“People in power get rich overnight. The assets of smugglers must be seized” Agim Tirana, head of the Republic’s investigations, makes a sensational statement before the FBI Pages 6-7

BY FRROK ÇUPI In the middle of Tirana, a few days ago, at a meeting dedicated to Kosovo, one of the “patriots” gets up on the podium: “Listen,” he said, “listen here, my heart is burning for Kosovo. These days I met a Kosovar (perhaps the first—my note); he had come from the war in Kosovo. The Kosovar boy had lost an eye in the war. But from this platform I tell him: ‘Even if you lose your other eye for Kosovo, don’t think you’re doing it for Kosovo.’” That is what the “patriot” said. How many patriots like him we have! But where are the gods of these people, good and wicked at the same time? Generally, these people are unseen and have no other worth. Generally, the “patriots” wait for the nation’s dark days, and then they appear. They start weaving autumnal phrases about the nation, so much so that they frighten even the neighbors in their apartment building. The neighbor knows the “patriot” is a scoundrel, but cannot say anything to him, because he would find himself under attack from nationalist phrases. These “patriots” slip into the shadows and summon autumn for anyone who has given even a little value to their own work and to the work of the nation, but who has also “erred” for lack of “patriotism.” They appeal to history written by amateurs and say, “We are the oldest nation and ours is the most ancient language.” They gather a handful of soil from the banks of the Lana and climb onto the Theatre stage, throwing the dirt over their heads: “This is the soil of burned Drenica; this soil is calling us...” These “patriots,” generally speaking, emerge from nowhere and follow close behind a battered event, trying to acquire a little glamour and identity. Like crows calling out disaster. There are no people more despicable than “patriots” in times of war. They appeal to blood, which in modern times is the most macabre appeal. So many people, under the pressure of pathetic appeals, have lost their human compass and gone on to shed blood. “Patriots” do not accept the path of bloodshed. “Patriots” never accept the call for Peace, even though, for themselves, they are sure their contribution is the smallest possible. “Patriots” appeal to times gone by, because they cannot live in the day and hour in which they breathe. In general, progressive politics are frightened by the “caw-caw” for a leader and often make the wrong choice instead of the peaceful one. It was the Albanian nation’s misfortune to be tied to the “patriots.” The philosophy of “Rozafa”—where we Albanians work and contribute, only for that contribution to collapse “overnight,” while others reap the benefits—has been firmly established by the “patriots.” Look at what we see today. War, terror, violence, destruction and killings are there in Kosovo, while the “patriots” are in Tirana, in, perhaps the “patriots” are in Tirana, in Bonn, in Stockholm, in New York. They have waited for the days of “Celebration.”

page 5 Ibrahim Rugova Photo REUTERS

The Prosecutor’s Office has still not decided whether to reconsider the lawyer’s request Nano risks trial No prosecutor is willing to take on the case that would declare the prime minister innocent Nano risks remaining guilty. There are voices within the General Prosecutor’s Office saying that there may be no prosecutor willing to take the case under review, and that a lawyer had been sought who would [unclear] Nano not to rush, since it is not known whether the Prosecutor’s Office will decide to reconsider the case. The Prime Minister’s lawyer, Përparim Sanxhaku, told “KI” yesterday that he has not yet filed the request, but that it will be at the doors of the General Prosecutor’s Office by Monday. P. 2

The Security Committee issues new orders on Public Order P. 3

The law on the sale of pyramid-scheme assets is approved P. 3

The Minister of Justice speaks about the latest accusations P. 4

More than 400 girls and women work in 50 brothels P. 9

The Dobruna incident: bilateral meeting fails P. 13

L.L.C., GJIROKASTËR All children who have completed their “Kukunku” albums, and those who are close to completing them, are informed that the draw will take place from 1–10 SEPTEMBER. The winners of the draw will take part in the excursion organized by the Hari Lena company to the Greek capital ATHENS