The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, said yesterday that the self-proclaimed rescue committees are aiming to carry their anti-national scenario through to the end. Sali Berisha said that the rescue committees are serving mafia politics, collecting and profiting from income without money, at a time when poor people have no bread to eat. Referring to the multi-party parliament that is taken up by the media, Berisha stressed that the elections of 29 June are proof that Albania will emerge from the abyss into which the rescue committees have thrown it. The President of the Republic declared that on 30 June Albania will break away from the clique of anti-national committees and the Albanian mafia. With a clear understanding of the other scenario prepared by Alia and the large external clans that support him, Sali Berisha said that the elections of 29 June are decisive for the fate of Albania. He accused the leaders of the committees of coordinating their activities with criminal organizations and with circles that want to turn the country into a center of destabilization in the Balkans. The President added that Albanians must vote for the forces that defend the constitutional order and the sovereignty of the country.

The “Alba” mission with predetermined mandates is a failure Question: You said that the Alba mission with predetermined mandates is a failure? Answer: I think so. All signs show that things are heading toward such a scenario. If the mission is limited to a few technical measures and the protection of corridors, without guaranteeing order, it cannot achieve its objectives. Albanians expect more than that. Question: What should be done? Answer: A mission with full authority is needed to help restore constitutional order, security and free elections. Otherwise, we will only have an extension of the crisis. Question: Do you think this is related to the positions of certain Western countries? Answer: I believe there are hesitations and calculations that do not serve Albania. The Albanian crisis is not solved with half-measures.

Question: Have there been pressures on the media? Answer: Absolutely yes. There have been attempts to intimidate journalists and silence the opposition’s voice. But I have publicly condemned every act of violence, every threat and every violation of press freedom. Question: What is the role of the media in this period? Answer: The media has a vital role. It must inform citizens and not become a tool of criminal groups or of the committees’ propaganda. Question: Do you think the elections will take place normally? Answer: If order is established and security is guaranteed, yes. Otherwise, we will have a distortion of the citizens’ will.

Political crime and ordinary crime aim to turn Vlorë into a new center of the Mafia in the Mediterranean Within three days, 12 killed and dozens injured in Vlorë Page 2

f abi/wo/va Nu ka oposa os trupstp ke xna