From pen pistols to ministers held hostage SPECIAL / The history of the combine that buried over 370 workers TIRANË—Black plumes of smoke are rarely seen over the sky of Poliçan, where the country’s only Military Combine is located, while weapons of every size are produced for all four corners of the globe. The state seems to have left the military giant in silence, a giant that has cost the poorest nation in the Balkans billions of lekë. While work has still not resumed normally, workers anxiously await the end of the month, hoping they will receive their wages this time too. During its 33-year history, the Combine, with the appearance of an iceberg whose largest part is buried at the foot of “Tomorri,” bears the labor, sweat, and blood of tens of thousands of people. From distant China to the French, Swiss, Austrians, and others, attempts have been made to bring the Albanian armaments colossus under control, but apparently in vain. On page 4

Lessons in democracy! ARIAN ÇANI The American Embassy in Tiranë (last week) is not at all pleased with the Albanian press, both print and electronic. Yesterday, in a statement sent to the newsrooms of the main newspapers, the Embassy commented: “Articles that have appeared recently in several Albanian newspapers and on several Albanian stations concerning the residential property of the American Embassy suffer from a serious failing: none of the newspapers or media editors who have mentioned this issue have bothered to contact the Embassy. Without taking the time or making the effort to try to obtain a complete picture of the matter, these journalists should set the first example in this regard. 2) American journalists who have written about the Nixon or Clinton affair have done their job by relying only on their trusted sources, without going to ask Nixon or Clinton what they think about their own cases. 3) The Embassy’s dispute with the owner of the property falls entirely within the jurisdiction of the Albanian courts, regardless of how great or small their credibility may be in public opinion. The Albanian press cannot and must under no circumstances turn itself into a second judiciary. 4) The press cannot and does not wish to decide who was right or wrong concerning a serious issue: none of the journalists or editors at the media outlets that have mentioned this matter has bothered to contact the embassy. By not devoting a complete picture of the matter, these journalists are doing a great disservice to the entire Albanian public, as well as to their readers and viewers... This is what the US Embassy’s statement says, just one day after the Albanian court’s decision in favor of the owner of the land. The embassy’s reaction to the Albanian press and mass media seemed unexpected and absurd. Wishing to clarify matters for the diplomatic representation of a great and democratic country, as well as for its readers who have followed the aforementioned matter closely, our response is this: 1) The press in every country in the world is free and cannot be given orders or advice. And the Embassy, whether... their credibility in public opinion. The Albanian press can decide who is right or wrong in connection with the land matter. But the Embassy is surely seriously mistaken when it seeks to give lessons in journalism, when it can and should give lessons in democracy. Instead of reacting this way toward the Albanian press, the Embassy would do well to reconsider the possibility of reopening its doors, which have been closed for three months. Instead of giving lessons and advice to the Albanian press, the US Embassy would do well not to further obstruct the already heavy traffic of the poorest capital in Europe by placing dreadful concrete blocks on one of Albania’s key roads.

Law-and-order officials: This is the only way to atone for the failings of Justice TIRANË—When the courts are not strong enough to punish criminals, the creation of secret death squads has come to be seen as necessary by career officers as well as personnel who confront crime every day. Outraged when they see the next day that criminals they have arrested are free, an increasing number of law-enforcement personnel have called for the creation of execution squads for those who have gone too far. On page 16

The purge against the “meritocrats” begins

TIRANË—A row over the leadership of the Socialist Party. At the beginning of the meeting called yesterday evening, Islami once again complained that Nano was absent. “He should have been present for many reasons,” the former number two in the Nano government is reported to have said. Islami stated that continuing the meeting without the presence of the Socialist Party chairman would be inappropriate. Immediately afterwards, Islami walked out of the meeting, leaving the Socialist Party headquarters in a somewhat demonstrative manner. “I had a dinner that was more important than a leadership meeting without the chairman,” Islami said late last night, contacted by telephone by “Gazeta Shqiptare,” further confirming reports that there had been a debate at the PS leadership meeting. “I was told later that there had been arguments after I left, but that is normal,” the former Deputy Prime Minister said. The PS leadership meeting, chaired by Majko, was mainly intended to discuss the draft Constitution, but it seems that things did not go as the Socialist leaders had planned after the dispute with Islami. As a result, it was left unfinished, and it was decided that everything would start again on Monday at another leadership meeting, which PS Chairman Fatos Nano is expected to attend in person. For several days, Nano has been criticized by the press and politicians, including within the PS, for his prolonged absence from public life after resigning as Prime Minister. The KPD meeting two weeks earlier was the only event Nano had attended recently; a few days later he left, mysteriously disappearing from the political scene and the PS headquarters. B.Z./L.B.

Photo with visible text: “Godo” and “mission” Godo mission

Majko and Meta apparently do not trust themselves to work with Nano’s advisers. Sources from the Prime Minister’s Office confirm that the Prime Minister and his deputy have drawn up lists for the dismissal of all the staff of the previous Prime Minister. Gramoz Pashko had already been dismissed by Nano himself. On his last day in office, Nano signed the dismissal of the man who had preferred to leave the USA to become the Prime Minister’s economic adviser. On page 3

Berisha: I agree with Majko TIRANA – A weekend packed with diplomatic talks seems finally to have brought light at the end of the tunnel of the Kosovo crisis. The European Parliament has published a resolution in which, for the first time, it unanimously expresses its support for the decision of the Security Council, which permits the use of military force, backs NATO in its preparations for armed intervention, and calls on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to investigate the accusations of crimes against humanity and war crimes against Millosheviç. On page 15 GAZETA SHQIPTARE new edition in just 6 DAYS

Here are the numbers of the fake passports On page 10 Today: Super League, crossword and entertainment On page 12 Here are the names on the Italian visas On page 16

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GAZETA of Tirana On page 5 GAZETA e Durrësit Holidays in the Police Force; Petro Koçi’s people arrive On page 7 GAZETA e Shkodrës The Austrians flee: the city is left without water On page 6

EURO 2000 / Special coverage of 19 matches On pages 13–14