Berisha: “Two thirds against one third” “REBELS” HAND OVER THEIR “WEAPONS” TO THE MULTINATIONAL FORCES This is among the most ominous statements heard to date from President Berisha, who is constitutionally charged with preserving the unity of the country, yet allows himself to make such divisive statements. With this statement, Berisha has fully proved that he is not an architect of national reconciliation, but an architect of national division. Page 5

EDITORIAL For several days, the DP’s propaganda, its principal leaders, and especially President Berisha himself, have been engaged as never before in a noisy campaign of vilification against all those who have taken up arms to protec- protect themselves from state violence. These people, who for more than a month, day and night, have been guarding their own lives and property because the state is not functioning, have been labeled with the most monstrous epithets, as if they and they alone were Albania’s misfortune, as if they and they alone were destabilizing the situation in the country. Such an attitude is no accident. The people, having risen en masse in civic revolts against Berisha’s regime, and faced with state violence planned and carried out by groups directly controlled by Berisha, found no other recourse but to take up arms. Generally, their civic organizations have been called “rescue committees,” and even this name shows that they are neither terrorists, nor mafiosi, nor Enverists, but ordinary citizens of this country who, during the five years of DP rule, experienced various forms of privatization firsthand. These people are in the South and in the North, they are that (Continued on page 5)

The list of MPs who have broken away from the DP triples; local branches support them 2,200 signatures from DP elected representatives against the leadership Page 4 The list of MPs who have broken away from the DP triples; local branches support them The DP only on paper 2,200 signatures from DP elected representatives against the leadership Page 4

As part of the efforts being made to normalize the situation and lead the country out of the crisis, the Forum for Democracy met yesterday in Tirana under the direction of Mr. Kurt Kola. Consistent with its position and its assessment of the Forum for Democracy, the Socialist Party was represented at the meeting by its chairman, Fatos Nano, and the deputy chairman of the party’s leadership, Et’hem Ruka. The discussions at this meeting focused on the problems involved in taking the fullest possible measures to ensure that fair and honest elections are held on 29 June. In particular, within this framework, attention was devoted to exchanging views on the electoral law. Views were also expressed on the restructuring of RTV, the restructuring of the Ministry of the Interior, etc. The representatives of the parties participating in the Forum decided to meet again next week. B.S.

AT THE PSSH HEADQUARTERS Yesterday, the Chairman of the PSSh, Fatos Nano, and the PSSh Secretary for Foreign Relations, Maqo Lakrori, received the Italian Ambassador to Tirana, Paolo Foresti, at the KPD headquarters. During the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, they continued their mutual exchange of views on political developments in Albania and on the successful fulfillment of the mission of the Multinational Protection Forces. On this occasion, the Chairman of the PSSH, Fatos Nano, praised Mr. Foresti’s contribution as Italy’s friendly Ambassador to Albania in supporting the process of overcoming the crisis in the country and the delivery of the assistance provided to this people by the Italian government, as well as in developing political and diplomatic contacts with all Albanian political forces. Mr. Foresti reaffirmed his commitment to contribute further in this regard, in the interests of all Albanians. PSSH Spokesperson

Yesterday, the chairman of the PS, Fatos Nano, the secretary of the PSSH, Maqo Lakrori, member of the leadership Et’hem Ruka, and the PS secretary for Tirana, Enver Reçi, conveyed their greetings at the headquarters of the Muslim community in Tirana to its leader, Mr. Lul Haxhi Hatiz Sabri Koci, on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Page 6