INTERVIEW / THE WELL-KNOWN WRITER TALKS ABOUT THE SINS OF THE POLITICAL CLASS After a longer absence, one of the few things on which Albanians today agree is the belief that most of today’s troubles originate in the irresponsible political class. A broad foreign public (I have in mind the well-informed public) thinks the same. I do not want to repeat the views that are often expressed about this class. What I often find unbearable in a large part of our politicians is their arrogance, their puffed-up airs, their posturing, their empty pride. It is clear evidence of their irresponsibility. The Albanian political class should stand with its head bowed before the Albanian people. Only after such an attitude should we hope that it has learned something from the tragedy we have been through. As for the people, only after that can we ask something more of them. Your statement that the Socialists should not be in a hurry to take power has been widely discussed. “I believe I said something wrong. Not rushing to take power is, in my view, one of the troubling blasphemies [that could help] lower the fever of this people. What I said yesterday about the Socialists, I say today about the Democrats. They should not rush towards power. Power taken prematurely is nothing but a misfortune. A serious opposition is one that prepares for a long time before taking the helm of the state. These two opposing sides are insanely impatient. Three weeks after one side takes power, the other demands new solutions. Such a catastrophic pace leads to taking power by force, and thus to the burial of democracy. If we Albanians sincerely accepted the principle that the rest of the world has long understood—that democracy’s main mission is precisely the peaceful transfer of power from one class to another—that could be the foundation of our future. This is the very basis. If democracy were to guarantee us this, it would have [text cuts off]…” Continued on page 4 Ismail Kadare

Six seriously injured Tragedy at sea Speedboats collide Nine victims They were heading for Italy A survivor recounts from the hospital: “We would have reached the Italian coast in a few minutes, but death was lying in wait for us.” The body of the 18-year-old from Fier has been identified, while the two men from Kavajë are still in the morgue at Vlora hospital without any identification documents. On page 7

“Our aim is to sideline the Prime Minister” Disgruntled members from the districts back the former ministers The ousted Dade, Brokaj, Sherifi and Përpali form the new group PS: Faction against Nano “Our aim is to sideline the Prime Minister” Disgruntled members from the districts back the former ministers TIRANA - A new faction is emerging within the PS. Arta Dade, Sabit Brokaj, Ndre Legisi, Lush Përpali, as well as a number of heads of PS branches in the districts, are expected to be the first echelon to attempt to break the unity within the Socialists’ pink headquarters. “Our aim is to remove Nano from the leadership because of his irresponsibility in leading the party and the executive.” This was said yesterday by one of the most active proponents of the new faction, who nevertheless asked to remain anonymous. According to other faction members, their aim is to shake the party out of its apathy and the role of the number-one leader, and give it new dimensions. Ruçi, however, has also commented calmly, saying that the PS needs serious factions, not artificial ones. On page 3

The Democrats’ new strategy TIRANA- Berisha is abandoning his fixed idea of forming a new government. TIRANA - Berisha is abandoning his fixed idea of forming a new government. The leader of the PD appears to have changed…

GAZETA of Durrës DURRËS - The calm sea of recent days has brought the military speedboats of the “Guardia di Finanza,” which has been stationed for months at the Port of Durrës, out on patrol. Friday and Saturday evening were marked by somewhat unusual incidents for the Italian-Albanian military crews. On page 8

GAZETA of Tirana TIRANA - Doctors return once again to …

TIRANA - Berisha is abandoning his fixed idea of forming a new government. of forming a new government. The PD leader appears to have changed his political compass, calling for the Socialists to remain in power for a long time. Although surprising, the idea has begun to take hold in the mind of the PD leader. His close associates have made this position of their boss known, although they have provided no further details about Sali Berisha’s surprising stance. On page 2 Berisha

Aiming to reduce smuggling and prices TIRANA - Smuggling is “wearing down” the state and forcing it to cut taxes on fuel. The effects this draft law is expected to achieve are twofold: motivating traders to pay taxes, and lowering the market price of diesel and gasoline. Under the Council of Ministers’ decision, the highest price at which diesel may be sold will be 70 lekë, down from the current 85. Other protagonists in smuggling will also benefit from tax cuts: cigarettes and coffee. On page 9 From the latest meeting of the PS

GAZETA of Tirana TIRANA - Doctors are once again being criticized, at a time when the first spark was a silent protest during the one-hour strike at Tirana Hospital. In the days that followed, controversy continued between doctors and health-sector figures over the complicated issue of accepting bribes in medicine. On page 5

GAZETA of Shkodër SHKODËR - Police in handcuffs, but also in the line of fire. Two officers in blue uniforms are under house arrest for abuse of office, while others have faced attackers’ bullets; killings have also occurred. May Day has not gone without bloodshed either. This time, the bullets were not aimed at anyone in particular. The latest victim is Dritan Berdica, 21, who was killed at 20:00. On page 6

TIRANA - New documents belonging to VEFA have been seized. Following the court’s decision two days ago, the prosecution issued an order to seize all documents at the headquarters of the lending company. The operation put a large number of police forces on alert, and they cordoned off the entire area around “Avni Rustemi” Square. The seized papers were intensively examined by prosecutors from the special team set up for this purpose. Meanwhile, it is reported that the prosecution will ask the Court of Appeal to review the 15-day detention of Alimuna. The measure handed down by the Court of First Instance surprised the investigators in this case. On page 9 Vehbi Alimuca in court

TIRANA - Investigations have begun into Gjallëcë’s dental clinic. The administrators have asked prosecution experts to help examine Dentalabë’s documentation. Investigators explain that numerous violations and abuses have been observed in the clinic’s operations, resulting in its severe financial difficulties. On page 9

TIRANA - The residents of Bathore are issuing threats. TIRANA - The residents of Bathore are issuing threats: “Beware, we will no longer be carrying hoes and shovels in our hands.” They have now made up their minds. If the Government does not do something to solve their problem, today at 12:00 they will block the national road. And situations could develop in all kinds of ways. A night of terror in Bathore last night. On page 9

LAÇ - The state is hitting the Superphosphate Plant in Laç. LAÇ - The state is hitting the Superphosphate Plant in Laç through its customs policy. “The reduction of customs tariffs on superphosphate from 20 percent to 5 percent has dealt a blow to domestic production at the plant, rather than the opposite happening,” [?] said ATSH, [?] of the plant in Laç. According to them, this decision would be justified only for products that are unavailable on the Albanian market. On page 9

KOSOVO PRISHTINA - Four more Albanian victims were added yesterday to the list of those killed by the Serbs. Three of them belong to the Gashi family. In addition to them, five other people were wounded. It all happened as fighting broke out yesterday in Drenica and Serbian police, supported by heavy weapons, exchanged fire with Albanians defending their villages. The fire from light and heavy weapons spread along the hills around 80 kilometers west of Prishtina. On page 11