The driver of the cheque had called several times about the missing man. The traffickers’ smugglers are taking advantage of the situation. “Guardia di Finanza” is unable to strike at government-backed smuggling Scandal. The investigation into the ship “Demon” is ruined. The police are hiding the link in the cigarette trafficking ON PAGE 4 The government officials and the elections Following the Socialist government’s abuses with the new dismissals of customs chiefs, “Rilindja Demokratike” has obtained an unpublished version of Prime Minister’s Order No. 6, dated 12 January 1998, “On certain changes in the structure of the General Directorate of Customs.” The decision, which had been sent several times for publication in the Official Gazette, could not be published because of the strong backlash it received from the press and public opinion. But what happens to a decision that is not published? According to lawyers, it does not enter into force. On the contrary, by verbal order and quietly, it is being implemented. Many chiefs are being removed, but also by nominal decisions not announced to the public. The case of the customs chief in Shëngjin, Nurian Abeja, serves as an example. After being elected deputy among the Socialists with the votes drawn from the lottery and the clownishness of the characters in the film “Përallë nga e kaluara,” the Socialist Nurian Abeja needed a job. His appointment as customs chief in Shëngjin was a blatant violation of the seniority criterion in the state administration. Reports and complaints of all kinds began to circulate about him, along with documents denounced for violations and abuses. Yet the surprise reached its peak when, with the announcement of local government elections, it was learned that Nurian Abeja was a candidate for commune chairman in Ishull-Shëngjin. Does the law prohibit such a thing? Not only morality, but the conditions of public administration and the relevant provisions prohibit it. So, the customs chief in one commune is nominated as a party candidate in order to win this commune by all means of the administration?! This is the truth of a deep and continuing degree of political activity on the part of the government, almost without any institutional control. Our newspaper will follow this scandal to the end.

ON PAGE 3 The PD chairman denounces the terrorist acts The technical government is driving the country away from crime and the mafia

Election preparations after a year of government in office are also showing clear symptoms of poor governance in Albania. Almost no state official is resisting the temptation to use public office in favor of their own party. In this way, unwillingly, we are being reminded of the behavior of high-ranking officials during election years in former communist countries, where the state administration was mobilized to boost the votes of the party-state. A form of indirect but quite clear pressure is also being observed in Albania. This is evident in the barrage of reports, complaints and documents that have reached our editorial office from all parts of the country. The case of the customs chief in Shëngjin, Nurian Abeja, is one of the most blatant. The preparation of lists and the general appointment of administrative election staff has begun in an atmosphere of insecurity and panic. In addition to the criticism directed at the police for inaction and for favoring trafficking gangs, alarms are growing about a climate of pressure on teachers, administrative staff and local leaders. Just as worrying are the signals we are receiving from many areas about the misuse of state offices, telephones, cars and public budgets in service of the campaign. This not only harms the electoral process, but also creates the belief that the state has been placed in the service of the ruling party. If this climate continues, the elections risk losing credibility and the country will once again enter a spiral of distrust. Albania needs standards, not the repetition of old habits.

Formerly persecuted persons go on hunger strike ON PAGE 3

The health condition of the judges worsens. Three days since work was suspended in the courts ON PAGE 2 The health condition of the judges worsens. Three days since work was suspended in the courts The judicial system in total paralysis

ON PAGE 3 The PD chairman denounces the terrorist acts Gjirokastra victim of Albanian and regional mafia

Lessons suspended at the University of Corfu Lessons are suspended at the University of Corfu and at the school Students on strike in universities and schools ON PAGE 2