The Prime Minister meets the heads of the Prosecutor’s Office, SHIK, the State Audit, and Justice / Fight against smuggling “I ask you to investigate this government, but also its predecessors” Page 5 The Prime Minister meets the heads of the Prosecutor’s Office, SHIK, the State Audit, and Justice / Fight against smuggling Majko: Investigations into Nano and Meksi “I ask you to investigate this government, but also its predecessors” Page 5

“Friends of Albania,” the body proposed by U.S. President Clinton and neighboring Prime Minister Prodi, is not a charity foundation or another consultative organization for Albanians and their state. More than a guardianship initiative, the forum bringing together diplomats from all Western countries and representatives of dozens of international institutions seems to mark the end of the West’s patience with us. The Albanians’ idea of guardianship imported from abroad is as old as the entire history of the state. But especially after 1990, dreams of a “Marshall Plan” or perhaps even a blank check occupied almost all the clever speeches of the country’s politicians. Even those who a year ago managed to obtain the almost impossible at the Donors’ Conference could not absorb the money on offer because they did not carry out the projects. On the other hand, increasingly prevalent political instability has driven away, along with investors, a good many Albanian citizens. Under these circumstances, “Friends of Albania” are the only chance offered to Albanians to integrate with the West. Political battles will no longer be discussed as a possible means of disintegrating Albania, as the government and opposition have continually fought over until now. There will be no more calls not to invest in Albania, and if a party—even a large opposition party—makes them, they will not be significant. In short, the entire field sidelines acts against their own country, which a good part of the Albanian political class, as well as civil servants, especially in customs and the police, have not hesitated to carry out passionately. Intervention in all these areas is evident in the arrival of 600 police officers and 52 customs officers from abroad, in the visits by U.S. Ambassador Marisa Lino to several ministers, carrying project proposals, and, above all, in yesterday’s meeting, which was more a discussion of the new government’s program. And this was the only way forward: although it may not seem very welcome, it can no longer be avoided after the irresponsibility of Albanian politics. Now Albanians will at least be secure about their own fate. With no other path, they will build, work, and integrate where they sought to go from the beginning of pluralism, but were repeatedly disappointed over eight years. Ultimately, this is a modern Protectorate, an unavoidable guardianship, as the year 2000 approaches.

Residents of Vlora, a year and a half ago, in the queue at the “Gjallica” counters

Contact Group meeting in London today Page 7 The latest diplomatic offensive

Regulations will be turned into legal acts Page 12 The Bank of Albania approves the project

Starova: We were promised 60 minutes; we have only 20 Page 8 The Korçë tape has been shortened