Page 2 EDITORIAL By Neritan ALIBALI Today “Republika” begins publishing a new scandal: the procedures for privatizing part of the cement-production industry. Perhaps this is the biggest scandal of the “Meta” Government to date. Perhaps there may be others even bigger than this. In any case, it is our duty to publish them all. Naturally, relying on documents and facts. Only documented facts. Beyond the usual political slogans of the day [?] Cementing corruption, or cemented corruption [...] ...yed. If this had not been our goal, we would have waited a little longer, until the tender winners were announced. But then it would have been too late. The matter would have been closed and our denunciation would no longer have mattered. As has often happened in Albania. The only thing we can do is uncover facts. And make them clea[?] to Albania. We offer them to those as well, so they can understand how the mechanism of the Albanian state works to generate money for its owners. Today corruption has become the norm. A norm of governance, a way of life, the working logic of the state administration. No one is troubled by the word corruption; indeed, not even [?] ...than this. Nevertheless, it is our duty to publish everything. Naturally, relying on documents and facts. Only on documented facts. Away from the usual slogans of everyday politics. Simply, to denounce a theft. Or, better, to help prevent it from happening. As happens when thieves are caught red-handed in the act of the tender. But by then it would be too late. The matter would be closed and our denunciation would no longer have any value. can do is uncover facts. And make them known to citizens. And not only to them..., but also to certain foreign diplomats, who care so much about Sh- being produced for its owner’s benefit. a way of life, a working logic for the state administration. Nobody is offended by the word corruption; in fact, nobody even takes offense. “Take whatever you can and get out of here, you won’t get wet.” This is a tough nut to crack, this corruption... Cemented in place...

With the following letter, signed on 29 May, he turned the factory into an asset of no value to the cement-production companies, which were forced to withdraw from submitting bids on 3 July Page 3

The case file / The expert report offers a different version A corpse decomposes completely within 21 days, so I insist that a laboratory examination cannot establish the exact day a person was killed, especially when the body had been lying there for a full 45 days. ” The doctor, who does not wish to be identified, voices his doubts about the day Erieta was killed. “If she had been killed that day, the body would have decomposed so much that it would have been unrecognizable, regardless of the documents found on her,” the doctor said in a private setting; he is reportedly a doctor at one of Tirana’s best-known hospitals. Page 5

Water has been ordered cut off on hot days When the temperature in Tirana reaches 42 degrees, water to household taps is cut off. The order came from the Tirana Water Supply Directorate itself. Citizens should no longer hope for drinking water, because they will be without it. The alert came because the heat stimulated greater water consumption, which could not be met by the reservoirs installed in Dajt. Specialists say that the amount of water stored in the reservoirs each day meets 100% of the needs of Tirana’s citizens. Page 7

Tradition Page 12

Accidents: 56 fatalities in one month in our country Page 8

One person killed and 13 robbed in one hour . Masks take to the streets. Page 9

Republicans strongly criticize the majority . The government fails, resignations. Page 2

How you can win the American lottery The guarantee disqualifies the first winners of the U.S. lottery. A lawyer who helps fill out the first response forms tells the newspaper “Republika” that failing to report a guarantor in America costs many of the winners announced in the first round dearly. The second response is certain for you... Why? Page 13

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ECONOMY AND PRIVATIZATION GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF MINES MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ECONOMY AND PRIVATIZATION GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF MINES Blvd. Dëshmorët e Kombit No. 2 TEL. (355 42) 230 01 FAX (355 42) 240 52 Prot. No. 1224 Date: 29.5.2000 Subject: NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF MINING PERMIT. To the entity FABRIKA E ÇIMENTOS LUM KADRI KRUJË. This entity has been issued Mining Permit No. 32, dated 22.11.1994, for the exploitation of limestone, pursuant to the “Mining Law of Albania,” No. 7796 dated 17.02.1994. Your failure to implement the investment program for bringing the site into operation and the production development program submitted to this Ministry, as well as your failure to comply with your legal obligations toward the State, has resulted in a violation of the “Mining Law of Albania,” Article 106, points b, c, ç. In view of the above, pursuant to Article 107, point a, we hereby notify you of the revocation of the mining permit. MINISTER MUSTAFA MUÇI