The editorial staff of "RD" wishes all its readers In today's issue you will find 6 special pages with humor and cartoons Prepared by: Filip ÇAKULI

Misery, violence, non-governance, smuggling, corruption, crime, trafficking in weapons, drugs and illegal migrants, but also a little dialogue at the end and, very much, humor

By Bardhyl LONDO Seen after the worst evidence of left-wing governance for Albania in 1998, this time together with its entire people. The year 1998, now behind us, was truly a bad year for Albania and Albanians, with many tragic events, with political violence unprecedented in the history of this people, with economic crises and traumas, with a government unable to rise above the increasingly turbulent waters of the endless events, with an institutional chaos that still has not found its peace. Which honest Albanian could have genuinely rejoiced over this year that has ended? This question cannot receive any positive answer at the end of 1998. After the turmoil of 1997, after the extreme traumatization of the citizens, after the great material and moral losses, after countless murders, this year should have been the great effort for a true rebirth of the Albanian state. Instead, in place of a new stage of peace, institutional consolidation, calm, and hope, it brought other events and trials, a long season of political conflict, and a general worsening of public life. The Kosovo crisis, its dramatic events, the wave of refugees, and the ever-present danger along Albania's borders made the country's climate even more difficult. Yet just as serious was the internal situation, where the socialist government repeatedly proved that it was unable to guarantee either order, the economy, or the rule of law. The year 1998 will remain as a year in which the opposition was constantly tested, but also as a year in which it emerged as the most stable force in Albanian political life. In such a dramatic situation, the opposition became not only the government's adversary, but also the voice of the national interest, civic protest, and the need for change. The climax of this confrontation came with the events of September, with the murder of Azem Hajdari, with the great shock suffered by the country, and with the immediate reaction of thousands of citizens. That grave event marked not only a major national wound, but also the strongest clash between power and opposition. The year now ending proved that the opposition, despite the blows, remained capable of mobilizing people, keeping the democratic cause alive, and demonstrating that in Albania there is still energy to resist arbitrariness. This is why 1998 can be called, in a deep political sense, the year of the opposition.

PD Political Diary ON PAGE 3

The Albanian people's year with the emptiest hopes; as a reflection of the country's socialist government and as the economy followed only decline, unable to lift its head ON PAGE 3

12 months of terror by government gangs against opposition members ON PAGE 5

HUMOR Can the new female commissioner with the long braids manage to "wilt" the police? [text partially illegible] ON PAGE 2

Five deceived the Minister of the Interior, for the release of the hostage, Petrit Çaçani ON PAGE 4

Today, 112 days after the murder of the leader of the Albanian student movement, the government does not arrest the 4 killers ON PAGE 4

The company "Albania Interlines" sends its wishes to the Albanian people, the diaspora and those returning, family and associates throughout the year 1999. HAPPY 9