OPERATIONS WITHOUT REASON. HERE IS WHY ALBANIAN WOMEN’S BELLIES ARE CUT OPEN Scandal over childbirth operations. The number of Albanian women who choose to bring their child into the world through surgical procedures exceeds the anticipated rates. Most of the blame lies with the doctors. Wanting to eliminate all the risks that a normal birth may entail, gynecologists “choose the operating rooms.” This way, not only is the woman’s life not put in doubt, but the “gift” for the doctor is also greater. The shadows of the scandal cannot fall on all gynecologists, but the number who use this work practice is not small. On page 11 How the anti-Lirino network was dismantled On page 2

OPINION A journey through the “annals of Albanian diplomacy” Neshat TOZAJ To clear one’s conscience... 1. After trips to the Chair of the Helsinki Citizens’ Committee, in Turkey, Greece and Macedonia, our delegation also had to go to Bulgaria. A person representing the Bulgarian Committee showed genuine attention and a feeling of friendship toward our delegation. There was also supposed to be a parliamentarian, and Mr. Namik Dokle had been chosen from among them. During one of the breaks, while we were drinking coffee, our Bulgarian friend came and counted out a number of the country’s banknotes for the head of our delegation. This surprised us because, when we had been briefed about trips to other countries, the first warning from our delegation’s head had been: “You won’t need pocket money. Travel, food and accommodation are guaranteed.” For us, who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to make contacts and get to know other countries, this was enough. Our leader counted some money and put it on the table in front of Namik Dokle. “These are for the gasoline...” Dokle left the money where it was and, looking calm, said to him: “Hey, what are you doing?” “Nothing,”—our leader still seemed to be cursing the Bulgarian who had given him those wretched banknotes in our presence. Continued on page 24

FOR QOSEN Klosi abuses “the little ones” of television. In the position of number one at this institution, the director general really wielded the power of interviews. Thus Klosi has “stolen” Rroxhep Qosen from Rudina Xhunga. On page 19

FOOTBALL Five draws in eight matches, with the 2–2 results in Ballsh and Gjirokastër standing out. Only Apollonia and Flamurtari are almost certain to advance to the next round. The other teams must wait until next week to qualify. On pages 20–23

DOSSIER HOW HOXHA PERSECUTED DIRECTOR HASAN REÇI On pages 12–13

ECONOMY HOW MANY MILLIONS WE LOSE FROM THE TOMATOES WE IMPORT On page 7