THE DISPUTE OVER INTEREST / Government representative Farudin Arapi also clarifies Nano’s and Malaj’s statements The state will not shut down VEFA The Chief Administrator’s statement: “We will only monitor” Arapi softens his tone: “If Alimuçaj has the money to repay the creditors, there is no reason to shut down the company” TIRANA - “If VEFA is able to repay its creditors, it will not be shut down automatically.” Chief Administrator Arapi says that, in their statements, Prime Minister Nano and Minister Malaj meant that monitoring and administration of the companies should begin as soon as possible. “The administrators will not halt the companies’ financial activity. They will ensure that the creditors’ money is not misused or transferred abroad,” Arapi says. But if the companies are unable to meet their obligations, then the creditors will be the actual owners of whatever remains. “The way they will be compensated in such a case will be determined by Parliament.” Arapi supports finding ways to avoid what happened with Gjalliqja. On page 3

On page 2 Prel Martini during yesterday’s press conference (Photo REUTERS)

VEFA lists: Here is who will receive money starting October 1 On page 4

A harsh reaction from the Speaker of Parliament: “I know local government better than he does” Gjinushi attacks Meidani “The President sends our laws back for no reason” TIRANA — Controversy has erupted at the expense of the Speaker of Parliament, who is attacking Meidani. “The President should not send back the laws passed by Parliament for no reason. This creates artificial tensions,” Gjinushi said yesterday at midday. Two weeks ago, Meidani sent Parliament back the law on the status of Radio and Television. The failure to promulgate the law approved by Parliament made it possible to get Arbenori out of the hunger strike. But the next session, in which Meidani’s request to approve the “Arbnor” amendment was examined, was accompanied by harsh exchanges, culminating in the Mazreku-Arbnori clash. “The President should be careful. He should not interfere in other institutions, creating artificial tensions,” Gjinushi said. It is understood that Meidani has blocked the “against genocide” law that Parliament approved a month ago. Gjinushi and Meidani have also disagreed over the position to be taken toward local government. “I know it better than Meidani,” Gjinushi said, explaining his call for new local elections. Gjinushi also responded to Hajdari’s attacks. “He should stop playing the hero. The incident has provoked Mazreku’s primitive regret, not political reasons,” Gjinushi said. Gjinushi even accused Hajdari of being the one who organized the political assassinations. “Let me remind you of the armed attack that took place in Ura Vajgurore,” Gjinushi counterattacked. On page 2 Mejdani and Gjinushi at the Presidency (Photo: P. Ilo)

Visas, the cause of the commotion TIRANA — Visas have angered 500 citizens outside the Italian Embassy. The crowd caused disorder and commotion in front of the diplomatic mission, prompting police to intervene. “For more than three hours we spoke to people through a megaphone, explaining how they would get their visas,” Fation Softa, head of the Objects Division, told Gazeta yesterday. But people, pushing one another in line to find out something about the visas they were expecting, forced the police to intervene. The police pushed the people toward the INIMA building. One citizen nearly caused an incident with the building’s guard, but it was averted. On page 10

The “special” designation removed from 326 others IN SAUK, THE PEOPLE WHO HELP THE POLICE DURING UNREST WERE PUT TO THE TEST TIRANA — “You are not cut out for this job,” around 300 members of the special unit were told in Sauk after a test conducted by the Ministry of the Interior. The unit tested was called the “Police Assistance Battalion” and had been formed by Murosmani during the unrest to support police forces in dealing with the tense situations in March. After the test, only 14 people remained in the unit. As part of the restructuring of the army and police, the special forces were tested. The inspection was carried out by specialists from various fields within the Ministry of the Interior. The turn came also for an important unit hastily formed by Murosmani during the March unrest. This unit, based in Sauk, was the “Police Auxiliary Battalion.” It consisted of about 340 people who had been recruited without any particular criteria, as the situation demanded. A few days ago, the Ministry of the Interior inspection team also went to Sauk, where the hastily recruited special-unit members were tested. They were assessed in every respect, starting with admission requirements, physical measurements, age groups, education, and so on. Ministry officials judged that of the 340 people in the unit, only 14 who passed the test should continue working. Similar tests will be carried out in turn across all the armed forces to select personnel for their future duties. Photo: Special forces

Everything from Saturday’s football On pages 11-12

Police: Here’s why we won’t let them take to the streets TIRANA — “We agree to a rally, but not with these demands.” This was the response given by the head of the Tirana Police Directorate at a meeting held yesterday with representatives of Sude’s creditors. The meeting took place after a written request to hold a peaceful rally and for the Government to provide a solution to their problem. “We will notify them of these conditions after the meeting to be held on Monday with these creditors and Interior Minister Çeka,” said the deputy director of the Tirana Police. [partly illegible] Sudia On page 3

FIER Oil price rises Pumps close On page 9

TIRANA On page 2

TIRANA On page 2

LAÇ On page 9