Former VEFA representative in Hungary speaks to Republika Accusations against “Deloitte & Touche” Where did “Niagara’s” USD 800,000 go? Page 7

The winners and losers of October 1 The Americans officially announced yesterday that they are more than interested in the elections in Albania. The official announcement by their Embassy in Tirana about the arrival of President Clinton’s personal adviser, Frouik, leaves little room to doubt the extent of this interest, just as it leaves no room for excessive commentary on it. This is not about the fate of democracy—the still-fragile Albanian democracy—being left in the hands of political forces for the elections. From the time when clashes over the Electoral Code and the Central Election Commission reached the height of political tension, our friends in the West asked only this: “Regular elections, a normal situation!” They left everything else in the hands of the voters. How was this message interpreted in Albania? It is no coincidence that the electorate is showing a higher level of political culture and ethics than the political class that does not lead, but rather governs this country. The message of the International Political Community has not been translated at all in Albania. As long as there are still so few people in the highest circles of the state who understand that if votes and power are obtained unfairly ... and through manipulation, by one political force or another, no one but them will be able to enjoy the victory. On the contrary, whoever is smiled upon by victory after a normal and regular electoral process, all Albanians will be the winners. leaves plenty of it leaves no room for excessive comments about it. This is not about the precarious fate of democracy, the still-fragile Albanian democracy, hinging on the victory of one political force or another. In the interests of political sincerity, it must be acknowledged that the message in this regard was delivered some time ago, when people in our country began to speak, debate, and become agitated, and Regular elections, a normal situation!” That is all our friends in the West asked for, leaving Clinton’s close associate is arriving in Albania at this time. As the state and the opposition are flexing their muscles at each other, as citizens are being terrorized by the prospect of violence being prepared, and as politicians’ words, as on every other occasion, have reached the height of bla-

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A 10-year-old on the run to escape his enemy His mother and brother have disappeared; his father has gone mad Page 9

Tension in the capital. Meta and Poçi face to face The government continues to take revenge for Meta’s failure in Tropojë. Yesterday, the latest victim of this revenge was Fiqiri Dani, chief of the Police Commissariat in this district, who was dismissed from the post on the grounds of “shortcomings and weaknesses at work.” The decision, signed by the Minister of Public Order, Spartak Poçi, arrived yesterday at midday in the country’s northernmost town. As Mr Dani himself stated, the decision came as a complete surprise to him. As usual, the stated reason was concealed behind a “stock” formula and, it is said, is used by the head of public order whenever he wants to hide the real reason for removing police chiefs. Page 3

The Socialist leader denies having promised to repay money from the Ponzi schemes The chairman of the PS, Fatos Nano, has confirmed an old saying that has circulated throughout the world since the earliest days of the existence of the state and human society: “The culprit always returns to the scene of the crime.” Two days before October 1, Nano returned to Flag Square, this time to deny everything he had told the people of Vlorë three years earlier from the same platform, in the same square, before the same people. “I did not say that we would return 100% of the money, but the maximum possible.” Page 4

Commandos and the Guard take control of the facilities Tense situation in Tirana. Although, at first glance, the situation appears calm, and officially—apart from a few “smoke screens” put out for consumption in the psychological marketplace of the capital’s residents about the unrest expected during the final two days of the campaign (including election day itself, October 1)—Police forces have meanwhile been ordered to launch a major mobilization operation. Page 3

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