500 senior officials are declaring what is in their “pockets”
The Commission for Verifying the Purity of Officials’ Accumulated Wealth reappears
Parliament
Along with the political VIPs, there are also 22,000 mid-level civil servants who must account for themselves before the Commission
TIRANA - The Commission for verifying the assets of public officials has resurfaced. More than 500 state VIPs must show this Commission what they have in their pockets. Meanwhile, the other Commission, number two, has inventoried the assets of 90 percent of the 22,000 middle- and lower-category civil servants who appeared before it. Established in March ’95 by presidential decree, the two Commissions have worked in parallel to inventory the real estate, shares and money in bank accounts that public officials of all ranks own. While the smaller Commission has managed to put a large proportion of junior officials through its screening process, the one dealing with senior ranks has left its work unfinished. The Ministry of Finance says that a series of reasons interrupted its work. But soon a reconstituted Commission will begin reviewing the senior figures in Albanian politics and state administration, as well as their assets.
On page 3
MEKSI ESTABLISHES PEACE
Approval given for the December 14 match
Zaçe
TIRANA - At today’s meeting of the Council of Ministers, all of Zaçe’s decisions concerning the suspension of Dervishi, the Executive Committee of the FSHF and the Basketball Federation were overturned.
On page 10
Ferraris arrives: Two PS leaders share their positions
Dini’s envoy meets Mejdani at Hajdaragën
TIRANA - The two wings of the PS are meeting with Dini’s envoy. Having arrived in our country, Ambassador Ferraris met yesterday, one after another, Hajdaragën, Mejdani and representatives of the Socialist Youth. “No comment” on the meetings from all sides. The politicians of the party that is the largest ...
Njëla reveals the Nigerian mystery
Part of the pyramid-scheme scandal is brought to light
“Canaj did not deceive anyone; he himself was deceived”
Vlorë, three police officers accused
Pure heroin
The ground slips: Railway line disrupted
DURRËS - Railway accident. A massive landslide near the village of Hotolisht, Librazhd, was noticed by the railway line guard ...
Their positions laid out
TIRANA - The two leaders of the PS meet met yesterday, one after another, Hajdari, the meetings from all sides. The politicians of Albania’s largest opposition party have preferred to remain silent about the conversations they held with the senior diplomat from the neighbouring country. Meanwhile, it is understood that the main discussion revolved around the two issues currently most talked about in Albania’s political sphere: the crisis gripping the country, according to the Socialists, and the issue of the constitution. The two leaders within the PS each put forward their respective positions, while the Italian diplomat merely listened and took notes. Later, the leaders of all the other parties sat side by side at a table during a dinner hosted by Ferraris at Ambassador Foresti’s residence.
Italian Embassy
On page 3
Part of the usury scandal exposed
TIRANA - “Irfan Canaj did not cheat anyone; he himself was the one who was cheated.” Spartak Ngjela, the lawyer who served as legal consultant to the “Arkond” company, explained yesterday before the judges the mechanism behind what he called Canaj’s deception. As a witness, in a hearing that saw more than half an hour of debate between him and the judges, he described how the mysterious arrest warrant had arrived from Nigeria via Germany, but was “orphaned”—without the second document required to release the money from the Nigerian Bank.
On page 9
Vlorë, three police officers accused
Pure heroin “Made in Albania”
Alarm has spread among the Italian authorities. The man from Durrës is the first person arrested for trafficking pure drugs.
TIRANA - Italian authorities are on alert. For the first time, pure heroin has arrived from Albania. Now, after marijuana and hashish, the white powder has marked a new phase in drug trafficking. A 26-year-old man from Durrës has been arrested. A quantity of 100 grams was found in his pocket. Meanwhile, a drug alert has also come from Albania. Three police officers have been charged with involvement in illegal trafficking.
On page 9
Railway
DURRËS - Railway disruption.
noticed by the railway line guard on Sunday morning, immediately triggering an alarm. The Pogradec–Tirana train braked just a few meters from the track, thus avoiding any possible complications. An emergency team worked intensively and repaired the fault within an hour. The damaged track was filled in and several new rails were laid. A number of passengers also took part in the repairs. The journey then continued normally, and the train entered Tirana station only 30 minutes late.
This is the second railway fault in recent days, following the severe damage it sustained in the Lezhë area because of major landslides. Ar. Ko.
Lisbon, meeting on European security opens
OBJECTIVE: REDUCING CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS ON THE CONTINENT
Lisbon
Lisbon, meeting on European security opens
On page 2
Dostoevsky brings “Crime and Punishment” to Fier
SPECTACLE
Dostoevsky brings “Crime and Punishment” to Fier
The premiere of the world-famous Russian writer’s play received ample applause
On page 4
Serbia: Opposition steps up protests
FROM THE WORLD
Serbia: Opposition steps up protests
Milošević’s regime threatens an uprising by the “Together” opposition coalition
On page 2
TREND
A weekly magazine in Albania and around the world
ALBANIAN GAZETTE
Paintings: realists are most in fashion
From the capital’s gallery to the richest collections, the realists are in the lead. Foreigners like Albanian art more. They are still dissatisfied with the artistic venues.
The ‘Elle’ fashion show is now in the capital
Albanian jeans in film today
Trenches? Young designers have made progress
George Michael
Albanian identity
‘Tuna’ The first test
The addresses of famous actors
TELE-BINGO
A millionaire every Sunday
Paintings: realists are most in fashion
On pages 4-5
The stories of George Michael
On page 2
