DECLARATION / PËRMET REMINDED US OF THE PERSECUTION DURING THE COMMUNIST PERIOD CHRISTIANS TOGETHER “Let the property be returned to the Orthodox” The three religious communities call on the Government: Give us the land that belongs to us by law. The Church of St. Mary of the Bazaar is needed for sacred services The clash between Orthodox priests and the Municipality of Përmet over the building of the Cultural Palace, which the church claims is its property, has been followed by reactions from Christian communities in Albania. In a press release, the Christian Communities of Albania said that the Bailiff’s Office used violence against clerics and religious objects, bringing back the years of persecution of the clergy in Albania. “We have followed with concern and indignation the recent event at the Orthodox church “St. Mary of the Bazaar,” in the city of Përmet, where the police forces of a private enforcement company forcibly removed sacred religious objects from the place of worship and treated in a shameful manner the clerics and Orthodox believers, who came out in defense of their church. The images broadcast by the media once again brought to mind the years of persecution and the struggle against religious institutions and places of worship,” the statement says. Meanwhile, the Albanian Christian Community has repeated its request to the Albanian state for the return... On page 7

Opinion of the Day World democracy was the secret dream of the great classical philosophers. ...Thousands of years before Columbus they were ... World democracy was the secret dream of the great classical philosophers. ...Thou- sands of years before Columbus they were ... Continued on page 11 By ALFRED CAKO The U.S. Ambassador and the Democratic Party

Opinion of the Day For some days now, in Albania there has been an unauthorized uproar concerning the so-called “violation of human rights”, ... For some days now, in Albania there has been an unauthorized uproar concerning the so-called “violation of human rights”, ... Continued on page 21 By AGIM I. TARTARI The state, religion and Albania’s image

The murder in Tirana e Re, the family: He worked in construction, he was expecting a child The injured woman: Elidon died in my arms Police: The conflict with Shullazi’s friend (In the photo:) The victim Elidon Lafetaj. The place where the incident happened two days ago On pages 2-3

HANIF'S LIFE IN TIRANA AND HIS DESIRES On page 9

... and still the best today! Korca[?]

LSI HEAD: YOUTH BRINGS POSITIVE ENERGY Ilir Meta: Albania needs to move fast On page 5

DEPUTY MINISTER Lesi: How they also counted me as a tourist from Moscow On page 10

FIGHT OVER PROPERTY Police officer: Why I shot at my brother and nephew On page 6

“MILOSAO” The Kanun of Labëria, a work of art in a trunk On pages 13-20

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