Gramoz Ruçi: We are capable of governing even alone. Page 3 Gramoz Ruçi: We are capable of governing even alone Page 3

BY FATOS LUBONJA Dritëro Agolli’s article, “The Sins of the Government,” was an event in the Albanian press that int[u?]… many people, especially with its finding of the word “democracy,” which, according to an extremely widespread opinion, gave this period of government its name. It is a word that can also make you laugh. But it is not foba [?] to laugh at. This word raises several extremely sharp and pressing problems, such as: what do we mean by shkëndakrataci [?]? What are the typical characteristics that can define a form of power? What should be done to get rid of them? If I said this word to a foreigner, they would not understand you even if you translated the entire English, French, and Italian dictionaries. Albanians, on the other hand, would immediately tell you that the neologism has acquired a particular meaning: the power of people characterized by a lack of ideals, an inability to… lie, twist things, and pull tricks, combined with arrogance and ... only personal interests. In political life, this translates into irresponsibility and a lack of character and seriousness in relation to citizens’ hardships and interests. Who are those who named this period shkërdhatokraci? Agolli does not hesitate to put the prime minister and his principal subordinates at the top of the list. And this is precisely where the greatest evil lies. Things cannot be put right by appealing to Nano, because the fish rots from the head. Those who continue to defend Nano try to trivialize the accusations against him by saying: what is the harm if our government officials drink two or three ... or if they like restaurants? No, the concern is not that; it is that, as ... many restaurants attest, when they gather to eat ... the ministers and their advisers do not ... discuss Albania’s problems, but rather customs clearances, exclusivity deals, ... oil, tenders ... , purchasing invoices in ... expensive places in Europe, extra floors and other ... things like these. This is the spirit reflected by the government. Its apologists will try to say that these ... are inherited ... . To convince yourself of this, it is enough to look at the urban planning of Tirana, which is continuing—recognize expansionist steps like those taken in Berisha’s time. The biggest problem is what we should do ... to escape shkërdhatokracia. If Albania were a country with economic and moral stability, fine. Parliament would not be asking for a vote ... on the government, or it could call for its resignation ... . But the extremely fragile stability of ... makes this move dangerous to pursue. On the other hand, this could lead to uncertainty ... . These ... all the mechanisms of ... and state institutions and the parties that have people ... as brothers, Parliament and the Presidency, must ... all their powers in a proper way ... . The Socialist Party and the party of ... the coalition must analyze the situation and take ... their own. The responsible opposition must act forcefully, investigating and informing ... better. Otherwise, tomorrow will be ...

Powerful investors are involved in illegal trafficking P. 7

The Prime Minister “gathers” the government in Parliament P. 4

Financial scandal: the Democratic Party’s chief financial officer leaves

Page 5 Sali Berisha could not be decorated in Shkodër yesterday Photo A.BABANI Sali Berisha could not be decorated in Shkodër yesterday. Photo A.BABANI

The handcuffs are left in the officers’ hands. The man sentenced to 14 years evades pursuit. The escort detail under suspicion Spectacular escape by the convicted man outside the courtroom In just 15 minutes, Lulezim Paja, accused of armed robbery, was sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison. At 9:15, at the Tirana court, for the first time an arrested man escaped from the hands of the police. And just 15 minutes later, he was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment. The prosecutor in the case, Saimir Hysa, had requested the same sentence a day earlier. Page 6

The governing coalition is in crisis. The removal of the Minister of the Interior could trigger a split.

for Kosovo Page 4 Financial scandal: Democratic Party chief accountant flees Blerim Çela takes the cashbox Page 5 The number of Albanians returned reaches 5,000 The Greek sweep fills the border Page 11 A total of 26 homes are at risk of collapsing Lezhë, foundations shaken Page 10