FREE KOHA JONË Independent daily newspaper First issue: 11 May 1991 Eighth year of publication 287 (1888) Price 50 lekë, Greece 390 dr., Germany 3DM, Italy 1500 lire, USA 2 USD Wednesday, 8 December 1999 The chief administrator of the pyramid schemes writes to the court: VEFA’s villa has been confiscated by the State Arapi expels Vehbiu; the villa belongs to the state “A rented house in which to serve the sentence” page 7

In the final days of Ylli Bufi’s tenure at the head of the department overseeing the privatization process, public attention was drawn to the privatization of several enterprises without a starting price. As expected, this was followed by their annexation by the presidentially connected company “2K Group”, which had already received favors from some state bodies. Judging by the “Bufi-style” way in which the privatization of these enterprises was carried out, this looked more like a gift from the state to a company that has yet to settle its “accounts” with the Transparency Commission and dispel suspicions that it is a pyramid scheme. On the other hand, given that Bufi was one of the ministers most criticized for corruption in previous governments, this was the main test for the new Prime Minister Meta regarding the position he would take on corruption and officials who might become involved in such affairs. Furthermore, any indifference toward the recent privatizations carried out during the “Bufi” period would have had consequences for everything that remained of state property. “2K Group”, as well as other companies accustomed to exploiting ties with politicians who cannot resist the temptation of corruption, would have acquired further national assets after grabbing seven or eight enterprises from the state under the guise of privatization without a starting price. Perhaps this latter possibility prompted Prime Minister Meta to outlaw this form of privatization. What matters most is that this restores the confidence of serious businesspeople that the state will rigorously enforce the rules of the game. As a result, the steps taken from now on to develop business in Albania would ensure economic growth that is not artificial. In fact, Meta’s move yesterday follows the warning given to the “Friends of Albania” about speculation by foreign firms involving funds allocated to Albania. Added to this are the crackdowns carried out in customs and other sectors connected with finance. All this heralds a difficult time from now on for speculators, fraudsters, and also for that class of politicians who see power as a business. Finally, the cancellation of the above-mentioned privatization practices sets an important precedent for repealing those parts of economic legislation created specifically to favor mafia-connected businesspeople.

UEFA GROUP 9 2 ENGLAND 3 GREECE 4 FINLAND 5 ALBANIA GERMANY The World Cup draw, the millionaire national team Pages 16–17

Counter-rally for 8 December among the students What happened yesterday in Qyteti Studenti was truly horrifying. Berisha, the man who entered the opposition path nine years ago at Ramiz Alia’s behest, decided to return to communist methods. He organized a macabre counter-rally in Qyteti Studenti, where one of the founders of the PD, Genc Pollo, held a commemorative meeting for the great day of democracy. From the very beginning of the meeting, Berisha’s thugs began to show their strength and shout for their leader, threatening the democratic guests who had come to meet him. Unlike most of the students, who were interested in listening to several intellectuals, they shouted and threatened, insulting the city of Albania’s future intellectuals. page 2

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