The serious and moderate positions of the Albanian government are praised

Danish Foreign Minister Nils Petersen in Tirana PAGE 2

33 construction companies lose their professional licenses

ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION FACES THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW PAGE 5

Stealing from the state with the boss’s blessing

KORÇË PAGE 6

Suspect in the wounding of English diplomats arrested

20-year-old Adrian Lika, from a village in the Tirana district, is in police custody PAGE 4

MEIDANI’S SIGNATURE AWAITED

Parliament reconsiders the law returned by the President. Prime Minister Nano proposes changes to the government cabinet The government structure has been discussed twice in the People’s Assembly and, after returning the law the previous day, the President of the Republic signed it yesterday with the amendments incorporated. Meanwhile, the appointment of the government’s members is awaited, since any delay keeps the state administration in limbo PAGE 3

GUARANTEE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The memorandum of understanding, the basis for the three-year agreement between the Albanian government and the IMF; ESAF-2 PAGE 7

RUGOVA REFUSES TALKS WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION

Kosovo PAGE 11

VISIT BY THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE US ARMED FORCES

SKOPJE PAGE 11

HERE IS THE GOVERNMENT LINEUP PRESENTED BY PRIME MINISTER NANO

Yesterday, Mr. Fatos Nano, mandated by the Socialist Party of Albania to serve as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, pursuant to Article 28, paragraph 7, of Law No. 7491, dated 29.04.1991, “On the main constitutional provisions,” as amended by Law No. 7558, dated 09.04.1992, in accordance with the new structure of the government approved by the People’s Assembly by Law No. 8327, dated 16.04.1998, and decreed by the President of the Republic by Decree No. 2048, dated 16.04.1998, in accordance with the agreement signed by the five political parties of the governing coalition and the consultations held on its basis concerning the posts allocated and the candidates approved by them, proposes to the President of the Republic the following changes to the government cabinet: 1. Mr. Sabit Brokaj is to be relieved of his duties as Minister of Defence. 2. Mr. Arben Ceka is to be relieved of his duties as Minister of the Interior. (Continued on page 3)