Majko: “The allegations should be made by the Prosecutor’s Office” For the first time, a senior SP official acknowledges the accusations weighing on the Nano cabinet Page 3

At yesterday’s SP press conference, Majko spoke openly and without trying to downplay anything, saying that “there is corruption in the state administration.” Thus, for the first time in the history of Albanian politics in recent years, the leaders of a party in power not only acknowledge the existence of corruption and other pathologies in the state they govern, but also express their concern. Such a phenomenon, in which the party in power itself accuses people in the administration, is to be welcomed as a genuine sign of political maturity. But normally, if the socialist leaders’ concern about the existence of corruption and the involvement of officials in smuggling and illegal trafficking were genuine, Majko and the other SP secretaries should have been more specific in this regard. They should at least have accompanied their serious concern with a long list of such cases, preferably including the names of officials who exploit their positions to line their pockets. But perhaps this omission is connected with the old mentality that transparency about corrupt officials would discredit the party. On the other hand, by naming officials involved in smuggling and corruption, they would also clear some of the well-known figures in Mr. Nano’s government of hypothetical accusations; their names are perhaps unjustly being bandied about far too much in this regard. The absence of specific names casts a shadow of mistrust and doubt over the socialist leaders’ concern, as regards the true purpose of raising this issue. In fact, for some time now, rumours of impending changes in the government have been growing more and more widespread. The prime minister himself, Nano, has several times warned his subordinates that “nobody owns their post outright”; bearing this in mind, the ruling party leaders’ acknowledgment that “there is corruption in the administration” makes one suspect that corruption may be the giant that will claim several heads in Mr. Nano’s cabinet. Removing particular individuals from power under the stigma of being “corrupt” could not only serve to soothe the discontent that has arisen, but also greatly enhance the governing prestige and that of Mr. Nano himself, who, unlike his predecessors, apparently will not spare even his closest associates when it comes to rejecting, at one stroke, [unclear text] that he wants to leave? so that he may have. In this way, the party leaders are also making a serious effort to build a genuine state governed by the rule of law, where no one enjoys legal privilege before it. GAVROSH LEVONJA

Page 13 Photo H. PUSTINA On the eve of the year’s end, “beside the feast table, yet unfed”

The well-known lawyer in the “Nano case” secures his client’s release. Nehati, 11 years behind bars The verdict is handed down for the perpetrators of the killing of two police officers Muharrem Haka is free. The two-member trial panel chaired by Judge Skënder Haluca declared the proceedings against him terminated and, at the same time, set a sentence of 11 years’ imprisonment for Nehat Kulla. Muharrem Haka was found guilty of the killing of police officer Gëzim Neziri; however, the proceedings on that offense were terminated after the charge was reclassified from intentional murder to murder committed in a state of severe psychological shock. P. 6

PD sets conditions for attending the commission P. 5

The opposition leader’s call sparks controversy P. 4

Press conference by Minister Paskal Milo P. 4

Solidarity with the six-monthers, no to police violence P. 2

Chief Prosecutor denies the ministry’s report P. 7

Kukës, a torrential downpour leaves residents outdoors P. 8

The newspaper Koha Jonë sends its best wishes to its readers Teledingo’s greeting card P. 6