Agolli: “Personally, I wouldn’t say such a thing.” Ngjela: “Kadare is right” Page 32

There are countless facts that confirm the troubling and paradoxical reality that Albania has begun to be governed by the bodyguards of the country’s highest officials. This practice existed as far back as the time of Hoxha’s regime, although the bodyguards of that time wielded their power over the state administration under the heavy shadow of the senior party and state leaders. With the exception of only a brief interval, state bodyguards gradually began calling the shots in post-Communist governments as well. Indeed, now they “got things done” without needing to speak on behalf of the president, prime minister or any minister whom they had been assigned to protect. The power of bodyguards in the “Majko” government has taken on truly troubling proportions, not to mention the Meksi and Nano governments. Bodyguards are much more important than the ministers themselves in the cabinet. By now, bodyguards have greatly expanded their powers when it comes to exercising authority. The fact is that most former bodyguards of officials in recent governments now run important businesses. Thus, appointments in the administration, especially to posts where it is easy to line one’s pockets; orders to issue licenses for various activities and visas; to clear various lawbreakers of charges; or to conduct any kind of activity in violation of the law have long been commonplace. The current bodyguards do not seem to be satisfied with this; little by little, they have expanded their sphere of influence from suggestions and intervention in matters and appointments to offering advice of a political nature. Ministers and their aides consult their bodyguards more than they consult specialists. This is closely connected with the servile mindset of subordinates, who, for fear of losing their positions, think nothing of breaking every law solely to carry out the wishes of their superiors and of people connected to them, who are linked to their bodyguards. In this way, whether they like it or not, Albanians are now governed by the bodyguards of a group of fictitious government officials. It is no coincidence that the expression “The bodyguards rule” has begun circulating in public discourse. This fact alone is enough to conclude that the “rule of law” will remain an illusion for a very long time—or, indeed, that the whole thing is an illusion, sustained by a long-standing deception and a string of unfulfilled promises.

24 Kosovars killed yesterday in the village of Rogovë, 65 km west of Prishtina, by Serbian forces Another round of nationwide strikes The healthcare strike begins, followed by the postal workers’ strike A teachers’ strike ended, and the healthcare workers’ strike began immediately. Yesterday they warned that if all their demands were not met by tomorrow, the situation would remain unchanged and they would then go on an indefinite strike. Before the announcement by the healthcare union had even subsided, the threat by employees of the Albanian Post erupted. Both unions have put forward reasonable demands that are vital for their families, since their wages are not enough to live on amid this dizzying rise in prices. The Majko government is taking steps to draw on its reserve funds if the strike grows in scale. In other words, sensing these strikes coming, the prime minister has ordered the Ministry of Finance to prepare a pay increase for these workers if the strike expands. A.N. 24 Kosovars killed yesterday in the village of Rogovë, 65 km west of Prishtina, by Serbian forces. Photo REUTERS

Following the leak in the Fierza transformer a few days ago and the scandal of the power cuts by KESH, the General Prosecutor’s Office, on the orders of Arjan Rakipi, has launched an investigation into events at KESH, especially at Fierza. According to an Albanian daily newspaper, the company “2K” has also been included in the investigation. It is also the publisher of a modest newspaper and received 250,000 dollars to repair a transformer in Fierza, which subsequently developed problems. Investigators declined to comment on other charges, but acknowledged that companies of this kind are difficult to investigate because high-level politicians are hiding behind them. The prosecution’s investigation will also include the terrorist attacks involving the blowing up of high-voltage pylons, after which very large sums of money are allocated for electrical repairs. In any case, the prosecution is investigating—until the moment politics intervenes... A.P

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