BY TEODOR KEKO A new wave of terror has suddenly swept the country, just when many of us had begun to indulge in the illusion that tensions were easing. Dynamite at “global” [possibly a place or name] in homes in Vlora and Durrës, sparing not even children; dynamite on bridges in Gjirokastër and an attack on the police; daytime murders in Lushnje, Vlora and Tirana, carried out in the style of a born criminal... Now you can expect anything! Now you can be hit by a bullet for no reason, in broad daylight, in the city center, while out for a walk, or you may find yourself blown into the air by dynamite planted somewhere nearby, and this is more than terrifying. The psychological trauma that Albanian society is reliving now means that we will have to face a total isolation from the world, which translates as: another stop on the road to poverty! Is there an explanation for this climate of terror in a country that has never been known for such aberrations? Many analysts believe that crime in the country is encouraged by four factors: vigilante justice between individuals and rival groups who have suffered harm; the collapse of the police force; the large number of weapons in the hands of teenagers and the population in general; and endless conflicts over property ownership. All four of these factors should be tackled by the state and the political spectrum, naturally, if they have the will to do so! Property disputes must be resolved with the sword of justice, by returning properties to their rightful owners. The weakening of the police is also the fault of our well-dressed politicians, who have created an atmosphere of job insecurity in this institution and have given no public guarantee that police officers will retire as police officers! And how can a criminal police officer fight crime when tomorrow they might throw him out of work and straight into the criminals’ jaws, leaving him like a dog without any protection?! A police officer is not stupid, as in anecdotes! He is just as clever and educated as we are, but is forced to play the fool like Švejk, so that tomorrow he can provide for his children! Weapons too can be collected, if politicians unite on this issue, instead of protecting their criminal-minded supporters in their own circles. There is international experience with weapons collection, and it can be applied very well in Albania. Albanian politicians must give up many things and take the fight against terror seriously. It is causing stress to young and old alike in Albania and turning us into Europe’s ghetto, into a wholly persecuted people whom the civilized world now views through a racist lens! Our politicians must understand clearly that they—and they alone—are responsible for this crime, the killings, the violence and the poverty. So if they do not act now, they should not be surprised tomorrow to find themselves in The Hague, like their predecessors Kadareja. Many things die. Memory is one of the few things that does not! Therefore, let us all unite against the punishment of terror, so that we may all escape punishment!

Kosovo: Albanians accompany 27-year-old Agron Rahmani, killed by the Serbs, on his final journey Photo REUTERS Kosovo: Albanians accompany 27-year-old Agron Rahmani, killed by the Serbs, on his final journey. Photo REUTERS

Phone numbers of Alimucaj’s “friends” in Europe and the USA uncovered. International investigation begins The connections of the imprisoned boss in the hands of prosecutors The prosecution has obtained all the mobile-phone numbers and records of ordinary calls that Vehbi Alimucaj and his associates made abroad during the period when the transparency process had begun at the Vefa company. Now recorded and filed in the investigative dossier, investigators have begun examining who the foreign individuals were who contacted VEFA representatives over the AMC network. P. 7

Roadblock breached by two young men on a motorcycle P. 6

Gramsh: robbed and raped travelers P. 13

Authorities undecided about their repatriation P. 10

13-year-old Albanian shot by soldiers P. 9

The veteran Balli Kombëtar leader will lead the campaign P. 5

The deadline expires; the pit goes to the Italians P. 9

Brazil, the land of carnivals, samba and football A report by Nikollë Lesi