In COURT Criminal charges against EDI RAMA Page 2

First responses blocked. Chaos with the envelopes, Tirana burns; Fieri and Korça win Fraud with the forms uncovered Page 5

Banks where the money was deposited have been found 200 million dollars frozen Two ministries and the Prosecutor’s Office block their return Page 7

EDITORIAL Page 2 The prime ministers’ managers Whether since the year the Socialist majority won in 1997, we have learned to see prime ministers attacked by the press, not so much directly as through those the press called the power’s weak points: “their managers.” Before long, people began saying that these managers were the real prime ministers. Thus Nano was attacked through his close friend, Majko through his bodyguard, while the latest prime minister, Meta [cut off]. only he, responsible for the victory or failure of the government. Consequently, he is the holder of power and the person authorized to use the power that comes from the vote cast by the electorate. Given this logic, it is not at all normal for the prime minister to delegate to third parties the power entrusted to him by his Party. Secondly, all these people accused by the press, “whether or not [cut off]” are poor, and poverty can lead you to do even worse things than abuse of office. All those who are prime ministers know very well that when they stop being such—that is, when their period in power ends—they must have secured their economic future, because they will have no further opportunity or chance. But, to remain in good standing with public opinion and especially with foreign representatives in Tirana, whose opinion they [cut off] fear to death, behind them come…the managers…It matters little whether the latter are personal friends, bodyguards, or spouses. They represent the weakest point of power, which is also its darkest side. of power: “managers and others.” “Bad tongues” his bodyguard, while the latest prime minister, Meta, was attacked through his wife. But who are these people hiding behind the prime ministers, and why are they so acceptable to public opinion and the media? First, when a prime minister is elected by his party, this means that it is he who is given the direct electoral vote. From prime minister to delegate to third parties this power given to him by his party. Second, all these people accused by the press—“bad tongues” have accused them of being the people who deal with the darker sides of power and consequently ensure the prime ministers’ financial survival even after they are no longer prime ministers. It is a fact that in Albania, prime minis-

PEOPLE’S CHARITY FOUNDATION CENTER

The latest massacres reported in Fier and Tropojë It is not as though the crimes in the district of Fier, whatever their motives, are going to disappear. The month of August has been extremely difficult for this district with regard to the crime of attempted murder. This time it was jealousy that brought a tragic end to two more families. The incident took place in the town of Rosk-ovicit, with a population of 7,000. This time the murder was not without motive or perpetrators. In fact, worse still: this time the murder was not committed by unidentified people who fled in an unknown direction. It was the head of the household himself who caused the worst tragedy in these first weeks.

Nano: I will expel the rebels from the Party The PS chairman, Fatos Nano, has turned against members of his party who have announced that they will run as independents in the local elections. According to sources at the PS central headquarters, many Socialists have declared that they will run as independents on October 1 in several cities and municipalities across the country. Yesterday, the Socialist chairman himself, Fatos Nano, came out against this, using very harsh language. Page 4

CEC sets television airtime for the parties The Central Election Commission has set the airtime allocated to all political entities that will participate in the upcoming local elections. The CEC states that the Electoral Code, specifically Articles 132, 134 and 135, will apply to the campaign. Under these articles, parliamentary parties will have 15 minutes available. Page 4

Visas Page 15

The 1,000 lek will no longer be paid at border crossing points Page 12

Ministry of Education, ping-pong with the Municipalities Page 13

Unlicensed construction / 5 dead in 8 months Page 6