04/02/1997
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Republika

4 February 1997

Driza surrenders. Labour Minister Ymeraj to replace him

Today, “Populli” writes. Here is how Meksi will distribute the frozen funds Sudja has 300 thousand dollars. 100 Court experts searching for the “Gjallica” formula Today, “Populli” writes. Here is how Meksi will distribute the frozen funds Driza surrenders. Labour Minister Ymeraj to replace him Sudja has 300 thousand dollars. 100 Court experts searching for the “Gjallica” formula

Albanians under the state in uniform

Within the space of two weeks, we saw the state in two guises: first guarded in blue uniforms, and then in green uniforms. The first, pelted with stones, bloodied, burned, destroyed, nearly blown apart, fleeing. The second, this green-uniformed contingent (they say that these days they put green over the blue uniforms), with automatic rifles slung across their shoulders, ready to patrol and challenge. This state in green uniform, which yesterday withdrew from Shkodra but still remains standing in the cities of revolt, seems to be more respected by Albanians. There are no longer bewildered policemen who do not know where to go under the pressure of the crowds. No, those standing guard over the state seem to have a different appearance: they look brave, somewhat contemptuous of those who dared raise a hand against the state. They are dressed and equipped, wearing helmets instead of caps, with only their eyes visible. In any case, people have begun to keep their distance from them, not to speak in their presence, while young people have set off for the other side of the border. The citizens of the cities in revolt seem to have become more cautious in the presence of the green uniforms; they speak quietly and point toward the armed men guarding the charred buildings, no one knows by whom. They do not even dare look at the smoke-blackened buildings, as if afraid of the evidence that they know something. The shoe-shiner, the barber, the butcher, and the seller of byrek, too, whisper, shsh...! Roadblocks have been set up at the entrances to these cities. In the first days of last week, people trembled before these roadblocks. They stopped cars and buses, checked them, and, quite nervously, ordered people to get out of their vehicles as if nothing were wrong. In the evenings in the cities of revolt, you could make out patrols, groups of rapid-intervention soldiers taking turns relieving one another. At the entrance to Lushnje, near the Martyrs’ Cemetery, where the first IFA belonging to the Vlora police was burned, other IFAs were stationed—not blue, but green. No stones were thrown at them; they stayed there, challenging the citizens of the rebellious city with their presence. Last week, the people of Lushnje did not even take their usual stroll along the city promenade. They did not gather in groups of three or four. They were wary of intervention by those whose name was not spoken: the rapid-intervention forces. In fact, on the evenings in the middle of the week, the shops’ shutters were hastily pulled down, while residents shut their doors when they heard a burst of automatic gunfire. The wounds inflicted by the guards of the burned buildings (he was wounded by his comrade in the arm) brought pain even to ordinary citizens, who are people with souls and hearts like everyone else. Not the whole city attacked itself. Not the whole city looted itself. Not the whole city raised its hand against the policemen who had come from other cities. There were also deeply humane acts, such as that of an elderly man who, even after finding his son covered in blood, did not take revenge when he saw one of the uniformed men in the middle of the crowd; instead, he put himself at risk and took him to the police department. Last week showed the strength of the state in green uniform. Nevertheless, it seems that Albanians still feel safer under this state and respect it more; it would not even occur to them to oppose it, and they are distancing themselves from it more and more. In this state, Albanians may even give up demonstrations…

Albanians risk receiving only 60% of their money in the foundations

In its January 30 issue, “Republika” was accurate in its prediction that Albanians would receive only 60% of their deposits THE REPUBLIC YEAR VII No. 23 (776) Daily Thursday, January 30, 1997 10 lekë The Bank raises the dollar exchange rate to compensate the victims of pyramid schemes. “Gjallica” contracts on the market Albanians risk receiving only 60% of their money in the foundations The people are burning, the parties are combing their hair Sudja was honest as long as it was on good terms with the government

50 billion lire land in VEFA’s budget

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Hajdari’s cousins, neighbors and trade unionists arrested

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60% of their money in the foundations

burning, the parties are combing their hair Instead of technical elections, politicians are talking about political elections Sudja was honest as long as it was doing well with the government