The Presidium of the Socialist International welcomes the PSSH's membership application and opens the way for further procedures PAGE 2

Finance Minister Arben Malaj after returning from Washington: The agreement with the IMF is evidence of the consolidation of the Albanian economy PAGE 7

INSIDE NANO MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF PREMIER OIL Investments guaranteed PAGE 7

IN THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY New excise law approved Lower excise duties, a prerequisite for preventing tax evasion PAGE 7

TIRANA PAGE 6

ANDROMAQI GJERGJI PAGE 9

Not only in support of the Ngjela Commission The tragic events of a year ago that led to the destruction of the state, which were a direct product of the Berisha clan's policy, continue to be brought to light through testimonies, documents and some of the most macabre facts. Look at the forgery we are publishing. This alone is enough to understand the scale of a state crime, a crime whose essence was not only the destruction of the state, but also the division and setting of Albanians against one another. Otherwise, there is no way to understand the contents of the letter signed by Bashkim Gazidede, by which Sali Berisha himself, at the time President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, was informed about the Vlora officers who were to be removed from the Ministry of Defence. And why? Only because they are from Vlora. Certainly, such a fact is neither a development nor a surprise to the people of Vlora or to all Albanians. Because they all experienced equally the brutality of a criminal regime. By publishing in full the letter dated 5 March 1997, we have absolutely no intention of denigrating the names mentioned in it. We only want to present yet another document as evidence of the Berisha-style farce. REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA OPERATION COMMAND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC MR SALI BERISHA I N F O R M A T I O N The following officers from Vlora are in the Operations Directorate of the Ministry of Defence: 1. Lieutenant Colonel Bircë Mataj 2. Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Xhemali 3. Lieutenant Colonel Ismet Kasa We believe they should be replaced, respectively, by: 1. Major Sami Neziri, currently at the Defence Academy. 2. Lieutenant Colonel Flamur Mella, to be placed in the Operations Directorate in place of Mustafa Xhemali. 3. Major Gjok Lleshi, currently at the Defence Academy. It is proposed that Ismet Kasa be sent to FMA, and Birçë Mataj and Mustafa Xhemali be sent to the Tirana Division. OPERATION COMMANDER GENERAL BASHKIM GAZIDEDE Tirana, 05.03.1997 PAGE 4

Berisha seeks to impose on the PD non-participation in the local by-elections PAGE 4

Work on the construction of the Durrës–Rrogozhinë highway was due to begin on 19 May PAGE 5

We remind the reader ...

Former SHIK head Bashkim Gazidede writes to Sali Berisha

On Friday, 22 May 1998, at 10:00, a meeting with the district chairpersons of the PSSH will be held at the PSSH headquarters. At this meeting, they will report on the status of the elections within the Party, as well as other matters. PSSH Coordination Office

On Friday, 22 May 1998, at 11:00, at the PSSH headquarters, the PSSH Secretary for Foreign Relations, Mjaft? Lako-rori, will hold a press conference on the results of the meeting of the SI General Council and the activities of the PSSH delegation in OSLO. Media representatives and members of the diplomatic corps are invited to attend. PSSH Spokesperson