People of Vlorë back in the square, mass protests against the president resume Vlorë's immediate reaction after Berisha's declaration that he would return to this city. Tens of thousands of angry residents of Vlorë answer the provocative statements with a silent march and peaceful protest. It was clear that he, he, he who shed Vlorë's blood... had no place among them. Tens and tens of thousands of citizens of Vlorë, angered by the Berisha of the '97 uprising and by the protesters, after giving their final message, left the city in peace. Once the announcement and condemnation of the peaceful protest for Berisha had been made, the rally was over. After eight hours on their feet, the young people headed to the seafront and beaches, and families returned home. There had been such demonstrations in autumn and winter of '97, but on Wednesday the protest was the largest, as it was organized with carefully prepared slogans and banners. On the stage, those taken hostage from Vlorë knelt, and in this way they were ironically “declared victors” of the massacre of the troubled year. Angry young people shouted “No to Berisha”, “We don’t want him anymore”, “Living corpse”, “Vlorë, rejoice, he is gone”. This voice of the people of Vlorë could not even be silenced by Berisha's television appearances. Mentioning them by name several times, he told the authorities that he could no longer tolerate being provoked. The silent march, which began in the morning, continued until midday. The long procession headed toward the city center, where the statue of Ismail Qemali stands. Participants carried flowers and banners reading “Berisha has no place in Vlorë”, “Free Albania without Berisha”, “We are not slaves”. The march was accompanied by loud chants against the president and against the violence carried out against the city during the months of the crisis. Many of the participants considered any attempt to bring him back to this city unacceptable. The protest took place without incident and then people dispersed calmly. “Zëri i Popullit” In the photo: Artur Rustemi, treacherously killed by SHIK bandits, and the son of the police force, after pressure from the government in Vlorë [?]

Meetings of the parties with Prime Minister Fino Vranicki to help ensure intensive monitoring at all levels of the electoral process in Albania by the International Community Page 3

The incident happened yesterday in the morning, as the newspaper's correspondent was on her way to the office. The deputy head of the police commissariat got out of her car and approached her very closely in a threatening tone. She tried to touch the reporter, but passersby intervened. Later the correspondent filed a complaint with the police and denounced the incident as pressure on her work. The circumstances are being investigated. Page 6

Bënsha and PD claim they want to preserve their own old age, even if it means sacrificing the signing of the agreement with FIN Page 6

The chairman and vice-chairmen of PSSH with the representatives of the embassies of France, Spain and Austria, with the ambassador of France, with the deputy ambassador of Italy, the chancellor of the German Embassy and the attaché of the Greek embassy. During the meetings with the diplomatic corps, it was agreed that monitoring at all levels of the electoral process in Albania by the International Community must be guaranteed under any circumstances, at all the necessary levels during the pre-election period. It was also requested that the provocations and pressures being exerted on the democratic process in the country be avoided. On the other hand, readiness for full cooperation was expressed. Page 3

Today at 19:00, the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party will be held. The political situation in the country and the tasks of the PS structures at this moment will be discussed. PSSH Presidium

Today at 19:00, the meeting of the Presidium of the Socialist Party will be held. The political situation in the country and the tasks of the PS structures at these moments will be discussed. PSSH Presidium