Since 21:30 last night, the police have been ordered to shoot at criminals Last night in Durrës, after killing 2 people, a large police force surrounded the building where the criminal had taken refuge and finally arrested him, wounded, along with another person page 2

Minister Poçi: the strong hand against crime Yesterday’s arrest of one of the best-known leaders of the gangs that emerged onto the scene in the spring of 1997, “Gaxhai,” is undoubtedly a success for the law-enforcement forces and for Minister Poçi, who was appointed a short time ago. On the other hand, this blow struck at the criminal world shows that Minister Poçi will not tolerate criminals of any stripe, regardless of the connections they may have with political circles. From the very first days after taking office, Mr. Poçi sent clear signals that hard times would soon come for criminals. Specifically, during this period, within a short time span, the man who has taken on the task of leading the fight against crime—which his predecessors had failed to win—has been extremely active. Unlike them, Poçi crisscrossed the country in record time, familiarizing himself in detail with conditions on the ground. This has undoubtedly helped him make sweeping changes among police leadership, which seem to be producing results without delay. In addition, what matters most is that the arrest of “Gaxhai” will serve as an encouragement to the police, above all to those conscientious professionals who, in many cases, have been disappointed by their superiors or other state institutions. Gaxhai and his gang were in the dock until two months ago—he was being tried in absentia for the crimes of ’97—but, like other criminals, he had been set free by the much-talked-about Albanian justice system. Bearing this in mind, if Gaxhai’s arrest is followed by other police operations as part of an uncompromising fight against crime, this will, to some extent, lend credibility to the hypotheses about links between certain people within the police and the criminal world, which would fully justify the campaign of purges and changes among law-enforcement leaders undertaken by Minister Poçi. Until now, police operations of major importance against notorious criminals have often failed because the operations were leaked by people wearing blue uniforms, including senior officials. Above all, if “Gaxhai’s” arrest is followed by further successes in the difficult fight against crime, it will show that the Albanian police do not lack the people and means to triumph in their duel with crime—a duel in which, unfortunately, crime has been winning so far.

Police: The killing took place as an act of revenge between gangs or for reasons linked to extortion of merchants page 11

Today in Vlorë, a Socialist Party rally After several announcements, today at last the Socialist Party of Vlorë, this fiery city that brings down and raises governments, will test the real electorate of former Socialist leader Fatos Nano, the man who spent four years in Berisha’s prison. It is reported that dozens of cars carrying supporters will accompany him from Fier to Vlorë. If Nano is received in Vlorë today with honors and popularity, then the former leader will once again become the leader of the Socialists. Otherwise, Fatos Nano will lose his chance to lead the country’s largest party, which is currently in an identity crisis. It is also reported that, following Nano’s visit, sources from the Democratic Party have said that the Democratic leader will dare to enter Vlorë for a rally, also in Flag Square. Berisha has stated: “Vlorë is Democratic. I hold the people of Vlorë in my heart...” In any case, the Nano-Berisha duel begins again today in Vlorë and will end at the new elections, where each party says it will win.

Strikes erupt in Rinas and the capital Yesterday Tirana was shaken by the morning strike by employees of Rinas Airport, which suspended all air flights. Later, at 19:00, another protest erupted in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, by the employees and owners of the kiosks and buildings in “Rinia” Park. Large numbers of Tirana police accompanied all 3,000 protesters, who peacefully called for the order issued by the Republic’s Construction Police not to be implemented. They appealed to the Prime Minister for a meeting with a delegation of their representatives, in order to find a solution acceptable to both sides, although the government has still given no response; nevertheless, the state appears to be showing a degree of retreat in the face of their protest, which will continue every day in front of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Last night, in addition to the Minister of Public Order, Poçi, Minister Angjeli also arrived at the port to inspect customs employees. Last night, the minister dismissed three customs officers and suspended five others. The visit is part of the anti-corruption campaign and Prime Minister Majko’s order to crack down on the corrupt.