VEEFA, “Touch it and you die” 12 people under investigation. The list also includes the name of a major Albanian businessman

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Gëzim LULI At long last, Albanian politi[cs], which for a... long time experienced the absurdity of being on the brink of conflict, managed to discover the spirit of détente, or a softening of the climate that dominated political life. Many factors may have contributed to finding this new spirit, but the most compelling must have been our national question in Kosovo. This commitment and this degree of responsibility shown by the political forces at this difficult moment for the nation are praiseworthy. And rightly so, representatives of the political forces make much of this spirit of easing tensions. Indeed, the Prime Minister declared with great fanfare: “When the Serbs kill us, we join hands with one another.” This saying more or less illustrates a characteristic, or a psychology, of our national resistance or survival throughout our old and recent history. Without wishing to analyze the Prime Minister’s statement maliciously, since it represents something true about the mentality of Albanians and Albanian politics, we must admit with regret that this mentality is part of our national misfortune, and perhaps this is where our curse begins. For it is no great merit for a responsible nation to unite in times of crisis in order to face a difficult situation, perhaps

Mediocrity against intelligence

Since June ’97, 60 million dollars have gone missing. Alimuçaj’s lawyer decides to speak about her client’s connections. 500 senior officials on the corruption lists A group of creditors of the VEFA company met with parliamentary speaker Gjinushi, asking him for the return of the money they had deposited with the usurious companies. The creditors reminded Gjinushi that money is not forgotten and that they would do everything possible until they got back what they had worked for. Although the number-one figure in the Albanian parliament explained to them that the state was making the necessary efforts P. 9 PRESS CONFERENCE Today at 11:00, at Hotel “Dajti” DBSH holds a press conference

Iljaz Ramajli speaks to “Republika”: Milošević’s attempt to treat Kosovo as an internal matter of Serbia failed. His policy of ethnic cleansing will fail as well. The unification of positions among politicians in Tirana has inspired optimism, not only in Kosovo, but everywhere in the world where Albanians live. Page 8

International politics is increasing pressure on Slobodan Milošević, described as the fascist of the end of the century. The Radical Party initiated the petition to denounce Milošević’s crimes. Page 3

In place of the engagement The seven-colour magazine “Nostradamus”, which has not yet gone on sale, announces that on April 1 a draw will be held for all copies, sold and unsold. This lottery includes: Page 8

Albanian mafia drives the German out of the beer business Page 9 Godo: Chameria property in Greece should be recognized DP moves closer to parliament Page 3 Iljaz Demajli speaks to “Republika”.

© nwlli The Capital Bare The campaign to tear down the kiosks has stripped the capital bare and sent shivers through it. “Republika”, as a right-wing newspaper that defends capitalism built solely on legally recognized private property, suggests to the government: 1.- Continue the campaign to tear down the kiosks, but be careful not to touch the danger zone of MPs and government officials. 2.- Alongside the demolition of the kiosks, continue, as it has already begun, the construction of apartment blocks without permits (with permits from MPs and government officials). 3.- At the end of the campaign, leave one corner planted with kiosks as a specimen, to show how successful Albanian socialist-democratic kiosk capitalism (without pyramids) is. Republika