KESH calls for a State of Emergency to be declared Electricity cuts begin before winter sets in. The “black” statistics: the worst year page 13

By Gavrosh Levonja With yesterday’s power cuts, KESH reminded Albanians that winter has already arrived. However, given that temperatures have not yet fallen to levels that would make it necessary to switch on heating appliances, yesterday’s cuts warn that this winter will bring more darkness for Albanians, perhaps more than any other year. This bitter reality is also confirmed by KESH’s request to the government to impose a very strict regime of energy-saving measures, leaving the population in darkness for ten hours. In a way, this imposed darkness stands in stark contrast to several developments over the past year that are more or less connected with electricity. First of all, several substations have been built this year to increase the capacity to supply electricity to various cities or specific parts of them. Also this year, almost all cities have acquired a sizeable number of kiosks which, as is known, “consume” a considerable amount of kilowatts, and this means a reduced likelihood of cuts caused by consumption overload. Besides these developments, unlike last year, there have been no reports of turbines or transformers going out of service, not to mention the blowing up of high-voltage pylons by “UDB agents.” Leaving aside the negative effects this will have on Albanians’ daily lives, what matters more is how much it may help make them aware of the role of politics in improving their situation. So far, Albanians have shown that the only time they take to the streets is when politicians call on them to protest for political reasons, which means in the interests of a narrow political class. Yet, according to the most elementary logic, any change in the political class in power is first and foremost connected with improving living conditions. In Albania, however, this is not what happens. Over these ten years, although governments change, ordinary problems such as water, [unclear], unemployment, lack of electricity, water, etc., remain at the same levels—or, indeed, continue to accumulate. Instead of filling the squares to demand higher wages, [unclear] taxes, electricity and water, Albanians merely [unclear] or complain to Nano and Berisha, as if [unclear] or their rise to power would give them more electricity, water and money.

Prosecutors arrive at the scene of the murder The prosecutors’ first report on the circumstances surrounding the murder of Fatmir Haklaj. His assassin, although he was a man who made great sacrifices, staying for days on end in an abandoned state and living on bread and buttermilk, was equipped with sophisticated devices. He had infrared binoculars so that he could watch the victim at night from wherever he was. These and other details come from the prosecutors, who have no leads in the murder. Meanwhile, Haklaj’s letter to the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” just two weeks before the attack, may provide more leads about the incident. This is why it is being reprinted. pages 7, 16–17 The slope of Gjallica, free again