Gunfire in Vlorë, three others wounded On page 2

And Albanian men have their chests operated on too Albanian men also have their chests operated on On page 7

From our correspondent in Tropojë Artan Hoxha A state-of-siege atmosphere has hung over Tropojë for four days in a row. More than 50 special forces officers from Tirana have reached the Haklaj family tower in Kërnajë. Fatmir’s father and two brothers have fled and are currently hiding in the mountains On page 3

paradox Edmond TUPJA While leafing through once again the famous “Farmak Dictionary, 1981-1983,” found by chance some time ago among the dubious ruins of an unfortunate kiosk, my attention was drawn to an instructive chapter called “Predictions 2000.” So, I am presenting readers with a few lines I valued there, which reek of foreign alcohol: 1. In the year 2000, the land of the Albanians will have at the head of its government two first bottles of the well-known Greek drink, the unattainable ouzo “METAkasa.” Once they find out about this, the Greek company that makes this drink will be worried that the Albanians might try to take its factories from it, saying: “They’re ours, ME TApi”; but, so that this matter may involve as few META as possible while it is being resolved, the Italians will come to sort it out, telling the Greeks: “Meta për voi, meta per noi” [Half for you, half for us], naturally not forgetting to place the emphasis on the letter “a.” Then, ME TAk si [sic], both sides will go to listen to music by the Heavy METAL band, having lunch picnic-style on top of the Kërraba Pass, from where the metaphysical METAlurgical plant will be visible with its reddish META stases. 2. In the year 2000, the land of the Albanians will have at the head of its culture two first bottles of the well-known Italian drink “RAMazzoti.” Since Albanian culture will be fasting, that is, observing RAMazan [Ramadan], the Italian company that makes this drink will be extremely worried... Continued on page 4

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