Lists and photos of fugitives from Albania are being distributed in several countries The Albanian Ministry of Interior, an agreement to bring the most wanted usurers to Albania Lists and photos of fugitives from Albania are being distributed in several countries Interpol tracks down loan-sharking bosses The Albanian Ministry of Interior, an agreement to bring the most wanted usurers to Albania Page 2

More than Sali Berisha’s rallies and press conferences, more than the optimistic statements of government officials, especially those about restoring order, the Albanian political scene is currently dominated by the conflict between the government and the largest company built in recent years, “VEFA Holding”. Every day, facts and counterfacts are being uncovered, accusations and counter-accusations are exchanged by both sides. And while everyone follows with curiosity this battle of the most varied statements, the main object around which this intense struggle takes place — the creditors’ money — has been left completely forgotten. In fact, from the “VEFA-Government” battle, the creditors not only have nothing to gain, but the chances of losing even what they might have recovered are increasing. While the government speaks of transparency and clashes with Alimuçaj over the appointment of administrators and the management of the assets owned by the rent-seeking company, and mentions the IMF and the obstacles that may arise from the obstructionism of the president of “VEFA”, so far it has done very little to communicate with the creditors about these issues, which after all concern their money. As a result, only a very small part of them may have some clear idea of the purpose of the government’s measures against “VEFA” and other rent-seeking companies and the way in which they might get their money back. After all, creditors are more interested in whether “VEFA” is or is not a pyramid scheme, whether it is involved in money laundering or survives thanks to honest activities, and so on. The same can be said of the company’s president, Dr. Vehbi Alimuçaj. While he regularly argues, both with Minister Malaj, his “black sheep”, and now with Prime Minister Nano, and while he promises that “he will distribute the money, that he will be correct”, that “he will not betray the creditors”, etc., to this day he has not shown concretely whether he has the necessary amount of money or tried to reassure depositors by showing them at least a single source from which the money would come. It is truly a paradox that the creditors, around whose money this battle is being fought, have so far been left out of the game. For the large mass of creditors of the company “VEFA”, it would be better if, instead of the conflict between Mr. Alimuçaj and our top officials, both sides — “VEFA”, Vehbi Alimuçaj’s five-star company, and Nano’s transitional government — were to sit at a table in search of the best solution so that they could obtain that “maximum recoverable amount” mentioned by Nano a few months ago. GAVROSH LEVONJA

Pëllumb Xhaferri, the son of the “General” from Lushnja, eating bananas in Turkey The head of VEFA speaks after measures were taken to block him Alimuçaj and Ceka tell of the escape Order from the Minister of the Interior. VEFA company helicopter blocked at Rinas VEFA president Vehbi Alimuçaj reacted like lightning to the news of his possible departure from Albania. “I have no reason to flee, because I am master of my own property and bound by trust to the investors,” Alimuçaj declared. P. 3

The PS press office reacts after statements about a faction P. 3

A grenade explodes inside a home P. 7

Selami’s group withdraws from the PD Assembly P. 5

Dozens of suspects are detained after an act of sabotage P. 6

RESUMES Read on page 6 RESUMES New season of TELEBINGO Read on page 6

Several police operations end successfully P. 15

Italy is gripped by a government crisis P. 17