The government does not allow the celebration of France’s national day “The Embassy of France informs the Albanian authorities and all its many friends that it will not organize its traditional reception in Tirana this year on the occasion of the National Holiday of 14 July” Tie-wearers and ribbon-cutters In Skanderbeg Square, yesterday morning hundreds upon hundreds of citizens gathered to await the start of the traditional reception ceremony organized every year by the Embassy of the French Republic in honor of 14 July. As people watched from the entrance of the National Historical Museum, French soldiers in camouflage uniforms would pass by from time to time. A few meters farther on, at the entrance of the Tirana Hotel, preparations were being made for the reception. Those present watched with curiosity. In vain. Their curiosity would receive no answer. More than a reception, it turned into a scene of a failed reception. Instead of a festive atmosphere, everything remained frozen. The Albanian authorities did not allow the traditional reception to take place on the occasion of France’s National Holiday. Through a public announcement, the Embassy of France made known that it would not organize its traditional reception in Tirana this year on the occasion of 14 July. This decision came after the Albanian authorities refused to grant permission for it to be held. According to the initial reactions, the reason was linked to the situation created in the city of Elbasan, where the French military presence as part of the international mission was perceived by some circles as a kind of “occupation.” This stance has caused no little surprise in diplomatic and political circles. France has been among the countries most active in support of Albania, especially during the Kosovo crisis and during the refugee exodus. The refusal to allow a ceremonial event in Tirana has been interpreted as an inappropriate signal in bilateral relations. Meanwhile, in Elbasan, the atmosphere has been tense. The presence of French troops has been viewed with suspicion by various segments, even though their mission had a stabilizing and humanitarian character. Instead of being welcomed as allies, in some cases they were considered “occupiers,” a label that reflected more the internal political climate and the lack of institutional clarity than the reality of their mission. It is precisely this climate that appears to have led to the cancellation of the July 14 reception in Tirana, an event that is usually marked by the participation of state authorities, the diplomatic corps, and public figures.

The leader of the Elbasan gang, Kaleshi, is handcuffed at his home in Tirana The suspect, accused of committing dozens of crimes in connection with the 1997 unrest, was taken into police custody only yesterday. In the police press release, it is stated that anti-crime specialists at Police Station No. 4 in Tirana, on 13.7.1999, at around 15:30, escorted into the station premises the citizen Kalesh Sh. Shkodra, resident in Tirana, with secondary education, with no previous convictions. The above-mentioned citizen was being sought on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the Tirana District Court on 7 July 1999. According to the police press release, the checks carried out show that the citizen Kalesh Sh. Shkodra is implicated in the commission of several criminal acts and especially in participation in and organization of the criminal events that occurred in Elbasan in 1997. Later in the police announcement, it is stated that the above-mentioned was a member of the criminal group led by the citizen Arben Tafili, and personally took part in several murders and kidnappings. The notice further states that during the search of his home the police found and seized an automatic firearm of the Kalashnikov type, a hunting rifle, a revolver pistol, 2 grenades with detonators, 4 automatic rifle magazines, 2 defensive grenades, as well as a quantity of combat ammunition, etc. Kaleshi is suspected of having actively participated in some of the most serious criminal events that occurred in Elbasan. Police sources state that he was Tafili’s right-hand man, one of the best-known figures in the underworld in this city.

Special of PD Democrats and invited guests are informed that the forum following the Special Assembly of the Democratic Party of 17 July 1999 will be held on Saturday, at 10:00 in the hall of the Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Destruction, a scenario by agents “The two-year history of the left-wing kolit-cloun government is the most shocking proof of what happens to a people when it is governed through expendable and betrayed gangs, it ends in violence...” Bode: “The two-year history of the left-wing kolit-cloun government is the most shocking proof of what happens to a people when it is governed through expendable and betrayed gangs, it ends in violence. Through a press release, the Democratic Party yesterday issued an appeal against destruction and violence, considering them part of a scenario by agents. The PD statement emphasizes that such events harm national interests and aim to destabilize the country. Citizens are urged to distance themselves from the barbarians and from those who use violence for political purposes. ON PAGE 3

The Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Fehmi Abdiu, refuses to dismiss the president’s judge ON PAGE 2

The owner of Radio “Kontakt” was killed a few days ago ON PAGE 7

Bulldozers "swallow" 35 more kiosks The anti-kiosk operation once again suddenly strikes the PD Large police forces equipped with batons and force equipment surround these kiosk stalls on “Myslym Shyri” Street and begin clearing the kiosks from the sidewalk ON PAGE 5

The Albanian rezalotors i liridhi ON PAGE 7

Sells home appliances for cooking, boiling and heating. Service and warranty on the spot. Fiatto monopilo and Giasconi. “INTERTO” firm Italian goods, quality and contemporary in Durrës Sells home appliances for cooking, boiling and heating. Service and warranty on the spot. Fiatto monopilo and Giasconi. Carmine [kurajace?] ADDRESS: Durrës (former padina of the ironworks) TEL & FAX: 052 - 267 78 ON PAGE 2

Through an official letter, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Albania has expressed to the Greek Embassy in Tirana his protest over the placing of a poster in Athens showing the map of Albania with the inscription “Vorio Epir.” According to Minister Paskal Milo, this act constitutes an unacceptable provocation and undermines good-neighborly relations. ON PAGE 7

ON PAGE 4 Notice On Saturday, 14 July 1999, at 11:00 in the premises connected with the Hotel “Pernier” club, near the “Dhimitër” secondary school, opposite the office of the PS in Durrës

FORNAK 1997: Medal at the 25th exhibition 1997: second certificate 1997: honorary diploma in Tirana 1997: first certificate 1997: Akra Tirana Cup 0642 - 1779 FREE Tel.

ENGLISH: RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE = Democratic Rebirth Gazetë e përditshme opozitare e shqiptarëve = Daily opposition newspaper of Albanians Arrestohet krahu i djathtë i çekes = The right-hand man of the gang is arrested Të shtunën, Kuvendi i PD = On Saturday, the PD Assembly Francezët konsiderohen “pushtues” në Elbasan = The French are considered “occupiers” in Elbasan Thirrje e PD: Shqiptarë! Distanconi nga barbarët = PD appeal: Albanians! Distance yourselves from the barbarians Vërejtjet e fundit i pa qeverisë së Majkos? = The last warnings to Majko’s government? Përse na e vranë Ridin? = Why did they kill Ridi? Fadromat “gëllisin” 35 kioska të tjera = Bulldozers “swallow” 35 more kiosks Paskal Milo: Një tjetër “provokacion grek” i padenjë dhe i dënueshëm = Paskal Milo: Another unworthy and condemnable “Greek provocation” ITALIANO: RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE = Rinascita Democratica Gazetë e përditshme opozitare e shqiptarëve = Quotidiano di opposizione degli albanesi Arrestohet krahu i djathtë i çekes = Arrestato il braccio destro della banda Të shtunën, Kuvendi i PD = Sabato, l’Assemblea del PD Francezët konsiderohen “pushtues” në Elbasan = I francesi sono considerati “occupanti” a Elbasan Thirrje e PD: Shqiptarë! Distanconi nga barbarët = Appello del PD: Albanesi! Prendete le distanze dai barbari Vërejtjet e fundit i pa qeverisë së Majkos? = Gli ultimi avvertimenti al governo Majko? Përse na e vranë Ridin? = Perché ci hanno ucciso Ridin? Fadromat “gëllisin” 35 kioska të tjera = Le ruspe “ingoiano” altri 35 chioschi Paskal Milo: Një tjetër “provokacion grek” i padenjë dhe i dënueshëm = Paskal Milo: Un’altra “provocazione greca” indegna e condannabile