Traffickers of prostitutes in Fier use the name of Caritas ON PAGE 2 Traffickers of prostitutes in Fier use the name of Caritas Diplomas, a lure for Albanian girls ON PAGE 2

The Shëngjin base awaits the warships seized in March ON PAGE 2 The Shëngjin base awaits the warships seized in March Ships arrive for an exodus? ON PAGE 2

Gang clashes with police in Elbasan ON PAGE 2 Gang clashes with police in Elbasan Special forces member wounded ON PAGE 2

Candles and the spirit of protest grow in the square in front of the Democratic Party headquarters The West is concerned about the health of Europe’s Mandela and supports his ideals. Grubmajer visits the steadfast hunger striker

. The International Monetary Fund cancelled the signing of an agreement with Albania because of the extensive involvement of Albania’s new officials in smuggling with neighbouring countries. A member of the IMF delegation that took part in talks with Albanian government officials disclosed the shocking fact that blocked the start of the arrival of the first international aid to Albania. Reports of the rapid increase in officials’ involvement in the crime of smuggling, and especially the shocking figures for the sums that have ended up in their pockets, were the main reason for what has been called the postponement of the agreement’s signing. The shocking testimony filling the pages of the Albanian press every day about the involvement of Nano, Fino, Ceka, Malaj, Brokaj, etc., in large-scale smuggling of cigarettes, fuel and scrap metal with neighbouring countries has provoked the strong reaction of representatives of the International Monetary Fund. The bleak outlook for the future of the agreement between Albania and the IMF has darkened further after the warning from Brussels by Division 21 about clear evidence of smuggling, which has fallen on deaf ears among Albanian government officials. The state smuggling network is the black hole that has blocked relations between the IMF and the Albanian government, even though the members of the delegation of one of the institutions vital to Albania had initially been willing to open the door to the struggling Balkan country, following the devastating upheaval it endured for months. And despite the sad blow that the failure to reach an agreement with the IMF represents for Albania, today’s government officials continue undisturbed to keep the state smuggling channels open, involving an astronomical sum from the very first days of their rule. This ever-deepening plunge into the mire of the theft of state institutions and citizens is, in fact, a desperate forecast for the future of Albanians, who are waiting impatiently for the country’s recovery to begin. And this is so true that even the Prime Minister’s adviser, Gramoz Pashko, did not escape the pervasive gloom in a country hungry for international aid; he had arrived urgently from across the Atlantic so as not to miss the unparalleled opportunity to profit from state smuggling. In an interview given yesterday to a foreign radio station, the Prime Minister’s new adviser let slip several revealing remarks as he listed the conditions which, in his view, would unblock the Albanian government’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund. One thing is now clear: the IMF has given Albania a resounding no because of the greed with which the officials of armed gangs are exploiting and squeezing their extremely temporary hold on power. Even if this were only a matter of extending the agreement—and even if the situation were not as bad as it plainly appears—it would be a grave blow to a country thirsting for help from the banks, while people are being saddled with those in power. Theft and mafia-linked smugglers are closing off every remaining opening through which even the smallest glimmer of hope for the country’s recovery might emerge. This is a country shaken by the armed violence of today’s officials.

The Albanian government is spreading disinformation about Arbnori’s hunger strike At a meeting with the diplomatic corps in Tirana, Mr. Nano’s adviser, Pavli Zëri, misinformed foreign diplomats about Mr. Pjetër Arbnori’s hunger strike. He assured those present that the strike had definitively ended because Mr. Arbnori had been admitted to hospital, and announced that his health was improving. The spokesperson for the Democratic Party refuted this government’s deliberate disinformation: the hunger strike was continuing, despite Mr. Arbnori’s critical health condition. Even after being admitted to hospital, Mr. Arbnori has refused to take any food by mouth. Mr. Nano and his cabinet, aware that resolving the Arbnori issue and press freedom—including on state television—will dominate his talks with foreign parties, instead of taking the necessary measures to get out of this political impasse for

Protest by Tirana citizens at the DP headquarters Thousands of Tirana citizens gathered last night at the headquarters of the Democratic Party in support of the sublime act of Europe’s Mandela, Pjetër Arbnori. The citizens of Tirana stood silently for minutes by candlelight, praying for Mr. Arbnori’s health. The leader of the DP, Sali Berisha, greeting Tirana’s Democratic citizens, said: “Arbnori is fighting for freedom of speech, dignity and the sovereignty of the nation.” In his speech, Berisha called on the capital’s Democrats, DP members and supporters “to demonstrate every night at the DP headquarters, showing our support for Arbnori, our solidarity with Albania’s Mandela, and our protest against the violation of freedom of speech by the entrenched regime. The regime is afraid of free speech; it is afraid of the opposition,” Berisha said. He said this regime was the rule of a clique, the rule of gang violence, the rule of terror that is keeping Arbnori confined in a hunger strike and terrorizing the citizens of Vlora, Saranda, Gjirokastra and several other southern cities. Berisha stressed that the Democrats are unwavering in defending the values of democracy and restoring it after it was undermined by the entrenched regime. Throughout the demonstration in support of Arbnori, citizens read slogans such as “Down with Communism,” “Freedom and democracy,” and so on. Yesterday’s demonstration in support of MP Arbnori and his sublime act in defense of freedom of expression will be followed every night by similar protests near the DP headquarters until Arbnori’s demands are met. The DP branch in Shkodër will also organize daily protests in support of Arbnori. V. ELBASANI

Pollo met with representatives of the American Republican Institute Yesterday morning, Mr. Genc Pollo, chairman of the PDSH parliamentary group and its Secretary General, held a working meeting with the representative of the US International Republican Institute (IRI), Mr. Eric Jowell. During the meeting, he briefed him on the latest developments in the country and on the DP’s position regarding changes to the laws on VAT, the High Council of Justice, the Constitution, etc. Mr. Jowell acknowledged IRI’s commitment to democratizing life in Albania and to continuing cooperation with the Democratic Party in the future.

Arbnori refuses to end the hunger strike Former German Foreign Minister Genscher writes to Fatos Nano “Take Arbnori’s hunger strike seriously” Arbnori’s hunger strike further raises awareness among international public opinion France concerned about the former Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Pjetër Arbnori’s wife, Suzana Arbnori, speaks I am going through moments of anguish Germany’s chargé d’affaires, Mr. Wolf, and France’s chargé d’affaires, Mr. Berzezet, at the DP headquarters Commitment to media freedom in Albania Today, newspaper editors meet at the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Growing concern about the survival of the press Bourseti and the editors of the country’s main newspapers will meet today at a venue in the Presidium of the People’s Assembly to discuss major concerns about the future of the Albanian press. The reduction in taxes, which will also lead to the forced suppression of newspaper prices, is the main topic of today’s discussions. It is expected that the meeting will produce a joint position calling on the official authorities to guarantee the survival of the newspapers.

Grubmajer visits Arbnori in intensive care

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations By Dr. Leonard DEMI, Secretary for International Relations of the DP ON PAGE 4

Nano opens the screen wide to Zhulali ON PAGE 3