BY MARTIN LEKA If once, and not so long ago, the mafia was imagined by Albanians more as a utopia for them, if once they pictured the mafia through films, today it seems that the number of “dark people” in Albania, organized under the name “Mafia,” is on the rise. Indeed, the mafia and mafiosi are not only what we imagine. They are not just people wearing dark glasses, leather suits and shiny ties, masks, or pistols the size of a matchbox. Strangely, mafiosi are not only these people, nor are they so well hidden. It is hardly surprising if we cross paths with a mafioso on the boulevard or have our daily coffee amid the same crowd. But the greatest danger for citizens is not when the mafia is isolated, but when it infiltrates the structures of the state. In the first case, the state easily comes out on top. In the second, the state becomes small in the face of the mafia. And, of course, the fight becomes much harder. No one should imagine that the mafia has its name “written on its forehead.” The black spider infiltrates the state through [ryshtete], promises, hefty bribes, illegal tenders, various forms of corruption, hiring without criteria, influence peddling, etc., etc. This is why we have not managed to consolidate the state to this day. This is why people rush to buy an iron door worth as much as their apartment, or why they shut themselves in at home “njerëz me pulat,” feeling unsafe in their own state. For the state to become effective, it must not allow the mafia’s threads to penetrate its body. It must not coexist with or embrace people without ideals or virtues, who arrive at the state on a bicycle and the next day leave in a Benz, who come for a piece of bread and even steal the office electrical outlets, who betray police operations, openly defy the state and the law, and work for narrow clan interests. The fight against these shameless people is also the test facing today’s state: a test of its strength against the mafia.

Victims of Hurricane Mitch in Guatemala Photo REUTERS Victims of Hurricane Mitch in Guatemala. Photo REUTERS

The DP deputy chairman publishes comments on the draft Pollo: “They have often asked us for our comments, and we are submitting them” Page 7 The DP deputy chairman publishes comments on the draft The Democratic Party enters the constitutional process Pollo: “They have often asked us for our comments, and we are submitting them” The Democrats have finally begun to take part in the Constitution process. At a press conference, they took the first step everyone had been calling for: they published their comments on the draft put to a vote. Genc Pollo, the party’s deputy chairman, has commented on a specific article of the draft constitution, which he calls Nano’s draft passport. “Article 18, paragraph 3, is in conflict with the Convention on Human Rights”—these are the “golden” words drawn from the general conclusions reached by the DP regarding this Constitution.

“There are problems in Durrës after that, too” Page 5 Law and Order Information Ulqini: Tropoja out of control “There are problems in Durrës after that, too” Page 5

Foreign prosecutors in several northern cities Page 10 Kosovo trafficking Switzerland investigates arms trafficking Foreign prosecutors in several northern cities Page 10

Israel’s Maccabi, a success shaking Europe Page 23 Cup Winners’ Cup Lazio like NATO, Belgrade is “destroyed” Israel’s Maccabi, a success shaking Europe Page 23

Money blockade The Bank of Albania under lock and key The branches in Shkodër and Gjirokastër have been out of operation for a year and a half The two branches of the Bank of Albania in Shkodër and Gjirokastër, destroyed during last March’s unrest, have remained closed for a year and a half. Meanwhile, in the city of Shkodër, the branch of the National Commercial Bank has also remained closed because of the destruction in February this year. As a result, the northern city’s entire banking activity is concentrated in the Savings Bank branch.