Where the dirty money goes and how it is invested Information arrives from Italy: How much money Albanian traffickers have at their disposal and circulate Page 2

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA As has always happened in cases like this, Prime Minister Majko’s visit to Brussels has also been described as a success. In fact, his schedule of meetings was packed, and there were also kind words for the government, but above all promises of “unstinting support and assistance for Albania.” However, when it comes to making this assistance a reality, making it tangible, reality is a long way from the words. Albanians have encountered this phenomenon over the past few years. Specifically, more than a year ago, Majko’s predecessor was promised substantial sums, amounting to several hundred million dollars, to be provided at various times, but, unfortunately, not a single penny has entered the Albanian state treasury, at least so far. The greatest success in this respect was merely the unblocking of several agreements reached by previous governments, but frozen when the unrest broke out. The truth is that those promising money that would make Albanians happy, at least by restoring normality to the country, have attached conditions such as establishing public order or reducing smuggling and corruption. However, the country’s economic circumstances, not to mention politically motivated manipulations, make it almost impossible to meet the conditions set in order to bring aid flowing into Albania. Thus, as long as substantial employment opportunities are not created and there is no production, corruption, smuggling, corruption, and the flourishing of crime in general will accompany our country perhaps forever. There is no doubt that changing such a reality cannot even be contemplated without a contribution, however modest, to set in motion the mechanisms that must pull the economic situation out of its dead end. Ultimately, then, we find ourselves in a vicious circle. Consequently, Albanians will be forced to content themselves only with promises in the form of declarations of support and backing, or with assurances about “what has been achieved so far.” Certainly, most of them understand this clearly, and therefore have no reason to get excited, much less to hope for the miracle of a shower of dollars or a “blank check.”

Photo REUTERS

Ceka: The Commission will ask for the money to be given to them SHIK dissatisfied with the budget Page 3 SHIK is asking for more money for informants. In the 1999 draft budget, the government has allocated for operating expenses half the amount of money that SHIK itself requested. While dissatisfaction with SHIK’s work continues to be voiced, the service is asking for more money, although the allocated amount is slightly higher than that set for the year now drawing to a close.

“UÇK statements are from the UDB” Berisha’s accusation Page 5

Italians complain: Wholesalers are cheating Factory destroyed Page 10

How Albanians cheered for world leaders Albanian history Page 18

A 19-year-old is traumatized by the lying screen TVSH scandal J. Gj, 19, from Tirana, has not left his room for three days and is terrified of the moment his father comes home. He is very frightened, thinking that as soon as his father walks in he will say to him, “Well, you appeared on television like a professional drug addict, and everyone saw how you were getting high.” At least he is relieved that his father has not found out so far, although everyone has seen it clearly, and his friends were the young man who labeled him at night a bullyner and tu rritusit? Shtë marr e shenumallur në? [partly illegible] a documentary about drugs. Page 32