VUZENEUCAJPA Political Analyst 1. Corruption and the state The de jure legalization of crime by corrupt politicians has turned our country into a field of operations where today's gangs freely maim their political opponents without batting an eye. This refers to all those gangs that corrupt governance has deliberately created in order to carry out criminal activities and then hide behind the guise of the state police. The inability of the state police to fulfill its constitutional mission is now well known, and the main reason for this inability is extreme politicization. When political banditry is mentioned, the SHIK gang naturally comes to mind as well, a group identified before Albanian citizens as the ugliest offspring of our politics. Consequently, the unlawful activity of this gang has the full support of Sali Berisha, who absurdly considers the mafia-like acts carried out by this institution to be normal activity and in favor of political stability. These acts were repeatedly made public during the local election campaign by the Socialist Party, but public opinion has also been informed that the socialist opposition denounces the crimes of SHIK not so much in order to eradicate this illegal secret police through institutional means or by the force of civic protest, but rather to gain some trust from the electorate while preserving its own position in parliament. 2. Economic legality and the inequality of constitutional bodies before the law Legal theory says that parliamentary oversight is only one side of the fight against abuse of power. The other side of this struggle rests on the system of administrative control, that is, the control exercised by public administration bodies over the activity of the bodies that make it up. This control is exercised to ensure the unity of the state administration and respect for legality. Yet it is precisely this economic and administrative legality that is lacking in the Albanian state. As long as the inequalities between the government and constitutional bodies before the law are scandalous, as long as deputies from both the majority and the opposition, ministers and other powerful people receive loans and land for free, engage in illegal trade and shamelessly profit from their positions, the state will remain not only far from European standards but also far from any kind of normality. Instead of creating a responsible administration tied to the law and public accountability, we have a clientelist system that favors political connections and nepotism. 3. The political exploitation of fear and poverty Power uses fear as a tool to prolong its own political life. In a poor country, economically and morally exhausted, the citizen is more vulnerable to pressure, blackmail and propaganda. This is why the socialist alternative, instead of presenting a clear model of democratic and economic development, is often limited to denunciations without taking them to their conclusion and without building real instruments for the protection of citizens. A genuine democratic alternative cannot be either a government façade or empty opposition rhetoric. It must be built on the rule of law, on the control of power, on the real separation of powers and on the guarantee that no one is above the law. 4. Political responsibility and hope Hope for the democratization of the country cannot rest on dirty compromises, secret deals or the recycling of politically worn-out figures. This hope can arise only from an honest confrontation with the truth, from the condemnation of criminal practices and from the creation of a political climate in which the citizen does not feel trapped. Only then can the wounds of society be healed; otherwise, poison will be poured into them every day.

President of the Republic Sali Berisha receiving the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Amre Musa

Egypt is interested in expanding relations with Albania The President's first meeting with the son of Egypt's Foreign Minister Amre Musa President of the Republic Sali Berisha praised the cooperation and mutual understanding in Albanian-Egyptian relations during the reception he held yesterday for Egypt's minister, Mr. Musa. Mr. Berisha expressed his desire to expand these relations in all areas of mutual interest and especially in the economic field. He considered Egypt an important factor in the Middle East and in the Arab world. The Foreign Minister of Egypt, Amre Musa, for his part, expressed the will of his country's government to strengthen cooperation with Albania, especially in trade, culture and political contacts. He stressed that there are good opportunities to expand exchanges and to establish closer ties between the two countries. Economic cooperation issues are at the center of the talks, including transport, tourism and investments, as well as the exchange of experience in the field of administration. The two interlocutors praised the positive climate of relations and the need to deepen it further. (Continued on page 2)

In another meeting, Mr. Musa was received by members of the Albanian government and held talks on economic and political cooperation. His visit was regarded as an important step in strengthening bilateral ties and bringing closer positions on regional and international issues. (Continued on page 2)

Sarajevo 33 killed and 57 injured From a grenade thrown over the center of the besieged Bosnian capital, 37 people died yesterday and 85 others were injured, while more than 200 others sought medical help. After a preliminary and rather grim toll announcing 9 dead and 13 injured, the hospital spokesperson later announced that the figures are much higher. Last night, therefore, the toll stood at 37 dead and 85 injured. It was then reported that many of the injured are in very serious condition. According to Bosnian radio and television, the grenade fell at around 11:00 in a market, despite the dense fog. Witnesses say the shell was fired from Serbian positions. The market was full of people buying bread, tobacco, vegetables and other necessities. (Continued on page 2)

Tirana (ATA) 25 August: over the districts of Kurbin and Lezhë, on Monday evening and continuing until Tuesday morning, a violent rainstorm with heavy downpours struck, causing floods in many areas of these districts. According to the initial data, the situation in the commune of Laç is more severe and the damage to the economy is considerable. Water has entered many homes and public buildings, damaged bridges, roads and large areas planted with seasonal crops. On 25 and 26 August, considerable damage was identified on 30 hectares of planted land, several production facilities and 14 residential houses were seriously damaged, while 3 homes were completely destroyed. A number of families have remained stranded and electricity and water supply has been temporarily cut off in some areas. Faced with this extraordinary situation, the local authorities took measures to evacuate people from the most endangered areas, to repair the embankments and restore road communications. Emergency teams are working in cooperation with army units and police structures to normalize the situation. Damage assessment will continue and the government has promised assistance to the affected families and to repair the damaged infrastructure. (Continued on page 2)

From our correspondent in Skopje and Belgrade Leaders of the opposition coalition presented yesterday at a press conference their views on the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, calling for a lasting political solution and greater involvement of the international community. They stressed the need to halt the fighting, respect the rights of peoples and resume negotiations. According to their statements, lasting peace can only be achieved through political compromise and respect for borders and international agreements. (Continued on page 2)

Representatives of the government, institutions and PDSH held a meeting at this party's central headquarters on issues of free movement, documentation and reforms. The discussions focused on the progress of democratic processes and the need to strengthen institutions. (Continued on page 2)

Whose eyes have they made beautiful Has the weekly supplement's chronicle quika become blocked? Does the author of the article hold in direction? on the forehead a comment? broad about "Mystery" by enlarging? an old, unclear noise. The text continues with fragmented references, names and insinuations about public figures, but the text is damaged and partially illegible. In the lower part, fragments can be read such as: "2 years the first?" and "we have no right to hate him" as well as the name EMANUELA. EMANUELA

Instead of the passport, the three "questions" of the Socialist Party Page 2 Light and shadows of the "Shehu" file In several issues of RD: 7 months ago, the doubters get their second doubts The Director General of Police, Delijorgji: Here is the truth about Xhavit Haniu's address, while Leka takes him out of the cell even with an old "release order" from Koco Written by Mr. Luan Leka Comments on Economic Aid and the Order of Xhavit Haniu Albanian - p. 8 The bank does not go bankrupt because of the political illiteracy of the ZP E.Ypi