There must be a state in Albania For us, a former morning teacher and former afternoon shopkeeper in Peshkopi has no value whatsoever. What matters to us is only defending the honor of Albanian arms, which have been drawn into smuggling, the violation of the ethical standards of a democratic country’s army, and the breaking of the embargo in the Adriatic. Interview with Mr. Neritan Ceka, President of AD page 5

Arms scandal Was Berisha aware? There is no agreement for arms exports between Albania and Slovenia Berisha defends Zhulali against PD MPs page 3

Malsi e Madhe Murder for blood vengeance —Killed in the yard of his home —Blood vengeance exacted after almost two years A burst of automatic gunfire took the life of Hazir Shpendi, 53, from the village of Vorfë in the Gruemirë area of the Malësia e Madhe district. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon while he was working in the garden of his home. According to police sources, the murder was motivated by blood vengeance. The Shpendi family had been in a blood feud with the Hyka family, whose members were their neighbors. It all began quite by chance about two years ago, with an ordinary verbal dispute between two members of these families. But what began as an ordinary quarrel would soon take on tragic proportions, entirely undesirable for both families and the whole village. Hazir Shpendi’s son killed a member of the Hyka family immediately after the quarrel, which could very easily have been resolved. It should be said that the village of Vorfë, where disputes have often occurred, has also seen murders in the past, though not many. After this act, the killer fled in an unknown direction and was not apprehended by the police. From that day on, the Shpendi family was forced to confine itself to its home to escape the threat of blood vengeance. This lengthy confinement came to an end on Saturday afternoon. Hazir Shpendi was working in his garden when someone from the family seeking blood vengeance fired a burst of automatic gunfire at him, leaving him dead. In this case too, the killer managed to flee in an unknown direction. Nevertheless, sources at the district police station say efforts are under way to find the escaped killer, while the possibility that the Hyka family will also be forced into confinement has not been ruled out. At a time when TV has finally remembered to campaign against the blood vengeance that has re-emerged in recent years, the facts show that its brutality is merciless. In other cases too, the security forces have faced many accusations for failing to apprehend the perpetrators of these murders, but their inability to prevent and crack down on them has not improved. These forces are also unable to guarantee the lives of the so-called “families in blood feuds,” and as a result their confinement is unavoidable. The state’s inaction in such cases is now showing what tragic consequences it can bring. J. SHPUZA

—The deafness of the Albanian authorities is increasingly damaging Albania’s image in Europe Press conference of the Socialist Party Europe wants Albania where it is, in Europe... Pëllumbi at yesterday’s press conference