Last night, the Minister of Public Order ordered drastic measures against crime. All legal means are to be used to defeat the bandits Ultimatum to the Crime Directorate: “I don't want false figures” Last night, the Minister of Public Order ordered drastic measures against crime. All legal means are to be used to defeat the bandits Minister Poçi: Criminals are suffocating us Ultimatum to the Crime Directorate: “I don't want false figures” page 9

Deputy Prime Minister Meta’s public declaration that “Majko will be prime minister and chairman of the SP” can be considered a move made by him at the most opportune moment. On a personal level, Meta’s statement shows that he is free of careerist ambitions of the narrow-minded kind. On the other hand, his unreserved support for Majko is also a protective shield for his colleague and fellow fighter, in the face of coups being plotted behind the scenes by various factions in the SP, using their people who are ensconced in the government as well. Under these circumstances, setting aside the advantage Meta has given him, Prime Minister Majko is in fact faced with a difficult test, perhaps the most difficult of his political career. It is his duty to justify the confidence placed in him by his deputy, and above all this can be achieved through success in governing. In such a position, where perhaps his political future is also at stake, it is natural for Majko to use every legal means to ensure effective governance, the most important of which, given the situation, is a “strong hand.” In this regard, the confidence Meta has expressed in him should encourage the prime minister not to be intimidated by fears of “upsetting the balance,” “damaging the government’s image,” or the absurd accusations of “collaboration with Berisha,” which incompetent and corrupt ministers use to defend themselves, as they continue lining their pockets while secretly undermining Majko. Given the ties some members of his cabinet have with circles and individuals who have openly shown an interest in bringing Majko down, it can be said that his success in steering the party toward reform is clearly at stake, as is ensuring that he is not exploited by unworthy careerists. In this respect, the group of politicians linked to the presidency cannot be ignored: while fanning the flames of conflict between him and Nano, they are trying to gain influence through murky maneuvering so they can take the reins of both the government and the SP themselves. If Majko fails in governing, he will of course also have lost the chance to become the Socialists’ number one, while Meta himself may climb the career ladder, not forgetting Nano, who has still not begun meeting with the party base. Nevertheless, Nano is unpredictable in his political moves, to the extent that he could overturn the plans of the Presidency, as well as those of the Socialist opponents themselves, who are waiting for the Congress to be held at the beginning of October this year. So, October this year will be scorching for the SP, to the point that it can be said that this year’s summer will not end in August, but in October—at least for the Socialists.

British forces Captain in Kaçanik, Andy Phipps, surveying yesterday the first mass grave discovered by NATO, in which the bodies of 97 massacred Albanians have been buried photo REUTERS British forces Captain in Kaçanik, Andy Phipps, surveying yesterday the first mass grave discovered by NATO, in which the bodies of 97 massacred Albanians have been buried. photo REUTERS

The most talked-about minister in the Majko cabinet, who still holds the post of Minister of Privatization and Public Economy, is making his final arrangements to exploit his position. As if handing over numerous state properties for privatization or rent to his friends or to dubious individuals were not enough, Minister Bufi is seeking to appoint his own people to all the key positions in the joint-stock companies, especially AMC and Albpetrol. Meanwhile, at KESH, with the appointment of A. Paloka as Director General by Prime Minister Majko, the opportunity for abuses has been cut off, and Bufi’s circle of friends, who also own pyramid-scheme media outlets, has fallen into economic difficulty; so today the minister is seeking to appoint one of his clan’s people as Deputy Director General. It is striking that the minister, precisely when neither Prime Minister Majko nor KESH Director General A. Paloka is in Albania, intends to appoint one of his own people in order to secure the tenders for a pyramid-scheme company, which would be financially asphyxiated without these contracts. Thus, the minister’s, so to speak, thieving move to appoint a member of the financial clan to the very important post of Deputy Director General of this giant institution, KESH, leaves a bitter taste about the minister’s actions, as he has fallen into the clutches of the media-political-financial mafia. K.N.