Lega Nord: One million lire for every Albanian who agrees to be repatriated ON PAGE 4

Gunfire directed at the Albanian boat. Nothing is known about the fate of the crew ON PAGE 4

Yesterday afternoon shook the city of Elbasan. A battle lasting many minutes ON PAGE 4

The government is bringing us back from Europe bound hand and foot. Malaj’s people came in speedboats, took our money and brought us to Italy. The gangs of today’s government forced us to leave Vlora.

The cheers of government officials and government journalists, who prejudge parliament’s repeal of the press law as a great victory for journalists’ freedoms in Albania, are an attempt to distract from what the established power is really serving up: the free disintegration of freedom. Yesterday, the Minister of Culture, Arta Dade, threatened the journalists and editors of the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” with prison, just two days after the “historic victory,” proving once again that what had happened in the Albanian parliament was a pure democratic farce. The resemblance between this first version of the repealing law, approved only by the governing side, and a familiar formula in the fundamental law of the USA can in no way persuade Albanians to believe that today’s rulers are extending olive branches to the newspaper and its press. Yesterday and today themselves have provided dozens of examples of the rulers’ arrogance, especially toward free speech and the opposition press in general. At the very moment when the majority, a large part of which still reeks of Kalashnikov gunpowder, is debating and bandying about the phrase “freedom of the press,” Pjetër Arbnori’s life was only a millimeter from death, precisely because he was defending the opposition’s free speech from the violence of today’s rulers. The same people who were cheering the unshackling of press freedom had, just a day earlier, sabotaged the shameful law that has been waiting for two days on Mejdan’s desk. He hates signing it because of mounting pressure at home and abroad, following the great attention generated by the Arbnori phenomenon. All that is being presented as a great achievement is nothing more than the exploitation of one law and the paving of the way for a new press law, which can in no way justify the unrestrained enthusiasm of some colleagues who enjoy the right to express their strong feelings freely. It is understandable that all those joining the initiative to unshackle the press want to define every law or decision that guarantees more space for the Albanian press. But we cannot agree to applaud this while nobody knows what the law that will define the future will be. Any improvement to the law as it stood yesterday should be supported by all media, regardless of political leanings, but it must be borne in mind that in Albania, its implementation matters more than having a good law. It should also be stressed that, regardless of how lawful the law repealed by parliament may have been, and despite its consequences being memorable and ample cause for restraint, parliament did not determine press freedom to such an extent that the country could not create a place for it. The respected colleagues who agree to relinquish their administration for “historic thorns” should know that most Albanian newspapers will act to allow the law they have translated and qualified, regardless of whether it exists or whether other professions have it that way. In fact, has there been any abuse by newspapers against people of the press and similar figures because such a law was in force? Yes, in all cases they were original. At the bottom of the left-hand page: (continued on page 3)

Mother Teresa arrives in heaven

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is no longer alive. The shocking news spread rapidly around the world last night. Mother Teresa, symbol of peace, devotion and human love, is no longer alive. Just a few days ago, she quietly celebrated her 87th birthday. The saint of Albanian origin devoted her entire life and energy to serving the poor, to love and brotherhood among people, dedicating herself to alleviating poverty and helping the abandoned and the sick. Mother Teresa (Gonxhe Bojaxhiu) was born in Shkup 87 years ago. At the age of 18, she decided to devote herself henceforth to God and to spreading Peace and Human Love. Later, she founded an Order in Calcutta, India, devoting herself to the fight against poverty, the eradication of leprosy and assistance to the abandoned. The missions of the Order of Mother Teresa soon spread across all five continents. Saint Mother Teresa, valued and respected like no other in this world, is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She passed away last night, leaving behind profound sorrow for all humanity, but also an unforgettable example of Sacrifice, Devotion and Human Love.

At Mother Teresa’s death, the Albanian nation, as well as the whole world, lost a symbol of the great spirit of people and humanity, of the goodness of the human heart, of superhuman strength, of people’s love for one another, of people’s love for God, and of the greatness of love rising above pain. The Albanian nation lost one of the greatest figures of all time, while humanity had the good fortune to have the greatest figure across the centuries, who, with her heart and the grandeur of humanity, embodied the universal dimensions of the Albanian spirit and nobility. Mother Teresa will forever rest in the memory of our nation, Mother Teresa, Saint of the Albanian Nation, a photograph in general.

Tirana and Shkodra protest in support of Arbnori’s hunger strike ON PAGE 3

Austrian President Tomas Klestil appeals to Mejdan “Take care of Arbnori; any further threat to Arbnori’s health will mean the immediate suspension of European Community aid to Albania.” At the request of President Klestil’s cabinet, the Albanian Embassy in Vienna informed the leader of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, that the Federal President of Austria, Tomas Klestil, had sent a letter to the Albanian President in which the Austrian President expressed his deep concern about the health of the former Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Pjetër Arbnori, who is confined to a hunger strike because of censorship imposed on the opposition in relation to the free press. In his letter, President Klestil asks the Albanian President to use all his authority to ensure Arbnori’s life and to avert the escalation of concern in the international community that the reconciliation process in Albania is seriously at risk. “I wish to remind you,” President Klestil stresses in his letter to the Albanian President, “that the main condition for the international community’s involvement in Albania’s reconstruction is the continuation and safeguarding of the reconciliation process. “If the health of former Speaker of Parliament Arbnori is threatened and his demands are not taken into account, then one must reckon with the consequences, which will be the immediate suspension of European Union aid for Albania’s reconstruction.” ON PAGE 3

The Secretary-General of the French Foreign Ministry, Bernard Dufurk, presented him with the order The Albanian ambassador to France, Besnik Mustafaj, received the “Knight of the Order of Merit” decoration. The French Foreign Ministry organized a ceremony in honor of Ambassador Mustafaj, at which the Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry, Bernard Dufuk, presented him with the order, citing his outstanding merits in fostering understanding and closer ties between France and Albania.

Albanians’ money in the government’s pockets Malaj: “We will raise taxes. Albanians must tighten their belts.” After inciting the rebellion by accusing the democratic government of stealing the money from the companies and from the assets, while promising a 100 percent return of the money, the socialist government is now making its move: not only will the money from the bankrupt companies not be returned, it will go into the pockets of the government and the current companies. ON PAGE 3 Nano: We will buy back 100% of the [unclear] “We will undertake to ensure that lenders are promptly repaid the money stolen by Berisha’s government through the pyramid schemes.”

The initiators of the VEFA creditors’ strike withdraw 100 creditors: “The government should forget about compromise; we will be here until 10 September.” ON PAGE 3

A bad autumn for social life. Shopkeepers complain: “Who will buy our goods?” ON PAGE 3

A shocking letter from Albanian refugees at the San Paolo camp (Bari) to Mejdan, Nano and Gjinushi