Yesterday, the first 80 arrived in Rinas. Today they are arriving by sea and air. The opposition: We are with you Page 3

The alarming statements made two days ago by the former finance minister, now the PD’s secretary-general, in some respects bring to mind those of a former prime minister, who reminded Albanians that they had “only six days’ worth of bread.” The difference was that the prime minister of that time, by wielding the weapon of panic, made a desperate attempt to keep a government on its feet; now the aim is the opposite. It now seems that Berisha, having abandoned the streets, is turning to the use of political means, although these sometimes go beyond the bounds of what is called political morality. Long known as a politician who never misses an opportunity to attack, it was to be expected that the PD leader would exploit the return of those who fled on 15 March to put the government with its back to the wall. But Berisha had planned to bring out his biggest guns through another move. Taking into account the effect of harming Albanians’ economic interests, the PD leaders decided to strike the current government with precisely the weapon that brought Berisha down a few months ago. By sounding the alarm through former prime minister Bode about the danger facing Albanian depositors, even if it did not bring down the “Nano 3” government, the alarm would at least have an erosive effect. To make the “deposit risk” card as successful as possible, Bode’s statements were made just as the lek began to fall. Also, to make the warnings as credible as possible, they were put in the mouth of the man who, a year earlier, was the first to signal the possibility of the pyramid schemes collapsing. In this case, by creating an artificial “hunger” for dollars, inflation would be driven up—something that would not only burden Albanian families’ budgets, but also cause anomalies in the implementation of the government’s economic and financial programmes. This, in turn, by creating doubts among foreign partners, could lead to a reduction or even a suspension of aid, the consequences of which are easy to imagine for a people whose apocalyptic nightmare from the beginning of the year has not yet ended. In this way, knowing Sali Berisha’s character, he would keep the government under a constant barrage of attacks until he achieved his ultimate goal. Once before, the panic card played by the former Stability prime minister proved unsuccessful; nevertheless, Berisha has the right to hope. GAVROSH LEVONJA

Italian police use violence to remove Albanians from the hunger strike Photo REUTERS

Mystery surrounding the circumstances. The police director at the scene Hangs himself in cell Detainee hangs himself in police cells. The chief of the Criminal Police and an officer are arrested Sources at the Ministry of the Interior report that the detainee died by hanging himself with a rope inside the cell where the police had put him. But this tragic incident was immediately followed by the arrests of the senior police chief in Kukës, as well as the officer who was on duty at the time. The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Sokol Bare, also immediately went to the scene and called for the urgent resolution of the mystery that had arisen within the walls of the blue-uniformed force’s building. P. 7

Four ministers in government anti-smuggling group P. 5

Those detained for smuggling placed under house arrest P. 2

Changes in the PS based on the French model P. 5

A reshuffle in the PLL is expected after the meeting in Switzerland P. 4

Otranto 1: Survivor of 28 March gives testimony P. 13

Finance Minister launches operation against the lek’s depreciation P. 10

Letter to the prosecution service to investigate the riots P. 6