The government presents the 1998 draft budget to the People's Assembly

Prime Minister Nano addresses the People's Assembly State budget revenues relative to GDP will be 32%, higher than a year earlier. The government is committed to playing the bread-baking role of encouraging overall domestic and gross income forever. As its own means to achieve that we do not know 1998 inflation will fall to 10 percent. We are optimistic because, thanks to the financial, economic and military support of Western powers and international organizations, if the central state's cooperation through budget revenues is found substantially, we through the outcries in the real economy will increase the approach of consumption and saving to near the satisfactory percentage from corruption to near this. We will have a deficit of the percentage to the other. For the fiscal year of economic and financial presentation the government is committed to aid and light to reduce debt irreversibly from the legitimate institutions of a democratic state. We are optimistic because, thanks to international support, especially from the brotherhood funds of the road of light, the activity of the coming sector will be disciplined to monitor for the future of Albanians they are taking part in the institutional development of the regime of a democratic state. PAGE 4

50,000 to 60,000 new jobs are targeted State budget revenues relative to GDP will be 32%, higher than a year earlier. The government is committed to encouraging the budget deficit for internal production growth and Gross Domestic Product. As its own means to achieve that by the end of 1998 inflation will fall to 10 percent. We are optimistic because, thanks to the financial, economic and military support of Western countries and international organizations, through the facilitation and the opening of exports of Albanian products to the markets of European Union countries we will increase the approach of consumption and saving to near the satisfactory percentage from corruption to near this. The reduction of the trade deficit will be sought. Through the implementation of an export-oriented strategy and a scale of preferential prices for exporters, while in the medium term the consolidation of the exchange rate is expected with a favorable impact on the growth of our economy’s competitiveness. We are optimistic because, thanks to the support and appreciation of the central economic and financial circles for our progress so far, we are convinced that for the fiscal year we have opportunities for realistic progress. PAGE 2,4,5

President of the Republic Rexhep Mejdani reconnects with the Albanian community in Boston, USA Af[r]ur Liol[i]n: “We hope that your generous door will bring together the factions of Albanian society” PAGE 5

Grushuni in Germany today PAGE 4

In the General Assembly of the Council of Europe PAGE 3

In the “Bezhani” commission... PAGE 5

Today, on 3.02. '98, in the conference hall of the ministerial offices, dialogue on Albanian-Yugoslav policy as well as the broad discussion held by PSSH, Mago Lak- PAGE 2

Albanian Helsinki Committee PAGE 4

The Prosecutor General in the Parliamentary Commission for Order and SHIK PAGE 4