Rome instructs the police commissioners: Watch out for Albanian children Alarm at the Italian Ministry of the Interior after statements by “Alba” soldiers in Vlora The controversy over child trafficking flares up again. The Italians decide to step up checks It began elsewhere with the accounts of two carabinieri about an abandoned child on the Vlora coast: “He had undergone an operation on his ribs” Doctors immediately object: “In Albania, there are no facilities for organ transplants; it is very expensive” On page 3

Tepelenë, the mayor speaks

PARLIAMENT BLOCKED TIRANA - Berisha is now taking the people from the PS on the Central Commission to court. “They imposed my position on me by sending me a personal letter bearing the Commission’s seal.” This is what the current President said yesterday; he also insisted yesterday that he would not leave without the Commission’s final ruling on the election results. Berisha sharply attacked the winners of the 29 June vote, accusing them of causing the blockade of Parliament. He said that he is and will not coexist with a socialist government, but clarified that the winners could not remove him with a two-thirds majority—or, according to him, even with a three-quarters majority. On page 2 Berisha at yesterday’s press conference

Gjolekë Malaj: “I will sue Shaban and Gazidede”

Yesterday the heads of the Committees were appointed TIRANA - The PS is “divvying up the spoils” of a Parliament that has not yet convened. After allocating posts in the forthcoming government, the socialists have also selected the heads of the parliamentary committees. “I hope the opposition will get half of them,” said one of the PS leaders. A long meeting of the Socialist leadership, attended by Prime Minister Fino himself, decided who would head three of the committees in Parliament. The names of those who will lead these committees are still being kept under wraps, while it is understood that the Democrats may receive perhaps just over half of them. The meeting began yesterday morning at around 10:00 and continued until 1:30 p.m. The approximately 18 senior members of the Socialist leadership debated and discussed the allocation of posts on the parliamentary committees. One of the PS leaders says that a Democrat will head the Foreign Affairs Committee, while some other important committees, such as the Public Order Committee, will be assigned to one of the parties allied with the election winners. Nothing has yet been officially announced, while the first session of Parliament is awaited; it is not yet known when it will convene. Another subject at the socialists’ lengthy meeting was how they would work with the current administration. The head of the PS has issued the first guidelines on the criteria for selecting these people. Professionalism is expected—at least, that was also Nano’s campaign promise—to be the main criterion, at least for the ministers of this administration. Specialists and people who have worked professionally over the years should be retained at all costs. a.ç.

Tirana, the children end up at Shna Nue TIRANA - Two children fired a gun and then, repentant, made their way to Laç to pray to God at the “Shna Noi” Church, asking Him to forgive them for what they had done. An adventure that cost their parents no little effort to find them. At a time when adults and children alike have become gun owners, it is hard to imagine anyone regretting a shot. But these two little ones, one 9 and the other 13 years old, did regret it—and so much that they even embarked on an adventure, leaving Tirana for the famous church in Laç. The children—their parents are among the employees of the Tirana Police Directorate—were together at one of their homes. At one point, perhaps to try out what the trigger of a gun felt like, one of them fired a shot, leaving a mark on the wall. After trying to hide the evidence, the cartridge casing, and feeling remorse for what they had done, they left a letter for the father, asking forgiveness for the terrible thing they had done, then both left. But this cost their parents no little effort: when the children went missing, they searched for them all day in Tirana, even notifying many of their police colleagues to help look for them. Finally, they were found in Laç, where they had gone to ask God’s forgiveness for the crime they had committed. A truly childish act, but it seems that much more than the moment itself is at issue: nowadays many parents leave guns around with their children, and it would truly be good if at least some measures were taken to prevent such things from happening again.

EMIGRANTS WHO “INVADED” ITALY TIRANA - Italy is considering legalizing and keeping a considerable portion of the Albanian refugees. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Piero Fassino during a debate in the Italian Senate. It seems they will be included in the annual quota set for Albanian immigration, established at the beginning of this year. Since the March protests, 15,000 refugees from Albania have crossed the Adriatic in search of shelter there. Their lives as victims of violence—they hope to remain in Italy, and this is not impossible. In fact, the legal deadline for Albanians’ stay in Italy expires on August 31. During the debate held in the Italian Senate, the senior diplomat stated that “a portion of the Albanian refugees may be allowed to obtain regular residence permits.” The law on admitting immigrants to Italy provides for the entry into the country of 20,000 refugees, with Albania receiving a significant quota. Fassino said the government is nevertheless trying to increase this quota, thus favoring the Albanian refugees who have been in Italy for several months. The number of people who will return to Albania has not yet been determined. During the Senate debate, Rome’s moral obligation to Albania at this difficult time was emphasized. Meanwhile, signals from the Italian police point to an official protest, warning that “the government’s indecision could lead to an influx of illegal migrants from Albania.” p.re. Albanian refugees on the shores of Italy

AFTER THE ELECTIONS Albanian Television seems to have responded to the message of the change of power coming from the 29 June elections much faster than other state institutions. At first glance, it seems to me that a real revolution is taking place in its mindset. The cameras, which used to focus very heavily on the opposition, have now begun to focus without censorship on façades, figures and statements, while avoiding doing so. Now, on state television, you see not only the President, the Prime Minister or the other ministers, but also people from the opposition leadership who had been forgotten by the cameras. And would we be wrong to call this just one step by television toward revolution? Yes, it seems to me that it is far too little. We would like to see an immediate change, a different approach, a change. Enough... [?] we are dealing with ... [?]. The cameras ... [?] the former government and are now withdrawing obsequiously, with the same lack of professionalism, perhaps before the government that is coming to power. TVSH must not ... [?] what is ugly ... [?] and ... [?] Albania. And we saw a sports report, Këmbët-style, showing Prime Minister Fino full of emotion and in an interview ... [?] at the stadium. Meanwhile ... [?] how important ... [?] they were at the football match with government officials, Albania—a message from a football match with government officials. Albania has many victims and more urgent problems that TVSH’s cameras have not known how to cover. But among other things, “shekulli” from TVSH, which speaks with its directors, is, so to speak, something that has been distorted and instinctively skewed. Now we also see another discussion. Many reporters have changed. They no longer ask questions gently, full of affection for the ministers, about “something concerning the success of the visit or discussion.” Instead, today they urgently circulate the newspapers’ reports containing information that tightens the grip of the younger generation. Reluctantly, this is a good thing to see. But we want to know, in all these presentations, has ... [?] or professionalism been lost? p.re.

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Golekë Malaj: “I’ll have Shehu and Gazidede bloodied” Golekë Malaj On page 9 Tepelenë, the mayor speaks

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