European Union: Natalina Çeja is right. Meta is not guilty, but is responsible for corruption Former Minister of State Preç Zogaj talks about Minister Angjeli, customs and the fight against corruption pages 3–4

BY MARTIN LEKA Europe has been shaken in recent days by the accession to power (in part) of a party that is “Free” in its surname and, in its name, is tied to a right-wing extremist, a neo-Nazi called Joërg Haider. One can imagine how little known this Austrian “Nazi” was to Albanians, famous for his extreme statements, his preaching of neo-Nazism and his fanatical populism. The way the new Austrian government was formed made President Tomas Klestil’s hesitation clear—not only because of the European protests, but also because of his well-known convictions, which are completely opposed to Haider’s philosophy. He signed the mandate for the new Austrian government not because he wanted to, but because he was obliged to by his constitutional position, in order to uphold the rules of democracy. I would not dwell on this at such length if we did not have in Albania a few little Haiders, chatterboxes, megalomaniacs, conceited people and blockheads who spew words “like a cow dropping dung”; never thinking that a day will come when people will remember what these men once said and preached, these men who defecate through the same hole. And let us not even consider that these Albanian Balkan “heroes” neither know how nor are even able to offer a public apology, as the Austrian Haider is trying to do today. Three days ago, a well-known chatterbox—one could hardly fail to mention the government, politicians and Albanians—said that the government was in the Greeks’ pocket, said that Prime Minister Meta was not Albanian, said Meta was a Prime Minister of Northern Epirus, said that Nano and Majko had been the same, said Albania had been sold to foreigners... and what else did he not say. FROM politicians like these, who keep instilling in themselves and others a medieval mentality, we have often heard, and continue to hear, statements and calls for revenge, for taking power by force, for breaking the law, for lynchings, for killings, etc., etc. Instead of answering the direct accusations against them, as required by the Constitution and the law, such irresponsible politicians call it bravery to defy the law and endear themselves to a few hooligans, unaware that young politicians from across the political spectrum will one day have the opportunity and the advantage to stop anyone’s foolish march if it harms the Albanian Constitution, in the name of the future of the Albanian people.

Page 9 Police Director General Veli Myftari at a press conference yesterday Photo: P. ILO

Corridor 8, blocked for several years by foreign companies This is not unexpected and, moreover, it will not be unexpected a year from now, when the Greek prime minister cuts the ribbon on the Egnatia road, or “Egnatia Odhos”. From that moment, the sad fact that the road, which historically ran through Albania, now crosses only Greece will be compounded by the complete bypassing of our roads and ports by world trade. Goods from Italy will be unloaded in Igoumenitsa, Greece, and transported only through Greek territory; goods bound for Italy will pass through Greek territory and be loaded in Igoumenitsa. Thus, goods will no longer pass through Albania—not even the goods that pass through now—because goods from the East will reach Europe via the Egnatia road, which is safer and better and therefore less costly. pages 16–17

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