Meidani attempts to intervene but offers no solution Government: “The fund faces the fate of the pyramid schemes; Anglo-Adriatika has no serious partners” EDITORIAL Page 7

By Neritan ALIBALI Yesterday, the Serbian Minister of Energy resigned because of the energy crisis gripping his country. Following citizens’ protests, the minister felt responsible for failing to properly manage the country’s energy resources, even though he was new to the job and the Serbian opposition had only managed to take power through elections one week earlier. And this is happening in a country that has not only yet emerged from dictatorship, but also has a deeply rooted dictatorial mentality. The exact opposite is happening in Albania, a country that has been “developing democracy” for 10 years. The crisis we have just been through—and God alone knows how long it will continue—has not affected or held responsible, not even morally, any of those government officials who claim to govern this country. After accusing every sector of Albanian society, whether the opposition or individuals, of the failures in governing the country, the government officials finally pointed their accusing fingers at the Sky. Albanians, as always, accustomed to looking obediently at the Government’s finger, spared no insults against the Sky. And their anger had less to do with the darkness than with the Sky, which had supposedly taken a dislike to the Government. No one wanted to know (even though we told them) that the Government was to blame for this considerable crisis: it had not only failed to manage water reserves properly, but had also wasted them. 1.3 billion cubic metres of water went to waste, and several tens of billions of kilowatt-hours of energy were sold in the summer, because this winter was the first and only one to catch the Government unprepared. And yet those Albanians who dared raise their eyes above the Government’s fattened face encountered only its finger, pointing their gaze towards the Sky. And the Albanians returned once again to their “eternal” ritual of prayer and cursing. And who listens to them?! Only God. Because the Government mocks them. And serves them right... they deserve it.

He beat her, insulted her in front of her parents, and now threatens to kill her The account of the girl who was abused and then abandoned Special, pages 12, 13

Serious violations of the law and indiscriminate abuses Privatization 2000: the state plundered by the state During 2000, AKP acted as it pleased in the privatization process. The 4 most productive enterprises, Birra Malto, Qumështi Ajka, Proframa in Tirana and Kantina e Pijeve Durrës, were put up for sale by auction, but the attempts failed. Page 11

Meksi and Ikonomi, candidates for Finance Changes in the Government, the Socialists’ dilemmas Changes in the Government at the beginning of next year are now regarded in senior PS circles and in the relevant ministries as a settled matter, with the timing being only a matter of days. Page 5

A counterfeit-money factory uncovered in Elbasan A counterfeit-money workshop has been discovered in Albania. The discovery was made in Elbasan, where the Public Order Police, following information from criminal agents and those in the economic-financial sector, managed to uncover a workshop producing counterfeit banknotes in a private house in the “11 Nëntori” neighborhood. The incident took place yesterday at around noon, at approximately 13:00, when the house was surrounded by police forces. Page 6

Weekly satire Pages 22, 23

The newspaper “Republika” sends its wishes to its friends, colleagues and readers, as well as to Albanians wherever they may be, on the occasion of the New Year holiday.

Today at 11:00, at the central headquarters, on the occasion of the New Year, the PR leadership is hosting a cocktail reception for journalists.

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