FOOTBALL SPECIAL VLLAZNIA CLOSES IN ON THE TOP TIRANA AGAINST THE PENALTY On pages 20–23

AGAINST THE TAX On page 14

HISTORY/MEHMET SHEHU TO THE PARTISAN WOMAN: HE MASSACRED THEM Nearly two months had passed since the day Enver Hoxha had broken the agreement reached in Mukje, Krujë, between the military forces of the “Balli Kombëtar” organization and those of the Partisan Army, led by the Communist Party. The agreement stipulated that these two forces would engage in joint actions against the Italian and German occupying armies, which were then in Albania. This had exacerbated the conflict between them, bringing it as far as armed clashes, especially in the areas where the large partisan formations (the Brigades), which had only just been established, were operating. On pages 12–13

The President breaks the ice Meidani asks the opposition to return to Parliament. “The President is the guarantor of the country’s institutions and sees the institutions as the most appropriate places for developing alternatives and holding constructive debate.” On page 2

EDITORIAL Arian Çani When Majko’s Government came to power, its first concern seemed to be the state’s financial support for the Albanian police. Thus, a few weeks ago it was decided that all Albanians in employment, in both the private and public sectors, would pay 500 new lekë per month to help the police. To achieve this worthy aim, Majko had to find a “tricky” method that would double police officers’ salaries: through this 500-lekë tax, collected from Albanians, police officers’ salaries would be increased in the form of a monthly bonus. Only in this way would the IMF keep quiet and stop shouting about “favoring a particular segment of the population.” But suddenly, just when everything seemed to be going well, protests broke out among teachers in Lezhë and Elbasan and, as recently as yesterday, among doctors in Shkodër. These dozens and hundreds of people, who can barely make ends meet, with a ridiculous salary of around 10,000 lekë a month, are now refusing to contribute to help the police. “Why should we… Continued on page 4

Criminals found to be in a serious psychological condition must be isolated in a secure facility; otherwise, they will again pose a danger to society, even taking advantage precisely of their “status” as mentally ill people. This was stated yesterday by Tirana chief prosecutor Dolores Velaj, who said in connection with this issue that such people must be treated with rigorous care, in order to prevent the danger they pose and to give them the opportunity for mental rehabilitation, if possible. On page 5

SOLIDARITY TAX FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE Value: 1,000 lekë AA 028563