. The file on the Ministry of Public Order’s tenders is opened. 12 accusations against Spartak Poçi. The State Audit Office uncovers the documents. Page 3

EDITORIAL. By Andrea NAKO. Anyone who has also entered the Tirana Court has surely noticed a row of information boards with instructions for the hundreds of people seeking assistance who flock to this institution every day. Many were surprised by this sight, but few knew the reason for this action. The boards, so necessary and so easy to put up, were an “order” from a foreign ambassador in Tirana. Some time ago, he had visited this court and drawn the officials’ attention to the lack of instructions for visitors, employees, or the parties to disputes at the institution. And the ambassador in question went to the court again to attend an ordinary ceremony, and on that occasion the institution’s officials took care to fill the walls with boards. This practice of looking to foreigners for guidance is becoming an established institution in Albania. Let various social or political groups in Albania challenge any process they wish. If it is said in Albanian, nobody listens. The ruling party takes into account only “remarks in a foreign language.” The most blatant case is the challenge to the October local election process. The opposition parties wore themselves out pointing out the serious shortcomings of this process, starting with the Electoral Code, the Central Election Commission, the justice system’s negligence in resolving the conflicts that arose, and finally the manipulations that rendered the process invalid in several areas. Nobody wanted to listen. It took the OSCE making these remarks for the ruling party to listen and the government to lower its nose. This political servility, besides being a national disgrace, also becomes a pervasive problem as it is reflected in the institutions of the administration and further down the line. Among other things, it is extremely harmful to a society that is struggling with great difficulty to free itself from its own deeply rooted complex toward foreigners.

Representative of Anglo-Adriatika: Here are the problems! The government seeks compromise. The Fund is suspicious and threatens. 12 companies tried to enter Albania. Approximately 12 major American and British companies have tried to invest around 300 million dollars in Albania through the Anglo-Adriatika Investment Fund,” the Fund’s representative in our country informs “Republika.” Page 7

Budget / 400 million are lost from the 2000 budget . Ruka accuses Angjeli. Funds spark a row at the Ministry of Finance. The blocking of procurements for dozens of tenders, planned on the basis of State Budget funding for 2000, has provoked disputes and numerous disagreements between the Ministry of Finance, which builds up the funding and blocks it at will, and the other implementing ministries. Page 9

Gold / The charge is withdrawn, witnesses are excluded . The court summons the governors. Yesterday’s court session in the gold hoard case, in which Enver Hyka, his brother Ahmet Hyka, Pëllumb Dalti, Bledar Haka and Arjan Bisheqmi are accused and held in custody, opened with Judge Petrit Como’s request that the Court admit the evidence. Those first on the list of defendants are accused of “stealing the Kërraba hoard.” Page 5

The state takes the money; winter withers the children . No more food for kindergartens. The government withholds 180 million lekë from them. Special feature, pages 12–13

Family story . My husband’s brother sexually abused me. Page 19

The ruling majority changes course, Meta backs down! Ambassador Limpreht brings the Prime Minister to his knees The ruling majority changes course, Meta backs down! “I’m in favor of dialogue.” Ambassador Limpreht brings the Prime Minister to his knees. Page 2

. Today, at 11⁰⁰, at the PRSH Central Headquarters, the Executive Board will hold a press conference