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EDITORIAL By Enkel DEMI The torn borders Page 5 75 Kurds have been caught in Vlora. This is the latest news from the crime and public-order reports. Vlora’s police have, of course, understood very well the latest message from their superiors: to block the trafficking that is raging in their city. But that would mean they are alone, and it looks as though they are operating in an autonomous city. Vlora is the city most often mentioned by the media, politicians and police. In fact, that would mean that 50 speedboats ... human beings who enter Albania through Hani i Hotit, Kakavijë, Rinas, Albania’s ports and customs posts. The Kurds caught by Vlora police will surely be repatriated to where they came from and will leave again from the point through which they entered. The police chief at that crossing will continue to remain at his post, although not just a few, but 75 people entered through his crossing—75 people who ... police officers to take these Kurds to Vlora, who are on their way, and then accommodate them in Vlora. Therefore, anyone who thinks that the evil of trafficking is confined to Vlora is mistaken. The problem begins precisely with those police officers who, a few days ago, were gathered by Poçi and ordered to fight crime. And crime is not only the Albanian street thug from the suburban neighborhood, but also the corrupt police officer who pockets a bundle of money simply because, at a roadblock on the national highway, he believes Moldovans speak Albanian with an unfamiliar dialect. This is precisely where the doors must be closed; then the “goods” carried by the speedboats will dwindle, and trafficking will begin to enter a crisis. ...international... by these men, and they will re-emerge from the point through which they entered. The chief of police at this checkpoint will continue to remain in his post, although no fewer than 75 people have entered through his checkpoint—people whose appearance does not resemble that of Albanians and who were accompanied by women and children. They are easy to recognize, but their protector has paid. He has paid the people who raise the barrier at the Albanian border, once stained with Albanian blood. Afterwards, he paid others...

Publication continues of the programs for entrance examinations to departments of faculties at the country’s universities and higher education institutions. Page 15

Her father struck her; the teenager jumps into the sea Before the 40-day mourning period for the tragic death of a 13-year-old child, who drowned in mysterious circumstances near the Port of Ancona, had ended, another maritime tragedy was recorded, this time near the Port of Durrës. A 15-year-old girl fell fatally from the ferry and lost her life. The news was confirmed by the Police and the offices of the “Adriatika” Maritime Company in Durrës. According to the information available so far, the accident happened under the following circumstances: 15-year-old Rajmonda Kopshi was returning from vacation with her father, to rejoin her family in the village of Shkafane, Durrës.

Clash in Tirana over voter registration “Let the SP find wherever it wants the 1 million voters it is missing,” Erdin Kraja, an official in the preparatory process for the new 2000 local elections at the Tirana Municipality, told the newspaper “Republika” yesterday. According to him, the noise the Socialists are making about the decrease in the number of voters “is a weak political game, it is simply an ordinary farce on their part”. “They can go and find the 1 million missing voters in Rrashbull, or in Kavajë. In Tirana, the figures are correct.” Page 2

EC Commissioner: Want money? Create stability! “The countries of the Balkans should consider that one day aid from the European Community will run out. Therefore, they should cooperate with one another to find sources of financing within themselves.” This is the essence of the interview given by Michaela Schreyer, Commissioner for Financial Affairs at the European Commission. Page 11

MONIKA the panther of power Page 3

The members of the CEC have not gone to “Bezhani” Page 3

The court finds people guilty over property disputes Page 4

The agreement has been violated unlawfully Page 13

SOS Page 12