“The leaders of the PS and PD keep each other in Albanian politics” — Page 3 “The leaders of the PS and PD keep each other in Albanian politics” Page 3

BY BLENDI FEVZIU The succession of green lights on the Albanian parliament’s scoreboard brought the anxiety over government changes to an end the evening before last. But the enthusiasm over the green voting card and the champagne poured on such occasions as a good omen have not managed to color the essence of the problem. Anyone can easily understand that the resounding YES the government received yesterday is not the end of the ordeal, but its beginning. Indeed, it is the beginning of an adventure more exhausting than the one the “Nano 3” cabinet faced at the beginning of last August. Nine months ago, Albania was emerging from a broad crisis that had spread across every element of society. The passage through this crisis and the therapy the country needed were significantly encouraged by the international community. Likewise, the new political class arrived without blemishes on its record. It had a clean record of governance, unlike the ledger full of gross errors left by the PD. The prolonged absence of the state and all its consequences had exhausted the population. The arrival of a new political class had the potential to motivate it toward a kind of self-stabilization which, as always in such cases, is psychological. Nine months later, the horizon facing the new cabinet is not rosy at all. Public order, described as an absolute priority, has not reached the point everyone expected. The cost of living has reached levels unseen in recent years, while Albanian life as a whole is stagnating. Added to this gray picture is the risk of a war on the northern borders and all the consequences that would follow—especially those affecting foreign and domestic investment in general. In this situation, full of political question marks, the new “Nano 4” cabinet must take its seats. The new ministers must get down to work seriously, convincing the people that if belts need to be tightened to get through the crisis, they themselves should be the first to tighten theirs. The time for fairy tales about those who destroyed Albania, and for looking there for the causes of failure, is over. The government must clearly define the goals of its term in order to achieve a realistic record at its end. A record that the press and political forces can assess transparently, so as to avoid the problems and comments that the recent changes generated in abundance. If the next government does not set clear benchmarks and ensure they are properly observed, the political future of the majority will be uncertain.

Court: Alimucaj to spend 15 days in prison Former president of the VEFA company, Alimucaj, at the Tirana court yesterday. Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

BKT chiefs on the list. The company’s accounts were split up VEFA: bankers under investigation Prosecutors’ discovery. Vehbiu withdrew USD 140 million from his accounts. The transactions took place after the arrest of the bosses of the foundations It seems the seven people arrested in connection with VEFA will not be the only ones involved in the investigation that the prosecution launched three days ago. The investigation has revealed that VEFA’s accounts were split up in January of last year, and former heads of the National Commercial Bank have also been placed under investigation over this. The names of BKT managers and representatives who, during the past year, enabled this company’s capital to be broken up are now in the hands of the investigative team. P. 6

At the government meeting, Nano on the cabinet’s work — P. 3 At the government meeting, Nano on the cabinet’s work A dressing-down for the new ministers P. 3

Coalition parties skeptical about the new names — P. 4 Coalition parties skeptical about the new names “Nano 4”: controversial figures P. 4

Brussels: NATO members meet on Kosovo — P. 5 Brussels: NATO members meet on Kosovo NATO discusses Nano’s request P. 5

Dismissals underway at all police stations. Police chiefs put to the test — P. 9 Dismissals underway at all police stations Police chiefs put to the test P. 6 End of the conflict. Kondi’s decision yesterday Mit’hat Havari is dismissed P. 9

“We catch the criminals; the courts set them free” — P. 13 “We catch the criminals; the courts set them free” Fier police officers rebel P. 13

The “jungle” of a tender worth thousands of dollars — P. 21 The “jungle” of a tender worth thousands of dollars How serious investors are discouraged P. 21