President Berisha’s speech at the meeting with the citizens of Tirana The free individual is responsible for his own property - Long tolerance of theft has been an element of the general tolerance toward the punishment of the state. Honest individuals, honest entrepreneurs, honest specialists, honest workers, have rewarded the ideals in such a way as in unlawful activity. Tolerating events from the civil code of Albania, such as property acquired legally and contractual debt for foundations, servants, these were companies with different activities The government has never supported pyramid schemes. It is determined to pursue the law with severity against any fraud and theft. It is determined to confiscate every asset amassed through pyramid schemes in Albania. - I call on all Albanians not to agree, and not to accept either, the absurd mentality that has nothing in common with the morals and values of the nation and of free government, for profits, profits, to impoverish or proletarianize or bring down others. The positions that hold in view the path toward the morality of justice are among the aims of the rule of law. Today we must all stand together in defense of our country, of truth and of law. From this podium I call on all Albanian citizens: do not touch the constitutional order, do not touch Albania. From this podium I call on police officers, soldiers, state employees: to implement the law and the Constitution of the country. From this podium I call on the intelligentsia, intellectuals, students, workers, entrepreneurs, peasants, women and young people to defend the democratic order. Those who seek, through violence and other unlawful means, to overthrow the constitutional order, must know that they will face the force of the law. Dear citizens, If some pyramid structures have operated in violation of the law, this does not mean that the market economy and Albanian capitalism are bankrupt. The market economy is the only way for the development of the country. Free enterprise is the fundamental value of economic freedom. Albania will not go backward. Albania will move forward. We will firmly defend the course of democratic reforms and the market economy. The frauds of a few individuals cannot be confused with the future of the country. The Albanian state cannot be identified with the wrongdoing of those who have profited unlawfully. Albanian capitalism does not fall with the collapse of the pyramid firms. It will be cleansed of abusers and strengthened on honest foundations. We continue with courage, with confidence and with law. Continues on page 6

The Albanian government views with great concern the ridiculous and unfounded accusation made by the London daily “The Independent”, according to which 20% of the profits of Albanian pyramid funds are said to go to high-ranking government officials. In an official statement, the government categorically rejects this fabrication, describing it as slander without any basis and entirely untrue. According to the statement, the government calls on the newspaper’s editorial office to immediately retract this report and to respect the professional standards of the press. The statement emphasizes that the government is ready to provide any documentation and allow any legal verification to refute this claim. Continues on page 4

Skopje, (u) - A final decision has still not been reached for the fourth round of voting for the President of Macedonia. Parliamentary sources report that the process will take place according to constitutional deadlines, while the parties continue consultations over the candidates. The next session is expected to be decisive for the election of the head of state. Continues on page 11

The Government rejects the accusations of “The Independent” Reaction to a retracted article. Page 4 The editorial office must immediately retract the slanders against the Albanian Government

We were burnt with one twenty by taking on ourselves the responsibility that 20% of the profit they were making from the previous year, the profit they were making from that profit they earned. To come out one must. That the government has not followed any path other than the trail of justice. These private funds, stars, and no democratic country governs private activity. I remind you here in particular that the company Xhaferri, sanctioned for unlawful activity, for fraud and profit-making, for the amount of 28.8 million dollars, slipped beyond state control. Then the government asked the judiciary and it sentenced it. This is the truth. Continues on page 6