 31 March, the Institute of Albanology, a research and scientific center on Albanian culture and its language in Pristina.

The Berisha–Vedrine meeting enrages the communist government officials The meeting between Berisha and Vedrine drives the communist government officials into a frenzy The government is furious over the meeting between French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and former President Berisha. On Nano’s orders, state television did not say a word about yesterday’s meeting between the opposition leader and the head of France’s diplomacy. Nano and the other communist government officials apparently cannot tolerate the consistent stance of prominent European political figures, who continue to include meetings with Berisha, Albania’s first non-communist president, on their Albania agendas. All the prominent figures who have visited Albania since the outbreak of the war in Kosovo have maintained regular contact with Berisha, who today leads the country’s largest opposition party. On the French foreign minister’s agenda, the meeting with Berisha was allotted the same amount of time as the meetings scheduled with Meidani and Nano. The rulers in Tirana do not want to get used to the international community’s decision to take the Albanian opposition’s positions visibly into account, especially when it comes to discussing matters relating to democracy in Albania, the situation in the region and the war in Kosovo. The communists who came to power after the communist rebellion continue to disregard the opposition when dealing with issues concerning the country’s future and the national question; moreover, they pursue a constant policy of violence and terror against it. A.K

Meidani decrees the Central Election Commission Parties that do not have members on the CEC have the right to send observers to this Commission Meidani decrees the Central Election Commission The Socialist Party and its satellites are in control Parties that do not have members on the CEC have the right to send observers to this Commission ON PAGE 3

Berisha meets the Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Office, Heribert Scharrenbroich Yesterday morning, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Berisha, received Heribert Scharrenbroich, Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Office responsible for the Office’s activities in Europe and Central Asia, who is visiting Albania. The meeting focused mainly on the current situation in Albania. Berisha said, among other things, during the meeting: “The country is in a deep, all-encompassing crisis. The government is incapable of establishing order; it persecutes the opposition and is making the country increasingly poor. It is creating unemployment and suppressing the trade unions.”

Everts supports the DP’s demands concerning the constitutional commission ON PAGE 2 Everts supports the DP’s demands concerning the constitutional commission The co-chairs can be discussed ON PAGE 2

Late-breaking news Yesterday in the early morning hours, at the bend in the national road to Lezhë, near the village of Zejmen, three masked men armed with Kalashnikovs stopped the car in which the spouses and members of the constitutional commission were travelling on their way to the “Qemal Stafa” hotel. The masked men asked them to hand over whatever valuables they had with them. Sabri Godo handed over some money in the new constitution, the money for which is returned to him in zogë [?]. We who are nearby describe the incident in these lines: “Why didn’t you go?”, the masked men asked them. “Enjoy this weight [?],” the husband ... [?]. “That’s good!” the deputy said, and of course, [he handed over] the pocket watch too, which are from Nehatin [?]. Then they handed over the entire hood for the guarantee of life and human rights [?] ... ... (the text in the lower section and the adjoining column is faded and partly illegible) “What if we hold them hostage—what have we gained?” “It isn’t worth it,” Sabriu shook his head. “Just leave them completely ... [?] from the government and the opposition. That’s all.” Meanwhile, the gang leader approached the scene, standing in a position of authority a little ... [?]. He informed the victims and the perpetrators. “Leave these people alone, they’re our friends. Pr... [?] ...” The constitutional commission, freed from its anxiety, continued on its way to the “Qemal Stafa” hotel.

The members of the National Council of the PDSH, the deputy chairpersons and the branch secretaries are hereby notified that a meeting of the National Council will be held in Tirana on Sunday, 17 May 1998, at 11:00, with the following agenda: 1. The organizational functioning of the PDSH structures and the short-term program for improving and invigorating their political activity (reported by the Organizational Secretary, Mr. Fatos Beja, on behalf of the Presidium’s inspection group, followed by discussion). 2. Discussion and approval of the draft resolution concerning the situation created in the country following the unconstitutional decisions regarding the Constitutional Court. 3. Discussion and approval of the draft regulations governing the operation of the Party’s central forums. (Note: Copies of the materials to be discussed are available from the Organizational Secretary.)