Lazarat and Tropoja, “governments” that do not recognize the power of the state. The Port of Shëngjin—the center of smuggling in the North. Another 110 kiosks to be removed tomorrow The Ministry of Public Order still has corrupt officers linked to the Mafia in its ranks Lazarat and Tropoja, “governments” that do not recognize the power of the state. The Port of Shëngjin—the center of smuggling in the North Another 110 kiosks to be removed tomorrow The political picture for the New Year ’99 is now clear: the definitive establishment of public order, the acceleration of investment by the ministries, and the continuation of political dialogue between the governing majority and the opposition. The latter, the opposition, has changed its tactics, becoming more sophisticated in the service of its strategy to regain political power. But for the situation to evolve in other respects, public order must be established; although there have been acceptable developments in this direction, the kind of order we live under can by no means be considered suitable for secure investment. The national roads are still unsafe, and people go indoors early, with the sole exception of Tirana. Naturally, security in the center of the capital deserves praise, but Albania is not only Skënderbej Square. Albania is not only around the Ministry of Public Order or by the garden in front of the prime minister’s office. It also extends to places where the state is not felt, including Lazarat, Tropoja and Kukës. These areas, unfortunately, still do not recognize the power of the state, and when speaking of the state, the power of the police must come first. The places mentioned above have become “fortresses” under the police’s nose, against the minister himself, Piro Koçi, whose good intentions alone are not enough: he must be tougher. Toughness does not imply dictatorship, but strength, determination and, naturally, patriotism. When asked how the Mafia can find out the ministry’s plans; how smuggling has managed to move in force to the North, especially to the port of Shëngjin; and how crime can dictate apathy within this ministry, the answer is almost obvious: the Mafia has seized key positions in the police. Why has Lazarat not “fallen” under Majko’s authority? Why do dozens of smuggling vessels land between Sarandë and Vlorë, along the stretch where there are no customs posts? Who allows ships to enter the port of Shëngjin supposedly for “flour,” when in reality they have brought in qarge, fuel oil and other goods? Which chief, considered a senior official, has turned the Hani i Hotit checkpoint into a smuggling hub, where everything is controlled with German marks? Which senior official dares, with a single [unclear in source], to analyze what happened in the killing of police officers in Lezhë on 16 September 1998, when several chiefs and even a director were aware of it and [unclear in source] was attacked while he was working on the air conditioner, and instead of informing the minister, they collaborated with the bandits? (Continued on page 3) Tirana’s Construction Police removing kiosks from the center of the capital. Photo: A. RAMA

PAD against changes in the Majko government Page 4 The governing coalition will operate on the basis of a set of regulations. In any case, this will be set down in black and white, and will finally meet the coalition leaders’ demands for its institutionalization. This was stated yesterday by one of the leaders, PAD Chairman Neritan Ceka. “The regulations will set out the relations, determine how ideas are to be communicated and how the executive is to be protected from the danger of partitocracy,” Ceka told “KJ” yesterday.

The Hajdari case will bring PD back to parliament Page 5

Personnel reshuffle in the ministry Page 2

International efforts to impose a peace in Tirana point to the danger of war Page 7

On Thursday, 7 January, at 19:45, TV KOHA begins its first news broadcast: “Koha Report”