After the conclusion of the local partial elections, Messrs. Evert, OSCE ambassador, and Owen Masters, reporter of Europe, at the press conference OUR ARCHIVE PHOTO: ALBANIANS HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN HOW BERISHA'S POWER BEHAVES TOWARD THEM 28 May 1996, in “Skënderbej” Square, violence against protesting citizens [Photo] It was encouraging that in the overwhelming majority of polling stations, the Socialist Party and the other political parties had been able to cooperate constructively in the work of the electoral commissions, as well as within the legal framework. Likewise in the conduct of the process and the involvement of the parties' representatives as representatives of the parties as of the decision. The polling station chairmen, in all polling stations, decisions were taken on the basis of consensus. The validation and confirmation of the final result were welcomed. PAGE 2

An important test one year after the parliamentary elections of 29 June 1997 “It was encouraging that in the overwhelming majority of polling stations, the political parties had cooperated constructively in the work of the commissions and the procedures of the electoral commissions, as well as in the toleration and the final process. The final voting process took place without difficulties or obstacles, and the decisions of the commissions were taken on the basis of consensus. The representatives of the political parties have used and implemented continuously, and voting, mainly in all polling stations. Consensus, despite everything, is used by their movements and the validation of the final result.” PAGE 2 The elections of 21 June were an important test for Albania after last year’s parliamentary elections. With high participation and the smooth conduct of the electoral process, they left a positive impression, but more than being just another link in the enrichment of their practice and the consolidation of democracy, they point to several things. For each ministry the reform has been changed. All officials of the public administration must be able to provide serious services and work under uniform conditions, with respect. Training civil servants is an important tool for them and for the implementation of the new standards. This has been a weak link in the state administration and will need support. Improving the civil service has a special importance for development. In a meeting with government leaders, a deputy minister welcomed the success of the reform and stressed that the modernization of the administration is a condition for a functional and effective state. Full article on page 2

“The Alliance for the State” will win the runoff PAGE 3

Bërisha seeks cooperation with DBSH PAGE 4

THE COUNTRY IS TERRIFIED The tangle of political appointments, the staff is being dictated by thieves.... Luan M. RAMA Who works with the public administration? Who are the ones who prepare the laws and, on the basis of documents, go to the state offices, without wanting to take initiatives or even executive action in the implementation of the law? Who deals with drafting and monitoring compliance with legality and public administration? Who holds the positions and the administrative work, and who actually owns them? What is really happening in the state apparatus? What does this mean, that politics belongs there. The staff? What has actually happened, that the place of the country's politicians has been taken over? Concern? Yes, but what about accountability? Or does everyone say everything with politics? Full article on page 5