Unexpected accusation from the Prime Minister’s Office. Government: The SP is sabotaging us. Nano’s people are obstructing a resolution of the strike. Two hunger strikers admitted to hospital
The Republicans: an all-out fight against crime: The death penalty, now or never
Only death can kill death
By Genci ÇOBANI
The renewed discussion of the death penalty this time is due more to criminals than to Albanian politicians. It is paradoxical to say so, but this is precisely what appears to be true. Law and order in Albania was not shattered by the killing of police officer Çiçi, nor were the shots from weapons aimed at taking human life fired for the first time on that fateful day for the unfortunate officer. But for it to be understood that crime was sparing not even the police, the “hundredth” had to be reached (the number of police officers killed reached 98) before the political establishment toughened its tone in support of the Republicans’ repeated demand to unblock the death penalty. The killing of a police officer is truly a scandalous fact, one that in many countries around the world has even led to ministers’ resignations. Here, it is said, that stage has not been reached, if one considers the level of political culture among Albania’s rulers. But, ultimately, this is not about a simple resignation, which most Albanians are now convinced would do nothing to set things right apart from restoring a minister’s moral balance—
Continued on page 3
Another serious border incident. Serbs fire on our soil for 30 minutes. Shells demolish a Tropoja resident’s house
Page 2
A ten-year-old is kidnapped and later found in a residence. Two girls escape rape at the school gate. Police catch a heroin distributor in the act
Page
The DP parts ways with the ambassadors. Foreign diplomats are absent from the founding celebration. Former Democrats also boycott the ceremony
Page 3
A pharmacy sets the entire state in motion. Gjinushi’s phone call blocks the property. The owners once again oppose the Government. The Constitutional Court becomes involved in the dispute
Page 8
Leka Zogu returns next week
P. 2
Inside:
Nano cancels the SP congress. The leadership accepts the conference
Page 5
Student City: Strike participants, incident over a discussion
Page 7
Television poll shocks Vlora: 10% of young people use drugs
Page 6
TVSH’s Satellite Program is shut down. The State Budget blocks funding
Page 9
Football: Tirana, “compromise” with Ball-shi. A draw, including in goals
P. 21
Fest ’98: 700 m of sheet metal for the stage
P. 19
SUNDAY LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
In this issue: Poetry and prose exclusively by Albanian authors
Pages 11–14
