Summer is determined to cause problems. In many cases, the scarce water is heavily contaminated Tests show: ammonia and fecal matter in the pipes The chief physician of Kurbin speaks after cases of dysentery: “This way, we could also be struck by typhoid and cholera” LAÇ - Fear of cholera and other epidemic diseases is gripping Kurbin. Tests carried out in the town’s laboratory produced the first suspicious results, which were later confirmed in Tirana. The drinking water had an ammonia load, while “coli” bacteria and fecal matter were found in the bacteriological samples. The head of hygiene, Bujar Gogo, has sounded the emergency alarm. “If measures are not taken, all the inhabitants of the area will be at risk of epidemic diseases. The pipes linking Laç with Mamurras and Milot have been damaged in more than 200 places, and the hygiene facilities are also responsible for the water contamination.” The entire area supplied by these pipes has a population of 30,000. A large number of children have been admitted to hospital with dysentery, which is the first step towards epidemic diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The first appeal to residents is to boil the water before using it.

They have arrived from Elbasan GRAMSH - The special forces are attacking Gramsh. The operation was launched yesterday morning, but its results have not yet been made known. The forces that came from Tirana have identified the people who will be targeted in their operation. They set off in the morning from Elbasan in their vehicles, while no report had reached the city police directorate by late at night. “The special forces set off for Gramsh in the morning, with the aim of catching the perpetrators of several crimes and restoring calm in the city, but I still haven’t received any information from them” — this was the repeated telephone response from the Elbasan police director up until 18:00. After a long wait, he left his office and headed for Gramsh. The lack of information has also become a serious problem at police headquarters. A phone call from Elbasan to Gramsh [unclear] the premises where they have carried out several operations. Few in number, they are independent of the police station. “I don’t know what assignments they receive; I only wait for reports from them,” the police director says. According to him, the special forces may remain in the town of Gramsh for several more days. The special forces’ attack on the hot spots seems to be filling in the picture. After Vlora, it is Gramsh’s and Gjirokastra’s turn, while Berat has been raided several times. Only Gramsh had remained untouched. The result of yesterday’s attack is still unknown, but for the local residents, their arrival seems to matter more.

TIRANA / The round table meets without the PD TIRANA - Yesterday’s round table on the Constitution was deemed successful. The eight participating parties decided to appoint their members to the Commission and urgently draft the new rules of procedure for the Constitutional Commission. Another invitation was extended to the PD and its other allies to consider taking part in the round table. But it was also made clear that they would not allow the Constitution to remain hostage to the PD or any other political force. On page 3 At yesterday’s parties’ round table (P. Ilo)

Rift in the alliance with the Socialists? TIRANA - The governing coalition is splitting. Parties allied with the PS are warning of a storm. “The PS should not show its teeth,” the current head of the Alliance, Gjerj Zefi, declared yesterday. The PSD secretary-general, Dhori Kule, said that “there will be no more governing coalition unless it is extended to local government.” Heated debates within the governing coalition have now erupted, taking on the shape of a split. According to Zefi, the liberal democrats had expected to receive explanations from the Assembly on the ground. “The coalition meeting will be reviewed. Many of our local branches have asked for this,” Zefi confirms. The rift became public after the PS organizational secretary, Petru Koci, declared that his party does not accept the allies’ demand to extend the co-governance formula to local government as well. On page 2

VLORE / Massive pace of illegal border crossings towards Italy Two journalists filmed the entire journey VLORE - The pace of clandestine migrant trafficking is high. Along with the people travelling from Vlora to Italy were two Italian journalists. A sum of $1,500 was all it took, along with two witnesses to the dinghies and to people who ask no questions about anything before their profession. In this way, the Italian journalists reported on the Adriatic route, noting several times that the latest developments had caused the pace to rise to 50 percent more than usual [unclear] (very high, and costing as much as 1 million old lekë); they agreed to something else. During the day they watched a film made by an Italian camera operator in Albania, recorded using a camera brought from Italy. The film includes observations in Tirana, but was shot aboard a ship during this sea journey. It is a film with observations, and it is something that, through the government or someone’s scenario, we will see whether we can redefine what happened in this way. The conditions of emigration from Albania, uncertainty about the future and the aim of attaining great wealth. The Adriatic route, with the latest developments repeatedly reported, has caused the pace to rise to 50 percent more than usual. In all the latest journeys filmed by these two journalists, who recorded themselves making the trip, they travelled aboard one of the vessels. The alarm is on a gigantic scale at this moment, beginning with the events in Vlora, and the “care” that should be shown to them at a time when the route to the country has reached this level. The undocumented migrants filmed continuously with a camera that became an object [unclear], and also managed at times to monitor hundreds of people from the ferry. Some are in the area and have a long way to go because of the weather, and continue on a journey to Italy. Representatives of the undocumented migrants and the journeys repeatedly say that hundreds of people will depart for Italy. A large number of people, all in the same way, have become part of this event. The Italian journalists visited the area and gathered various information in Vlora and Tirana. The article says, repeating several times that the latest developments have caused the pace to rise to 50 percent more than usual. On page 10 Tirana’s first private radio station “Radio Ime” FM 105.4 MHz

A DIRECT LINE FOR A VISA SOON TIRANA - “Corruption has been everywhere in recent days in the Directorate” around the Italian Embassy. Service police are anxious about abuses involving lists of people who want to obtain visas. “In several cases, we have identified police officers who altered the lists of people waiting for visas, and in one particular case there was even a cash payoff.” The Tirana police director says this, linking it to the serious problems involving the long queues outside the Italian Embassy. But it seems the solution will not be long in coming. A telephone answering service with three numbers will soon resolve the issue. Anyone will be able to call and get an answer about the time to appear for a visa; after that, the consultation office will determine the list of people by telephone. A group of lawyers complained to the Police Directorate two days ago. “Some police officers are changing the lists they themselves prepare.” This and several other facts were enough for the Directorate to take immediate measures. [Unclear.] A telephone number has been secured and distributed around the premises of the Embassy. The police telephone numbers stand out on it, accompanied by the appeal: “Citizens, report any rule-breaking.” Citizens also speak of some con artists and inspectors who have “sold” the names on the list. Finally, a reminder for the service staff, who approach the crowd and call [unclear] or report; “ask the police.” They met with the Italian consul to discuss an immediate solution to the problem. “The visa rules and consular regulations were made known,” says Tusha. So far, one solution under consideration is a dedicated unit within a consulate, which would operate using telephone numbers. Citizens will be able to call from their districts, without needing to wait for days in Tirana or [unclear]. A telephone line will be opened. In Tirana, or [unclear]. A telephone line will be opened. Citizens will be able to call from their districts, without needing to wait for days in Tirana or [unclear]. Roland ZUI

ALL OF SHKODRA SHKODËR - “Enjoy your water.” This is the phrase that people in power have been saying since 1994 at the fountain in Malsia e Madhe. Now, three years later, the situation has taken on mythological proportions at the fountains of Hot, Grudë and Postribë in this district. The great drought this year has worn down the local population, who are forced to buy water from traders selling it for 10 to 15 old lekë per litre. Every day, one or two tanker trucks from Shkodra set off for this fountain, whose residents are suffering alongside the people of Qershorik, who have gone without drinking water year after year. This latest business venture is bringing large profits to Shkodran traders. “We’re selling it to buy bread,” the alarmed residents point out. Bearing in mind that the reservoirs are unlikely to fill before the end of autumn, the future of the water supply system celebrated by the government three years ago remains uncertain. The geographical position also makes it impossible to distribute wells, since they cannot be dug deeper than 100 metres. The water problem is currently acute for this area, which cannot bear the burden and keep enduring this situation. As for the latter, the village elder of Hot tells the newspaper: “I hope we have water in the reservoirs again one day.” The lack of water leaves villages short of food, making this an even greater social problem. “We see hundreds of tanker-truck drivers and village women, desperate to fill their water containers, carrying them from the village, some even heavier than others. After Kiqasë, Bar and Goricë, people have been buying water every day like this. ‘This is Malsia e Madhe.’ Arben Kola

Doctors appeal to the public: “Drink water only after boiling it; otherwise you risk your health” The dangerous damage to the network is attributed to more than 200 incursions caused by unauthorized construction On page 4

Today in Tirana, a great Mass at the Catholic Church On page 7