Albania and friends The American Embassy resumes visa services, but with restrictions Americans Open Embassy for Visas in Tirana Starting January 24: visas for short business and tourist trips, student visas, visas for visitor exchange programs, and visas for skilled workers PROCEDURES AND VISA CATEGORIES IN DETAIL TIRANA—The American Embassy in Tirana is opening the doors of its consular section. According to a press release from the embassy, temporary visas will begin to be issued at its offices on January 24 of this year.

weather in Albania sun and cloud Temperature: -1 and 8° Celsius Six highly wanted men arrested over a murder PAGE 3

Yesterday, the Foreign Minister summoned the First Secretary of the Greek Embassy and asked her for a swift response to resolve the problem PAGE 2

ERION BRAÇE Housing is the biggest social problem in the country. A generation has now come of age in this country that, if it wants to start a family and build a normal life, cannot fit into a home. Every year, this group, officially designated as “homeless,” grows alarmingly. Parents, because their children are unemployed, remain the unable donors. Meanwhile, others with jobs and ordinary incomes cannot manage to buy an apartment to live in. Saving one’s salary may cover the market price after 20 years. As a result, there are many people looking for homes, but also many children who for 15 years have lived in various surroundings, with the concept of home reduced to a single room. Against this backdrop, credit remains the only solution. Political parties in their platforms, and the current government, talk about funds they will devote to housing. But beyond that, there is also a private solution, through long-term loans taken from a bank. The Savings Bank is the largest in the country and is capable of doing this. It has issued home loans, and the repayment rate to date is 98%, an achievement rare among banks around the world. The new law on guarantees offers greater security. But the Bank of Albania and Governor Cani insist that the Savings Bank should not issue loans. They say that the SB has unpaid loans, while the SB maintains that these loans do exist but belong to the Agricultural Bank and the National Commercial Bank. In light of these claims, the current repayment rate of 98%, the deposits of USD 1 billion in the SB, and the endless demand for housing remain clear indicators.

Shabani’s alliance with Fatmir The Central Election Commission should be reconstituted according to the 1996 formula PAGE 6

The Alliance for a Strong State Rama: The demand to return to the 1996 model is regressive PAGE 6

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WASHINGTON—President Bill Clinton greeted Muslims, who are preparing to celebrate the holiday of Bayram, marking the end of Ramadan, and shared with them the hope for “a new era of peace among peoples.” “We hope and pray for a world where all faiths are respected, where people of different faiths and ethnicities can live together in harmony,” the president said in a statement released Thursday. “We pray that the New Moon will bring a new era of peace among peoples, in the Middle East and throughout the world, so that people may emerge from the darkness of violence and secure a better life for their children,” he said.

Jetmir Shpuza is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Shkodër and Mr. Gjon Jaku is appointed; Martin Cukalla is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Durrës and Petrit Ajazi is appointed Prefect; Ndue Gega is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Berat and Krenar Suku is appointed Prefect; Xhelil Çibaku is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Dibër and Hajredin Tahiri is appointed Prefect

Kukës, international airport 4 15 gravel-producing companies suspended 4 Government: Under Kosovo for peace 7 Vlorë-Durrës ports “occupied,” so why not Shëngjin? 8

On Monday at 10:00, the FRESSH KPD will meet at the PSH headquarters in Tirana