DOCUMENT / Five months before the March destruction... DENNY LANE Former adviser to Zhulalli In December 1996, the Albanian democracy that emerged after the Cold War turned into an illusion. Three months later, the Albanian Army was destroyed as a result of the widespread political and social unrest, apparently triggered by the collapse of the pyramid schemes, which plunged the country into anarchy. In fact, the collapse of the pyramid schemes was only the most visible manifestation of deeper and more complex problems within the leadership of the PD. This also included the departure from the PD not only of its founders, but also of its best and most idealistic members. The collapse has its roots in the PD’s election victory in May ’96. The results of that election were never seriously questioned, but the party’s decision to impose a majority marked the beginning of the decline of the governing process. It became clear after the election that “democratic” electoral procedures were used only to secure power, which was then used in undemocratic ways. Without a system that protects rights and sets institutional limits on central power, democracy can become a ticket to tyranny. Continued on page 11

Accusation by the Milan Prosecutor’s Office following telephone wiretaps Sensational statement from the Defense Committee: “The UÇK defended Albania. Now we must recognize it” Sensational statement from the Defense Committee “The UÇK defended Albania. Now we must recognize it” A super-mafia network has been uncovered by the Italian police. Among the long lists of names is a man well known in Albanian politics. Ritvan Peshkëpia has been declared wanted by the Italian prosecutor’s office. An Egyptian minister is wanted along with him. At this point, the number of people arrested is 100, including thirty Albanians. All those detained are accused of organizing armed groups engaged in drug trafficking [?]. According to investigators, they used cafés, restaurants, garages, or other commercial businesses as bases. Meanwhile, a group of Kosovo Albanians used money earned from drugs to buy weapons to send to their homeland. The Egyptian minister is accused of leading another group in this network, which was involved in money laundering through... [?] On page 2 A KLA soldier helping a Kosovar child at the border TIRANA — The Defense Commission met urgently in Tirana yesterday to review the measures taken by the Ministry of Defense in response to the situation that has arisen on the border with Yugoslavia. After the meeting, the commission’s deputy chair, Qilimi, said that “de facto, a state of emergency exists in the evacuated areas.” He then praised the Kosovo Liberation Army, adding that its existence had kept the Serbs from touching the Albanian border. “The KLA is an organized army; this is also demonstrated by the fact that it is standing up to the Serbian police and army, which is one of the strongest in the Balkans. We must recognize this army,” Qilimi concluded. (Photo: ANSA) On page 12

WORLD CUP FRANCE ’98 SPECIAL Chronicles, photos, curiosities, scenes and behind-the-scenes stories from the first day to the last of the World Cup. This is how “France ’98” has been followed in Albania On pages 13–15 The moment of Brazil’s second goal (Photo: ANSA)

Ruci: We can govern even without the PAD DOCUMENT TIRANA – A heated debate erupts within the coalition [?] smuggling. This time...

GAZETA of Durrës DURRËS – The Greeks are “setting their sights” on the Port of Durrës. The Minister of Transport and Telecommunications gives the largest Albanian port a “radioscopic examination.” On Wednesday morning, Minister Mancelis, together with the Greek delegation, became thoroughly acquainted with the Port of Durrës and its prospects. On page 8

Agim Isaku and Kujtim Çashku report to the Helsinki Committee what they saw and the accounts of refugees during their two days in northern Albania. A painful diary and an indictment of the absence of the State DOCUMENT On page 16

TIRANA - The debate within the coalition over smuggling has flared up again. This time, the protagonists have been two senior leaders of the main parties, Nano and Ceka. The Prime Minister had stated in the press that the PAD leader does not understand how government works, coming to the defense of Minister Malaj and the head of customs, Bleta. But Ceka immediately responded sharply to the chief. According to the liberal democrat, Nano is seriously mistaken to take this matter lightly, since, in his view, it could even call into question PAD’s position in the governing coalition. “If Nano wants to defend incapable people in the same way, people who have lost the battle against smuggling, he should be sure that this will cost him dearly,” Ceka concluded, further deepening the contradictions between the liberal democrats and the socialists. On page 3

SHKODER - A phone call came in at midday to the duty officer’s office at the city police station: “Four boys have just forcibly abducted a female neighbor of ours, put her in a Benz car with license plate Sh 7070 A, and we don’t know where they’ve gone. We know the boy who is the protagonist of this abduction.” On page 6

VLORË - He failed the exam and was looking for the teachers. A burst of gunfire by an educational institution shattered the calm of the examination. The incident occurred at the eight-year school in the village of Kërkovë. At around 12:00, the teachers, who were giving lessons at the school, were startled by a burst from a firearm fired at their feet. Amid the panic that had seized them, they managed to make out the face of the student, whose identity has not been disclosed. On page 7

Hajdari in Parliament: Meksi must give an account The law on distributing money to creditors is approved in Parliament TIRANA - The debate on transparency in Parliament has turned into a political debate between the PS and the PD. Meanwhile, yesterday, beyond their usual accusations, both sides acknowledged their responsibility in connection with the pyramid schemes that collapsed a year earlier. “It is true that you let them happen, but we did not speak up either. Both sides are jointly responsible,” Pandeli Majko stated. Azem Hajdari, for his part, acknowledged the PD’s responsibility and demanded that Meksi come and account for himself in Parliament. From the protests over the pyramid schemes On page 3

A KLA soldier helping a Kosovar child at the border (Photo: ANSA)

WORLD CUP ENCYCLOPEDIA / Today: installment No. 11

The list of people ready to leave The Italian visa “Sportello” at GAZETA SHQIPTARE Send your letters to: Rr. Dibres 370, Tirana The Italian Consul answers in the pages of “Gazeta Shqiptare” On page 16