Organized crime faces the blue uniforms. “New methods are needed” Police powerless: We can only do so much Police chiefs: The law must be strengthened, otherwise... Tusha and his colleagues in Durrës and Laç ask for help from the state and the public TIRANA - “If the law is not strengthened, we are powerless in the face of crime,” says the director of the Tirana Police, at a meeting with journalists. “Changing some of the legal provisions related to police work is absolutely necessary to prevent various criminal offenses. As for the numerous robberies taking place in many areas of Tirana, the police are doing important work to understand the criminal situation, a method that will certainly be very effective in the fight against crime,” Tusha continued. Almost the same things have also been repeated by other police directors in the districts. Similar accounts have also come from Durrës and Laç. On page 3

Fatos Baxhaku For a long time, there has not been such a divided and confused holiday. A few cycling races, concerts and solemn ceremonies are far too little to remind Albanians that on this day, beginning today, they will celebrate one of the best-known dates in their weary history. A flag barely fluttering, weighed down by the morning damp, other measures hastily taken by the municipal authorities, with the characteristic haste of protesters [?], and a few provocative sighs from state employees about this day off—this is what this year’s “Great November” is for Albanians. The politicians, this time too, have not “stayed away from the fray” [?]; they have made an admirable effort to turn even this day, which should normally be blessed by everyone, into a day of political battles. Apparently, as always, this time too they have achieved their aim. Here is why: 1. Just a few hours before the festive atmosphere was to begin, no one knew which decree the phrase “November 29, a day off” was based on. Many breathed a sigh of relief when they heard on state television the decree declaring it a day off and “Liberation Day.” One of them must surely have thought: “If Sali Meidani had said this a few days earlier, things would have been less complicated...” 2. The PD will not send anyone to Vlorë, the city of Independence. “Vlorë is a secret—we were told this by someone in the PD leadership—the party’s territory includes all of Albania, not just it” [?]. Such conduct on the part of a particular person also has a certain personal dimension [?]; the concrete decision concerns Ismail Qemali, who precisely in this city, in Vlorë, founded the state. Everyone knows that the people are commemorating and celebrating it today, and that it belongs to all of Albania; that hardly needs saying. But to say that Vlorë is no longer the symbol of Independence means that many people have taken on a very rare historical burden. 3. Politicians also have their own grudges against one another. But these run so deep that they do not even respond to one another’s courtesy invitations. A decision discussed last night at the PD leadership meeting was not to attend the traditional reception organized by President Meidani on the occasion of the National Holiday. Disagreements over the holidays have pushed them to organize a separate gathering, boycotting Meidani’s, where he will celebrate a holiday that is not theirs: November 29. Thus, with the help of the politicians, Albanians find themselves not only confused but also divided during a month in which they are usually accustomed to commemorating their most important holiday. A fine contribution by the young [?] of Albanian politics.

Monument to Independence in Vlorë

Kavajë, threaten with guns The entire telephone conversation of the arrested speedboat operators recorded hour by hour On page 7 Vrioni during the arrest

YESTERDAY: MEETING TIRANA - Who is to blame for the violence in our stadiums? No one and everyone together. No one, since nobody took responsibility for what happened in Durrës—not the home side, nor the police, nor the FSHF officials. Everyone, because all bear responsibility for what happened in Durrës and, more broadly, for everything that has happened so far on our football pitches. And yet it has a name, there is someone who must take responsibility: the Disciplinary Committees, at least according to those who took part in Deputy Minister Tartari’s meeting with club officials.

BK complaint

Writes to the Prosecutor’s Office

TIRANA - “People have been calling me, in fact I have nothing to do with that story.” The man who called the newspaper’s editorial office yesterday, alarmed, had the same name as [the person in the story]; since he really has no connection with the speedboat story, the editorial office clarifies for everyone concerned, who may find their namesakes in the pages of newspapers, that it is an impossible task to find everyone.

TIRANA - Investigations into thefts carried out through loans. The Savings Bank has reported a citizen who had obtained a loan from the state using forged documents. But the story does not end there. Dozens of complaints of this kind have reached the prosecution authorities, complaints that reveal an entire network of fraudsters. Some time ago, a citizen from Tirana received a loan of 80 million old lek, securing it with two properties. Time has passed, and the Bank’s employees have found it necessary to inspect these two properties.

Writes to the Prosecutor’s Office TIRANA - Rrapush Xhaferri reappears in the forgotten world of Albanian pyramid schemes. The former boss of the “Xhaferri” foundation has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office, and Arben Rakitpi personally, to lift the arrest measure against him. “I will return all the money; I am ready to work for it,” Rrapushi writes in his letter. Despite his insistence, nothing will change for Rrapush. “Letters don’t convince anyone,” he says. Xhaferri

TIRANA - “Mazreku is our deputy.” While the trial of the deputy who carried out the attack was taking place in Tirana, his voters compared him to Avni Rustemi. Cheers and heated debates accompanied yesterday’s replacement of Mazreku as head of the PS branch in Has. While Gafurr Mazreku was taking his seat in the dock, another “trial” was under way at the conference of the PS branch in Has. Following the instruction to replace all district chairmen who had been elected as deputies, Mazreku’s successor was to be voted on at yesterday’s conference. The arrival in the hall of the delegate Luan Shahollari, who, as usual, was welcomed by Doli, was accompanied by shouts and ovations for Mazreku. “Has has two heroic deputies, Avni Rustemi and now Gafurr Mazreku,” said those who took the floor. Backed by the audience, the speakers firmly demanded that Nano grant an amnesty; they praised his contribution and expressed their indignation, refusing to accept any other deputy. The most heated point of the meeting was Mazreku’s removal from the leadership post of the district PS. After hours of calm debate, the council was elected by the deputy’s own family; Veliu i Mazrekut was elected a member of the party leadership. On behalf of the arrested Veliu, he called for the resignation of the PS chairman. Those opposing the family’s move called for the vote to continue. Two of the five proposed candidates withdrew. Mr. Vata Rrethep Ballmi was elected head of the district PS. The other candidate, Milazim Kabashi, called for the vote to be repeated. “The vote did not exceed 50 percent. These are methods of the PPSH,” he said. The attacker Mazreku

The high school’s 35th anniversary brought us together in its courtyard. Having come back after all this time, perhaps this was one of the few times we passed through the gate without fear of grades, but not without emotion. Of the long list of former students and teachers, those who were present recalled the happy years. The high school’s 35th-anniversary ceremony ... Adea Meidani, yesterday during the anniversary (Photo: Plator Ilo)

A week ago at the Directorate, few seemed likely to cross the threshold. Perhaps this time, too, they had come to the school only with memories. Nevertheless, the President of the Republic had not forgotten; he had been “successful” at the “qemals” celebration. He arrived at the celebration at around nine, accompanied by former student Leonit Çuci. The ceremonies, which began with his arrival, focused on the inauguration of the new library and the promotion of the book “Dicka,” featuring works by young writers. Meidani wrote this note in the visitors’ book: “On the occasion of the 35th anniversary, I wanted to imagine the unimaginable and accomplish the impossible for the good and prosperity of the country and for the future of our children.” The ceremony continued at the Army Cultural Center with an artistic performance, artistically directed by Adea Meidami and Ermelinda Çakalli. In the concert hall, former students mingled with students, former teachers with teachers, and former principals with principals. Even so, the last generation of those who chewed gum at school, wore jeans, and listened to a Walkman managed to find common ground with the generations of the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, now 35 years after the high school’s founding. The concert opened with a polyphonic song and ended with a breakdance performance. Mirjam Koligj

On page 8

TIRANA - “People are driving me crazy by yesterday, alarmed, had the same name as the person involved in the latest speedboat arrest, Naim Elezi, and, for the sake of confidentiality, was the same age, 40. Clarifying that the caller office informs of newspapers, that it is impossible to find everyone across the entire territory of Albania who has the same first and last name. What matters is not being involved in such things; the rest is for Justice and conscience to clarify, of course.