The IMF, the empire we must deceive. Republicans: The economy will bring down the government in three months

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By Robert ÇEKU Albania continues to

One kiosk is better than one more militant Let us cherish kiosks like the apple of our eye One kiosk today rather than a chicken tomorrow Better a kiosk today than a chicken tomorrow Kiosks are not tumors! Bulldozer, we’ll hang you! Cartoon with signs about kiosks

[Partially cut off] Operet[?] [partially cut off] with vot[?] [partially cut off] imore, 3[?]. [Partially cut off] kitetk ital[?] - Perdore[?] 34 - cri[?] [Partially cut off]ombat[?] [partially cut off] Serv[?] [partially cut off] text[?] 14 - Mas[?] [partially cut off] liter[?] [partially cut off] “Kaval[?] [partially cut off] hi Satu[?] [partially cut off] se që[?] By Robert ÇEKU Albania continues to sink deeper every day into a devastating economic crisis, and yet there are few, indeed very few, politicians sounding the alarm about it. While they spend hours, days, even entire months debating and pretending to think about genuine political issues, the kind that in a civilized society of the modern world are considered more than ordinary and natural, such as dialogue, the alternative battle, communication based on truth, solely on the basis of truth, etc., nobody is seriously thinking about the battle against poverty and about sustaining the population’s real well-being, both today and in the future. When today’s political class took to the platforms and squares of battle for pluralism and democracy at the beginning of the ’90s, most Albanians applauded them and considered them their “messiahs” at this end of the century and millennium—not so much for the pathos with which they denounced communism and its absolute totalitarianism (including in the economy), but for the prospects they promised (including in the economy, especially in the economy). The generation who had the double fortune—bad and good, considering the experience they had gained—of living through the communist period, rejoiced only in [portion cut off]. Continued on page 8

IN THE SUPPLEMENT Literature: Albert Nikolla, Teodor Keko, Sokrat Shtyji, Arben Velo, Medi Belortaja… Compared with other areas of Albanian social life, I think culture is at the vanguard of Albania’s modest achievements. This year there have been several activities, investments and achievements that make us optimistic that the part of the Albanian people working in culture is serious and committed. For the first time, the book fair opened last year, and it was an excellent showcase for publishing in Albanian. P. 19

Anyone who has a kiosk has business with us. [Partially cut off: text on the signs above] Give me a kiosk and I’ll give you a kiosk. How much mi… mot. They’re not tumors! Whoever removes a kiosk hasn’t removed a child. Come on, gather here, here! DOWN WITH THE FLOWERS, LONG LIVE THE KIOSKS. Oh, kiosk Illus. M. Belortaja

Detainees beaten mercilessly They burn him together with the car Minister Koçi denounces the Vlora Police Explosives shatter the Municipality He comes for New Year, gets 20 days in prison Pages 2, 6–7 Godo–Qosja, a common language Peace between PS–PD is broken Page 5 The homeless in paper houses Gambling pays no taxes Page 8 Serbs begin the operation Draws overturn the Cup Pages 10, 21