But Baleta retorts: “the party is with me” The party conference elects the chairman, but the two rivals are still battling Both sides are now arguing over the future position of the local organizations and ordinary members Fatos Baxhaku on page 3 Kallakula has won the confrontation with Baleta too, but the latter has no intention of giving up. “I hope the party will follow the line of our group.” Baleta speaks to the Albanian Gazette while his rivals are gathered at the conference that has definitively elected Kallakula as Chairman. Now there may perhaps be two parties called the Right Democratic Party. At least each of the two “big men”—Baleta was the secretary of the initiating committee and Kallaku the new chairman—hopes that he is in the right and that the party’s ordinary members will follow him. On page 3

TIRANA - The Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu, said yesterday to the Gazette: “Yes, the private system for selling newspapers in Tirana must coexist with the public one.”

The leader of the Court of Cassation calls Berisha’s proposal a maneuver INTERVIEW EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA - “The Constitutional Court is illegal and has no right to hear any case anymore.” The startling statement—made last night to the Albanian Gazette by the Chairman of the Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi—reveals for the first time that, since 1992, the Constitutional Court has continued to issue rulings illegally and regulate its own functioning, while in April of this year the terms of three of its judges expired. “Thus this Court,” Brozi continues, “has no right to hear not only the case concerning the two Court of Cassation judges, but any other case either.” Yesterday President Berisha—answering journalists’ questions—implied that the Constitutional Court, not Parliament, should decide the matter of the removal of the two Court of Cassation judges... “I think that first of all the question should have been asked: who submitted the request to remove the two Court of Cassation judges to Parliament? Nevertheless, to be accurate, I admit that I did not watch President Berisha’s press conference on TV. But if he implied that this matter really should go to the Constitutional Court, that is... just a maneuver. It seems they have realized that this request would pass in Parliament, since Parliament can approve the agreement. Therefore, I think it is just a maneuver to achieve their aim.” But what about the case of the two Court of Cassation judges reaching the Constitutional Court? “And the Constitutional Court is, brother, more obedient to today’s politics; the constitutional court, in its political spirit, has sent it to Parliament. Regarding this decision on the removal of the two Court of Cassation judges, maneuver to achieve their aim.” So what do you think will happen to your judges? “Apparently they have begun submitting the proposal to Parliament—unfortunately, those behind it remain anonymous, since nobody admits to having signed it—and, prompted also by pressure from mafiosi and international organizations and institutions, they are now seeking another way. I cannot say what will happen, but what could happen if this matter is referred to the Constitutional Court is already clear to everyone: it will be a decision that will be relayed to politicians.” an unconstitutional court, not a constitutional one. Therefore, it would be good to know on what legal basis this institution currently operates. The Constitutional Court still does not have a separate law governing its functioning, which it was constitutionally required to have as far back as 1992. The other point is that, since April of this year, the terms of three Constitutional Court judges have expired and three others must be elected.” Are specific individuals meant? “The removal of judges from the Constitutional Court is decided by lot, so I cannot have specific individuals in mind. Nevertheless, until three other judges are elected, I think the Constitutional Court should not hear any cases.” Let us return once again to the Court of Cassation’s response and the latest proposal concerning them... “In this case, neither constitutional law nor any other law gives the Constitutional Court the right to review the decision to appoint judges to the Court of Cassation or any other court. Under these circumstances, the Constitutional Court has no right to remove them either.” “Apparently they have begun submitting the proposal to Parliament—for it, there still remains an anon... Zef Brozi, chairman of the Court of Cassation

Service passports for traders? TIRANA - Italy will open a consulate in Vlorë and is preparing to legalize seasonal emigration for Albanians and liberalize visas for those who hold service passports; the same service passports issued by the Ministry...

EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA - “The Constitutional Court is illegal and has no right to hear any case anymore.” Zef Brozi, chairman of the Court of Cassation

“The removal of judges from the Constitutional Court is decided by lot, so I cannot have specific individuals in mind.”

In Laç and Kavajë they mourn TIRANË - Joy and tears. At this terrible and at the same time fantastic and festive end, red Tirana has turned victory into its own beautiful celebration, right at the beginning of this championship, as if to leave an even better taste. In front of the faces, the blue-and-whites had scored for a long time, and their best scorer was Fotuzi. As the cries of the blue-and-white fans filled the air, the pain and the blasts of the horn awakened even the remaining ... of this championship’s finale. Along with Besa, the two other teams that have had to follow Iliria into the Second Division have been determined. Meanwhile, the mystery of the champion was even more thrilling: Teuta of Durrës was behind Partizani and Flamurtari. A team that two weeks earlier had been in danger of dropping to the Second Division. Nevertheless, in general, in the final of the Albanian Cup, Teuta ... stayed close to the champion, the blue-and-whites. And meanwhile the championship ended ... beneath Qemal Stafa, a stranger to the final. Meanwhile, the final week was an unlucky one for Edmond Dalipi, the Dinamo and national team footballer. In a...

Lawyers file a lawsuit TIRANA - The controversy between lawyers and the Ministry of Justice over the examination issue ends up in the Constitutional Court. Along with it, two other provisions of the Law on the Legal Profession, which are strongly contested. Meanwhile, the past week has been an unfortunate one for Edmond Dalipi, the Dinamo and national team footballer. In a collision with goalkeeper Musta, he broke a bone in his right leg and now risks being out of football for weeks. Dalipi was immediately taken to the Military Hospital in a police car. There have been surprises on the football pitches, too. In Fushë-Krujë, the home side defeated one of the best teams in this championship: Albpetrol. The team from Patos, which had been a contender for second place, has now slipped six places down. In a championship that will be remembered precisely for the battle at the bottom of the table, which ended only in the final moments of the table. Large photo on page 8

TIRANE - Italy will open a Consulate in Vlorë and is preparing to legalize seasonal migration for Albanians and liberalize visas for those who hold service passports; the same service passports that the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs can often also grant to leading traders. TIRANE - to legalize seasonal migration passports; the same service passports that the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs can often also grant to leading traders. These are some of the developments that emerged yesterday during the meeting in Rome between Foreign Minister Alfred Serri and his counterpart Susanna Agnelli. The two ministers have decided to establish a joint commission to discuss and resolve problems related to migration. On page 3 Ministry of Foreign Affairs

ARMANND MERO TIRANE - Once upon a time there was a little boy named Oliver Tuist. A child like all the others, but ill fate sends him into the hands of a gang of robbers who force him—as they did many other little ones—to steal. This story was told nearly a century and a half ago by the great English writer Charles Dickens. But since then, this child’s story has been repeated hundreds of times, and most recently, quite often in Albania too. Numerous little children are becoming victims of a mad life to which children are subjected without restraint. So they abandon their games to run—forced—to pick other people’s pockets, their little hands slipping easily inside in search of wallets, or to occupy stretches of road to beg for alms. Growing up on the streets, instead of books they see revolvers and knives; instead of affection they experience punches and beatings; instead of a kind word they hear endless insults—their future is already being determined: they will be soldiers in the notorious world of crime. But often, behind the adults who push and force them down this path, are their own parents. A fatality which, unfortunately, is their own. The reason? “W e have no financial means; we are unemployed,” comes the reply. And the child is already drawn into the “business.” He leaves early with his schoolbag on his back, handing out and selling cigarettes from one café to another. Insults and abuse are heard, but they do not back down. They are used to it. In fact, someone even gives them the answer they deserve. By now they feel grown up. Their voices have even deepened, these little ones, these child-men who, while pulling bundles of money from one pocket to give change, still have dice or slingshots with ... in the other pocket, to play with when they return home in the evening. Dickens manages to save Oliver in the end. But who will save Albanian children? Let us protect these children, because they are Albania’s future, by giving them back what they have lost: their present, their games and their books.

TIRANA - The controversy between lawyers and the Ministry of Justice over the examination issue ends up in the Constitutional Court. Large photo on page 8

Illogical decision: hope it will be postponed

Shehu: “Private operators will also sell in Tirana” On page 3 CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA - The Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu, said yesterday to the Gazette: “Yes, the private system for selling newspapers in Tirana must coexist with the public one.” Coexistence means that they must operate together, on equal terms. Tomorrow, the authorities of Tirana Municipality will meet a delegation of journalists and then a delegation of newspaper vendors: from this will be decided—and this is tragically true—the future of information in Albania. Now that it is finally clear that the public system cannot replace the private one, but should—as is only right—stand alongside it, the Municipality must allow the necessary time for this to happen. It must postpone the 1 June deadline and, in the meantime, allow the current private vendors to share the public facilities, providing them with new licences and everything they need to continue their sales activity normally and legally. Then the market, as is normal in a free economy, will decide the rest. This is not rhetoric, which is why we insist on writing about it; the danger is that if this extension is not granted, the survival of information in Albania will be at stake. The existing bookshop network in Tirana is absolutely capable—as the Municipality supposes—of guaranteeing the distribution and sale of newspapers. The Municipality’s own officials admit that “at first there will be a decline in circulation.” Since they have anticipated this already, they also have a political and moral obligation to prevent it. No one has the right to interfere with a private enterprise (such as newspapers) that pays taxes and respects the law, and suddenly decide that its products must be sold in smaller quantities for a period of time. This is so illogical that one can only hope it will not happen.

Blue helmets: “Hostages of death” On page 2

Juvenile robbers: a gang uncovered H. Tafa on page 3

Here’s how doctors work Every doctor can work in private practice if they wish GJ. Pilika on page 5

The Pope meets Mother Teresa On page 2