“Islami, the man who attacks the Finance Minister” (Page 2) “Islami, the man who attacks the Finance Minister” Page 2

BY FRROK CUPI This is Albania today. After they had dragged it along for six years following the period of isolation, a sorrowful hand of the people rose up and gathered the flour into the kneading trough with the aim of making the “bread” of the Albanian state anew. It was no coincidence that this hand came once again from Vlora, where the state’s first flag had been raised. Fortunately, in the Spring of 1997, Evil was defeated by the popular vote. Yet the state is once again in a delicate position. Why has this happened? 1. At the moment when the state’s “flour” was gathered back into the kneading trough, something very nearly like Rozafa happened. While the “workers” who had tightened the straps on the man—the President who destroyed the state (that is, the people’s masses)—left the place where the bread was to be made, trusting in the government that had been tasked with being the “worker of the state.” But the government repeated the symptoms of forgetfulness, enthusiasm, forgetfulness, and political folklore. The government did not take proper care of the state. Then those who had shattered the state once again came near the “kneading trough.” They have announced the elimination of peaceful means and the use of force against their “victim,” which is today’s not-yet-fully-built state. Meanwhile, they play the role of angels, “forgetting” themselves.. 2. Under the banner of “Christian” governance, Albania sometimes took on the appearance of Paradise and sometimes that of Hell. Paradise was in the wording of speeches, while hell was in the streets, at the border, in kiosks... Berisha was allowed to play out this possible scene, while mass frustration could no longer tolerate the “spectacle.” At this time, the same lines of economic and financial mafia used by Berisha’s government were preserved. The Grey Eminence was put into practice, with a person who appears “unimportant” but in fact governs from a “small” corner. No consultation, not a trace of simplicity, no public figure. Albania found itself facing a new phenomenon: While crime had been created by the economic Ma-fi [?], now there is a risk that smuggling will give birth to crime with guns, bombs, and masks. (continued on page 4)

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After the DP’s refusal, the proposal for the Six falls through Page 4 After the DP’s refusal, the proposal for the Six falls through Everts: There is no freeze Page 4

The managers of the subsidiary that produced L&M on trial Prison for the Vevë factory Page 10

Yesterday at the Governing Council of State RTV After many debates, insults and speeches, yesterday the secret ballot at the RTV Governing Council declared TV director Eduart Mazi the winner and RTV Director General Ardian Klosi—the one brought in from Germany—the loser. Nevertheless, the members of the Governing Council, aware of the accusations and the factional games at the expense of state television, voted 9 to 5 in favor of Mazi, who, in addition to his mistakes, also has merits in leading this institution, which is so important for public information. The main point is that everything began with noise and force from the leadership, but this time the “base” paid no heed to these leaders, who, frustrated, are now considering another scheme to take control of the only national television channel. Although we disagree with some of Director Mazi’s practices, at least he remains the most professional among the nonprofessionals who have usurped this sensitive news institution. Also yesterday, RTV Director General Ardian Klosi fiercely attacked the independent press, “alluding to ‘interference by the private media in the affairs of state television.’” Even if some of his attacks may contain a measure of (Continued on page 4)

Arben Malaj Kastriot Islami Arben Malaj; Kastriot Islami

Trial of the Vlora gang boss within the month F 6

Scandal over the disappearance of counterintelligence materials F 7