A row erupts over the Ministry of Transport; Shuli stays pages 2–5 The newly elected Prime Minister keeps the corrupt and thieves in the government NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA

Gavrosh Levonja All it takes is a glance at the structure and people of the government that Ilir Meta is to lead to reach the unpleasant conclusion that nothing is going to change. This is because almost all of Majko’s ministers have kept their posts, despite the fact that some of them failed to meet their objectives, while the legal violations and corruption of others have been fully documented. With the exception of Poçi and perhaps someone else, several faces will continue to vegetate in Meta’s government—people who inspire aversion among the broad electorate, including the Socialist electorate. On the other hand, the changes, apart from Bufi and his department, have affected insignificant sectors, such as local government or information—as if all the ills of Majko’s government had been concentrated in Rrapi, Demeti or Ulqini. Thus, most importantly, the mistakes, violations and faults that the opposition and the media have repeatedly emphasized remain unaccounted for. Or is Majko the only one who must pay for everything? Simple logic leads easily to the conclusion that the negative phenomena observed over these past two years will remain present, if not intensify, as a result of their authors being spared. President Meidani described the new government as a “Stability Pact government,” but the fact that this government is also considered a “government of continuity” is a dangerous illusion. This is because one of the features of what is called “continuity” is, above all, inseparable from corruption. “Friends of Albania” in international institutions have not hesitated to accuse Majko’s government and the Albanian administration in general of corruption on a troubling scale. Just a few days ago, the EU postponed the conclusion of an association agreement with Albania solely because of corruption and problems with the administration. But given Socialist leader Nano’s tendency to compromise within his party, the makeup of the cabinet Meta will form makes one think that this inclination toward compromise and continuity extends to the construction of the government as well. In short, it is being formed with the aim of consoling with ministerial portfolios those “angered” by recent developments in the SP, restoring some disrupted balance, not to mention the influence of relations with the smaller allies, whose portfolios were carefully left untouched. Ultimately, this is a government of the “keep things ticking over” type, rather than a government that will deepen further the crisis that has engulfed the country.

Medicine and a gun to end their lives It is not known why it happened, but the consequences have been severe. A 13-year-old and a 15-year-old decided to leave this life without talking to anyone, leaving their families not only with grief but also with a mystery. The 15-year-old chose the less noisy way to commit suicide, with a handful of poison, while the other turned an automatic rifle against her own chest, bringing endless mourning to her family and relatives. Afterwards, everything is futile and cold. The police investigations and the journey to the final resting place, however serious and solemn, cannot fill the void left by the two underage girls or ease people’s distress over such shocking events. page 7

PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE LETTER DEAR SIRS, WHEREAS BEHAŞ İNŞ. TİC. LTD. ŞTİ at İzmir cad. 22/17, of Contract No and ... to execute Reconstruction of the East-West Corridor, section 2: Rogozhine – Elbasan Road (hereinafter called “the Contract”) AND WHEREAS it is stipulated by you in the said Contract that the Contractor shall furnish a Bank Guarantee by a recognised bank for the sum specified therein as security for compliance with his obligations in accordance with the Contract. AND WHEREAS we have agreed to give the Contractor such a Bank Guarantee. NOW THEREFORE we hereby affirm that we are the Guarantor and responsible to you on behalf of the Contractor, up to a total of 2,600,000 ECU (two million and six hundred thousand ECU only). Such sum being payable in the types and proportions of currencies in which the Contract Price is payable, and we undertake to pay you, upon your first written demand and without demur, or argument, any sum or sums within the limits only), as aforesaid without your needing to prove or to show grounds or reasons for your demand for the sum specified therein. We hereby waive the necessity of your demanding the said debt from the Contractor before presenting us with the demand. We further agree that no change or addition to or other modification of the terms of the Contract or of the performance to be performed thereunder or of any of the Contract Documents which may be made between you and the Contractor shall in any way release us from any liability under this guarantee and we hereby waive notice of any such change, addition or modification. This guarantee is valid until 30 days after the issue of the Defects Liability Certificate. Shuli’s web of theft pages 16–17 C. J. Spota EUROBANK KIBRIS EUROBANK European Investment Bank | European Investment Bank Republic of Albania Ministry of Public Works and Transport, General Road Directorate, TIRANA-ALBANIA PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE LETTER DEAR SIRS, WHEREAS BEŞAŞ İNŞ. TIC. LTD. ŞTI. [??] Ankara, Turkey (hereinafter called “the Contractor”) has undertaken, in pursuance of Contract No and ... Subject: BPGL 98/18/22 ...