“I don’t deal in hypotheses and abuses” TIRANA - “What is this invitation from Meidani?” Ramiz Alia preferred, regarding the matter that a few days ago stirred up a storm in Albanian politics—a meeting between three men who have led the Albanian state at different times—to treat it as a signal coming from the Presidency itself. But former President Alia also spoke clearly about it. “I am not aware of such an invitation,” he said, adding that one cannot act on the basis of hypotheses and speculation coming from various quarters. Alia believes that if such an invitation is made, he will accept it, but he nevertheless did not want to give an answer, preferring to cast a shadow of mystery over his future decision. On page 3 Alia

FACTIONS / Brokaj’s account: The program is still only on paper TIRANA - “They set Servet and me up through backroom dealings and clans.” Sabit Brokaj, now a military adviser to President Meidani, does not want to revisit or comment on the story of his past removal from the post of Minister of Defence. He makes some general criticisms of certain government failures and their connection with the way the Prime Minister organizes his work. Brokaj has also spoken about his future, which he sees within the Socialist Party, and has assured us that he will remain active, including by taking part in the upcoming election campaign. As for Pellumbi, he said that what they share is the expression in party and press of opinions different from those of the party chairman. On page 2 Brokaj

They must explain the origins of their wealth, or else... Smuggling, the old ailment, has pushed prices up Investigations into officials and senior civil servants who have declared more than $50,000 TIRANA - All officials who have declared assets worth more than $50,000 are being investigated. The information submitted by state officials has now been handed over to the Tax Department. After their declared properties or bank accounts have been verified, suspects will be referred to the prosecution service. Meanwhile, prosecutors will investigate all bank accounts containing more than $50,000. Former officials must convincingly justify the source of this income. Otherwise, criminal proceedings may be initiated against them. The scrutiny of these assets will also include deposits in foreign banks and income belonging to these officials’ relatives. TIRANA - Smuggling is a disease that brings benefits only to those who engage in it. Nor is the supposedly normal outcome—that prices should fall—visible anywhere. “Smuggling has not brought any price reductions,” say specialists at the Ministry of Finance. If smugglers were “honest,” an ordinary pack of “LM” cigarettes would cost 40 lekë, not 100. Fair competition, as traders outside [the system?] would have it? Thus, “unwittingly,” everyone becomes an expert at evading taxes. Someone takes to the mountains and pays to bring in ammunition or a [vehicle?] full of cigarettes. Another brings in coffee and declares it as sugar. Who has been reduced to what? The goods? And their nine prices, which people would buy if the taxes were paid. The difference lies in whose pocket the proceeds end up. On page 4 On page 13

Parliament presents the new draft law on private electronic media. All the articles on four pages TODAY’S NEWSPAPER HAS 16 PAGES On pages 7–10

Today, the leaders’ first step in the city “I will go to Vlora...,” he said yesterday in connection with Hajdari, after commenting earlier on all the events in the city. Further “extraordinary measures” by the local authorities of the city of Vlora. The Democratic leader’s decision was firm and unequivocal: “Nobody can stop me from going wherever I want,” he said, carrying through his determination to make the difficult trip, together with the people who will accompany him. The news from the Democratic Party headquarters initially shook the city’s police force, which was on edge, and then spread among other people as well. Many mothers dressed in black were lined up and had come to warn that they would protest against any arrival by Democrats in this city. On page 2 The protests of a year ago in Vlora

AGREEMENT WITH THE PS’S VIEW Only a few days ago, the monarchists confirmed that the King had decided to return to Albania. Leka Zogu left Albania in early August last year following numerous threats from the Justice authorities. Accompanied by his loyal associates, including the Minister of the Court, Abetir Dumosami, Leka left again for an [unclear] destination after a successful visit lasting several months throughout the country. On page 3

They are concentrating troops very close to Shkodra REPORT / Small-time smugglers face the military To get to Shegan, you can head from the Music School, past Kafe Podgorica. Dozens of cars are waiting there, ready to go. On the pavement opposite, minibus drivers have gathered, along with smugglers carrying all kinds of goods, right down to small trucks that usually operate with German marks. Nobody here feels at risk, since nothing is considered illegal. The road towards Bajzë is paved, but suddenly you have to turn left and travel for 5 km along a narrow track of red earth, with one of the deep ruts carved out by the vehicle tires that constantly travel along it. Somewhere beside an old water-filled ditch, you can see that the road has been beautifully repaired, and the van begins to move slowly over the new roadbed. In Nanehëm, where the Yugoslav soldiers are stationed On page 15

Yesterday’s marathon meeting: We are a faction of our own SHKODRA - Socialist Party members in Shkodra are demanding that Fatos Nano give up one of his posts; he is not acting properly; there is a need [for change]; the arguments have not been carried through? These were the issues discussed at a marathon meeting held yesterday at the Socialist Party. The new chairman’s choice had summoned Petro Koçi from Tirana as its representative. The latter faced an unexpected situation. What had been expected to take a very long time before midday ended [unclear]. On page 6

How the commission lived in “exile” Lezhë, the life of the people working on the Basic Law TIRANA - The days of the Constitutional Commission’s excursion. Gado’s and Imami’s people settled far from the media and the press to examine at close quarters that part of the draft constitution which is making such slow progress in Tirana. A special kind of [unclear], drinks in abundance but paid for out of everyone’s own pocket, as well as other late-night adventures. Everything unfolded amid work and humor. On page 3

GAZETA of Durrës DURRËS - Foreign donors have given Durrës $200,000, but the projects have still not begun. Thus, plans for the Eighth Corridor, the supermarket and the new electrical substation remain on paper, and it is still waiting for an O.K. from Ylli Bufti’s Ministry. On page 12

GAZETA of Shkodra SHKODRA - A general craze for theft. That is what the adventure of three German tourists might be called. They had set off on a journey from Berlin to Athens, riding Kawasaki motorcycles, and had their air [unclear] taken from them. After covering a thousand kilometres, they crossed the Hani i Hotit border crossing. On page 6

GAZETA of Vlora VLORA - “Property disputes are the cause of crimes in Vlora.” Police Director Besnik Mushi tells “Gazeta” that the most extensive measures have been put into operation to address this growing crime, and that a disarmament operation has begun, particularly in several surrounding villages and in the city’s bars. On page 11