ACCUSATION The scandal is reopened. Ministers attack one another Angjeli: “Muçi waived AMC’s 6 million dollars”

The family tragedy of Aneta, the 8-year-old girl She saw with her own eyes how they killed her mother, but she cannot grasp that her mother is no longer alive The family tragedy of Aneta, the 8-year-old girl “I miss Mom and Dad” She saw with her own eyes how they killed her mother, but she cannot grasp that her mother is no longer alive Special feature, pages 12, 13

God gave us rain for two days in a row. The latter had been presented by Albanian government officials as the only obstacle to providing the country with electricity. For months, the Government had blamed those drops that did not slide down from above into the lakes and reservoirs. Because of those drops, even that little domestic production “dried up.” And so did householders in their homes. Children in kindergartens doubled the number of sweaters they wore, while school hours continue to be cut short. Albania has been for days on end like a country under fallen clouds, like a tunnel, where no one is sure which part will be in the light and which part in the dark. Even someone flying at night over Albanian territory would not understand the map of the capital, much less that of any province. Albanians’ only savings, “by necessity and by definition,” were directed toward everything powered by gas. Meanwhile, many generators have long since turned cities into workshops. All this, through the “fault” of those drops that had not fallen from the Albanian sky. All this, through the “fault” of the long drought. ...But at last the rain fell. And in abundance. So these days Albanians have the opportunity to see whether their Government had failed because of the rain, or whether the rain had failed to wash away the Government’s empty promises... “To have a government that relies on rain is better than... not having one at all. But to say ‘thank goodness’ for the government we have, we will at least have to make use of this rain and, God willing, enjoy it too. Otherwise, during the long nights without light, we are left to think that there is no rain that can wash away this government’s mistakes...”

Page 3 Will the rain wash away the Government’s mistakes? the “fault” of those drops. We shall will at least have to…

Avdiu draws up a list of unconstitutional conduct The head of the Constitutional Court sharpens his “sword” against the Minister of Finance, Anastas Angjeli , over his interventions in the State Budget, which are considered unconstitutional. Yesterday, the head of this court, Fehmi Abdiu, attacked Angjeli over his actions in blocking the funds allocated in the newly approved draft budget, which has also significantly affected the highest institution in the judicial hierarchy. Page 4

The Prosecution reports the year’s crime figures; There are no case files in the 19 burned Prosecution Offices There are no case files in the 19 burned Prosecution Offices Page 5

New Year Page 15

The two leaders clash in their bid for dominance; the head of state opposes changes to the CEC The two leaders clash in their bid for dominance Nano - Meidani, the conflict returns The head of state opposes changes to the CEC The return of the old Meidani-Nano conflict risks dealing another blow to changes to the CEC, as well as to several changes related to the upcoming elections. The shadow of the frozen relationship between Meidani and Nano has returned. Page 2

The top U.S. diplomat: Common interests are in focus Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha yesterday received an official letter from the head of American diplomacy , recently appointed by the new President, George W. Bush, Colin Powell. The letter arrived yesterday at the headquarters of the Democratic Party and was brought there by the U.S. deputy ambassador in Tirana, Stonson, who personally handed it to chairman Berisha. He thanked him for the congratulations Berisha had sent on the occasion of his election to the post. Page 3

The accident Page 7