Chief company inspector: “They have productive activities” “Whoever wants to become their owner must first invest in them. This way the people in need will also be repaid.” INTERVIEW / The government official who will oversee the companies speaks: Nano informed me of my assignment TIRANA - “The investment companies should not be shut down,” the chief inspector of the pyramid schemes tells the “Gazette.” On his first day at work, Farudin Arapi insists that the state should help these companies return creditors’ deposits, while the IMF insists they be closed immediately. The man described by the press as the “gravedigger of the pyramid schemes” confirms that it is still too early to talk about closing these companies. “We are aware that many of these companies have productive activities. They generate income that will be used to cover what is owed to creditors,” says Arapi, who reports directly to the prime minister. “The state can help them revive their productive activities through foreign loans,” he suggests. Arapi is expected to propose that the government draft a bill requiring checks on Albanians’ deposits in foreign banks. “This will establish the extent of corruption,” Arapi says.

On page 3 Arben, on the brink of death

THE MYSTERIES OF THE FORMER ARMY CHIEF REVEALED AGAIN TIRANA - Zhulali spent a long time in Poland. The sensational news was released yesterday by semi-official sources, shedding light on the months the former defense minister spent outside Albania. “I am ready to answer to justice for my responsibilities,” he said in an interview with the BBC. During the period since March, when he left the country, there had been many theories about Zhulali’s whereabouts. There was also talk of a flight to the United States, but this was denied by his relatives when he returned to Rinas. “Until before March 1, my party considered me the most successful personality in Albanian politics,” Zhulali says. “I am able to defend my actions and responsibilities.” On page 4 Safet Zhulali

Journalists escape prison TIRANA - Albanian journalists have escaped imprisonment. Editorial offices will now pay fines of only 200,000 to 800,000 lekë instead of millions. These were two of the most problematic provisions removed from the press law. By adapting [unclear in source: “shpik-tardo”], [the press has been able to] draw a few breaths, having been under a weight for years. Restrictive and repressive measures against the press, not provided for in the existing law, have been challenged not only by Albanian journalists but also by international institutions concerned with press freedom and human rights in general. Experience since the law was passed has shown that quite a few journalists have suffered severe penalties under it, including threats and high fines. This experience shows that the law, as it stood, is potentially dangerous for the Albanian press and journalists in the future. The revised freedom-of-the-press provisions make clear that published material may be confiscated only by a final court decision, when its content constitutes a criminal offense. The new law has also repealed seven articles of the old law, creating new room for the Albanian press, although even after this change it seems that many other burdens still hang over it. Another article included in the new draft leaves the monitoring of the activities of the press and Albanian journalists [unclear in source].

Yesterday the mission left. The government is under pressure. Only an agreement in principle “Raise VAT, eliminate the schemes, money later” TIRANA - The IMF team is leaving Tirana without signing the six-month emergency program. What was achieved in two weeks of talks is only an agreement in principle. The IMF has set several conditions for Tirana: the definitive closure of the pyramid schemes, an increase in VAT to 20 percent, and the privatization of the banks. Although the government has accepted the conditions, the IMF is waiting to see how they will be implemented; if everything goes well, the emergency program will be approved at the end of October. IMF experts met yesterday with Prime Minister Nano, President Meidani, and Finance Minister Malaj. Senior Albanian officials expressed satisfaction with what had been achieved, although time will have to pass before the financial aid is disbursed. The IMF team told President Meidani that cooperation with the IMF is the only way to secure financial support from the Brussels conference. The IMF team is expected to return to Albania in two weeks. By then, Tirana must have met the IMF’s conditions, which were not exactly optional. Photo: Nano On page 2

BULLETS AMID THE IN-LAWS On page 6

DURRËS / GRIEF AMONG HIS FRIENDS Bullets Hit Football Too: Koka Is Killed Attack on Artan at the stadium entrance DURRËS — Bullets have struck sport too. Kalashnikovs and pistols have reached even what had been the most untouchable; they have wounded even those who did everything possible to restrain the crime’s macabre hand. Durrës football is in mourning. At the age of 25, Artan Koka has closed his eyes forever, struck fatally by three pistol bullets. It had been an ordinary day for Artan, like any other. After his usual routines, he headed to the training ground. An ordinary session, under the coach’s direction, and then he quickly headed out. He made his way to the stadium gate to meet his friends, to meet those he would never have the chance to see again. It all happened in just a few moments. A car stopped at the entrance to the main stand. Several people got out; as always, they will so far be considered “unknown.” No one had imagined that death was coming; no one had imagined that a pistol would emerge from its doorway and end a young life forever. Three bullets, and Artan fell to the ground, at the end of his life. His friends could not take him to the hospital immediately, but it was all in vain. In extremely critical condition, he could no longer fight death and breathed his last right at the hospital entrance. No one could contain their grief, not even those who had known him a little or a lot. “What are you saying, man?” This is terrible. I knew Artan very well and have no words to say,” said Shpresa goalkeeper Gjelloshi Jemi, shaken, after receiving the news by phone. We tried to get in touch with the others too, perhaps to give them the saddest news of their lives. Unfortunately, Ogers Shehi answered at reception. “I don’t know what to say; this is terrible.” That was all Shpresa’s goalkeeper managed to say before he could go no further. And the testimonies [illegible text] Artur Korriku Artan with his “Teuta” team two seasons ago

Fier, street attack: blood-feud bullets kill

Berat, bomb in a house: revenge is the motive On page 6