10/11/1996
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Koha Jonë

10 November 1996

Three arrests over the bomb

Prel Martini’s neighbors are “escorted” out of the hotel by MPs Police begin to make progress in the investigation into the attack on Prel Martini. Three people from Kruja placed in custody page 2

Thank you, Azem

For several days now, the Albanian press—independent and dependent, left-wing and right-wing, free and not—has been covering the latest move by Azem Hajdari, the historic leader of the democratic movement and of Albania’s first democratic party. Mr. Azem, in a typically Bonapartist move, put our country’s official trade unions in an extremely difficult position; they suddenly woke up and realized, to their horror, that life is not as easy as it seems, even in Albania. Taken by surprise, they found themselves facing a man who does not beat about the bush and can “blow you up.” Nevertheless, by the end of this week it seems that the union leaders may breathe a sigh of relief, since Azem Hajdari and the group of unionists supporting him were unable to hold yesterday the National Council meeting of the BSPSH. The police guarding the doors did not allow the meeting to take place, while the rebel politician had already been summoned to the offices of the Democratic Party, where he was reprimanded and told that the party in power had nothing to do with his actions. For now, the leaders of the BSPSH can celebrate their victory, although no one can any longer guarantee that other Azems will not emerge in Albanian trade unionism, achieving what was set in motion at the beginning of this November. Because, as ATSH also says, “other sources report that MP Hajdari and his supporters have gone into the Piano Bar at Tirana’s Estrada and are continuing their meeting.” But, all the same, that is not the point. All these days, in newspapers, cafés and offices, there has been a veritable frenzy of discussion to decipher Mr. Azem Hajdari’s latest move. Someone said it was meant to make people forget 20 October. Someone else linked it to an attempt to dispel the bitter aftertaste of the bomb thrown at the judiciary. Others connected it with the pyramid schemes, or saw it as a signal of the government’s dissatisfaction with the current leaders of the BSPSH. There were also voices talking about complicated political plans by the Albanian leadership. Regardless of these conjectures, we should thank Azem Hajdari. We should say, thank you, Azem, because you reminded those mentioned above that there is also a kind of politics that has now died in Albania. With his gesture, he shook us awake, to remind us that what is called politics today is nothing but an illusion of politics. It is a ritual in which some enjoy talking to themselves in Parliament, while others applaud in order to uncover one another’s traps, or to guard against having their votes stolen. That alone is enough to say: thank you, Azem!

Rexhep Mejdani: Mediocrities create problems in the PS

page 7

“Hakmarrja...” organization: Another one behind bars

page 12

National team

A large rally in Tirana on November 12

Azem Hajdari declares: Late last night, the president of BSPSH, elected by the Extraordinary Conference of Durrës, stated to “Koha Jonë”: on Tuesday, November 12, at 12:00, we will hold a rally in front of the BSPSH central offices in Tirana. The rally is being organized pursuant to Law No. 8145, “On the Right of Assembly.” On Wednesday, we will demonstrate our struggle to defend workers’ rights and our determination to demand that the Meksi government double the salaries of teachers, healthcare workers, and miners. After the rally, we will organize a peaceful march along Tirana’s main boulevard. Those who emerged from Ramiz Alia’s offices and are now in power are supporting corruption and are not fighting those responsible for corruption, such as Valer Xheka and his associates. The rally will last 40 minutes. Those individuals or institutions that try to disrupt the rally will receive the response they deserve—Deputy Hajdari concluded.

Usury with obstacles. A woman, after depositing her savings with Xhaferri

IMF in Albania over pyramid schemes

The loss from... : a life in shackles [?] page 12 The national team punished in the final minute page 23 How the Korçë Canal incident happened pages 18-19 Girls’ strike at the Turkish college page 17