Greek company pays to maintain its monopoly Scandal over passenger transport between Greece and Albania pages 4–5

The latest scandal, in which Minister Shuli is the protagonist, shows that the concerns of international institutions regarding the extent of cor-

The “era” of the... comes to an end

of corruption in the Albanian government are entirely well-founded. On the other hand, the scandal in question gives you reason to think that it will be difficult to find anyone in the cabinet headed by Majko who does not see their position as a way to line their pockets. In this way, the conviction is reinforced that the allocation of posts in Albanian governments is guided less by the aim of solving problems and moving the country forward than by the need to satisfy the interests of certain circles, whose connections extend beyond politics. It is now clear to everyone that the disputes between the leaders of the ruling coalition over the portfolios of certain departments are only about not losing the enormous sums that flow from making decisions and signing documents in favour of entities that “know how to play the game.” The “Shuli” case, as well as those before it, and the insistence of the allies of the “Alliance for the State” on not relinquishing the ministries assigned to them during changes of government—as though they had inherited them from someone—clearly compromise the character of the coalition that has governed the country for two years. Thus, there is no other way to explain Gjinushi's insistence, even to the point of threatening to break up the coalition, first to keep Apostoli in the Majko government and later not to relinquish the Transport Department, leaving it in the hands of the anonymous Shuli. And indeed, the experience of these two years has shown that Public Works and Transport—or, more precisely, the “Ministry of Tenders”—has been the most talked-about department in the Nano and Majko cabinets, starting with road paving, the construction of major projects, and licences for maritime, air and land routes, etc. The current scandal, where a minister sells the state's interests for just 500,000 dollars, is a flagrant case in which Prime Minister Majko must respond forcefully. Among other things, this would show the West that corruption in Albania will not last, reducing suspicions about what may happen to aid in Albania. Otherwise, the international community will ultimately abandon Majko himself as powerless to fight the mafia clans that have taken shape at the top of the leadership.

The “era” of the tough guys is over in the city where calm reigns. Details of the Elbasan police operation, led by Colonel Koseni, to capture the city's terror. The remarkable story of the agents who dared to go undercover to discover Kateshi's hideout in the capital. Elbasan's gang boss, Tan Kateshi page 9

Aleksandër Çipa The collapse of governments in Albania has most often occurred because of the breakdown of law and order. This prolonged Albanian crisis also threatens the latest Majko government. Indeed, this assessment was preceded on this point by the international community's ultimatum, delivered through American and Council of Europe envoys. The daily crime reports in Albania remain just as extensive as they were during the months of 1997, when the state had virtually ceased to function. And public fear remains real. The state still seems weak in its confrontation with crime. Yet alongside this situation there is also a hopeful example. In Elbasan, the Albanian police have shown that a police officer in the country's fourth-largest city can command the authority of a London police officer. It is no exaggeration to say that the police force led by Colonel Edmond Koseni in this city has regained what the Albanian police, for the most part, have not enjoyed for several years. The latest case, following the operation led by Commissioner Koseni against the city's notorious crime boss, is truly an encouraging act for the uniformed officers and the institution responsible for maintaining order in Elbasan. On the other hand, this case highlights an “island of example” showing how the state's striking power against crime can be restored. The case of Elbasan, judged not only by a high-profile arrest such as the one in question, shows that law and order can indeed be established—indeed, in an exemplary way. Initially described as brutal in a chaotic city, he was later understood by everyone to be enforcing not “brutality” but the dictatorship of the law, which we had not known for a long time. And the dictatorship of the law is never a dictatorship. Meanwhile, Albania as a whole remains in the wretched state of public insecurity.