President of the Republic Rexhep Mejdani decrees the new government cabinet headed by Mr. Fatos Nano The new government headed by Mr. Fatos Nano below, taking the oath before President of the Republic Rexhep Mejdani (photo: A. Babani)

Immediately after taking the oath, the new government headed by Mr. Fatos Nano opens its first meeting today at around 11 a.m. The new Prime Minister, Mr. Fatos Nano, opens the first meeting of his 22-member cabinet. The newly elected government, still not yet decreed as such by the President of the Republic, formed at yesterday's session of the Socialist membership, has faced one of the greatest challenges with which Albanians and Albania have been confronted. (Continued on page 3)

Prodi: “I wish to confirm to you my deepest expressions of personal satisfaction and those of my government for the result of the 29 June elections, which gave a new future to the Albanian people and a future of effective governance.” Mr. Fatos Nano received yesterday a congratulatory letter sent promptly by Mr. Romano Prodi, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic. It says: “I wish to confirm to you my deepest expressions of personal satisfaction and those of the Italian government for the result of the 29 June elections, which gave a new future to the Albanian people and to the government that will be developed. I am convinced, Prodi continues, that with your new government it will be possible to further develop a relationship of favorable dynamism in bilateral cooperation. Our voice we have always had. These are also expressions of my wishes for your country both domestically and internationally. We are convinced that through this, Prodi continues, we must soon improve, united in Albania, for the order, peace of the country and of the government.” (Continued on page 2)

Chairman of the Council of Ministers Fatos Nano received the U.S. ambassador in Tirana, Mariza Lino. In the first meeting, the prime minister underscored the government's priority in developing bilateral relations with the USA. Chairman of the Council of Ministers Fatos Nano also received Mr. Nano together with the U.S. ambassador Mariza Lino. The meeting emphasized understanding, good work, and the successes of cooperation with the USA. Ambassador Lino appreciated the results of the elections in Albania and the role played by the new government. She expressed readiness to strengthen ties of cooperation with our country and to facilitate them further in the future with others. (Continued on page 2)

A five-story building is blown up, with 6 dead and 8 injured reported so far (Page 6)

(Page 3)

Due to, as of 6:30 p.m. on Friday of today, the Post Office in the Center of Tirana, because of the large volume of telegrams and foreign correspondence, temporarily blocked postal service. To ease this situation, on Saturday and Sunday, service will continue at several counters in Tirana. On Friday evening, service from Tirana to all of Kosovo continues and is carried out via telegraph and the corresponding courier. (Page 3)