More than 20,000 people are organizing protests: We want our money Malaj “thunders” after Hong Kong: “VEFA has stolen.” Chief administrator Arapi: “Here is the fraud...” Police reply to Sude’s creditors: “We agree to rallies, but only in squares.” More than 20,000 people are organizing protests: We want our money. Malaj “thunders” after Hong Kong: “VEFA has stolen.” Chief administrator Arapi: “Here is the fraud...” TIRANA - Sude’s creditors are seeking squares for their protest. The association representing thousands of defrauded creditors has requested permission from the Tirana Police Directorate. “We are not against granting permission to protest, but let us talk first,” Pashk Tusha, head of the police, said yesterday. In their request, the leaders of the association, which has thousands of members, are seeking permission from the law-enforcement authorities to hold protests from 1 to 15 October on Rruga e Kavajës, in “Skënderbej” Square, in front of the Prime Minister’s Office and Parliament. The police have also been informed of the slogans the protesters will chant. “We decided on this because none of the people in power, either past or present, has addressed our legitimate demands,” the creditors’ representatives write. While they wait for permission, Tusha explains that, in this situation, the protests pose a very serious problem for the police. “I cannot give you a definite answer right now as to whether I will grant permission or not; first we need to discuss the requested locations and the duration of the protest.” On page 3: Sude speaking to its creditors. “It should be encouraged to continue operating so it can repay its creditors.” This was the essence of the statements made by political leaders, who at a business meeting with the Company’s President, Alimujaj, represented their parties. PBSD, PDK, PBD and PLL thus supported the Company’s activities and described it as financially reliable. “The IMF and the World Bank are financial organizations concerned with macroeconomic issues, not with individual economies,” lawyer and MP Spartak Ngjela said in reply during the meeting at VEFA’s headquarters. “VEFA’s investments are reliable and protect national interests,” the representative declared; Guri Dollari also made a statement. The source said the attack on VEFA was political. Alimujaj thanked everyone.

TIRANA - The Center Right stands with VEFA President Vehbi Alimujaj. “Nano is wrong to attack the most powerful company in the country. made by political leaders who, at a business roundtable economies.” Lawyer and MP Spartak Ngjela said this in response and protect national interests,” the representative declared; Guri Durrollari also made a statement. Buxheti said that the attack on VEFA was political. Alimujaj thanked everyone. Yesterday’s meeting in Tirana between Alimuça and representatives of the right

S’uaja speaking to the creditors On page 2

“They used force against our activists” TIRANA - PD accuses the Police of using force against its activists. “A rapid-response unit from District No. 3 intervened by force in the middle of the crowd, arresting several of its members. This ugly and political act by Ceka’s police is intended to weaken the spirit of protest that has swept across the entire Albanian people.” This is what the PD press release says; it was distributed last night to the editorial offices of the central newspapers. The Democrats insist that they will increase their marches through the streets of the Capital. “We assure the police officers and their leaders, Ceka,” the statement continues, “that their actions against the demonstrators will not only fail to lessen the momentum of the protest, but will intensify it even further.” Last night in Tirana (Photo REUTERS)

GHOST SHIP Smuggled cigarettes disappear Customs: We cannot intervene On page 5

KORÇË The SHIK agent’s murder: his wife also seriously injured He was struck with a crowbar by the attackers On page 4

SHKODËR Gunfire at car: money changer killed They robbed him of 12 thousand dollars On page 5

THE LANDOWNERS’ THREAT: OTHERWISE, THE SCHOOL WILL NOT OPEN LAÇ — “Either you put our nephews in to teach the pupils, or we’ll shut the village school down for good.” This is one of the most notorious disputes in Linjovë of Laç, where 30 children who have been studying here for years are at risk of being left without lessons. Claiming that the school was built on land belonging to them, the large Hasa family believes it also has the right to decide who should teach the village’s little ones. Thus, ever since classes began at the small school, they have insisted that two of their relatives be appointed to teach. Meanwhile, the two teachers who have been there for many years have higher pedagogical education; the family’s two candidates have only completed secondary school, and that only in a general track. These absurd claims have been made before, but now they have turned into genuine threats. An alarm was raised at the Laç Education Directorate, which then notified the town’s police station to prevent this clan’s extraordinary demands. Linjovë is one of the most remote and isolated villages in the Laç area, connected to the latter by a difficult mountain road. It is one of the few villages with two teachers who have higher education and are also residents of Linjovë. The dispute between the Hasa family and the school seems to have greatly unsettled life in the small mountain village, which is usually quite peaceful. According to the Laç police commissioner, there are few cases of crime in Linjovë, even though this area has also been untouched by the unrest of recent months. “Nevertheless,” he explains, “the claim concerning the village’s two teachers can also be resolved by the village head, without the need for further intervention.” A.B.

“They used force against our activists” GHOST SHIP Dis[?]