POLICE / WANTED Police during an operation HAS - POLICE DEALS A HEAVY BLOW TO CRIME, ONE BANDIT KILLED He had killed two people, refused to surrender, and fired at the police Read on PAGE 17

CRIME / SMUGGLING Scaffolding built from metal materials KRUJË, SCRAP-METAL TRAFFICKERS, SIX IN HANDCUFFS They had broken into the cement factory in Fushë - Krujë at night using a crane Read on PAGE 16

DP / ELECTIONS Berisha at one of his customary rallies BERISHA’S ORDER: IN THE NGJELA-MUSTAFAJ SHOWDOWN, NGJELA MUST WIN The DP chairman dictates Friday’s result; he wants to burn Mustafaj Read on PAGE 2

COMMENT During the voting process The CEC has the right to set deadlines when they are not stipulated by law TODAY META HEADS TO WASHINGTON Read on PAGES 5, 7

Socialist leader: In the US, we engaged with the American electoral experience • I was greatly influenced by civilization, democracy, the campaign, and the great love Americans have for having free citizens, politicians and nations like themselves close by PAGE 3

The Socialists launch the campaign on 1 September at 18:00 at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. On 2 and 3 September throughout the North, then they head down throughout the South. On 25 August in Tirana, all Socialist candidates for municipalities and communes will hold their first meeting. PS, MEETING OF THE PRESIDENCY The Socialists set the dates for the electoral tour, which begins on the first day of September Nano-Meta, 1 September in Tirana, in four days from North to South • The Socialists launch the campaign on 1 September at 18:00 at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana • On 2 and 3 September throughout the North, then they head down throughout the South • On 25 August in Tirana, all Socialist candidates for municipalities and communes will hold their first meeting TIRANA. The Socialists will launch their campaign for the local elections of 1 October on 1 September, with an extraordinary national celebration at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. The Presidium of the Albanian Socialists, yesterday under the chairmanship of Socialist leader Nano, made precisely this decision. At the same time, it also set the dates for the launch of the campaign and the presentation of candidates throughout Albania. At 6 p.m. on 1 September, the Socialist candidates for the capital’s municipalities and municipal units, together with all the candidates from Albania’s cities, will meet at the Palace of Congresses to be officially introduced to the public by the President of Albania. At a ceremony conceived entirely as a celebration, the mayoral candidates will be introduced one after another by distinguished figures from various fields in the country, members of the PS or civil society, and various artists. Immediately after this official launch of the election campaign, the Socialists will launch their campaigns in the respective districts, presenting their candidates. Nano and Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta will be together at the campaign launches in all the country’s prefectures, starting on 2 September. Thus, over four days, Nano and Meta will travel throughout the North on their electoral tour, then head down to the South, crossing the heart of Albania. The Socialists have decided to begin in the northernmost city, the “City” of Shkodër, and then conclude the campaign launch in the wonderful city of Vlorë. (Continued on page 2) Niko Veizi, the favourite of the people of Vlorë for mayor Ulqini: The campaign, intensive meetings with voters and shows PAGE 3

ELECTIONS FOUR OF THE SEVEN PARTIES HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR LISTS FOR THE LOCAL CECS After the deadline for submitting documents expired, PR sends the names to the CEC PAGE 4

CEC UNPREPARED PARTIES HINDER THE WORK OF THE CEC The opposition, led by the DP, is deliberately obstructing matters by threatening over deadlines PAGE 4