Anti-smuggling protest Smuggling on Lake Shkodër On page 5

Xhaferi: “We circulated 2 billion in one month” The mission of international experts is keeping its talks with the Albanian authorities secret “We have nothing in common with pyramid schemes, with rotation, money laundering, or any interest-bearing activity called fajde” “The foundation does not use any of the members’ contributions deposited in the bank, but rewards them from its own capital” TIRANË - While consulting with the senior ranks of the Albanian authorities financing the progress of economic reform, the mission of the International Monetary Fund continues to “answer” questions from the local press by remaining silent. It is “top secret” even as regards its position on the problems recently associated with the so-called “fajde” businesses. Meanwhile, other companies and foundations are publicizing their guarantees, activities and capital strength in the media. Yesterday, in a statement, the “Xhaferi” Foundation presented itself, reaffirming the legality and soundness of the activities it conducts and showing the “muscle” of its capital as well. “In just one month we have put more than 2 billion lekë into circulation,” its statement to the press said, among other things.

TIRANË - The removal of kiosks has begun in Tiranë, but only those installed after October 20. The order was issued two days ago by the office of the mayor of the capital, Albert Brojka, and was carried out yesterday by municipal employees and municipal police, in cooperation with officers from Police Station 3. A few days after taking up the reins of the administration of Albania’s largest municipality, Brojka made it clear that he would never tolerate unauthorized construction or the installation of kiosks that damage green spaces and obstruct traffic. “No one is to put up any more kiosks on the ring road of the city of Tiranë”—Brojka said this during a meeting a few days ago with the staff of the Municipality he heads. On page 3 Bojka against kiosks

On page 5

FIER - The “ration” of electricity that was supposed to supply all of southern Albania has been cut in half. A serious fault at the Fier electrical substation has created a grave situation in this sector, and power cuts have once again begun to occur on a large scale in the southern cities. To improve the difficult situation, electricity imports from Greece have begun, while a return to normal levels—according to optimistic forecasts—will be possible only at the beginning of next year. A still-mysterious fault in one of the transformers at the Fier substation has meant that only half the necessary electricity is reaching the southern grid. The giant transformer, weighing 57 tons, has stopped working for reasons that have not yet been discovered, although an emergency team has been formed, headed by Minister Xhaja. As an emergency solution, the import of a quantity of electricity from Greece has been considered; the southern part of the country is supplied through Macedonia. The rest of the area affected by the fault gets electricity from the Fier thermal power plants, which have been partially put into operation. Officials say a new autotransformer has been adapted, but it will be necessary to wait until the beginning of next year for it to be installed at the substation and begin its “duties.”

“But it should be held before the elections for the Assembly” Poli and PDD formulate the request. PS also in favor: “The people’s will must be respected” TIRANË - The Albanian opposition is demanding that a referendum be held before the elections for the Constituent Assembly to determine the country’s constitutional form. A monarchy or a republic? The opposition is ready for the form of government of Albania to be decided by the people’s vote, so that afterward it will know what system of government the Constitution should be drafted for or even adopted under. The initiative followed a meeting between Poli of the Center and Kalakulla, the leader of the right-wing democrats. The Socialists have also expressed support for this request. After being informed of the new wishes expressed by the key parties regarding this referendum, PS indicated that it could support a parliamentary referendum, but did not want to condemn the Party and PDD. “Let the people decide,” said Kastriot Islami, a member of the PS leadership. On page 3

FROM THE WORLD ROME - Yesterday, the former “Clean Hands” judge, Antonio Di Pietro, resigned from his post. This time he left the position of Minister of Public Works by means of a letter addressed to Prime Minister Prodi. Di Pietro’s departure was prompted by the reopening of an investigative proceeding into unproven allegations by the Brescia court. Once again, that court had opened an investigation into Di Pietro for inter-

ENTERTAINMENT TIRANË - The two guitarists are keeping the legend alive. Now BEST are part of it too. On page 4

SPORT TIRANË - Tomorrow in Vlorë, Flamurtari will face a very tough and open match. On page 6

Rojdhit Church: the bell had been found back in 1915 Another court case between the Museum and the Church over ownership of the bell TIRANË - They claimed ownership of a giant bell from the old Rojdhit Church in Shkodër, but the court awarded them only 30 thousand [unclear in the source] for finding rare objects. Lekë Rotani and Nush Buzati had “inherited” from their fathers the bell of Rojdhit Church, one of the oldest in Shkodër, which they had found in its ruins back in 1915. In 1967, the state took the bell and placed it in the hall of the History Museum. But now, with the Museum and the rebuilt Church both claiming the bell, the interests of the two men from Shkodër who had inherited it have also resurfaced. The court ordered that they be compensated, while ownership of the bell itself will be decided in another court case. Rojdhit Church was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 1912, and three years later two men from Shkodër found the church bell among its ruins—seventy years old [unclear in the source]. The matter was taken to court in Shkodër. The church was rebuilt, and then destroyed again in ’68. Now it awaits the return of the ancient bell, which was once a symbol of the church of Shkodër. (me.kj)

BREAKING NEWS TIRANË - “Serious injuries to the body and head, but he is out of danger and has not lost consciousness”—the doctors at the military hospital gave this good news about their 47-year-old patient, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Albania. Returning yesterday evening from Rinas Airport, he was involved in a serious accident along with three other people who were also traveling in the vehicle. At 18:00 he was taken to the military hospital, where he received first aid from a specialized medical team. The circumstances of the accident on the road to Rinas Airport are still unclear. A horse-drawn cart came in front of the car in which the Turkish ambassador Ahmet Okgjin was traveling and, while trying to avoid it, the car went off the road and hit a cart. This is the version reportedly given by a traffic officer. A Turkish woman, Hele Solmeksh, and the embassy interpreter, Stefan Vujaçin, were in the car with the ambassador. They arrived at the military hospital at 18:00 in an ambulance. The woman injured in the accident with the Turkish ambassador [unclear in the source]. The ambassador was taken straight to the operating room, but did not undergo surgery. Doctors say that Okgjin has a broken [unclear], a fracture on the side of the head, fractures in two places in his right ankle, and hemothorax and pneumothorax on the right side of his chest. On the right side of the chest [unclear in the source]. In the operating room, the ambassador was fitted with a tube to allow the blood and air in his chest to drain. At 20:30, the doctors emerged from their consultation in the ambassador’s room—he has been admitted to intensive care—and stated that he had not lost consciousness and, fortunately, was not in danger of dying. The patient has developed a pneumothorax complication, while Vujaçini has broken three ribs.