CONTROVERSY Replies to Agolli, Nano and others... Edi Rama So, yes, I follow political life very closely from Albania. For several reasons, it is now impossible for me to sever my ongoing connection with it, as many others have done: people who, since deciding to build a life outside Albania, know little about what is happening in our country and, in most cases, whatever they do know is connected with the horrific aspects of recent times—with the killings and robberies they hear about when they speak by phone with parents or family members who have remained in their homeland, grim deeds that naturally do not encourage them to think and dream about their country. As for me, although I now live entirely outside Albania, for better or worse, I have never wanted or been able to see my departure as an escape, with my back turned to everything that connects me to the place where I was born and where I have memories of a long part of my life. I am now in the preliminary preparation process for two artistic projects connected with Albania and Vlora, which, if everything goes as I wish, will come to life in Vlora, where I will certainly have to spend several months. Anyway. Why have I been silent? I have often written, but, in fact, I have not known what to tell the public about the things that have been on the tip of my tongue. Perhaps I am not particularly eager to speak, also because of the bad taste left by the Albanian press of recent times; it takes a great deal of patience to find an article worth reading. I admit, with a certain bitterness in my words, that even though I had no illusions, Continued on page 11

Arbnori and Meksi side with their colleague: We should not rush Berisha expels Shehu PD leadership: He should no longer be an MP The former chairman is accused of serious financial violations TIRANA - Tritan Shehu’s future in the PD is hanging by a thread. At the upcoming meeting of the National Council, the Democrats’ leadership is expected to put forward a proposal to expel the former chairman from the parliamentary group and, automatically, from membership in the Democrats’ largest body. The reasons for this harsh measure are linked to the old story of a financial audit of the party

GAZETA of Shkodra TIRANA - Zef Gjoni will be investigated in connection with the Ura Vajgurore incident. The Berat Court yesterday ordered the boxing coach’s detention in prison. According to prosecutors, the 50-year-old organized the 17 members of this gang. Gjoni admitted that he knew some of the defendants, but denied the accusation that he had formed the gang. Prosecutors will appeal the order placing Gjergj Deda under house arrest. On page 6

The Hawk In opposition, but with rules just as if he were in power. Sali Berisha, the country’s former President, wants to inject this old power complex into his own blue headquarters, which bears no resemblance to the Presidency in architectural style. But for Berisha, the premises from which he leads do not matter; it is enough for him to have his own office, a secretary, several drivers, and a few subordinates who obey him—and, most importantly, for a crowd of people (who are always there) to gather when he gets out of his car and enters the office to work, with this ritual repeated every day. No danger can threaten the former President now, who seems in no way tired by the heavy and successful burden of power. His iron hand will now take institutional form, and Berisha will calmly consider how to reclaim his most glorious days, when he gathered thousands of people in the squares every day. This is because Berisha continues to have a great sensitivity for squares, especially central ones, and would under no circumstances agree to go to some outlying venue, such as behind the Dinamo stadium, where his deputy Pollo is the protagonist and is increasingly being talked about by DP militants. And this is understandably not looked upon favorably by Berisha, who has finally decided who his successor will be. But many things have changed now, and Berisha does not think that others regard him as they did in the spring of last year. The DP has begun to take to the road, and that is no small thing—not least in Vlora, where Berisha’s fatality was provoked, and where he had previously been ready to fight others. The myth, meetings with the electorate, and so on have restored the opposition’s hope that the day when the Democrats come to power is not far off. It seemed that Berisha too believed he might one day have the chance to govern the country. Meanwhile, preparations have begun with new regulations that essentially embody Berisha’s ambitions to be all-powerful in that small headquarters, with a handful of people whom he himself has chosen according to his preferences. To think that orders from above might be reversed in the DP would sound excessive, since on the surface there appears to be no contradiction at all. Berisha himself has inspired a democratic spirit, against which all those who try to violate the unwritten principles may break their heads. But if until yesterday the principles were understood, now they will be spelled out—even by command—to those concerned with regulations that set the standards of the EDP, which includes the DP. The victims of Berisha’s iron hand now recall with nostalgia the anti-communist opposition front of the early 1990s. A considerable number of individuals with different political backgrounds tried to create a new page in Albanian political life, but from the outset clan groups emerged, with particular ambitions for power. And the so-called new rules appeared; in fact, they were taken into the hands of those in power to eliminate anyone who might pose a threat. After rules inherited from the old isolationist politics of the dictatorship were installed, precedents involving hostile groups began to appear in Albanian politics, now backed by a cruel, manipulated spirit. Several years have passed, and the DP has also drawn on its experience in government, but these rules cannot be forgotten. The latter now herald a storm, which means that there will once again be hostile groups who, for one reason or another, do not deserve to be in the party—in short, because they do not think as they are supposed to think. Meanwhile, the hostile group is one individual named Tritan Shehu, who is in Italy taking a course in political training.

PAD leader: Why not do as the Italian coalition does? TIRANA — “The coalition should be formed like Ulivo.” Neritan Ceka has called for a new proposal for the allies following the recent controversies over changes in the government. The Liberal Democrats have declared themselves in favor of changes in the government, provided they are justified. PAD has insisted on another proposal: the coalition should draw up a new pact, establishing certain rules to govern relations among the allies. The Constitution: dispute over the death penalty TIRANA — Dispute in the Constitutional Commission over the fate of the death penalty. “I am in favor of the Constitution providing for the death penalty,” Sabri Godo also said. But other members of the Commission apparently did not share this view. Socialist Abdiu proposed adding the phrase “for very serious crimes,” which Godo also agreed to. But it was later decided that the Constitution would retain an ambiguous formulation stating that no one may be arbitrarily deprived of the right to life. On page 2 Pëllumbi in favor of the communists TIRANA — Servet Pëllumbi has come out in favor of legalizing the communists. “Pëllumbi [text unclear] in force; it is not democratic not to legalize them, especially since you have also asked the EC.” Pëllumbi ruled out any danger to the PS if the Communist Party were legalized. “There will be no split; only some member with communist convictions may leave, which would be good for the party.” The PS professor also issued a warning to Milosh and Hasani. “It is in our hands; if they engage in illegal activities, we will drive them underground again,” he said. On page 3 Tirana, the battle over counterfeit dollars TIRANA — Bajrami puts counterfeit dollars in the hands of the police. But also one person wounded by their weapons. The events in Shkozë were fatal moments that ended with just one victim. It all began after two young men stole a vehicle, one of whom was killed in a confrontation with the police. After the survivor was detained and his home searched, items were found there that the police might never have imagined. They amounted to 37,900 dollars, which initial expert examination found to be counterfeit. On page 5 Berisha. Shehu. Ceka.

TIRANA — Kondi reacts harshly to the head of the Court of Cassation. “Shehu’s statements were abnormal for a court president. Communist and ‘anti-communist’ militancy is being displayed by Shehu and his spiritual idol, Berisha,” says the country’s top judicial official. On page 4

GAZETA e Vlorës Nano’s people arrive in the port district VLORE — Following widespread criticism from the people of Vlora, the Government has “arrived” in Vlora. Deputy Prime Minister Fino, Malaj, Brokaj, and Vukaj spent Sunday in a meeting with the entire prefecture to discuss the problems and future of the whole coast. They promised development, but only if the situation remains calm from now on. Nevertheless, government officials presented projects in tourism, employment... On page 7

GAZETA e Durrësit Construction is damaging antiquity DURRËS — Antiquity in Durrës is threatened by construction. Excavators often bring fragments of broken statues or amphorae out of the ground while digging foundations. Construction is also taking place in areas where excavation was once strictly prohibited because of the underground treasures they conceal. But now no one is taking this into account. Buildings are going up in areas designated as museums as far back as 1980. On page 8

Skifteri In opposition, but with rules as if it were in power

at GAZETA SHQIPTARE Send your letters to: Rr. Dibrës 370, Tirana The Italian Consul answers in the pages of “Gazeta Shqiptare” Here are the names of the people whose visas to travel to Italy have been issued On page 12

TIRANA - The pyramid-scheme bosses and their close associates, after leaving most Albanians penniless, will themselves be left empty-handed. Prime Minister Nano has signed the decision adopted by the Council of Ministers while he was in Paris. The assets of 67 people will be placed under the administration of “Delotte & Touche” and seized for use in repaying creditors. In addition, there are 19 companies that had connections with, or were subsidiaries of, the five pyramid schemes. The lists include three victims of Alimucaj, his staff, and even his lawyer. Albanians are among those implicated, as are two Italian citizens and one American. Elisabeta Karabolli, too, was closely involved with the Albanian pyramid schemes. On page 9

Nano’s people