The new platform will be implemented by April. The old guard will give up its positions. Page 5

BY FRROK CUPI The double question immediately arises: What are the trucks, and what is the turn? (The best thing is to make an open agreement about the meaning of the words with the reader right from the start.) By now, everyone knows about the trucks; people have learned that smuggling also takes place in carts and diplomatic suitcases, but the trucks are its symbol. And what, then, is the turn? This is also the problem addressed by this article: The turn is physical. A bend in the road, behind which a smuggling truck comes—or lies in hiding—takes on a detective-like significance. Fortunately, police forces fighting smuggling have now been stationed at the well-known smuggling bends, and they have had some success. But this has made the work of the “mobile-phone masters” even more sophisticated. The bend would serve the anti-smuggling group, were it not for the mobile phone; now that the little telephone device is in operation, the bend takes on the meaning of concealment. Or often even the role of an intrigue. The day before yesterday, several trucks caught smuggling “exposed” the name of the state secretary at the Ministry of the Interior. Fortunately, Legisi was alive and none of the bodyguards was asleep; otherwise, he would have “taken the blame.” This happened because of the bend and the mobile phone. The man on the phone failed to see that the incorruptible man was behind the bend, and disregarded him. Legisi, meanwhile, found himself on the opposite side. The whole idea of the turn, in its physical sense, lies here: Several senior government officials are now fighting one another; one stops smuggling, another gets angry with him. The fighting has begun through modern loopholes, just as today’s prime minister had foreseen from prison in connection with the 555-year laws. The turn for the trucks also has a figurative meaning: Because of smuggling, the government may make rapid changes. At least, these are the plans being talked about. But what changes might there be? Logic itself shows that what exists must be changed. Today, the fight against smuggling is in progress. That is, tomorrow we will have a warm climate for smuggling. Therefore, people who stand in the way of Lady Smuggling are expected to be removed from the government. Anyone who does not dance with this Lady cannot be a favorite. Let us wait these next few days for the real “cavaliers”; perhaps they will be short, fat, or even young lads. But there is no stopping them. Another turn may also occur: Perhaps Yeltsin, today’s tsar of Russia, may come to Albania and show indulgence toward the government, just as he does in Russia. If the government is waiting behind the bend together with the smuggling trucks, then instead of Yeltsin the World Bank, the IMF, and Popular Discontent—a different old lady—will appear. After that, the turn would be fatal for the government. Yet we are so naive that we still hope a little for honest government officials. Last March wore us out, and so we are forced to believe the unbelievable.

Page 2 Former president Ramiz Alia gives his first press interview in nearly three years

The court shows no mercy to the murderer of a woman and her infant Yesterday in Durrës, the extreme sentence was handed down to the 25-year-old: execution by a bullet to the back of the head The death penalty has returned to Durrës as well. Yesterday, the court in the coastal city sentenced a 25-year-old man to death, against whom a mountain of accusations had been brought. Yesterday at midday, Shkelzen Tarko, 25, was given the capital sentence at the Durrës Court. Born in a village in the Gramsh district and residing in the village of Shkallnur in the Durrës district, the 25-year-old had killed a woman and her son.

After returning from America: The Prime Minister knows nothing about urban planning Illegal construction: Brojka against Nano P. 6 Suspected in connection with the Tropoja and Shkodra banks Four arrested over major incidents P. 7 Office chief speaks: Here is what we will do in the city