In the People’s Assembly: Constitutional amendments approved The Constitutional Court has knowingly violated the constitutional law. The rotation must take place. Page 3 (Continued on page 3)

After talks between government representatives and the press publishers’ commission NEWSPAPERS RETURN As of tomorrow, the Albanian press will resume appearing on the market. When we say “without cause,” we mean that the strike began on Sunday. By saying “without cause,” we do not deny at all the problems raised or the difficulties facing the Albanian press, but rather that, while talks were taking place between government representatives and the publishers’ commission, there was no reason to strike. In any case, it has now been called off, following meetings held earlier that also focused on overcoming the situation that had arisen, which in some cases became an object of speculation. We should point out that, as of yesterday, several editorial offices had made efforts to publish their newspapers, but, incomprehensibly, they were prevented from doing so by the “Demokracia” printing house, which refused to open despite its contractual obligations. Not only that, but the arbitrary closure of the printing house also put several newspapers, such as “Shekulli” and others that had not joined the strike in solidarity, on “strike.” In any case, everything has now been resolved, as demonstrated by the memorandum of understanding signed at last night’s meeting. According to it, the Albanian government has seen ... ... aim for Albania, but because the talks between government representatives and the publishers’ commission were taking place at that time, has now been called off, following a marathon meeting that ended at midnight. Those present were Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Fino, Finance Minister Arben Malaj and the Prime Minister’s spokesperson Ben Blushi, representing the government, and Messrs Nazarko, Greca and Rakipi, representing the publishers’ commission. Last night’s meeting

The former Albanian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Pavli Qesku, and another former Albanian diplomat were denied their request for political asylum in that country. Two months ago, they had applied for political asylum in Britain, after their terms in the country had ended and a new ambassador had been accredited. This latest news from London, along with other news from several European capitals where the Albanian state has its representatives, leaves a bitter taste when one thinks that these individuals represented Albania around the world. This is all the more bitter when certain individuals, appointed as diplomats by the state party of the Berisha regime, have caused diplomatic scandals, such as the one in Switzerland involving S. Buçpapa, who stole the embassy seal and refused to hand it over. Although such cases involve individuals who are entirely partisan, ultimately they represented Albania around the world. We would hope that the cases mentioned above are not repeated by diplomats or ambassadors who have completed their mission, and that they hand over their high state office to their successors with dignity. In this way, they will respect not only their personal dignity but, above all, the dignity of the Albanian state, which was trampled underfoot and destroyed by the Berisha regime. L.C

50 YEARS AGO, THE TRAGIC END OF NAKO SPIRO Page 9

Prodi writes to Meidani: President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani has received a letter from Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, which says: Mr President and Dear Friend, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm and friendly letter. Like you, I too have wonderful memories of our meeting in Strasbourg. Although I regret that, as I told you then, I was unable to meet you during your latest visit to Rome, I am sure that another fruitful meeting will not be long in coming. I am pleased to see the shared will of Albania and Italy to work together, day after day, in finding the best way to address the challenges of the historic moment you are going through. I am sure that in this regard, as your visit to Italy once again demonstrated, your work will be of great value. Please accept, Mr President and Dear Friend, the assurances of my highest esteem and sincere friendship. Romano Prodi Rome, 30 October 1997

In the report on Prime Minister Nano’s meeting with Fasino, Undersecretary of State at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a sentence was inadvertently omitted. The paragraph should have read: “The Albanian Prime Minister asked that the refugee problem be resolved within the framework of the projects and programmes that Italy has launched in Albania. In this way, the mentality of those Albanians who see salvation in abandoning their country will also change, and he asked that all those involved in implementing the readmission and seasonal employment agreement be assisted by the Italian government.”