DISCOVERY The testimony of the French writer Eric Faye for the publication of “The Winter of Great Solitude” “HOW HOXHA DEFENDED ISMAIL KADARE” The French critic recounts the behind-the-scenes events of 1973, when the writer’s arrest was being sought. The phone call from Nexhmije Hoxha and the protection from the dictator. Yesterday’s court hearing failed News The French writer and critic Eric Faye, author of the foreword to the novel “The Winter of Great Solitude” by the writer Ismail Kadare, recounts the behind-the-scenes events of 1973, when the fierce attacks on the work began, the phone calls the author received from Nexhmije Hoxha, and the protection he was given by the dictator TIRANE Éric Faye “The Winter of Great Solitude” and “Concert at the End of the Season” form a completely unique diptych in the work of Ismail Kadare. They are two brother novels (united under the same title, “The Time of Quarrels”), which share many points in common, without however being twins. Since... ► continues on pages 20-21 In the photo: The former communist dictator Enver Hoxha and the writer Ismail Kadare during a meeting in the 1970s In the photo: The former communist dictator Enver Hoxha and the writer Ismail Kadare during a meeting in the 1970s

Comment BY AFRIM KRASNIQI 24 July and the presidential message On the morning of 24 July 1997, Rexhep Meidani began his term as President of the Republic. There was no ceremony, no champagne, no normal handover of duties and responsibilities. In the new headquarters he found two protocol officers and some office equipment. Surely neither Meidani nor the few people present at that formal and purely non-ceremonial act of taking office would have thought that, despite this, the Albanian political calendar was gaining a symbolic date — the presidential day. On 24 July 2002 Alfred Moisiu took... ► continues on page 10

TONIGHT’S CEREMONY Nishani is sworn in, the staff is cleared out Topi farewell message. Interview: Berisha made the protocol, I respect it TIRANE JAKIN MARENA Outgoing President Topi, in an interview with the media, clarified his position regarding today’s ceremony, stating that Berisha arranged the ceremony, but as always he will respect it, showing that he respected... ► Pages 2-3 In the photo: Bujar Nishani and Bamir Topi In the photo: Bujar Nishani and Bamir Topi

INTERVIEW Jaho: Referendum on constitutional changes He wants 84 votes for the members of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ► Pages 6-7

Editorial BY ANILA BASHA Saranda, as it should not have been Pickaxes, cranes, rubble, people looking for relaxation in the crystal waters of the sea and staying there for hours just so they wouldn’t leave the shore to see what kind of chaos is happening once they step outside it. That was the situation I saw in Saranda last week, with the hope and desire that this year the Municipality had tried to change at least a little the image of the city’s concreting. Before the very end, a year and something after the left took over the municipality, it would have been fitting to say: Here is what we have done more than the right wing!... ► continues on page 10

Berisha: “Immunities, accept every proposal from the Socialists” ► Page 5

Gëzim Hoxha: Road accidents, the country has been without a state for 20 years ► Pages 16-17

The Italians reject the European University ► Page 18

Online completion of the A2 form fails; there is no internet ► Page 19

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► Page 10 WE DON’T KNOW, BUT WE DON’T WANT A STATE BY GENTIAN BALA