The year we are leaving behind was one of the most difficult for Albania. Not only because poverty increased at a significant and unpredictable pace. Not only because of insecurity in people’s lives, but also of life itself. Above all, it was a year of major developments. After June 29, Albanians felt not only abandoned by the government to which they had given their vote (naturally, a considerable part of that vote was cast under the watch of Kalashnikovs and other emotional factors), but also deceived and mocked by those who promised the 100% return of the money lost in the pyramid schemes and the creation of 250,000 new jobs. Instead of a government that would fulfil this and even a small part of its electoral promises, they saw a government that ranked Albania first in Europe for corruption. Instead of the institutionalization of genuine democratic institutions, Albanians saw a parliament and government that “institutionalize” mafia clans. And this is an extremely serious judgment and condemnation of Albania’s democratic path. Instead of the institutionalization of honest parliamentarianism, Albanians saw the institutionalization of empty and unfounded propaganda, so that Albania remained almost the only one among those dealing with its internal affairs at the national level. The Foreign Minister, who sees “glimmers” where there is not even a clear reflection, may console himself with his telegrams and statements, etc., but Albanians want something entirely different. They want investors to come and the Albanian cause to advance, matters on which the government’s foreign policy this year has been completely powerless, without ideas, without direction, without a platform and without near- or long-term objectives. Slogans may serve a minister himself in advancing his career, but Albanians need something else. Nevertheless, the past year was the year of the opposition. And that is no small thing. Not only because the opposition may now have become the main political force among the Albanian electorate, but above all because of the psychological effect. The opposition gave Albanians greater faith in the values of democracy and in the pluralist system, because it gave them the opportunity to exert pressure on the government and its governance. It is true that during this year, more than ever before, the opposition was bloodied, killed, arrested, abused and slandered, but it managed to raise the morale of the people throughout the country; it succeeded in making them believe more in the value of a democratic system and in using their vote precisely in favour of democratic goals and aspirations. The fruit of this path was the November 22 referendum on the Constitution, in which Albanians above all expressed their condemnation of the current government. The fruit of this democratic pressure was the replacement of several governments and, to some extent, the departure from government—and perhaps even from Albanian politics—of the former rulers. But above all, a genuine victory in shaping future governance was undoubtedly the meeting held in recent days by the opposition. A meeting of the Albanian opposition and, finally, of government and opposition. A meeting of the Albanian opposition at last, which gave all Albanians and the international community a true picture of Albania. In open contrast to the previous government’s attacks on coexistence (here they did little to help and tried to induce the opposition to take action); in open contrast also to the mentality of the Albanian foreign minister, whose mind continues to think that coexistence is real only if the opposition produces imaginary weapons, while the government offers a true democratic face of Albania’s future. And, more importantly, it was a victory for both sides. Perhaps for the first time during a year packed with social developments, Albanians saw their own politics—that is, both the government and the opposition. The constitutional meaning of coexistence was the resolution of many political problems through inclusion... In the end, governance, the meeting, was entirely... [??] The coming year will not be easy. Other challenges lie ahead, many of them pressing and important, but none is greater than the challenge of a true Albania. Albania now knows that it needs genuine democratic institutions, not false institutions or propaganda. This very objective must guide and lead every action we take in the future. For the Albania of tomorrow, may the coming year be better for everyone!

Today, 112 days since the murder of the December Leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, proves the involvement of Fatos Nano’s government and its predecessor in this heinous crime. The Albanian government. Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, proves the involvement of Fatos Nano’s government and its predecessor in this heinous crime. The Albanian government, a government of former communists that leaves free and unpunished the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, shows Albanians that it has been and remains on the side of the killers, who have names of their own but are not separated from those in power. Albanian democracy and freedom, which Azem Hajdari fought for, can no longer tolerate this state of affairs. The government must either catch the criminals and bring them to justice, or leave office politically. It was the government itself that carried out Azem Hajdari’s murder.

Why is the Interior Minister lying about the release of the hostage, Petrit Gazheli? Here is what happened under the government in ’98 in the economy, education and healthcare Economic policies severely penalize the poor Social policies, as well as those concerning education and healthcare, are the subject of the press conference of the Department of Economy. ON PAGE 4

HUMOR * And on the national highway at the exit from Gjirokastër, the police roadblock stopped a tank because it was driving without license plates. * And we were informed that several prostitutes had returned from Italy to the port of Durrës and refused to go back to their homes, and for the time being had nowhere to stay. Apparently, this also touched the civic conscience of Durrës’s bachelors. Many of them offered their help to put the poor girls up for a few days. Last night and this morning, there was a great deal of concern in the port area about the fate of the destitute and seriously injured women. Since there were so many requests to help the unfortunate women, the port directorate was forced to put the girls up for auction, which brought in colossal proceeds. Meanwhile, strong protests are expected to arrive shortly from Italy, but the Durrës police have taken measures to prevent disturbances. They have announced that the girls will be housed at the police station for a few days. * Yesterday morning in Përmet, a Mercedes-Benz travelling faster than normal collided with a private tank coming from the opposite direction. The police immediately arrived at the scene and, after impounding the offending Mercedes, made its driver compensate the tank’s owner. * This morning, five masked and armed people attacked the police station and took hostage the 12 police officers inside. On learning of the incident, large government forces surrounded the police station and, after an exchange of gunfire, captured the attackers and freed the police officers.

In today’s issue you will find 6 special pages of humor and cartoons The editorial staff of the newspaper “RD” wishes all its readers Happy New Year 1999! In today’s issue you will find 6 special pages of humor and cartoons Prepared by: Filip ÇAKULI

Poverty, violence, disagreements, smuggling, corruption, crime, trafficking in weapons, drugs and clandestine migrants, but also a little dialogue at the end and, surprisingly, a lot of humor

The PD Political Diary ON PAGE 3 The year that left Albanians’ pockets empty. How the country’s social wages deteriorated and how the economy only declined, unable to get back on its feet The Empty Spoon of ’98 ON PAGE 5 12 months of terror by government gangs against opposition members Calendar of the authorities’ attacks on the opposition ON PAGE 2