The police are at war with the Prosecutor's Office. Four parties speak through one newspaper. PSD shows its face Three continents cross the routes of smuggling in Albania. 70 million dollars disappear The police are at war with the Prosecutor's Office. Four parties speak through one newspaper. PSD shows its face Gjinushi: Nano has attended Nexhmije’s school Three continents cross the routes of smuggling in Albania. 70 million dollars disappear

It is true that history, partly because of our own fault, punished us by shrinking our size; it is equally true that, again partly because of our own fault, those stubborn Albanians who remained so within the current borders of their country have begun to feel cramped in these dimensions. Since Albania began to call itself democratic, its political rulers — presidents, prime ministers, ministers and party leaders — besides many “worthy” habits that decorate the waistcoat of a man in power, acquired a new one as well. Almost all of them, when the occasion brings them to meet compatriots living outside Albania, do not forget to repeat the gentle refrain of hospitality: “Return to the homeland.” This is not about the solemnity of the call, much less the guarantees that accompany it. The son of the house does not need the seductive advertisement of the hearth that gave birth to him, nor is the opening of the door guaranteed to him. What stings the ear here more is the hypocrisy standing between the Albanian political reality and its public-administrating politicians. If we were naive enough to believe every bit of pathos uttered by those who release their appeals under its spell, then we would also like to believe that Albania has room for everyone. But when reality is imposed on us through the comings and goings of politicians, whenever the rotation of pluralism brings power to change hands between parties, even if we do not like it, we are forced to believe that Albania has no room for all Albanians. When 1992 brought the Democratic Party and its allies to power, there were many communists who, during the years of their party's rule, had managed to become its officials, snatched whatever they could from what was called the property of everyone, and settled in Europe as millionaires. The surprise is not their exodus, but the return that is appearing as the symbolic image of the departure that began months ago and continues to accompany the long lists of officeholders from the last five years. Is it Albania that has no room for everyone, or are it the politicians who do not know how to coexist with one another? Worse still, ordinary people are unable to understand who the criminals are that evade the law: those who fled out of fear of punishment in 1992, only to return almost to parliamentary mandates and ministerial portfolios in 1997, or those who, along with the mandates and portfolios, are today also giving up the little space they occupied on the small surface of their country. The laws have been built and are being patched up so badly that many and many simply become “free votes” not only from opposition into power, but also from the punished into the punisher. And while Nano, following the custom of his predecessors in power, continues to call for emigrants to return, and his political colleagues are providing the worst example of a coexistence that is still far from being clarified in Albania.

P.20 During a meeting, the Prime Minister of Italy, Romano Prodi, told me: "My heart bleeds when I see the Albanian people caught in a crisis of self-destructive hysteria..." Interview with Ekrem Bardhës Cartoon with the captions “CRIME” and “POLICE”.

P.13

P.8

More information, culture and entertainment.

Specialized Courses in England (1-9 months) Pre- and postgraduate studies at the best private schools in England, recognized by the British Council. For: Journalism, Engineering, Finance, Banking, Aviation, Law, Literature, Military, Medicine, Science, Technology, where English language skills are perfected together with the corresponding diplomas, as well as applications to English universities. Business School in England For: Business, Trade, Management, Marketing, Tourism, Secretariat, Computers, etc. For the necessary information you can contact us from 9:00-13:00 and 18:00-20:00 at our offices in Tirana at tel. no. 442-17 & fax 351-37 (from Monday-Saturday). Address: Kavajës Street No. 203. (Below Polyclinic No. 9)

Gaxhai caught in the police net Lushnje Weapons that killed 500 people are surrendered Elbasan The anti-crime unit finds the escaped rapist Durrës The people of Durrës enjoy the “Sea Festival” Pages 6-7

"REPUBLIKA", Sami Frashëri Street, near the "Petro Nini Luarasi" gymnasium, Tirana, Account No. 986/110, Commercial Bank of Tirana. Tel/Fax 259 88 Tel. 230 90