Voices opposing the prime minister are growing within the SP leadership “Let us free ourselves from diktats and behind-the-scenes manipulation” (Page 3)

BY FRROK ÇUPI Walk this way, Mr. Citizen; walk this way, because She is asleep! The “police” guarding Madam Mafia has two sides to its brain: the side that understands the monster must not be woken; and the part of its own brain that thinks the Mafia really is asleep. But she only pretends to sleep. Because in fact she is at work every day, even in our poor country. She is bringing in valuable goods through smuggling without paying the state a thing. Records show that only 11 tons of cigarettes have been registered at customs during this period, while more than 400 tons of cigarettes have been lit up in this country, which smokes through human mouths and the wounds of the earth. The Mafia issues “permits” for illegal construction, sends people beyond the borders by speedboat and on foot; organizes terror; builds kiosks and hotels where all the state's business is “cooked up” among gangsters and “waiters”; makes plans in offices protected by immunity about how to chop off the heads of those who disobey, and finally turns the institutions of the state into a mess. These things have given the state two faces: The first is the enrichment of an extremely tiny minority that has taken power like a child grabbing a rag ball and is running far away from the playing field. This minority has not yet managed to dominate all the pillars of the state, but it obeys the Mafia. During last spring's popular revolt, the international Mafia was terribly frightened for several days, but when the Government of Reconciliation was formed and the Mafia looked over the lists of “minor officials,” it was just as terribly delighted: “We won; our people are back again.” That is why they are still there today. Enrichment through the Mafia can endanger the state, because those filling their pockets today may become a problem tomorrow, using their money to entrench Mafia power. The world has begun to speak as if, after the rule of gangsters, it sees the Mafia arriving. The second face the state has acquired is its utter impoverishment. No roads, no lights, no hospitals, no mental institutions, no control over goods or anything else. There are thousands of people who cannot walk through the cities, children because they have no bread for dinner. Drugs and prostitution, economic and social conflict are poisoning Albania, so that the “noise” comes from the other side of the den where she sleeps. Nevertheless, it is best not to make a sound, not to upset the Mafia. There is nothing else we can do, because we would suffer badly. The Mafia is stronger than our voice. If we had state instruments on our side, then we might say a word or two. But... This is the height of despair and bankruptcy. Or perhaps it is also the height of impatience. I hope that one day it will understand my irony. “Don't wake the Mafia,” otherwise it will attack me viciously; so it is whispering in high offices about why I am bothering it so much with my words in the press.

Defense Council convenes urgently. US declare: “We will act differently from the Contact Group” Situation at the border — From our correspondent in Kukës The situation on the country's northern border yesterday was not merely alarming, but frightening as well. At around 14:20 at the Tropoja border crossing, called Qafa e Prushit, about 5 km from the border, according to Albanian reports, five columns of Serbian soldiers had arrived, with tanks, three churches and other armored vehicles. At 19:20, meanwhile, a phone call from the border to the office of the Kukës division general reported that Serbian troops had narrowed the distance separating them from the Albanian border line, bringing it to less than 200 meters. Pp. 4–5 An Albanian soldier at the border observing the Serbian side. Photo: REUTERS

Sun. photo in front of the government headquarters “Nano 4” begins work P. 2 Local elections, PSD: Joint candidates Gjinushi also against the SP P. 2 After resignation, Rama appointed minister by decree Dade accuses the chief P. 3 Pyramid schemes: What happened during my government Meksi speaks about the fraud schemes P. 6 He cannot be arrested; his parents will answer for him 12-year-old killer caught P. 13 Police powerless; testimonies are false Smuggling: Evidence is needed P. 7 Does not pay taxes; complaint filed with the Prosecutor's Office The state, a private lawsuit P. 6