Described as: The elections should be repeated The Chairman of the U.S. Congress International Relations Committee called for a full and open international investigation into the conduct of the elections in Albania on page 2

24,000 voters were excluded from voting Bode: Here is how Tirana Municipality was robbed The findings from the checks carried out in five of the capital’s 11 municipal units on page 2

Today, the next session with Monika Monika Kryemadhi and Ilir Meta have killed two workers The joint report of a group of journalists from Shqipur on page 6

The Tirana Court begins implementing the orders of the Meta couple and demon Ndreke Gjini The government, on the attack against the opposition press on page 3

Sam-765 days since the murder, tied to the notebook The Government protects Azem’s killers on page 6

RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE Independent Democratic Newspaper of Albania FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER 2000 Price: 20 lek (250 drachmas) 10th year of publication No. (2670) Tel.: 223 55 and 223 57 • Circulation: 20,000 copies Internet address: www.rilindjademokratike.com and E-mail: gazetard@albamail.net Editor-in-chief Astrit PAJTOZI

U.S. House of Representatives • 2170 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 DAN BURTON CHAIRMAN October 19, 2000 GLENN NYE, DIRECTOR VOTE PROJECT TO REVIEW ALBANIAN ELECTION RESULTS WASHINGTON (AP) -- Based upon information I have seen over the past several days and after consulting with other members of Congress, I am concerned that in several key voting districts in Albania there were some serious irregularities in connection with the local elections of Oct. 1. As Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, I have asked the Director of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, and the Director of the International Republican Institute, to send a team to Albania to evaluate the election process. These election experts will report back to Congress and, if necessary, it is likely that the committee will hold a public hearing on the matter. Whether or not these experts are able to uncover conclusive evidence of vote manipulation, I find the allegations to be very troubling, particularly considering the fact that the final vote tally was not held until Oct. 6, after all the American election observers had left the country. Our goal should be to restore confidence in Albania’s fledgling democracy so that the country can get back on track with democratic and free market reforms. Since Albania receives almost $80,000,000 in U.S. foreign aid every year, the matter is of serious concern to Congress and the American people as well. For these reasons and to insure that the next election in Albania is as free and fair as possible, I am urging the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to take a more active role in oversight of the election process. Obviously, if evidence of manipulation is found, the election should be rerun. Accordingly, I have asked the Director of the National Democratic Institute and the Director of the International Republican Institute to bring election observers back to Albania in sufficient time to be there before the vote tabulation begins in the future. I want to reiterate that Albania is a critical strategic nation for the stability and security of the entire Balkan region and it is in the interest of both the Albanian and American people to see the country strengthen and further develop its democratic institutions. But these efforts cannot be seriously undermined and stained by these election irregularities. -30- October 19, 2000 Contact: John Robinson, 202-225-5021, Fax 202-225-2253

SIGMA “The always” printing house With “SIGMA” your future enters the unexpected Address: Fanish Selfo St. Vllson-Tirana, Albania Tel: 355 42 82543 Fax: 355 42 82523 TELE - BINGO 22 OCTOBER 2000 5 bingo sheets from 10 million Magic-Bingo 5 million Star-Bingo 5 million and many other surprises. SIGAL Insure Savings We guarantee your future Under Security A&V P&T Tel: 50 330 Tirana, Albania