The future ministers—Communists or Democratic Socialists Fatos Nano has the chance to do for the SP and himself what Berisha did for him With their position growing stronger, especially after the November 6 referendum, it seems that Albanian Socialists, whether they like it or not, are thinking about the new Socialist government that could lead the country. The Socialists have prepared the new election platform, posters, and everything technical related to the upcoming elections. Plans have begun, albeit on paper, perhaps even without asking Chairman Nano, who has been silent for some time from Tepelena prison. ANDI BEJTJA continued on page 3 With their position growing stronger, especially after the November 6 referendum, it seems that the Socialists

On the night of December 17–18, the Albanian Prime Minister dies Murder or suicide? Special feature, pages 6–7 On the night of December 17–18, the Albanian Prime Minister dies The mysterious night of Mehmet Shehu Murder or suicide? Special feature, pages 6–7

With DP deputy Vasil Gjika

—Minister Musaraj arrives by helicopter The Thursday disaster resulted from the tragic accident of a large motorboat that sank. For this purpose, agreement has also been reached with the Montenegrin side. As reported in the statement of the ...

—The DP and Berisha commemorate the “fortieth” anniversary of the loss Everyone has abandoned her. The first to abandon her were those who called the Constitution “Albania’s second liberation,” “the fairest thing on earth,” “the happiest day for all Albanians”… MARTIN LEKA continued on page 2

The Thursday disaster, caused by the tragic accident of a large motorboat that sank in the waters of the lake, alarmed not only the families, relatives, and friends of the victims, but also the competent authorities of the neighboring states, Albania and Montenegro. At around 9:00 in the morning, a police helicopter was seen flying over the city of Shkodër in the direction of the lake. We later learned that Interior Minister Agron Musaraj had gone to the scene. Although a day late, the Government was alarmed, at least in order to return the victims’ bodies to their families. Divers also arrived on Friday morning to begin searching the depths of the lake. An agreement was reached with the Montenegrin side for this purpose as well. According to information from the Malësia e Madhe police station, by noon none of the victims’ bodies had been found. We learned that the names of eight of the ten people drowned in the lake had been identified. One is said to have managed to reach the opposite shore of the lake. To learn the names of the victims, we tried to contact members of the investigative team formed today for this purpose, but they were constantly on the move, searching different parts of the lake. A source from the village of Golem in the district of JETMIR SHPUZA (continued on page 4)

Morocco: Arjan Starova at the 7th OIC meeting The Islamic Conference — a necklace or a yoke around Albania’s neck Albania has still not separated politics from religion When two years ago Sali Berisha turned toward the Islamic world by signing Albania’s membership in the Islamic Conference, he gave no explanation to the other 3 million Albanians who were waiting for an answer about this act. Even today, two years later, Berisha and his administration have still not given meaning to the signature they placed on the documents of the Islamic Conference. They continue to respond to invitations issued in the name of the Koran and the defense of the Islamic faith. This week alone, Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova has taken part in two gatherings of Muslim leaders. At the beginning of the week he was in Geneva at the 22nd conference of foreign ministers of Islamic countries, while over the last three days, in Casablanca, Morocco, Starova attended the proceedings of the 7th High-Level Meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Starova asked the foreign ministers of the Islamic world for support for Kosovo, in order to help avert a Third Balkan War. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Albania also asked BEN BLUSHI continued on page 3