Two killed in 20 minutes A woman causes a massacre . Two killed in 20 minutes. A woman causes a massacre. Page 5

EDITORIAL . By Agim BAÇI. The new mayor of the capital has brought back memories of guerilla films, when the typical voice of an old radio could be heard giving the order, “Gatherings of more than three people are prohibited.” Edi Rama justified this new development in Tirana in the name of the capital’s aesthetics, while those targeted were people seeking “the aesthetics of someone hungry for the daily bread to feed their children.” Among all those familiar with the area near the train station. (Perhaps to send them off to some other city?) In any case, the poor people have no intention of moving. They have a law in their country that may allow them to remain in any public place that is not fenced off and has not been designated as being of special importance. (If this square really were of special importance, before removing the people, the public toilets located near every monument should have been closed.) Edi Rama cannot, under any law, prejudge them, much less judge them by their clothing. ... The new mayor of Tirana comes from the modern segment of Tirana’s young men. Therefore, as the representative of a modern youth, he should not prejudge the clothing of the citizens of the city he leads. Much less should he prejudge them if these people “sin” by looking for work to secure bread for their children... Unemployment made those who stand near the “Unknown Soldier” known. Rama, if he cannot help them, should at least leave them to their troubles. Rama justified himself in the name of the capital’s ethics, while those who were struck were people seeking “the aesthetics of securing daily bread for their children.” Everyone who knew the people near the Unknown Soldier had only one fault in this matter: they were wearing work clothes and looking for work. But Rama cannot tolerate this absurd action by the unemployed, so he decided to drive them toward Sta- To take [them] to a public place that is not enclosed by railings and has not been designated as being of particular importance. (If this square really were of particular importance, the public toilets—which usually serve people—should have been closed before the people were removed.) In addition, many citizens, in the name of love for their homeland and in the name of sacrifice for the past, have the right to

Law and order shaken in Albania PS deputy’s car set on fire Law and order shaken in Albania. Koseni dismissed, Elbasan’s “Iron Commissioner.” Parliament rocked. PS deputy’s car set on fire. Pages 2, 3

An official document on government scandals The amount allocated in the state budget for overdue wages was spent by state institutions on excessive investments. This is not a small amount, but a full 10 billion new lekë, a sum uncovered in the report of the Supreme State Audit on the assessment of state budget expenditure for 1999. The misuse of 10 billion does not appear to be a loss caused by the failure to carry out investment and other relevant expenditures, but rather unaccounted-for spending in the budget line items of ministries and other budgetary institutions. Overseas travel and unplanned services caused the aforementioned damage to the budget.

EU association agreement postponed Although only a short time earlier the European Parliament had adopted a declaration describing the electoral process of 1 October in Albania as tainted, the Albanian delegation was represented in Brussels by a declaration that described the elections as being of a high democratic standard. The chairman of the Socialist Party himself, in his capacity as head of the Albanian permanent delegation to the EP, read a report. Page 4

KESH/Criminal proceedings begin against debtors Bailiffs will seize citizens’ goods KESH/Criminal proceedings begin against debtors Household belongings as payment for electricity Bailiffs will seize citizens’ goods Page 9

Doctors advise against drinking the water Silt in the drinking water coming from the taps of the Albanian capital. The rains of the past two days have alarmed several thousand residents of the capital, who were horrified by the water they saw flowing from the taps in their homes, mixed with dirt, sludge, and even sewage. Residents of the Bus Station area found this out with the very first rain. Page 11

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The Memorandum Memorandum Opposition denounces election manipulation Pages 12, 13