Companies: We are not afraid of lawsuits from clients. Banks favor passbook holders Lawyers: Contracts with clients are the companies’ weakest point. The bank is less organized than the foundations

One of the ways proposed by the lenders of “Gjallica” to find funds that would help the state repay them was the sale of one of the hydroelectric power plants on the Drin River. Regardless of how this has been interpreted, or may be interpreted, by various groups within the Albanian population, whether or not connected to the Government, it should not be regarded as an invention of minds sick with the fever of losing money, much less as heresy. Just as this is not the first time a country has faced the phenomenon of pyramid schemes, neither is it the first time a state has used such means to help its citizens who have suffered from this phenomenon. But let us note that, while the epidemic spread of this phenomenon was cited and invoked as a basis for defending those who sought to evade responsibility for allowing it, the possibility of neutralizing its consequences through methods known from the practice of other countries was surrounded, in the justificatory phases, by all kinds of variations, right up to irresponsible and absolute assertions. Prime Minister Meksi has commented five times, each time with a different view, on the proposal by “Gjallica”’s clients. He called it worthy, a possibility worth discussing, but also put an end to the matter by dismissing it with the response: The hydroelectric power plant cannot be sold as if it were a kiosk! In truth, it should be said that government sources confirm that such a possibility had already been discussed in Mr. Meksi’s cabinet. Indeed, referring specifically to international experience, it was supported, but also opposed within the cabinet, with arguments of all kinds. It is no accident that, instead of a practical possibility for resolving the situation, people go chasing after slogans such as “everything is the people’s property,” and so on. In any case, the opponents of this idea have also used a slogan, dressed up in the technical terminology of securities. According to them, one cannot play with the devaluation of national assets by selling them for cash. This would mean devaluing securities (let us recall that privatization vouchers have meanwhile been withdrawn down to 4%) and, among other things, would not morally justify the sale of common property to compensate one section of the population that has suffered losses. If government officials truly accept that these kinds of assets belong to everyone, then they should not be used solely in the interests of the state. But even if we preferred to abandon this kind of populism, and to identify the state alone (not Meksi and his cabinet) as their owner, they should still be sold if no less bitter remedy can be found to heal the pain of Albanians who have suffered the most. In every compensation case, the one who causes the damage pays. And in this case, the damage to Albanians was caused not only by the rentiers and borrowers. According to recent decisions, they will pay through criminal punishment, as well as through the sale of confiscated property and assets. The state, meanwhile, which through its indifference—and even through the alleged support it gave to the conduct of this activity—stands in the same position as someone held legally responsible for failing to report a crime. Just as the latter, depending on the established circumstances, is in most cases also considered an accomplice to the crime, so too is the Albanian state no less responsible than the borrowers for the damage the pyramid scheme inflicted on the Albanian people. Then let it pay, including with part of its assets, and also take its place in the dock—not necessarily as a corrupt accomplice, but as an incompetent manager and administrator of the property, welfare, work, and trust of those who gave it their vote.

Yesterday, 30,000 people took to the streets of Vlora. Protesters clashed with police again “Gjallica” managers arrested The spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior announced that during Wednesday night Vlora police detained a number of protesters, organizers of terrorist violence, who had used firearms and explosives against the police. Page 2 The lenders demand their money

Yesterday in Parliament: Page 3

The Democratic MP for the city of Vlora, Dashamir Shehi, yesterday joined his constituents and all the creditors of “Gjallica” in their concern over the loss of capital in this company. “I share their concern. This is a massive fraud, but I would not want events to move toward vandalism and destruction.” Page 4

Fakti distributed “Populli” yesterday Page 2 Driza: Release me from prison so I can return the money Page 2 The commission has signed: I am not a pyramid scheme Page 4

On Tuesday, February 11, at 11:00, a meeting will be held at the Central Headquarters of the Republican Party, which all chairpersons of PR branches in the districts must attend without exception. The meeting will discuss the plan and arrangements for holding conferences of the branches and sub-branches. PR Presidium

All distributors of the newspaper “REPUBLIKA” in the districts shall pay the amounts due from the sale of this newspaper in cash through the transport agency “Press-Albania” (not through the Bank), starting from 4. 1. 1997. Along with the money, the unsold copies from each day must also be handed in (only the newspaper masthead and date). THE NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL OFFICE