The Ministry of Transport is forced to acknowledge that the deputy prime minister is calling the shots Minister Shuli: We will receive 30 railcars free of charge at the end of the year The Ministry of Transport is forced to acknowledge that the deputy prime minister is calling the shots Majko, danger from Meta Minister Shuli: We will receive 30 railcars free of charge at the end of the year Pages 4–5

BY NIKOLLË LESI What should not have happened has happened: This government, too, has launched an attack against the independent newspaper “Koha Jonë,” which has shown that it knows how not to bow before either Berisha or Nano, let alone before a deputy prime minister named Ilir Meta, whose neck swells more every day, against his wishes. But even if “Koha Jonë” might have made a mistake (which it has not made at all), the government should have shown a little more restraint, since this concerns some documents that cannot be hidden. There is talk of a financial conflict of interest between the Austrian company and Deputy Prime Minister Meta’s legal wife. The insulting terms Meta has used in recent days at press conferences, especially on the state television station and the private one, make you think that either Mr. Meta’s current irritation stems from the publication of the financial scandal, or his statements have to do with mental defenc[e]s that in any case urgently need to be brought under control. It is true that the deputy prime minister comes from the ranks of the Euro-socialists, but that does not mean he has the passport of a hero or of someone universally compassionate toward everyone and everything. Being vested with power means showing even greater respect for the views of the opposition, not baring one’s teeth and making a gross blunder. Majko, as head of the executive and, naturally, Meta’s superior, should pay closer attention to his subordinate, whose conduct and arrogance are causing Majko damage day after day. The prime minister needs support, but he also needs to make documents about his people public—those who, from being his “right-hand men,” turn into “Hummers” on the right. Naturally, private media must be more accurate too, but that does not mean that the deputy prime minister—who is accompanied by a host of bodyguards and cars and is treated to endless lunches and dinners—should start baring his teeth at the media. The history of these years has shown that the media have resisted even when they were burned and beaten, even when Meta was fighting against his leader in prison. At that time the independent press once again resisted the police batons and Grizade’s SHIK. [Raki?] all the more so because the government of that time, perhaps a government developing slowly, evolved faster than other governments, including the one under which Mr. Meta still reigns. At this time, when tempers are running high and explosives have started going off again, there needs to be some mutual understanding between the government and the media—not, of course, at the level of servility, but while remaining in the position of sincere opposition. People are tired of the government, but also of media figures; those who entrust them with their confidence so they can face a new day without anxiety and economic hardship would be better served if all sides looked for ways to understand one another in opposition, rather than baring their teeth at each other. As far as the press is concerned, at least Majko still has time to respond. There is still time for the government to review and correct its conduct toward the media. Even a commitment to a “everyone loses” approach [unclear], without forgetting that ordinary citizens pay the price most heavily.

Special forces after restoring calm in Shkodër in February this year

Ambassadors call for support for the constitution EU: Everyone should turn out for the referendum “Those calling for a boycott will place themselves outside the European level of conducting politics” Page 7 EU ambassadors have appeared before the press for the first time to warn Berisha and his party about their stance on the Constitution. “Those calling for a boycott (of the constitutional process) will have to suffer the consequences, and these consequences will mean that they place themselves outside the European framework, outside the European level of conducting politics,” Austria’s ambassador (whose country currently holds the EU presidency), Arno Riedel, said yesterday at a press conference.

“Objections should be raised in parliament, and amendments made after the referendum” Page 8

Rubber dinghy carrying 30 undocumented migrants intercepted at sea Page 9

Thousands of stolen cards have been put on the black market

The Klosi-Mazi feud flares up again; an editor in charge is dismissed Albanian government officials wielding pincers over the Albanian television news bulletins. The latest case is that of Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta. After his preferences were not catered to in the 4:00 p.m. news bulletin on TVSH, in the report broadcast by the state television station.