Exclusive for “Gazeta Shqiptare” A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR ALBANIA “Fiera del Levante” opens today ROMANO PRODI Prime Minister of Italy Today’s edition of “Fiera del Levante,” which opens today in the capital of Albania as part of a series of activities jointly organized by the Institute for Foreign Trade, is an extraordinary event. Beyond its economic and commercial value—which nevertheless stands out compared with other editions of the Fair—a new aspect emerges, endowed with particular political significance. First and foremost, this initiative itself expresses long-term confidence in a country that is close to us for more than one reason, and certainly not only because of geography. Albania has just come through a very difficult test. At this point, Italy can only stand in solidarity with it. The decision to open “Fiera del Levante” in Albania can be regarded only as a bold act of confidence. But this act is at the same time inspired by sound realism. Aiming to rebuild a country such as Albania, still beset by numerous problems but also rich in many potentials that are becoming increasingly apparent, is an act of goodwill. Not only that. It is also a step that helps make development opportunities more tangible and contributes concretely to realizing them. Acting in this direction means recognizing—indeed, recognizing Albania’s present-day economic reality and making the country’s renewed strengths known, thereby giving impetus to the comprehensive development of society. The point is not only to ensure the greatest possible efficiency of the local apparatus, but also to give entrepreneurs confidence in their rights, while at the same time guaranteeing their investments. In this context, there are a number of agreements between us and the Albanians. One of the areas that must be given particular importance is public order. As I write, a number of agreements exist between the Italian and Albanian authorities responsible in this field, providing for cooperation. This applies first and foremost to the authorities directly responsible for public order, and to everything that follows from this: from controlling the trafficking of undocumented migrants to other more serious crimes involving both the trafficking of goods and the trafficking of people. Secondly, we aim to strengthen the structures of local administration (including public administration, transport, health, education, customs, taxes...). In this regard, the existence of comprehensive and effective legislation that would encourage, rather than hinder, entrepreneurs is particularly important. Full transparency in administrative and customs procedures is also necessary. This is precisely what Italy is working on today. It is working to help Albania improve living conditions and prospects for economic and social development. It is also working to enable its own entrepreneurs to operate normally and securely. For some time, among other things, we have been pressing international financial institutions in order to reopen appropriate financial support for Albania. In our view, this is essential to enable the country to provide itself with the necessary infrastructure and to relaunch modern economic activity. Thanks in part to this intervention, the international financial institutions have embarked on this path. We should mention, among the many projects, the fact that the IMF awarded Albania, particularly just a few days ago, assistance of 47 million dollars over a period of three years. The World Bank, for its part, has recently approved substantial assistance of 44 million. The EBRD has also undertaken important projects. All of this is a good sign of Albania’s opportunities and confirms our position once again. Today, a large Italian delegation will once again be in Tirana, headed by representatives from the industrial sector and including IRI, Fincantieri, ENEL, Finmeccanica, Marconi and other firms in the shipping sector, without excluding the many other companies. We should also remember others that have entered this field very effectively, such as ICE and SIMEST. An expanded delegation from the Region of Puglia has also arrived in Tirana today. This will further broaden cooperation between the two countries. Small and medium-sized enterprises have a shared interest in that region. ... That is it. But the possibilities for development even more concrete and contributes to their precise realization. To act in this direction also means recognizing a reality that is already longstanding and has for a long time been at the center of attention of Italian public opinion. For a long time, there has been a complex, deep relationship between the two shores of the Adriatic. All that remains for us is to help ensure that such relations develop in the most positive way possible. What we wish today is to help Albania at all costs to overcome the difficulties caused recently. Our cooperation with Albania is not all that new. Now we need to deepen and establish its most significant features. With the country’s development and the strengthening of ties with Italy and the European Union, the Albanian market will continue to expand. Some may say it is still too early. We disagree; on the contrary, we add that this very moment will be one of the guarantees supporting the country’s comprehensive development. It is clear that this assistance depends first and foremost on steps to improve the situation. In this regard, implementation of the “Fiera del Levante” chapter is essential and highly significant. This edition will present the best offers from both sides. Two considerations can be set out: excellent relations can be deepened responsibly, with a view to the future, through exchanges and cooperation. On the other hand, it is unacceptable that no one should be able to ask for assistance in resolving an economic decision. It is clear that our market is twice as large as Albania’s. This means that our market has the capacity to help the country’s economic development. The Italian government has always closely followed developments in Albania and is ready to provide its assistance. In this context, we are convinced that relations between the two countries will develop further.

The customs scandal: the former minister lashes out at government allies Ceka: Malaj and Bleta are to blame Finance Minister: They are just words The customs scandal: the former minister lashes out at government allies 100 million dollars disappear Ceka: Malaj and Bleta are to blame Finance Minister: They are just words TIRANA - Ceka takes on Malaj over smuggling. “They must be removed immediately from the post of Finance Minister,” the former Interior Minister also declared. The PAD leader was harsher than ever yesterday on the problem of smuggling, which, according to him, is being carried out on a colossal scale. But Malaj has also agreed to respond to the accusation. “I refuse to deal with people who know only how to talk and not work,” Malaj told the newspaper yesterday, after learning of Ceka’s harsh accusations. The head of the PAD accused him of being chiefly responsible for the failure to clear cigarettes through customs and, as a result, for the loss of more than 100 million dollars. “The smuggling takes place by sea, so Ceka and Brokaj should have been the ones to prevent it,” said the Finance Minister, immediately going on the counterattack. According to Malaj, Ceka should present concrete evidence. On page 3

“You could win a house” The new draft law arrives in Parliament Weapons collected by lottery “You could win a house” TIRANA - The disarmament of the population will be carried out by lottery. “Two forms of reward are under discussion in the law, including a lottery—and having had a heavy Kalashnikov since the time of the unrest. The weapons handed in will be assigned a serial number, and on the basis of these...” Yesterday, Ceka, the head of the Interior Ministry, shed light on a new draft law on disarmament that is expected to be approved by Parliament. As for the reward, it will be only the first stage; afterwards come the measures involving the army, police and local government. On page 2

Nine charges weigh against him TIRANA - Azem Hajdari faces 32 years in prison. This is the maximum calculated total of the sentences provided for under the relevant articles. “There are nine charges against Hajdari, most of them the same, but repeated as separate criminal offenses,” the prosecutors in the case said. The security measure is expected to change very soon, but investigators say permission must be sought from Parliament for this; otherwise it is impossible. [The following passage appears garbled in the source:] pyramid schemes—such consequences of the operation of these schemes; however, people lost their savings, their means of livelihood, their businesses were ruined, people died, homes... but more must be revived, and in the countryside people abandoned their work and turned their eyes toward the “miracle” that the PD’s economic system based on pyramid schemes would bring. I therefore call for, in the first year after the pyramid schemes, people to return to work, and the Government is taking steps to support business development. The second step is improving the legal framework of the Bank of Albania in order to increase the stability and effectiveness of its monetary policy in pursuit of the goal of reducing inflation. Here, oversight of the Bank of Albania has also been ensured in order to prevent new pyramid schemes and allow Albanian and private banks to operate fully. The third step is improving legislation for the Albanian banking system. All the problems banks have, their structures have changed; it is essential to support business, so they must be organized according to international management standards. In other words, not banks that serve as a store of wealth, but banks guided by policy and serving business. Remember that in 1992–1997 Albanian banks had about 50 million dollars in unpaid loans, and their allocation according to approvals is very important. The fourth step—the fiscal package. Continued on page 9

Arben Malaj I would like to clarify every unclear aspect of the ESAF relationship with the IMF for every reader. I began with the concept as it applies to us Albanians, because in reality this is also the mission of our Government: concrete steps, with a positive intention for everyone. First of all, it is not a political agreement, but an assessment of the political force that undertakes to implement those reforms that aim to create the concrete conditions for the long-term, sustainable development of our country. The agreement reached is the fullest assessment of our strategy and concrete steps for transformation. In relation to the Government, I am showing concretely that we are not squandering political power, that we were not frightened by the social cost and the IMF’s reform policy; we are thinking about hope, but also about the responsibility that the final result will be very good for the country’s economic development. The agreement with the IMF is not simply an agreement about figures, but about institutional and structural reforms. The indicators for reducing the budget deficit and inflation are not ends in themselves, but serve the ultimate goal of setting the Albanian economy on a path of long-term, sustainable development. Among the priority steps in this agreement, particular importance is given to elements that everyone considers necessary. Let us be specific. The first step—bringing the pyramid schemes under control and dismantling them—we know the consequences of these schemes: thousands of people lost their savings, thousands of others saw their businesses ruined, thousands sold their homes to get one hundred for one, while people in the countryside also abandoned their work and looked to see what “miracle” I should not ...

Helicopters and weapons of every kind for dangerous operations; RENEA to become a super-specialist unit Helicopters and weapons of every kind for dangerous operations “Rambo”-style police officers emerge RENEA to become a super-specialist unit TIRANA - A new corps of super-specialists. Discussions on restructuring the special forces have been supported by foreign police experts. Concentrating several existing units in a single center and equipping it with weapons and the latest technology has been recommended as the most effective response to organized crime and terrorist acts. On page 3

Azem Hajdari

Massacre in Kosovo: 30 people killed PRISHTINE — Drenica and its surrounding areas are drenched in blood. According to an eyewitness, on Monday evening Serbian police forces massacred a full 30 people. On page 11 GAZETA e Vlorës Tushe: “My plans for the city” On page 7 GAZETA e Durrësit Ankthikëti në "shëtitrrrethim" On page 8 GAZETA e Shkodrës Strike sends teachers into the street On page 6