THE FADE DEPOSITORS’ REVOLT / Today is protest day. “Sudja” is waiting only for the Police Director’s final word “Let Sudja march” Ceka says “yes” to 20,000 people. Tusha is undecided The government remembers those who lost their money. Fino writes to the disappointed: “I want a meeting.” The association: “O.K., but without Malaj” TIRANA - The Interior Minister meets Sudja’s disappointed depositors and says “yes” to their request to take to the streets. Yesterday, a delegation representing thousands of creditors arrived at Neritan Ceka’s office; he himself had asked to meet with them. “We will not budge on our demands regarding the schedule, duration and choice of protest squares,” the heads of the Sudja association told the minister. The minister responded positively and, moreover, encouraged the creditors to continue with their protest. Just a few days ago, the people who lost money in Sudja’s pyramid scheme warned that they would begin protesting on October 1. Today is precisely the day they themselves had set to begin their march through the streets of the capital. “It was a very fruitful meeting, and we believe we will also receive the approval of the other competent authorities.” Photo: Franz Gustinchi

For those who will pay VAT Linda Spahia TIRANA—A great deal has been said about VAT, almost by everyone except those who will pay it. There is a certain argument for it, with people calling it a necessary measure to overcome the crisis. The representatives of the IMF have spoken in favor of it: they called for an increase and then congratulated the Government for raising it. Opposition MPs have spoken, criticizing it. Economists have said it is not the golden key to getting out of the crisis. Traders have complained, saying they cannot afford it. The only ones who have not spoken, but who will pay it starting today, are consumers. In fact, traders themselves support VAT on the state’s behalf. However much it increases, they will raise prices to protect their profits. According to all the traders, if they were honest and did not speculate, the price increases would be felt some time after VAT came into force, not some time before. Starting today, we will begin hearing in shops: “VAT has gone up,” as an excuse for high prices. We used to hear “the dollar has gone up,” and afterwards, even though that was not the real reason, prices went up by so much—or so the claim went. The VAT excuse becomes law today, while the new goods entering customs with 20 percent VAT will take weeks to reach the shops. In any case, traders have thought to prepare their customers. If all traders were honest and did not speculate, the price increases would be felt some time after VAT came into force, not some time before. Starting today, we will begin hearing in shops: “VAT has gone up,” as an excuse for high prices. We used to hear “the dollar has gone up,” and afterwards, even though that was not the real reason, prices went up by so much—or so the claim went. The VAT excuse becomes law today, while the new goods entering customs with 20 percent VAT will take weeks to reach the shops. In any case, traders have thought to prepare their customers.

On page 4

“Excise duties returned by Meidani: Nano’s fault” Yesterday the Socialist parliamentary group reviewed the bill TIRANA - “The Government is to blame.” Socialist MPs have decided that the blame lies with the law returned by Meidani. “The President is right. The Government has violated the law. The excise duties will be approved in accordance with the President’s findings,” the Socialist parliamentary group decided. PS MPs have arbitrated the latest disagreement between the Government and the Presidency. In this dispute between two institutions elected by their own party, the pink-shirted MPs sided with Meidani. At the meeting held yesterday at noon at their headquarters, the majority MPs decided what position they would take on the excise-duty law they themselves had approved in May. To avoid the confrontation that could arise, they decided to approve it in accordance with Meidani’s findings. To avoid the disagreements recently observed in the contradictory positions of the majority group, the MPs called for the immediate approval of the parliamentary group’s rules of procedure.

A meeting at the Farnesina the day before yesterday TIRANA - In the context of European standards, Minister Dini, an official of Albanian diplomacy, [text garbled] the appointment of a representative of a democratic normalization and his support for relations between Albania and the development of the path toward democratic normalization of European relations. Gjinushi expressed his wish that this process might continue at the same pace in all other sectors, in accordance with European standards. In this context, Minister Dini emphasized the importance of reciprocal relations between Albania and a normal, democratic [entity], which would also be helped by the return of all democratic forces as participants in Parliament, as well as by a healthy and democratic dialogue that would allow the adoption of extraordinary measures and the enshrinement of democratic principles recognized throughout Europe.

BY PIRO MISHA On page 8

THE MUNICIPALITY GRANTS THE PERMIT, BUT THE OWNER HALTS EVERYTHING Mother Teresa’s house is demolished The building had been constructed up to the second floor TIRANA. Mother Teresa’s house is being demolished. After the building of the charity mission had been constructed up to the second floor, the owner—the builder of the Assembly, it is claimed—[text garbled] continued to do so. Thus, the poor and the elderly will have to wait a long time, while the Municipality [text garbled] permits. The owner’s building [text garbled] is finally on the third floor. The Municipality has granted permission to build on a plot on “Nënë Tereza” Street, beside the Lana. The 450-square-metre plot was provided by the church, and the house is to be built [text garbled] over 10 years, on a plot that appears to be four times the size. Although Mother Teresa’s charitable mission had begun building the house [text garbled] for orphans and the poor in need, after the house for the poor had been rebuilt up to the unfinished second floor, a suspension of the works was ordered. The KRT branch has identified the owner of the plot, who has filed a request with the Tirana court to have ownership of the land recognized. Everything at the construction site has been suspended, and two charitable missionaries have begun [text garbled] in the life of the city. At this house, the elderly and the poor [text garbled], in pursuit of the city’s objectives. After the services were extended through hearings, the court of first instance ruled: “The land shall be returned to its owner and construction of Mother Teresa’s charitable mission house shall be suspended.” In this way, all those in need, for whom the mission would have extended a helping hand, will have to wait a long time, while the Municipality [text garbled] on land without an owner. The whole world was moved by the great work of the missionary of peace. The image of Mother Teresa, as an ambassador for the poor throughout the world, crossed the borders of every country and faith. We ourselves were proud of the missionary’s image; it was not only Kalashnikovs, but also this daughter of a small nation in the Balkans. Someone suggested that she deserved to be laid to rest in the homeland of her ancestors. Meanwhile, word came that the Benefactress’s mission in Albania could not even build a charity house. It seems the missionaries will have to climb the steps of institutions many more times to bring help to those in need. Erjon Tara

“Teen fest” in Shkup presents its competition awards TIRANA - Enxhi Nini was named the best performer of 1997 at the youth festival of Albanian light music held in Shkup. Together with the group “Spirit voice,” she marked the high point of Albania’s representatives at an event of this kind, which was also the occasion for Adelina Ishmajl. The festival featured six young performers from among the Albanians of Macedonia. The [text garbled] of the well-known lyricist Agron Berisha won “Teen fest.” Erzana Berisha performed the song “Iluzion.” “This is now an event of particular value for young performers and for Albanian light music in general.” This is what the composer of the group “Spirit Voice,” Alban Karabashi, told Gazeta Shqiptare. The performance of “Dëshirat tona,” with lyrics by Alqi Boçi, also demonstrated Enxhi Nini’s good interpretation. [Text garbled] declared her the best performer of the year at “Teen fest.” “After coming second five years ago at the spring concert, this is the best moment of my career,” Nini said briefly yesterday.

Kapshticë Bus overturns: 7 victims On page 5 After the revolts SHIK returns to Vlora On page 6 Shkodër “Special units are not here for a stroll” On page 5