The many trafficking operations replace the worn-out staff ON PAGE 4

Police intensively investigate to apprehend the perpetrators of the explosions ON PAGE 4

Presidential decree on family reunification for immigrants in Greece ON PAGE 4

Chief customs officer Bleta rewards subordinates for allowing illegal trafficking For five months, Albanian government officials have stolen 155 million dollars from the state. Customs officers have cleared no shipments of cigarettes or coffee, no fuel ships, and almost no shipments of alcoholic beverages

The Democratic Party is holding activities and meetings with the electorate throughout the country, observing a marked rise in the spirit of protest because of the irresponsible governance of the left-wing coalition. Democratic Party leaders are filling the halls and squares of cities, keeping alive the hope of desperate people that the only solution for Albania will be the overthrow of the entrenched Fatos Nano government. But while a very high morale is evident among Democrats throughout Albania, who feel ready to defeat the rule of the gangs in a fair electoral race, the extreme poverty that has overwhelmed most Albanians during these few months of Socialist rule is truly a national tragedy. This grave economic situation, which is felt especially strongly in small towns and remote mountainous areas, is the best argument for why this political gang—which encourages crime and robs Albanians of their money by organizing mass smuggling and directing all illegal trafficking in the country—must urgently be removed from power. It is also deeply shocking that 1,200 residents of Rubik are taking bread on credit from private bakeries because they no longer have the means to pay. Many families need the municipality’s soup to survive, but the local authorities are powerless to provide assistance because the Nano government has cut all the funds. This misery has plunged many Albanian families into a situation far worse than that of 1990–1992, when 50 years of communism had brought Albania to the brink of the abyss. Meanwhile, the extreme poverty of Albanians will soon stand in inverse proportion to the plunder of the state by government officials involved in smuggling and illegal trafficking in the country. At a time when people who have lost every prospect of escaping misery are having the noose tightened around their necks more and more each day, Nano’s people are dividing up the fabulous profits they are making at Albanians’ expense. For precisely this reason, the accident of the Communists’ coming to power must not be allowed to continue for long, since the more time passes, the more dangerous it becomes for the country’s future. The Democratic Party is the largest opposition force, in which Albanians have placed all their hopes of bringing the country out of crisis, just as in 1990. At the many meetings held by DP leaders throughout Albania, the need for early elections is increasingly being felt as vital—not only to redress the great injustices of 29 November, but especially to overturn the poverty and crime brought to every Albanian family by the Socialists when they came to power. The Democratic Party will go to every Albanian city, neighborhood, home and village, while its opponents, who came to power by force, cannot even meet with their own supporters, apart from their chairmen. The determination and resistance of the Democrats, who will bring down this inhuman and irresponsible regime, clearly point to restoring good governance to Albanians and taking Fatos Nano out of Albania. Most importantly, it is now possible to speak of a major opportunity for free elections, in which those who realistically wish to do so can vote for the Socialist Party on 29 June.

The Berisha–Dini meeting, yesterday at the DP headquarters

The DP’s discussion with Democrats from Kavajë and Mirditë Residents of areas stricken by poverty have placed their hopes in a Democratic Party victory in the new elections, as the only solution for Albania The DP’s discussion with Democrats from Kavajë and Mirditë The Socialists brought poverty Residents of areas stricken by poverty have placed their hopes in a Democratic Party victory in the new elections, as the only solution for Albania ON PAGE 2

The law that seals the government’s revenge in the justice system is approved 65 Kalashnikovs legitimize the presence of Greek troops in Albania ON PAGE 3

Tele-shame continues its censorship practices against the DP While completely ignoring yesterday, in its 16:00 news bulletin, the meeting between the chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania (PDSH), Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, and Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, TVSH flagrantly and unscrupulously censored it in the 20:00 bulletin, omitting the essential issues discussed and the positions expressed by both sides on those issues. The PDSH denounces this repeated practice by TVSH, which has now become a blind tool of those in power. This is further evidence of the ongoing information terror through which TVSH, in open defiance of the law and its own regulations, can obscure the activities of the Democratic Party and the opposition in the country—even when it concerns meetings with the highest-ranking figures of friendly countries.

Former President Berisha’s spokesperson on the documentation concerning accession to the Islamic Conference Former President Berisha’s spokesperson considers the Foreign Ministry’s statement irresponsible. The ministry claimed that the documentation on Albania’s membership in the Islamic Conference is in its hands, or in those of the former President. This fabrication, worthy of the moral standards of the current Albanian government officials, demonstrates their immorality, malice and ignorance. The former President’s spokesperson reminds these bluffers that state institutions are not only the Presidency and the Foreign Ministry, but also other bodies. If today’s government officials, who prefer to keep the documentation themselves, have facts and documents that disprove the rhetoric and fabrication in their statements, let them refer to these institutions—or to the Islamic Conference itself—to make the relevant documentation known to the public; it is no secret. Accession to the Islamic Conference was not a dubious act for the former President. The Islamic Conference is not a dubious institution. It represents 1.3 billion people and can only be considered dubious in the minds of the current government officials.

Rubik in deep misery and absolute poverty ON PAGE 2

Another prison revolt. The Justice Minister is demanded in the cell Zani has beaten the police again Another revolt at Tirana prison. Three prisoners have gone on hunger strike, including the brother of Vlora gang boss Zani. The latter has demanded that the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor come to his cell so he can answer them face to face, claiming to be innocent. The case concerns those accused in an incident that was followed by a prison brawl, including another member of his brother’s gang, which is accused of committing dozens of crimes in the city of Vlora. Meanwhile, for months others from the gang have been subjected to violence there, and the investigation and trial have been prolonged because the defendants have been unconvicted and [text unclear] senior government officials of the current government. The previous night, Zani was placed under heavy security after beating one of the prison guards.

Gjirokastër. The DP event is a complete success The meeting emphasized that the only solution to bring the country out of crisis is elections, which will overthrow Nano’s entrenched government Gjirokastër. The DP event is a complete success The criminal government is holding the South hostage The meeting emphasized that the only solution to bring the country out of crisis is elections, which will overthrow Nano’s entrenched government Yesterday, the Democratic Party meeting in Gjirokastër was a complete success, attended by section chairs, DP representatives in local government and numerous activists. The Democratic Party Presidium member Uran Butka was the delegate at the meeting. The discussions demonstrated that Fatos Nano’s government is responsible for the grave situation the country is going through. Many of those present blamed senior government officials for the difficult circumstances facing Gjirokastër and, more generally, southern Albania, which has become prey to gangs. In their view, this government has turned Gjirokastër into a valley of crime and smuggling. During the discussions, many names were mentioned, including Fatos Nano, Bashkim Fino and numerous other government officials, as those chiefly responsible for the dire situation in Gjirokastër and the surrounding areas. Democratic Party Presidium member Uran Butka said at the meeting that it is every Democrat’s duty to rise resolutely and bring down this government, which has brought crime and poverty to Albanians. Butka denounced the anti-national politicians serving in Nano’s cabinet, citing both Nano’s statements about a protectorate and the Albanian government’s agreement for the presence of foreign soldiers on our territory. The many speakers, who displayed enthusiasm throughout the event, confirmed the consolidation of the Democratic Party in Gjirokastër and in southern Albania. The meeting emphasized that the only solution to bring the country out of crisis is early elections, which will overthrow the government of smuggling, crime, fraud and poverty. R.M.