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. By Aleksandër GARULI. Exhausted by the fruitless PS–PD struggle, and apparently left out of the government's concerns about their problems, people are right to ask whether Albania needs politics or not. Conceived as a whole, politics has become a closed cycle within itself. Problems, polemics and solutions begin and end within politics. The struggle grows more intense over banal issues: ... should a politician be summoned to the prosecutor's office or not? ... Will someone come into or leave parliament? ... Did foreigners meet with such-and-such a party or not? ... Why isn't Rugova coming to Albania? Who will govern Kosovo; Thaçi or Bukoshi? Who will become president, Rugova or Qosja... and endlessly more of the same. One would think these were the country's main problems?! One would think these would take Albania to Europe? Lawlessness and poverty are treated as secondary political issues; even when they are addressed, they are used as weapons to attack the opponent, rather than as problems put forward for resolution. The electorate, too, seems increasingly fed up with the “mutually damaging battles” between the government and the opposition: [unclear] more than anything, people are worried. You only have to read a column in the press or listen to some of the supposedly private radio stations to hear insults and accusations that make you cringe. Should people be fed ... in the midst ...? ... instead of their problems being solved? Alongside this, the description says that the paths of Albanians in the politics of ... can be crossed only in one pair ... [?]. Continued on page 3

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An Indian bishop recounts the miracles of the Albanian missionary P. 13

P. 3

• Those responsible for hell • Everts, from Tirana to Pristina • Government sounds the alarm: Pyramid schemes are returning • The water utility awaits trial