The former journalist who was the first to uncover the documents on the companies’ fraud Today’s scandal was born from a journalistic scoop Torn between grief and tears The editor-in-chief of “ZP” CLAUDIO BOLLINO TIRANA — “As long as he came to Albania, for me he was a very good man.” This is still how the driver he once had, now an official in an agricultural cooperative, speaks of Ramiz Alia. “Besides accompanying me, he also took me to some meetings where I needed to intervene. I saw him when he was president: smiling and calm.” And Sedja? “I was convinced he was a completely normal person, but today I ask myself: what was he thinking?” Today’s scandal began about 1 year and a half ago, when “Zëri i Popullit” exclusively published some documents from the presidential archive, according to which the old government had taken from the state and the National Bank more than 1.1 billion dollars in gold and banknotes, as well as more than 11 billion old lek without coverage. Thanks to the Italian scoop, a little later the coordinator of the charity companies “Xhaferri” was arrested, the man who had organized at Rinas the departure of the planes loaded with currency. “ZP” published almost all the documents that had been published in Italy and Albania, through a ten-page report prepared by our newspaper’s Italian publisher, Becchetti, accompanied by the opinion of the former prime minister Ylli Bufi. Years ago, the article triggered a series of statements and controversies in Italy and in Tirana. The Albanian opposition at the time denounced that President Ramiz Alia and former Prime Minister Ylli Bufi had favored the transfer of foreign currency and gold reserves abroad, shortly before the collapse of the communist regime. Today, with the new investigations, the names of Alia and Sedja return to the debate as the main responsible parties. Torn between grief and tears, the editor-in-chief of “ZP”.

SPORT The first time for an Albanian team

SHKODËR / The interesting initiative is by Caritas In the center of Shkodër, the walls of a villa that was about to collapse are being restored, while the foundations with concrete and bricks are being laid for its walls. The work began on 20 June. Mason craftsmen have been appointed, some of whom belong to the Catholic Church. It looks as if a large house is being restored. But in reality, a new church is being built in the northern city. The work is being financed and supervised by Caritas of Bergamo, an organization that also deals with housing reconstruction and humanitarian aid. A group of Italian and Albanian volunteers is working together every day. According to those in charge, the church will have the main prayer hall, service rooms, and an area for youth activities. Local residents say that such a church will serve not only the faithful, but also the neighborhood. Local craftsmen are also taking part in this initiative, contributing building materials and manual labor. The project is presented as an example of cooperation between Italians and Albanians in Shkodër.

In the Inside pages Psychoanalysis also reaches Albania Weapons even in homes that are read[?] on the computer

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