The master forger who infuriated the U.S. Embassy Arrested after four months of pursuit by police agents. Mihal Gjoka had even obtained the seal of the State Department. Who is the man who has alarmed all the consulates in Tirana On page 3

the editorial Arian Çani The struggle between the PS and PBDNJ to win over the majority of the electorate in Himara is becoming increasingly fierce, mainly on the part of the Socialists, whose leader Fatos Nano has further toughened his political rhetoric by accusing Melo’s party of being an organization, as he put it, “with criminal militants.” This rhetoric was not heard by chance or out of the blue, but followed diplomatic reactions that arrived from Athens a few days ago. Greek Foreign Minister Papandreu warned official Tirana to be careful about Himara, since, according to Athens, there had been irregularities in the 1 October vote and an excessive police presence there. Papandreu’s statement, which was overshadowed by Meta’s at the Prime Minister’s Office and then by Nano’s at the party, was urgently analyzed at a meeting of the Socialist leadership, which resulted in a firm decision that the PS must win Himara at all costs. Meanwhile, PBDNJ leader Vasil Melo, for his part, has preferred, at least until last night, not to respond in the same aggressive language to those he calls “allies in the governing coalition.” The well-known athlete Pirro Dhima, who has openly come out in support of the minority candidate in Himara, sent several buses and a ferry carrying emigrants from Greece, sponsored by him, for the runoff vote this Sunday. This appears to have further fueled the PS’s “anger,” with the party suddenly becoming the driving force behind the creation of a Committee called “Alliance for Himara,” which includes all parties except PBDNJ. Even the DP, which is part of this Committee, is reportedly said to have urged its supporters to vote for the Socialist candidate... Continued on page 2

MYSLYM KETA, THE COLONEL WHO WOULD KILL ENVER On pages 12–13

LIMPREHT MEETS BERISHA AND MUSTAFAJ On page 4

“Our parents were killed by smoking” Arlinda and Nevila Pupi began campaigning on Monday morning, but found their mother dead at home. She had cancer, just like their father. “They smoked all their lives.” On page 11

IOM TO WORK IN ITALY The name-by-name list of people who will be interviewed On page 18