Pashko on smuggling: He would be wise not to take on Malaj Z[?]eti Ceka, president of PAD, when asked what he would build if in power, replied: I would form a new government with the Minister of Finance, the most unsuccessful minister in this government, because he has the biggest impact on the state budget, which is short by 100 million dollars, while he boasts that he has received 90 million dollars through agreements with the World Bank. I consider Ceka, politically speaking, a committed person, our distinguished archaeologist and a true liberal. Nevertheless, Ceka the person and Ceka the statesman are not always one and the same. Not infrequently, he personalizes matters so much, is swept up by personal anger and loses the cool-headedness that a statesman needs so much. It seems to me that this is what happened in this case, too, when he ventured into economics and finance, which have never been his strong suit. Since Ceka has been at odds with Arben Malaj, according to him, everything done in Albania in these ten years of government in the field of finance has failed. With professional responsibility, I tried to analyze as much as I could what he meant by the figures he presents, and I regret to say that Neritani is mistaken. He says Albania has lost 100 million dollars and collected only 90 million from the World Bank. I will not dwell on the inaccuracy of this second figure, which is part of an ongoing process, but will focus on the shortfall in achieving one ... Continued on page 11

INTERVIEW / The Socialist Deputy Speaker of Parliament speaks: “I don’t separate myself from the mistakes” “He did not control the ministers and failed to defeat smuggling” The Ministry of the Interior? Why did we change its head? TIRANA - Namik Dokle is returning to his criticism of Prime Minister Nano. Having quietly settled into the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament, he has decided to point out the shortcomings of the government to the leader. “The government has suffered from a lack of coordination, while smuggling has not been stopped,” Dokle said yesterday, offering a detailed analysis of the governing coalition’s record. Dokle also agreed to speak about the factions that emerged in the PS following the changes in the Government. “They couldn’t even become hailstones,” the senior Socialist official said of his PS colleagues’ attempts to create alternative opposition platforms to the official line of chairman Nano. But Dokle, particularly regarding Agolli, who had made valid criticisms but had gone a little too far with the terminology used, has given him the opportunity to tell his story and put a few zeros after the Director’s unit. which has given him the opportunity to laugh and add a few marks behind the Director’s target. On page 3

Not only today in the civilized world, but throughout history, human politics, at least since the existence of “homo sapiens,” when it has genuinely served civilization, has been built on the practice of compromise. To achieve it does not mean placating the other person, submitting or humiliating yourself. It simply means achieving something that is in everyone’s interest, yours and the other person’s; it means finding the best way to resolve an issue. Compromise is essential everywhere—in the family, in society, within a party, and between parties. In reality, it is harder to add one small cog every day than to try to build a great mechanism in an instant without those cogs. This is the greatest flaw in Albanian politics, in all of us. This stems from the fact that we forget that we are all part of it and that no one can exclude one another from Albanian reality. This is undoubtedly connected to the level of emancipation, to inherited primitive psychology, to genetic mentalities. And so, tragically, with absolutely no consideration for one another, the very next day ... with a pickaxe in hand, we begin tearing down even the compromises we built the day before, forgetting that they were not made in a day and cannot be for one occasion only; forgetting that in this way they are not only devalued, but can also become extremely dangerous for the future if they are not sustained, because this cements mutual distrust. Perhaps this is what happened in 1991; perhaps it happened after the formation of the first Government of National Reconciliation; perhaps it happened a few days ago with the presidential decree on local elections. Every political force has a more radical faction, but what matters is that those who lead must know how to rise above it, to the levels of emancipation, composure and intellectual clarity, and not fall prey to radicalism, which, particularly in our immature reality, condemns from the outset attempts at compromise, contact, meetings and exchanges of views between “political opponents.” The strength of a politician must now be directed, with energy and determination, toward breaking through this iron circle of prejudice, which is nothing other than an expression of the totalitarian mentalities of that era, and toward European emancipation, where we wish to go. [Part of an article cut off at the top edge of the image.] ...to submit or humiliate interest, persuading others too; it means finding the best path for development. Compromise is necessary everywhere: in the family, in society, within a party, between parties, between countries. Where it is lacking, confrontation, clashes, and isolation take its place. To engage in politics means being able to rise to the highest level in the art of compromise, dialogue, and ongoing personal and institutional contacts. Life often sees major compromises at very difficult moments, when countries are on the brink of catastrophe. These events are seen more as imposed compromises, despite the great value they have for history. If we think back a little, we will find such examples here in 1991, and especially the one in March 1997, initiated by Berisha and embraced by all political forces. These are major compromises that must be achieved in tragic moments, but they are not everything. The important thing is not to reach those moments, and for this one must master the art of small, daily, ongoing compromise, which is as necessary for civilized politics as oxygen itself is for life. But the fact is that Albanian politicians, who know how to be protagonists of major compromises, do not know how to create even its little particles, its tiny bits. That is why the great structure built in haste often collapses and wavers the next day. In ...

BERAT - The PD candidate for mayor of Ura Vajgurore attempted to take his own life. - The PD candidate for mayor of Ura Vajgurore attempted to take his own life. Just moments after withdrawing his candidacy for the post, he climbed onto the roof of the apartment building and jumped. It was the candidate’s wife who called for the leadership of the Democratic Party to intervene; they had agreed to give him their vote of confidence. On page 2

The Minister writes to the people of Shkodër Edi Rama First of all, allow me to thank you for the invitation you sent me to attend the celebratory evening marking the conclusion of the 59th National Football Championship and your winning of the Champion title. Unfortunately, my work schedule, set in advance for Saturday, does not allow me to take part in this meaningful celebration, not only for the city of Shkodër but for Albanian football in general, which, after experiencing a dramatic moment amid last year’s general turmoil, is returning to normality. As I have the honor of addressing Albania’s current champions through this letter, I am able to include in my congratula... Continued on page 13

GAZETA of Shkodër SHKODËR - Unease among the ranks of the blue uniforms. The serious situation in the city and the battle won by crime over the past few days have given rise to alarm. Rumors of possible dismissals of police chiefs have begun circulating in the police headquarters. On page 6

Arapi: Give me 6 months for the money VLORË - “We need another six months to save our money. We won’t be ready in June.” Fareudin Arapi said yesterday in Vlorë, on behalf of the Government, that more time was needed to work on the documents they have as the transparency commission. On page 8

From communist border guard to “indomitable democrat,” here are his deeds... Agim Shehu, the policeman who still sparks debate Tirana doctors: Cancer is increasing TIRANE - Stomach cancer is alarming the oncology hospital. If we had to protect ourselves from cholera and other epidemic diseases, the only solution could be chlorine thrown by the handful into drinking water. But meanwhile, the news came out that the amount of chlorine in drinking water inevitably causes stomach cancer. Thus, even if thousands of people may have been saved from cholera over these years, there is a possibility that during these years people have developed stomach cancer. On page 4 With the people who replace God with the devil TIRANE - The ranks of the devil’s sect are growing in the Albanian capital. A number of students represent the satanic movement in Tirana and are beginning their first efforts to publish their bible and the activities of their demonic cult. Gazeta Shqiptare presents the testimony of one of the sect’s new members, who worship the unworshippable. Apostles of the devil, violent teenagers, and metal music screaming at the top of its lungs. This is the world of people whose consciousness has been possessed by something no one would wish upon anyone. On page 5 TIRANE - Who was the Black General? What is the truth about Agim Shehu, the most talked-about chief of police in recent years? A career to admire and high-ranking posts associated with him. And along with them, various events, operations against squatters, against newcomers in Bathore... On page 2

Kosovo looks to Montenegro today PODGORICË - Montenegrins will vote today in parliamentary and municipal elections, which have made reform of the prospects difficult, as they are in a democratic context ... [?] Yugoslav President Millosheviç. On page 10

Starting today, every day with “Gazeta Shqiptare”: installments of the Encyclopedia of the France ’98 World Cup Italy ATLANTA ... 98

DURRËS - “The socio-economic situation appears worn down and citizens have little hope. This is the result of the failure of today’s left-wing government, which, beyond its means and abilities, tried to carry out a right-wing reform.” This is how PD MP and, at the same time, head of this party’s Durrës branch, Ferdinand Xhaferaj, responded. On page 7

Today in the pages of the newspaper you will read the names of the winners who will enroll at the Turkish College for the 1998–1999 school year. Registration takes place from June 1–10, 1998.

Nano and Dokle