Ngjela’s first report is completed. The investigations into the revolts fail to identify those responsible MPs dissatisfied with the Commission. 12 names under accusation. Page 3 Ngjela’s first report is completed. The investigations into the revolts fail to identify those responsible Berisha innocent?! MPs dissatisfied with the Commission. 12 names under accusation. Page 3

Last night, at 22:10, the MPs finished discussing the initial report on the events of January–June 1997, presented by the chairman of the parliamentary commission, Mr. Spartak Ngjela. It must be acknowledged that the report, apart from some facts already publicly known to everyone, revealed nothing new; on the contrary, it left the impression that “Berisha’s government was not the cause of the revolts and the destruction of the state.” It is astonishing that, before being submitted to parliament, the report was also approved by the Socialist MPs on the commission. In reality, the revolts came as a consequence of the poor governance of Berisha’s administration, the theft of money by the pyramid schemes, and the votes of 26 May 1996. During last year’s revolts, hundreds of Albanians were killed. The tears of mothers and sisters have not yet dried, while they await not revenge, but only justice. Nearly all the MPs expressed this dissatisfaction yesterday. Independent MP Lesi said he disagreed with the spirit of the report and called for justice to be delivered by those who had made promises and won people’s votes on 29 June. Nevertheless, last night it was implied that justice would not be delivered in connection with the events of 1997. “Politics and compromise have imprisoned the people, the dead, and justice,” Lesi said. “And when political compromise intervenes at the expense of the interests of the whole population, then something is not working in the state machinery.” The report insinuated that the Democratic Party government had not created the pyramid schemes that triggered the revolts; it also implied that foreign intelligence agencies had played no role in Albania, even though they are still firmly ensconced in the middle of Tirana. Official reports stated that foreign intelligence agencies also took part in the Shkodra revolt a few weeks ago. Agents of foreign secret services have disguised themselves as presidents of private companies, people interested in investing in Albania, and even as members of the upper echelons of the state. But yesterday, Ngjela’s report gave the impression that it was the opposition of yesterday—that is, today’s government—that politicized the revolts, after which Albania was destroyed. The real perpetrators (according to secret documents) are: Sali Berisha, Bashkim Gazidede, former head of SHIK; Agim Shehu, former Deputy Minister of the Interior; Xhait Xhaferri, former commander of the Republican Guard; and MP Shaban Memia, who opened the arms depots in Tirana. These are the big fish. The others come after them, merely blind tools in the hands of the regime. More or less, this is how some of the MPs spoke in parliament last night, criticizing the commission’s work while also asking it to point the finger at those responsible in the final report, which will be presented in two months. MP Spartak Ngjela, who presented the report yesterday on behalf of the Commission. Photo A. BABANI The Director of the Police Directorate, Lieutenant Colonel Gjon Abazi, is leaving Vlora. This was announced yesterday by Albania’s official news agency. The former head of the Vlora police is leaving the coastal city, apparently to go to another district. Sources at the District Police Directorate say that a team from the Ministry of the Interior arrived yesterday, led by Ilir Çano, Deputy Director General of Police.

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P. 2 Otranto: search suspended P. 9 Repeal of the anti-PKSH law added to the agenda Communists: We want Enver’s day P. 4 Today, Socialist Party members from the districts meet in Tirana The grassroots’ accusations now reach the leadership P. 5 Moves also in Devoll, Berat, Kolonjë, Pogradec Storm over the blue [Democratic Party members] in the districts P. 9 FROM 1 MARCH EVERY DAY Every day with 32 pages Price: 50 lekë

The latest tragedy in Otranto prompts the changes The protagonist speaks from his hospital bed: “The moves are natural.” A director from Tirana takes his place cause gave the impression that it was the opposition of yesterday, that is, today’s government, that gave the revolts a political coloring, and then commander of the Republican Guard, not forgetting simply parliament last night, criticizing the commission’s work, but in the final report to group Ilir Çano, Deputy Director General of Police. MP Spartak Ngjela, who presented the report yesterday on behalf of the Commission. Photo A. BABANI