OPINION / WHAT UNITES THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION Bujar Xhaferri It is truly very sad to observe that the man-as-body has now abandoned the practice of physical prowess in order to build a role as political protagonist or satrap in an office. But the man-as-body is no longer a samurai or a sports subordinate who exercises every day to maintain a respectable weight in his trousers and avoid excess fat and the appearance of an unattractive belly. On the contrary, the man-as-body is now the individual who swells up every day, leaving something behind in his trousers and below his navel, because of excessive doses of alcohol, the gases from countless beers, and a pathological appetite for eating all kinds of spaghetti. This monster, with muscles and a premature belly that sometimes looks like a sphere of [unclear] with reversed and distorted symmetry, often appears as a friend of political power and high-ranking state officials, and is then, sadly, seen in a second-rate seat of power. The transformation of a muscular individual from a being who ought to perform physical tasks into an office-made-up figure or state personality, as happens in the government led by Nano, is undoubtedly the most conspicuous phenomenon, if not the greatest change, to have occurred among Albanians. Thus, the urge to rule slips like a bout of rheumatism from the cortex of the human brain to the hind limbs, not to mention the muscles and shins of stallions. The party press, on both sides, often turns against the supposed supremacy of the left over the right or vice versa, but at its core the charge is older and cruder: it is the charge of muscle over mind, of force over reason. For almost a decade, the state-government has been hostage to rulers who are skilled manipulators, of the Nano and Meksi kind, and to the phantom bellies and muscles revolving around them. Perhaps for the first time in human history, the man- …that … made … Brojka … of Kishil- … kem to … tor. … is … which … in ngan- … also … are … which … are in … sometimes … the elements of … phenomenon … togeth- … the rules of … in fact, … the elements … city- … to young

INTERVIEW / The minister replies: They want to hide smuggling Parliament decides today Ceka, the “apple of discord” between the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s Office On page 8 TIRANA - Sabit Brokaj launches a fierce attack on Nano. “I will take legal action against the person who spoke against me on matters of morality.” The Minister of Defense has agreed to make public some of the government’s behind-the-scenes dealings, in which he was offered Ceka’s post at the Ministry of the Interior. “But this was a ploy to eliminate both of us, me and Ceka,” said Brokaj, who agreed to speak to the newspaper. I request the remaining mention [text cut off at the end of the image].

POLITICS to eliminate both of us, me and Ceka,” Brokaj said, agreeing to speak to Gazeta Shqiptare, even though a reply of his to Prime Minister Nano on matters of morality had been published earlier. But Brokaj cannot in any way accept having been involved in scandals of the Clinton kind, as Pandeli Majko said during the Defense Minister’s fierce speech. Brokaj does not address the accusations directly, since he will deal with them legally; instead, he focuses on the mechanisms of the PS leaders, who, according to him, are making a mockery of the power the people gave them. TIRANA - Arta Dade defends herself against criticism. “I have worked well; there are no reproaches against me; I clarified the ambiguities at the meeting.” But the Minister of Culture is still unsure about her fate. “I do not know what will be decided. That is up to the Prime Minister, since he has a full mandate to make changes,” Dade said. She added that the work of her department was not as presented in the review. “We are establishing the complete legal framework for all the structures we oversee, which did not exist before,” Dade said. The minister, who is also a member of the PS leadership, expressed some reservations about the Prime Minister’s work, particularly regarding the organization of the executive. “I made some criticisms of Nano over certain shortcomings in the way the government’s work is organized,” the minister told Gazeta Shqiptare about the debate she had on Monday at the Socialist KPD meeting. On page 2 On page 3

FIER - The special forces uniforms are bloodied. Two police officers from the “Brisku” special unit, Drini Haxholli, 27, and Artur Resuli, 22, were killed at daybreak yesterday during a police operation to capture the much-wanted Bujar Sulj in the village of Levan in the Fier district. Sulj refused to surrender and fired an automatic weapon, and even an antitank weapon. He was subsequently neutralized by other police forces. The bodies of the two men were taken to Fier and then to Tirana, where a memorial ceremony was held. Those attending included President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, Interior Minister Neritan Ceka, family members, friends and colleagues. On page 4 At yesterday’s funeral ceremony for the two special forces officers who were killed

SHKODËR GAZETTE SHKODËR - Kosovars arrive in the northern city. At least ten people have arrived in recent days from Hani i Hotit and across Lake Shkodër, using every means available. Among them is a member of the famous Jashari family. The 33-year-old woman has been staying in a home for a week and is awaiting a visit from her compatriots. On page 6

Teodor Keko When, almost a year ago, Nano entered Parliament in triumph, few believed that eight months later he would find himself under a rain shower, gentle, certainly, but enough to leave him soaked. Few knew his fundamental weakness: he did not know how to choose his associates. Today Nano is indeed in a very unfavorable position. He clearly called for drastic changes to his government cabinet. Whether he is right or not does not matter much, because his sword is merely theatrical and cannot cut off heads unless President Meidani himself agrees to remove the ministers. When Nano came into conflict with Meidani, he miscalculated. He forgot Meidani’s “little tricks,” and now, as he awaits his signature on the long-awaited document, he feels powerless. It seems that our unblemished President, with no grease stains on his jacket, has now quietly and gently entered the big arena, and he is not the sort to yield easily. Logic suggests that Meidani will ask Nano for two things: changes, with all the coalition’s political leaders first agreeing, and the removal of two ministers from the cabinet: Fino and Malaj. If the game is really played this way, then Nano is in a threefold crisis: presidential, governmental and party-political. The last of these arises simply because Nano made clear which of his ministers he wants to remove and which names he prefers as replacements. Is there a way out of this crisis, which has nevertheless put Nano in a tight spot? The easiest solution seems to be for Nano to seek a vote of confidence for the Socialist ministers from the Steering Committee and the parliamentary group. That would strengthen party control over the government and turn Nano into a kind of fortress, laughing like a Chinese man in the party whenever he brought up a name from Berisha’s side. Will the red party man accept this kind of double restraint? If we take into account that he is a politician, he will accept it. But even this is not enough to get rid of the coalition partners Nano dislikes, because Ceka and Gjinshtun will not sign the compromise, and if they do not sign, neither will Meidani. It seems Meidani has told Nano: “The ball is at my feet, so I’ll take the penalty.” In essence, this crisis will worsen. The fact that matters have reached the point where even the option of Nano’s return as a D’Alema is being discussed at the Socialist Peace Council shows that Nano, as a red Prime Minister, does not know how to maintain a balance among the pink factions.

Demolition operation begins in Tirana and the districts TIRANA - Anyone who has not managed to put the roof on an illegal construction or an extension to an apartment building will see it demolished. The Construction Police are launching today an operation to demolish illegal buildings, in cooperation with the security forces, army bulldozers and local government. The demolition teams will consist of workers and army bulldozers, accompanied by 7–8 police officers. Following the interministerial meeting on Saturday a week ago, fines and suspension orders have begun to be issued to companies that do not comply with technical regulations or the original plans. At the center of the demolition teams’ work will be all shop extensions or commercial premises that have not yet put up their “roof.” In recent days, the Construction Police have identified illegal buildings in many districts of the country, including Tirana, Vlora, Shkodra, Elbasani, Korça, Berati, Lezha and Durrësi. In Tirana, the operation will begin on the main roads, such as Kavaja Street, Durrës Street, Muhamet Gjollesha Street (on the Ring Road) and Bardhyl Street. On page 9

VLORE - Vlora residents are ignoring the “Njëjla” commission. Few families have appeared before this commission during the days it has been in Vlora. This follows the precedent it set on its first visit, when residents apparently did not take it very seriously. The commission will also remain in Vlora today for meetings. On page 7

DURRES - The Americans will build Durrës. Yesterday, the projects they will soon carry out in the city were made public. They include the expansion of Durrës, the construction of a large business center, as well as the renovation of the square in front of Telekom. During a meeting with the Municipality, they presented 35 projects to be implemented in the city. On page 8

To all respected shareholders of the ARAB ALBANIAN ISLAMIC BANK Invitation to attend the General Assembly Meeting and the Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting I have the pleasure of inviting all respected shareholders Assembly Meeting for the close of the 1997 financial year. The meeting will be held on April 28, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. in Tirana, at the premises of the ARAB ALBANIAN ISLAMIC BANK. The agenda will be as follows: 1. Approval of the Board of Directors’ Report for 1997. 2. Approval of the balance sheet and the profit-and-loss account. 3. Appointment of the External Auditor for 1998 and determination of their remuneration. 4. Discharge of the members of the Board of Directors from their responsibilities for the work they have carried out. 5. Report of the Religious Council. 6. Reduction of the Bank’s capital from US $20,000,000 to the realizable capital, in accordance with the recommendations of the External Auditor. (According to the agenda of the Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting) If you are unable to attend the meeting, please complete the relevant form, stating the name of the person who will represent you and vote on your behalf. With sincere regards, Ing. Suleiman Al-Kheralli Chairman