The leader of the DP, ambivalent about the Balkan Federation

P. 12

The DP and SP are exchanging harsh accusations concerning problems of public order and public safety. Berisha has described the atmosphere prevailing in Albania as “a state without a state,” while left-wing coalition members have described the DP as “a state within a state.” These mutual accusations create a cynical perspective, like the parable of man and his ability to mock himself. Those who made huge gains in an undemocratic system and absorbed everything with an eye to quick profit cannot understand what democracy means. They try to avoid the transition and not move toward a genuinely democratic regime, which would curb their [?] and privileges. Neither the DP nor the SP and their coalition allies have ever been interested in the state and its institutions. That is why their leadership has failed. Leadership fails when the commitment to institutions and the passion for learning in the political sector are lost. Democratic politics in Albania seem day by day to be turning into a specialized business for a very small minority of professionals, politicians, experts and civil servants. Governance is a matter of continuous action in which everyone should feel involved. But a group of people has privatized everything. It has turned governance into a “joint venture,” just like the kiosks all over “Parlkun Rinia” [?]. The SP and DP have never Continued, p. 3

Albanian mafia challenges the Russian, Japanese and Italian mafias The Albanian mafia has terrified its counterparts around the world. The latest success of the Albanians is marked precisely by the historic change in the Italian mafia. Since its founding, the latter has never accepted people of non-Italian origin into its ranks. Interpol’s astonishment. International observers are particularly surprised by the arrival of widespread information that the Italian mafia is in close cooperation with the Albanian one. This time, it is the same mafia, but only in Albanian and Italian. [?] P. 12

The Vlora boss fails to keep his word to accompany his right-hand man to Burrel From the “Republika” correspondent in Burrel, Sokol BREGU BURREL: It is 4:10 p.m. as the coffin containing the body of Afrim Rami, nicknamed Luciano, passed through the center of the city of Burrel, going another 300 meters as far as his home; the townspeople were shaken by the company accompanying him and became convinced that he, the notorious gang boss Cole, Zani, would not set foot in their city. “He did not P. 2

“Devil” Nano keeps government officials away from Vlora A new alternative should emerge within the SP, outside these lines. That is, a line of political unification and internal unity. By now we have realized [?] that there is no cohesion within the party. In Vlora I was not with Nano, but was invited individually. I cannot accept the labels “owls” and “sparrows,” because the PSSH is not a gathering of owls and sparrows, and regardless of whether individually you may not be a supporter of P. 10

Masked assailants take a woman’s life Police: Crime linked to a feud between two clans A 53-year-old woman is abducted and executed FIER. A 53-year-old woman is abducted and executed by masked, unidentified individuals. After the abduction of businesspeople in the city, the masked men have now chosen to abduct women as well. The abduction and execution of the 53-year-old woman took place yesterday at noon in the center of the city of Fier. According to police sources, citizen Xhevyrie Caka, aged 53 P. 7 Vaçe Zela once again among the great figures of the century P. 13

On Saturday, 3.07.1999, at 11:00, a press conference will be held at the Central Headquarters of the Republican Party.

NATIONAL TELE-BINGO ANNOUNCEMENT The central office of National Tele-Bingo announces that the special show for the drawing of the 301-million grand prize will not take place at noon, but after the main news bulletin at 20:00 on the evening of Sunday, 4 July 1999.

• Russian maneuvers have stunned the Americans • Albanians and Serbs, joint statement The UCK meets with the Orthodox Council [?] and the Kosovo Serbian Opposition