The Shadow of the Mafia over the Shadow of the State By Agim Baçi The Albanian прокуратура began yesterday a successful effort in punishing crime, mercilessly wounding the mafia. But, unfortunately, it does not seem that this will also be, once and for all, the final step. Therefore, the path of tomorrow is to punish the mafia well, by strengthening the order established in Albania, as is necessary, so that the new government prolongs that “reverberating” blow. Albanians are under the decision of a full-scale internment and a very provocative activity by the reborn government, where the feeling of shame and the decline of the state, and of respect for the body of Albanians is extremely present. So that the mafia does not again drag the state into lawsuits, a strong state structure must be protected. It is alarming for the public to move in peace toward the reestablishment of order, while organized criminal groups are building their future on the greed of a transition that still has not broken away from the shadow of guilt. This is a reality that forces everyone to think of a new state force, with more confidence and more support for the law. For two years, in at least five times more cases than before, armed gangs have influenced the decision-making of Albanian politics and governance. This makes the reasons even stronger for the state to not appear either bowed, or threatened. The “war” that the new government will wage against the mafia must be clear, fair, and public. It must begin with organized crime and reach the links with the police, the prosecutor’s office and local administration. “Otherwise, there must be a new political card, with more support for order and the law. If a state remains in the shadow of the mafia, then it can no longer bear upon itself the shadow of free citizens.”

Shots fired in bursts at the public-order police officers 1

NATURAL MINERAL WATER

Majko is bringing around himself people from the PD P. 6 A serious shake-up of Berisha is being prepared, PD gives 7 days to rivals P. 5 Karamitro denounces the governor of the Bank P. 3, 5 With the director of TOP, Zana Çela P. 8 I enriched the world with my imagination P. 13 Ornela Mihalia

Majko: Education, a bridge that will connect Albania with Kosovo P. 3

Pollo: Minister Poçi is different He was not involved with the gangs P. 3

Nano, castles fall - a certain war at the base Majko is winning with many Socialist votes P. 5

DBSH calls for concrete steps from the government for Kosovo P. 8

The Republicans close to the brotherly Turkish people The leadership of the Republican Party, Tiranë, expresses its deepest condolences to Mr. Demirel as well as to the Turkish government and the families. Albanian Republicans, affected by the great earthquake disaster of Turkey in these painful moments, are ready to offer their help. P. 3