Yesterday in the People’s Assembly: Page 2

SHKODER: Police station chiefs speak out Page 6

A statement made under pressure: Page 8

Minister Malaj before the People’s Assembly: Transparency—a necessity No shutdown

KOSOVO

Not administrative closure, but participation in management, since these companies have absorbed the population’s savings Page 3

Let us rebuild the strength of the army on scientific foundations, in accordance with NATO standards Page 2

A Favorable Climate for Helping Albania Prime Minister Nano Meets the Leadership Team Page 2

The young people of Tirana took to the squares and the capital’s main boulevard yesterday to protest in solidarity with the students of Kosovo. Called by the youth forums of Albania’s two main parties, the Socialist Party and the Democratic Party, the demonstration began at midday in “Nënë Tereza” Square, in front of the central building of the University of Tirana. The protesters then proceeded along “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard and into “Skënderbej” Square. At their head were banners concerning the freedoms and rights of the citizens of Kosovo, and the citizens of the SP and DP forums, Ilir Meta and Afrim Krasniqi. “Albanian youth are concerned about the worsening situation of their brothers and sisters in Kosovo,” stated an appeal by FRESSH, FRPD (Continued on page 8)

Prime Minister Fatos Nano Meets Prime Minister Bujar Bukoshi In a warm and brotherly meeting, Prime Minister Fatos Nano and Bujar Bukoshi, prime minister of Kosovo’s government in exile, held talks for nearly two hours at the seat of the Council of Ministers. During the meeting, which took place in a friendly and constructive spirit, the two interlocutors exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. Mr. Fatos Nano gave an account of his recent tour of Hong Kong, New York and Washington, and of the positive results achieved, which definitively demonstrated the existence of a substantial willingness in the international community to help and support Albania in the process of recovery. Prime Minister Nano briefed him on the intensive meetings he and the delegation he headed held in New York during the proceedings of the UN General Assembly, and on the activity of the Albanian delegation in explaining the Republic of Albania’s position on protecting and supporting the legitimate interests of the people of Kosovo. He then expressed concern about the violence inflicted by the Serbian regime’s police forces in Kosovo’s cities against students, and expressed the solidarity of the Albanian government and people with the peaceful resistance of the students and people of Kosovo. For his part, Prime Minister Bukoshi analyzed the current situation in Kosovo and the difficult problems facing the Albanian cause today. He stressed that the students’ peaceful protests were an important event that helped raise the international community’s awareness of the issue of the Albanians of Kosovo. The peaceful spirit of the students’ protest helped convince international public opinion of the justice of their legitimate demands. In this unequal struggle, he said, the students had emerged victorious over the primitive violence inflicted upon them. During the warm and brotherly meeting, Nano and Bukoshi exchanged views on the need to coordinate political efforts to internationalize the Kosovo issue. They also discussed current political issues in the region.