Alarm in the Government

Editorial Ilir Babaramo The power cuts, which have tortured Albanians’ nerves over the past two days, seem to be only the beginning of an extraordinary crisis expected to engulf the country. Experts say that even if the power supply continues at the current rate and we keep importing with every current purchase from our neighbors, Albania will be left absolutely without electricity in ten days. This is a major catastrophe waiting to happen in the recent history of the Albanians. This situation has come about little by little over many years. Over the past ten years, energy consumption has more than doubled. Until 1990, energy needs were met by domestic production. But although 15 years have passed, Albania has not added a single new energy source, whether a hydroelectric power plant or a thermal power plant, to meet energy demand. Albania no longer has a centralized economy, and the budget of a small state cannot afford to build giants such as the existing hydroelectric power plants. The only financial resources with which serious investments in KESH can be made, ... continued on page 3

"I’m afraid they’ll take his organs" Today marks 6 days since the "escape" of the 22-year-old young man from Tirana. The police are reluctant to speak; his mother voices her first suspicions... Ermal Çollaku The 22-year-old from Tirana who has been missing for 6 days On page 7 Ermal Çollaku, the 22-year-old from Tirana who has been missing for 6 days

IOM TO WORK IN ITALY List of names of the people to be interviewed On page 18

Berisha: With the women in the square Berisha: With the women in the square On page 5