BRAZIL’S STIMULANT ARRIVES On page 10

Vehbi Alimuça’s witnesses were caught with copies at the trial. Judge Gjin Gjoni, presiding over the trial against the VEFA bosses, caught a female witness in the courtroom yesterday with a piece of paper on which, according to him, the defense lawyers had suggested what she should say beforehand. On page 7

A COMMZ(W) jeep collided with a train. The toll from the accident was 4 injured; it caused no deaths or permanent injuries to those involved. The incident occurred at 24:30. On page 14

He will not be buried in Italy On page 8 Craxi dies, heart attack

paradox Edmond TUPJA It is terrible. I never, ever expected this, not even from the United States of America or the European Union, which are failing to take the necessary measures to put a stop to this unprecedented social and political phenomenon: pensioners are bringing Albania to ruin. Yes, yes, don’t be surprised at all: they are getting richer by the day in the most shameless, most scandalous way, in defiance of every rule of the market economy and capitalist morality. In vain our brave journalists try to find the causes and perpetrators of the corruption wreaking havoc in Albanian society at the start of this century. Here are the criminals, ladies and gentlemen: these are the pensioners, who are fleecing and skinning our political class, so poor, without a home or a pot to piss in, yet living and working selflessly and devotedly beneath the bridges of the Lana. One sad winter’s day, circumstances worked out so that I had to cross two of our glorious Lana bridges. First, I crossed the bridge at the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard. I was holding a book I had just bought, “The History of Albania,” by a foreign author. I don’t know how it happened,... Continued on page 21

Major nighttime operation, 18 people arrested A base uncovered in the capital More than 300 police officers took part yesterday in a large-scale police operation in the capital. The capture of wanted individuals and the discovery of a forgery ring were the main focus of the operation, commanded by the heads of the Ministry of Public Order. Among those caught, 18 people were taken into custody, while another 25 suspects are also being held at police stations. In addition, 63 firearms of various types and dozens of embassy seals were seized... On page 5