He is offered the post of Ambassador of Albania to the USA Page 3

EDITORIAL By Genci ÇOBANI Whenever the numerous socialist governments have felt themselves under pressure over these three years, their practices, with their imagination exhausted, have returned to several methods, unfortunately forgotten, from decades ago. Just as the top leadership of the PPSH was always able to find “examples” and “scapegoats” to justify its failures, raising that sole “atori” [possibly?], called Spartak, whose possible rebellion was avoided with a “parallel” transfer, turning the quarrel into an internal family matter. No more and no less, and no better and no worse, this seems to be what is happening with the country’s chief prosecutor as well. His departure from his current post, precisely at a time when the idea of the fight against ... was being trumpeted, has been quashed! Now those who leave as “sinners” no longer go to prison, nor are they declared enemies or enemy groups. Quite the opposite! They are rewarded with other posts, with less weight, but, thank God, with the same salary and privileges. Ministers are changed, and officials too. The clans within the largest governing party seem to know how to play the politi- game rather well, ...dates, unfortunately forgotten from decades past. Just as the high leadership of the PPSH was able at any time to find “examples” and “scapegoats” to justify its failures, even elevating it to the level of a group, with all the epithets made possible by the class struggle and the most spurious scenarios involving spies and agents. Today, it seems that little has changed in terms of ideas, although not so much in form. Thus, for example, the faults of Public Order are laid at the door of a family “gladiator.” No more and no less—and no better or worse—it seems the same is happening with the country’s chief prosecutor. His removal from his current post as director, precisely at a time when the idea of fighting trafficking is being inflated, aims at nothing other than handing Rakipi’s “severed head” over to judgment for all the “faults” arising from failures in this field, just as many major cases that have shaken Albania have failed to reach a conclusion so far, not entirely by accident. Nevertheless, times have changed: less weight, but, thank God, the same salary and privileges. Ministers change, and so do officials. how to play the political game quite well (that cannot be denied); they know how to quarrel and bring one another down; they know how to unleash their anger and vent it within themselves; they know how to find “culprits”... and how to protect them, how not to build a state and to keep everything—every failure, every loss and quarrel—within the family, always.

Three police officers arrested. They hid the weapon used in the crime 20-year-old taken hostage He had 400,000 lekë in his pocket 4 people kidnap him in broad daylight Page 5 Three police officers arrested. They hid the weapon used in the crime THE KIDNAPPING 20-year-old taken hostage He had 400,000 lekë in his pocket 4 people kidnap him in broad daylight Page 5

Pyramid schemes return. Licenses for foundations Foundations in open competition with banks for issuing loans. “There are 13 of them, which regularly engage in issuing loans to business organizations, legal entities and individuals in the Republic of Albania, at an average interest rate of more than 8–9 percent, according to information from sources within the Bank of Albania. At the same time, this activity is also carried out by 10 second-tier banks, from which clients obtain loans at a higher interest rate, which ranges from 12 to 20 percent. Under the regulations of the Bank of Albania (BSH), only business organizations licensed by this institution as ‘banks’ are entitled to issue loans.”

Mediu meets OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Waldner The Albanian Republican Party once again made known yesterday its concerns and the manipulation it observed during the local election process of 1 October. At a meeting held yesterday at midday with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the party’s leader, Fatmir Mediu, in the presence also of the organization’s ambassador in Tirana, Geert Ahrens, informed her of the objections the Republicans have regarding the latest elections in our country.

Special Report Pages 12, 13

The AMC file/Licensing at the end of 2001 Compromise between the Government and “Cosmote” Page 9 The AMC file/Licensing at the end of 2001 The secret of the second operator revealed Compromise between the Government and “Cosmote” Page 9

International group on trafficking in Albania Albania’s friends are calling on the Albanian Government to wage a vigorous fight against illegal trafficking, especially trafficking involving clandestine migrants. At yesterday’s meeting, held at the Tirana International Hotel, representatives of the “Friends of Albania” Group, in the presence of the OSCE Chairperson, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, called on the Albanian Government to strengthen its measures in the fight against human trafficking. Page 2