President writes to the Bezhani Commission: Here are my people and me The vetting officials will examine the past under the dictatorship of the country’s highest-ranking figures, including the President, the Prime Minister... President Rexhep Meidani TIRANA—The presidential file is opened. The storm raised by Nazif Bezhani, head of the political-purity commission, has reached the doors of the Presidency as well. But the presidential response was unequivocal: “Take them, here they are.” Thus, in recent days, the head of state Rexhep Meidani has submitted the names of all the staff, with his own name at the top. Indeed, sources at the Presidency say that the names of all the other employees of the presidential administration are also awaiting vetting. According to sources from the Bezhani Commission, the final decision concerning the President and his subordinates will be issued by February 15 only. The vetting of political purity by the Bezhani Commission has thus reached the state’s highest ranks. “It is true that all senior officials of the Presidency will be vetted,” the President’s adviser, Hroni, said yesterday. Meanwhile, other sources at the Presidency and the Bezhani Commission confirm that the names of the entire presidential administration arrived at the Vetting Commission’s offices some time ago for political screening. “It is true that the Presidency has submitted the names of all its members for vetting, including Mr. President,” Bezhani, chairman of the Commission for the Vetting of the Integrity of Public Figures, told Gazeta last night. According to him, no important state institution and no official will escape a renewed vetting of political purity. But first, Bezhani said, the relevant files must be examined. On page 3 6 On page 8 On page 11

TIRANA—Blerim Çela under accusation. “The file has been sent to the State Audit.” The statement was made to the prosecutor’s office by the current head of the State Audit, Mustafa Kërçuku. But yesterday the former chief auditor rejected the allegations, putting forward his counterarguments. “I couldn’t have been an archivist,” he says, according to whom others were responsible for that department. But rather than seeing it as a real accusation, Çela sees the campaign launched against him as an offensive aimed at denigrating former PD officials. The other side of the camp, however, has a different view. “Only with his signatures could files enter and leave the archives of the State Audit.” On page 6 Bezhani

ALBANIAN CUP Euphoria in Shkodër Fans: Partizani are in trouble After the draw in Tirana Shkodër fans TIRANA—Vllaznia are more fired up than ever for today’s match against Partizani. Despite the absences, the Shkodër side are confident. “Throughout the week we haven’t been able to train normally,” Dedja said, “nevertheless, we believe we’ll qualify. There are still 90 minutes to play, but if they don’t come closer to me”—he continued. The team has barred Shkodër’s private TV stations from broadcasting the match for free. “Pay 5 million old lekë if you want to broadcast it live,” they said, justifying their decision by saying that a live broadcast would reduce the number of fans. Hafizi has problems in defense. For the national team coach, the matches against Montenegro are also a test for the weakest department. Depending on the matches, he will experiment with a four-man defensive line and the usual three-man setup, as well as two attacking-minded wing-backs. Vata’s return as a stopper is interesting. On page 11

SHKODËR Oil smuggling with Montenegro again

Government decision yesterday. Increases will take effect in April For administration employees

SHKODËR On page 9

TIRANA - Gunfire and blood in front of “Berlin”. One person was killed and another wounded in an exchange of gunfire last night at around 19:45 in the former leaders’ residential quarter. A few metres from the Commercial Bank, a burst of automatic fire and several pistol shots brought the chase between two cars to an end. Terror caused by the gunfire in front of “Berlin”. Two cars exchanged fire, and the bullets killed a young man wanted for murder, who had escaped from prison during the March unrest. The so-called Boli of Elbasan, sentenced to 20 years in prison, was killed last night: Shpëtim Kolgjini. The victim had just left the “Vip-i” bar in the company of several friends. He was in a Mercedes-Benz with registration plate TR 4215 and was followed by an Opel with registration plate TR 5105. As the Mercedes carrying the victim reached the front of the “Berlini” restaurant, a burst of automatic fire was directed at it. Although the first Opel was torn apart halfway, the car was riddled with bullets; along with the victim, 22-year-old Helidon Mehmeti was also wounded. When the police arrived, a friend of the victim who had been in the Mercedes was detained at the scene, and the Opel that had unleashed the gunfire was found abandoned with two automatic weapons inside. er.di

Yesterday’s government decision. They will take effect in April TIRANA - Yesterday the government increased its own salaries by special decision. For all senior administration employees, from department directors to the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic, salaries will rise by between 40 and 100 percent. The salary increase for the highest-paid category of the state administration will be implemented in two phases. The first phase for the “VIP” group will follow the slogan “like everyone else”. For these two months, the salaries of government officials and senior administration managers will not rise by more than the overall average. On February 1, department directors, ministers and the state’s most senior officials will sign the payroll for salaries only 20 percent higher. To receive the rest of the increase—which, according to hierarchical rank, will be 40–100 percent—ministers and directors will have to wait until April 1. On page 9

An act of peace between neighbouring police forces KUKËS - Rare, but true. For the first time in the history of the two countries, Serbs are celebrating the Bajram holiday with Albanians. It happened in Kukës, where the permanent Yugoslav cross-border commissioner ate and drank, wishing all Albanians “Happy Bajram”. It was the first time that such a delegation of five Yugoslav police officials—including the head of the Prizren militia, the customs commander and three members of the permanent delegation—had visited our country in such a festive setting. But the most interesting thing was that the Serbs were the first to “break the ice”. They invited the Albanians to a somewhat informal ceremony for Christmas. Our side was represented by the director general of the border police, Colonel Gëzim Gogli, the head of the Kukës police station and officials from the Customs Police. It was a lunch lasting around three to four hours at the Gjallica Hotel. Everything was outside protocol; indeed, the head of the Serbian delegation, that is, the head of the Prizren militia, wished all the Albanian people a happy Bajram through Kukës’s private television station. The Serbs enjoyed the delicious Albanian cuisine—according to those present, it was a celebration—and noted the similarities between the traditions of the two countries. They later promised that such meetings would take place more often in the future. Jonuz Hallaçi

Danish Jukniu, the renowned painter, the man who, through his talent and kindness, has shaped generations of painters, continues to suffer. No longer as before in Albania, but in a foreign hospital, in Italy, where he is forced to wait alone, confined to his bed, for a difficult and costly operation. Just 10 million lire are needed to save the life of such a man. We, a group of friends and well-wishers of Danish, appeal to all Albanian public opinion, state institutions, foundations, and everyone who is able to help, to contribute toward raising this aid. Contributions can be sent every day to Gazeta Shqiptare, 370 Dibra Street, tel. 62646, fax, during the day from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. An auction of the painter’s best-known works will also be organized very soon. The money raised will be used to ensure that he receives treatment as soon as possible. Contributed yesterday 1- ISHRA AHMETAJ 2- NERITAN CEKA 3- VAJDAN LAME 4- ÇAPAJEV GJOKUTAJ 5- VALDET SALA 6- ARRI SALA 7- BUJAR KAPEXHIU 8- IRENA BUZALI 9- JORGI GJOKUPOLLI 10- RAMAZAN GJURA 11- BIRÇE HASKO 12- ZHANI ÇIKO 13- MIMOZA THANAI 14- ILIR HARTINI 15- ADMIR GJOKA 16- ROBERT RAJOLA 17- FUAT DUSHKU 18- ALBIA PAXHA (10 years old) 19- MARTIN LICA 20- REZITA LLAZHI 21- TEODOR KEKO 22- OLLA MAHMUZI 23- SPIRO LLO 24- ALTRED PEZA 25- HETIOR MIKJA 26- ANILA BASHKA 27- NUKEF? KONDOLI 28- BESI TULA 29- BASHKIM DERBISHI 30- AVNI HOXHA 31- FADIL H?DRA 32- FATOS T?RRI 33- …