It has privatized the Albanian economy using securities. It buys important properties at laughably low prices. The Durrës Refrigerator Plant, worth 1 million dollars, was bought for just 1,200 dollars! . Pages 2–3

In Monday’s parliamentary elections, the crushing defeat suffered by Tuđman’s party, HDZ, marked the end of the first period of transition for Croatia as well. For nearly ten years, HDZ won every electoral contest in Croatia. The change in Croatia made it definitively clear that the era of authoritarian leaders—and with it, the card of nationalism—has come to an end once and for all for the peoples of the Balkans. Thus, with the fall of the Tuđman myth, Milošević’s Serbia remains the only country in the region not freed from the clutches of authoritarianism and nationalism. The hardships of transition, as well as the devastating consequences of the wars in which Croatia was also involved, were the main causes of the shift away from the nationalist card. Specifically, unemployment in Croatia has reached 20.4 percent, the average salary is around 400 dollars a month, and foreign investment faces some of the greatest obstacles. In this respect, it should be said that Croatians have also paid the price for the authoritarian policies of Tuđman, the “father of Croatia,” as a result of which the doors of various international organizations have been closed to their country. Thus, Zagreb has been denied access to EU funds, obstacles have been placed in its way to participation in the “Partnership for Peace,” and its EU association talks have been blocked. But in this regard, it should be said that the greatest influence was exerted by Tuđman’s nationalism, reflected in his policy toward neighboring countries, mainly Bosnia, as well as in the concealment of war crimes, for which he, after Milošević, was also responsible. It is important that the results of Croatia’s parliamentary elections be analyzed carefully by Albanian politicians. First, any politician’s efforts to become an idol, a symbol, a myth, or a historical figure are futile. History, including the history of these last few years, has shown that pragmatism holds greater sway among Albanians than idol worship. Albania is perhaps the most characteristic country where myths are toppled most easily. Add to this the nightmares the country would face with the international community, bearing in mind Tuđman’s example, not to mention Milošević. But perhaps the most counterproductive thing is playing the nationalist card. Setting aside the “side-eye” with which the West would view us, Albanians themselves do not really have time for nationalism. Thus, whereas during the Ottoman Empire our ancestors were more interested in the Empire than in their own country, even today Albanians look more toward Europe and the West in general than toward hopes for the country’s revival. Add to this the negative effect of E. Hoxha’s empty nationalist rhetoric, alongside the age-old poverty of Albanians.

. Page 7 Tirana Prosecutor removed—the secret “gift” from Rakipi

The flames burn a family’s shack in Kodër Kamëz . Fire scorches a family. The news spread as it once did, with a rifle shot fired into the air. A fire had broken out in a house, and a family was being burned alive inside. One of the neighbors took a gun and fired into the air to call for help. This was the only way for the neighbors to rush to the rescue—not just of one or two, but of four people. And to think that it all happened only a few kilometers from the capital. They had arrived from the Martanesh area a year earlier, and fate had it that they would spend the end of the century near Tirana, in a shack improvised as a home. But just two days after the “Millennium,” tragedy struck the Çela family. Page 11

. 9 January 2000. * 100 MMI-BINGO prizes of 100 thousand lekë each. * 5 TELEBINGO prizes of 10 million each. * 1 MAGIC-BINGO prize of 5 million. * 1 STAR-BINGO prize of 1.5 million.

. The marketing agency of the company “REA” is hereby requested to settle its outstanding payments for advertising published in the newspaper “Koha Jonë” for the period of September 1999. “Koha Jonë” Marketing Agency.