Mejdani is involved in the big tender theft. Nano keeps the bloc line, the government office and the prime minister’s armored cars

(continued on page 4)

Greek media officially acknowledge that there is a storm in Albania In Vreshtat Vuno, six masked gunmen, around 02:00 yesterday morning, tried to kill the head of the opposition. According to initial sources, the attackers entered from the back of the house and left after the guards intervened. The incident has caused alarm in political and security circles, while the authorities have begun investigations. (continued on page 4)

Today, 24 days since the killing of the leader of December Each day that passes since the killing of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and liberalism, increases the chances of the crime’s traces being concealed. The socialist government and the President of the Republic have not taken any serious step to clarify this grave event. The opposition accuses the country’s highest leaders of obstructing the investigation and protecting the perpetrators. Instead of transparency, the public is facing silence, disinformation and political maneuvers. (continued on page 9)

By Sami NEZA The financial scandal has taken on tragic proportions in four special directives issued on Monday by the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Kastriot Islami, to Arben Malaj, Fatos Nano, Ilir Meta and Pandeli Majko, through which the scandalous allocation of 1 billion lek from the reserve fund of the socialist government was legalized, in favor of the outgoing prime minister Fatos Nano. The declaration of legality in this procedure legalized the misuse, with serious consequences, of the State Budget in favor of socialist officials and to the detriment of Albanian citizens, who after 8 months find themselves on the edge of survival because of the many-sided crisis caused by the 15-month rule of the left-wing coalition. On 16 June of this year, on the order of Fatos Nano, Kastriot Islami requested in a secret letter no. 1018/1 that the government take measures to cover 1 billion lek in “unforeseen expenses” for the four main ministries of the government cabinet; indicating that this sum should be used as a “reserve fund” only for the prime minister. Further investigations show that these funds were distributed outside any control and in violation of legal provisions on the use of public funds. This financial move is presented as a purely clientelist and corrupt act, intended to preserve the privileges of the outgoing rulers. (continued on page 4)

Minister Klosi starts work. News: Ceka, the sister of the bodyguard who killed Azem Hajdari, is taken by force by the police (The article continues on page 5) Besim Ceka, the man killed on 14 September and also involved in the killing of Azem Hajdari. Three days after the assassination attempt on Azem Hajdari, the new Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci, appointed Elton Banon as deputy chief of Tirana’s criminal police, the man who had accompanied Besim Ceka to his home before he was killed. On Saturday at midnight, armed persons entered Lajme Ceka’s home and forcibly took her to the police station. She was then released without any official explanation.

A large protest against dictatorship 1998’s second February 20! 11 October. On Wednesday, everyone to Skënderbej Square, Tirana, to begin the strong protest at 6:00 p.m. On Thursday, everyone to Skënderbej Square, Tirana, to begin the strong protest at 10:00 a.m.

Former minister Arben Imami, leaving the Presidency uncompromised by Mejdani Photo: Albes FUSHA

The former mayor of Korça [?] arrested by Greece under house arrest ON PAGE 4

ON PAGE 9