Police uncover an Italo-Albanian mafia organization under the name: Albanians are accused of involvement in a criminal network. Page 6 Police uncover an Italo-Albanian mafia organization under the name: The Eagle Mafia Albanians are accused of involvement in a criminal network Page 6

BY FATOS LUBONJA For several days now, in Albanian political life, the issue of corruption has been eclipsing the Kosovo issue. It is becoming increasingly clear that what the press calls the fight against corruption is a struggle between two groups of politicians in the governing coalition. One is the group headed by Prime Minister Nano and his protégés Fino, Malaj, etc.; the other has Ceka as its leading figure, but other senior figures in Albanian politics also seem to stand alongside him, including President Meidani. As the public follows this confrontation, whose outlines are becoming ever clearer, it asks: What is the motive behind the mutual accusations: the struggle to build a more just state, the struggle for power, or the struggle to control the corruption network? Albanians, disillusioned as they are with their politicians, while believing that there is much truth in the accusations against the Prime Minister’s group, tend to believe that the other group is motivated by power or control of the network. This perception also brings a major political problem into view. Will it benefit the country, or will it degrade Albanian politics, as the unrestrained passions of Albanian politicians have degraded it so far? In other words, will this confrontation be channelled into institutions keeping one another in check, or will it degenerate into hatred and a war without principles, leading in turn to neo-dictatorship or anarchy? Nano seems interested in preventing this confrontation from degenerating. To that end, on the one hand he repeats his call for inclusiveness, while on the other he seeks to reduce his fierce opponents to an insignificant minority. Two or three weeks ago, he also took part in a conference on corruption, where he acknowledged that corruption was a major scourge in his administration and expressed his commitment to fighting it. Yet it seems that little attention was paid to one conclusion of that conference, which cited the views of prominent figures around the world on the most effective means of combating corruption. According to them, the first powerful tool in the fight against corruption is the example set by leaders. Punishing the corrupt ranked second, with an equal score. As for “the example set by leaders,” assessments may be subjective; as for “punishing the corrupt,” the facts are clear: Corruption paralyzes the Albanian economy by deterring foreign investment; it destroys—and continues to destroy—urban planning, historical assets, the environment and the coastline; it destroys—and continues to destroy—every moral value in society, and extinguishes hope for this country’s future. Yet no one has been punished; indeed, Nano continues to advocate against punishment. This, without a doubt, also earns him many points in what is called “the example set by leaders.” The issue of fighting corruption in Albania is not a matter of fighting smuggling in order to collect a little more money for the state, but of collecting a little more money for the state, but of restoring faith in politics and politicians—a faith that has never existed in Albania. That is why it is one of the greatest challenges facing Albanian politics.

PAD chairman meets the prime minister P. 3

The President accuses the PD, but also the current structures P. 4

“He accuses me of having him fired from his job because he is my cousin”

Minister of the Interior Perikli Teta Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU Minister of the Interior Perikli Teta; Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

A Kosovar caught inside the prime minister’s villa Faruk Mazreku, resident in Belgrade, is suspected of being a killer working for a foreign agency A Kosovar caught inside the prime minister’s villa Would he eliminate Nano? Faruk Mazreku, resident in Belgrade, is suspected of being a killer working for a foreign agency The life of Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano is at risk. On Tuesday evening, a Kosovar managed to get inside the grounds of Villa 30, where the prime minister lives with his family, but was stopped by the Republican Guard sentries. Yesterday, the press office of the Ministry of Public Order announced the serious incident that occurred late Tuesday evening. Faruk Mazreku, 19, of Kosovar origin and residing in Belgrade, was apprehended by the soldiers guarding the building. F 7

F 4 “He accuses me of getting his cousin fired” Bleta files suit against Ceka F 3 Otranto, tragedy avoided on dinghy carrying women and children 11 Albanians rescued F 6 Attack at the home of the head of Malësia e Madhe TNT attack against the chief of police F 10