TOMORROW IN THE NEWSPAPER / REFERENCE PRICES Here’s how traders are robbing the state and Albanians with reference prices Original invoices with scandalously low prices, 200–300% below market prices

Minister Angjeli reviews the economy: Consolidation of the finances shows the consolidation of the state • The minimum wage today is 6,645 lekë—in Berisha’s time, in 1996, it was 3,700 lekë • The Socialists raised it to 4,400 lekë in ’97 and to 5,800 lekë in ’98 • The average monthly wage today is 16,500 lekë—in Berisha’s time, in 1996, it was 8,638 lekë • The Socialists raised it to 9,558 lekë in ’97 and to 11,509 lekë in ’98 • During the three years of the “Alliance for the State” government, wages have risen by between 10% and 70% • In 1998, pensions increased by 21–23% • In 1999, pensions increased by 10% • In 2000, starting on 1 July, pensions will increase by 8–10%; meanwhile, on 1 April, the reduction of pension disparities began — Official minimum wages and average monthly budget-sector wages during 1995–1999 Official Minimum Wage Average Monthly Budget-Sector Wage 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 3,000 3,700 4,400 5,800 6,645 6,409 8,638 9,558 11,509 16,500 Source of information: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Public investment during 1995–2000 Total public investment (budget-funded and foreign, in millions of lekë) 1995 19,108,000; 1996 16,568,209; 1997 13,848,743; 1998 24,215,345; 1999 33,614,555; 2000* 35,250,858 Source of information: Ministry of Finance Note * plan WAGES Official Minimum Wage Average Monthly Budget-Sector Wage

There are dangerous individuals in the Guard implicated in the events of 1997 Punishment under the law for the guards who beat the camera operator Secretary KOÇI and RAMA at the camera operator’s home. The perpetrators of this shameful act will be punished according to the law PAGE 8

Interpol intervenes

Interpol intervenes TIRANA—Long sought by police following a ruling by the Gjirokastër District Court, a 23-year-old man from Fushë-Bardha in this district was extradited from Greece late the previous evening. PAGE 9

The PS Secretary for Public Relations, Luan Rama: Berisha will continue the blockade using other pretexts PAGE 5

The President has not yet begun consultations on replacing the CEC members PAGE 5

Berisha declines the Americans’ invitation to go to Budapest Socialist Party Chairman Fatos Nano is leaving for Budapest, invited by the American foundation “Project on Ethnic Relations”

Opposition experts on the OSCE commission definitively boycott the commission (HE RESIGNS TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE OPPOSITION...) AT LAST OUR INSISTENCE HAS PREVAILED! THE CONSTITUTION • Despite statements by Arbnori and the leaders of PR, PBK and PLL calling for the opposition experts to return to the CEC commission for the electoral process, following the resignations of Klosi and Meçe, an order from Berisha has definitively buried their return PAGE 5

Poçi in Vlora VLORA—“First, weapons must be taken from criminals, then from political bandits who are seeking to destroy this country again, and finally from the civilian population, which hands over its weapons voluntarily,” Poçi stressed in Vlora. PAGE 9

— 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Official Minimum Wage 3,000 3,700 4,400 5,800 6,645 Average Monthly Budget-Sector Wage Labour and Social Affairs WAGES Official Minimum Wage Average Monthly Budget-Sector Wage in lekë 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Public investment, 50% higher than in ’96

— Public investment during 1995–2000 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000* 19,108,000 16,568,209 13,848,743 24,215,345 33,614,555 35,250,858 Source of information: Ministry of Finance Note * plan 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000* Angjeli: We will monitor spending on public investment down to the last cent BY DEDË KOLA - PAGES 2, 3, 4