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EDITORIAL By Agim BAÇI The Ministry paid to serve as Albania’s Ministry of Culture has published its contributions in support of Albanians’ artistic values. The biggest items in its budget have gone to shows, support for young people’s dancing, gatherings of young people of every kind, new kinds of dance, etc., etc.—all things Albanians are well aware of. Albanians are even aware of Minister Rama’s desire to increase the number of beauties, the latest of whom have been crowned “miss[?]” afternoon of pageants. What is clear is Rama’s undisputed “forgetfulness” of the distant past. (As for the recent past, which is connected with the former dictator Hoxha, he has tried to remember it with some museum or occasional retrospective.) Thus, the longest-serving minister in the history of the Albanian state seems to prefer the shortest version of history, throwing away no small number of genuine historical values. Rama-style short films about history reach their peak when even young people, in a modern way, are to be organized into a crowd tomorrow as well. But an ancient work, an entire city that even the most remote country in the world would preserve, an amphitheatre that any modern or non-modern country would envy—Rama should at least remember to preserve it today. We are a poor country, but that does not mean we should lack the dignity to protect the values left to us by generations before Rama. The Minister, who is paid to head Culture, must hurry to provide the few funds needed to preserve a …zimit, etc., etc., about which, as … Albanians are fully aware. Indeed, Albanians are also aware of the desire of Rama’s Ministry to increase the number of beauties, the latest of which have been crowned “Miss Plus.” It is not yet known whether Rama had this practice of his Ministry written by someone else, or made up in some … Albanian; he seems to prefer the shorter version of history, throwing not a few genuine historical values into the trash. Rama’s short films in his treatment of history reach their peak when even rare ancient treasures are left to the mercy of fate. The tall minister must understand that a new dance session, or a meeting with … does not mean that we should lack dignity in protecting the values left to us by generations long before Rama. The minister, paid to head the Culture Ministry, should hurry to provide the few funds needed to preserve an inherited work of art, rather than showing us legs, which we can see every year when we become a little wealthier.

Saint Val[?]

Scandals over the privatization of AMC continue Negotiations between the Albanian Government and the winning company in the international tender to buy AMC, “Telenor” and “Cosmote”, are being conducted in complete secrecy. It seems that “Cosmote” will get everything it is asking for in its favor. It has focused the discussions on the obligations the Albanian side will have, mainly in relation to any potential political risk Page 10

How the Ministry of Culture spends its money DIRECTORATE OF CULTURAL PROJECTS Saint Valentine’s Day celebrations – 3939 thousand lek Lake Disk 2000 for Valentine’s Day – 875 thousand lek NGO training course in Elbasan – 200 thousand lek Sounds and Words project – 145 thousand lek DIRECTORATE FOR THE COORDINATION OF YOUTH POLICIES Saint Valentine’s Day party – 698 thousand lek Saint Valentine’s Day celebration – 276 thousand lek Youth reception for the new Millennium – 336 thousand lek March 7 in the new millennium – 57.5 thousand lek Saint Valentine’s Day celebrations – 128 thousand lek INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION OFFICE Miss Millenium Tirana 2000 – 525 thousand lek Mitigu Internacional Fluturimi 2000 – 319 thousand lek Page 3 Saint Valentine. Ed’s millions... [partly illegible]

Blood feud Family massacred Two killed, one wounded Page 8

Elections fuel political clashes Page 2

Every year, 400 with no hope, lung cancer Page 18

Prisoner begins hunger strike: I am innocent Page 6

REPUBLIKA every day, 24 pages year 2000