Through the labyrinths of presidential secrets: Bënisha is going to flee... After sending away his family and part of the land, he was preparing to flee himself. Everything changed after the return of the Government of National Reconciliation

To His Excellency Mr. Antony Blair Chairman of the Labour Party To His Excellency Mr. Antony Blair Chairman of the Labour Party London - I have the pleasure, on behalf of the Party and in my personal name, to offer you, and through you the Labour Party, my sincerest congratulations on your sweeping, beautiful and joyful victory in the general elections of 1 May. Your victory represents for us an important development not only within the framework of bilateral relations, as well as the closest cooperation between our two sister left-wing parties, between one another in the Party's Presidium and the Party's Chairman of the Labour Party Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania. Tirana, 2 May 1997.

Editorial The last chances on the Albanian scene. It is expected that the changes in the final cabinet of this premiership will now be defined in all dimensions and through action. This time, when they meet and begin consultations, Prime Minister Fino and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of National Reconciliation, Tritan Shehu, will discuss what they had discussed and agreed with the OSCE special envoy, former Austrian chancellor Dr. Franz Vranitzky, with the chairman of the Vlora rescue committee, Maksim Cikuli, and with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Daniel Tarschys. So far it seems that an unusual force is at work to persuade the president to accept the opposition’s demands. He continues, with the same arrogance, to insist on making no concessions from his own positions. At the same time, he is trying to invent another argument to prolong his stay in office at any cost. In this dangerous game amid the stormy night of the Albanian people, he was momentarily calmed by the strong pressure exerted on him in recent days. But that calm was only temporary. Today he still seems not to have understood with what force the country is moving toward a solution to the crisis. He continues to behave with the same language of hatred and revenge. This makes it even clearer that he is unable to accept the political reality that has emerged. A careless and uncertain move can bring only new consequences. All eyes are now turned toward a political solution and toward its acceptance by those who still believe they can challenge the people. In these decisive hours no one must play with the fate of the country. The last chances to avoid confrontation are still open, but not for long. Page 6

The great victory of the Labour Party Under Blair's leadership, the largest opposition party in Britain defeated the Conservatives by a landslide, bringing an end to 18 years of rule by Margaret Thatcher and John Major Page 12 Election results

"Berisha's party has both of them armed" "Good people want weapons so that Berisha cannot keep power by force of arms" Sokran Gjinushi Page 7

Page 9

Conservative 29% Labour 47% Liberal 18% Others 6% Page 12