Secret message from the Deloitte & Touche firm ON PAGE 5 Secret message from the Deloitte & Touche firm The government is bankrupting the VEFA company ON PAGE 5

The section for extending forged files at SHIK continues its work ON PAGE 4 The section for extending forged files at SHIK continues its work Bezhani, the clique’s blind tool ON PAGE 4

Italian investors denounce: Albania still has danger zones ON PAGE 4 Italian investors denounce: Albania still has danger zones Crime is driving away foreign investment ON PAGE 4

The hunger strikers’ demands are the same as those in the European Troika’s package International concern for the hunger strikers is growing. The OSCE medi ator[e?] in the resolution of the crisis. Evert meets with representatives of the strike Eight lawyers have been on hunger strike for 24 days. They constitute a nameless state? [?] cipuar, faced with a totalitarian logic that rules over today’s hierarchs of the Albanian state, faced with state deafness to their just demands, they have chosen the path of self-sacrifice. The eight lawyers are a clear example of how the Albanian neocommunists have set their course for the future of democracy in the country and, specifically, for one of democracy’s pillars, the system of an independent judiciary. The neocommunists are just as determined in their principles of violating justice and its independence as the lawyers on the 24-day strike are in keeping the independence of the judicial branch intact. The former concede nothing except falsifications of the law on the organization of justice, which seriously damage justice, while the latter likewise have no room to concede anything because of the high principles they learned in contemporary legal studies, entirely cleansed of ideology. These are the true Albanian lawyers. Without such a defense of justice, it would differ little from the time of dictatorship, differ little from the time of dictatorship, differ little—the collaborators of the state within the ranks of the judiciary are ready even to lay mines for this system, as in 1954. In the absence of national collegiality for a branch of power that has no connection whatsoever with politics, with opposite them a President wholly devoted to [unclear] how he runs the state, a prime minister without the sensitivity of a person governing the country, a parliamentary speaker with the face and actions of a thug, the hunger strikers, the idealistic lawyers of a country, are heading toward death. Yesterday the OSCE took an initiative to resolve the conflict. Three hunger strikers were at the offices of the organization’s mission in Tirana, while senior European diplomats expressed the necessity of a resolution. If Europe were to consider what is today more urgent than ever in the country—the reconciliation of Albanian justice with justice and impartiality, just as is the ideal of those confined in the hunger strike, in the face of the government’s antidemocratic [unclear]—the situation of the lawyer hunger strikers is very serious. The doctors are waiting from moment to moment, terrified, to see what fate awaits the lawyers. For them this is an unprecedented case, not least because they have refused medical assistance. Meanwhile, as conditions in the modest place where they have confined themselves continue to worsen, the terror-filled, unscrupulous rhetoric of the Albanian government dares to trample on their sacrifice. The arrogance, rejection of the lawyers’ sacrifice, and silence in response to their democratic demands are the gravest acts being committed by today’s government and, along with it, by the lickspittles at the state trough in the Ministry of Justice. Today more than 100 people are confined in hunger strikes in Albania. None of the strikers have material demands, or problems with food or welfare. They have legal problems, problems tied to whether Albania will continue along the path of democracy or return to abnormality, if not to Europe. They are demanding, against the state’s wishes, that Albania continue on the path of democracy. OSCE; photograph of the hunger strikers

Union for Democracy: The government’s indifference and cynicism toward the strikers’ demands threatens the country’s stability The Union for Democracy called on the USA, the governments of Western countries, and international institutions to exert their influence with the authorities in Tirana ON PAGE 3

Albanians without income and with high taxes Yesterday, the government raised its salaries by doubling them, while around 400,000 families, pensioners, unemployed people, people receiving assistance, families without social support, and other poor segments of Albanian society are today experiencing total economic misery. Nano’s government raised the salaries of Nano and Meidani by 100 percent, as well as those of all the other ministers. Nano first raised taxes on citizens and now is raising his own salary, which will be paid for by Albanians. To the poverty and misery that have engulfed the country through rising prices and taxes, the government is adding an increase in its own salaries. The inhumanity and cynicism of the socialist government officials and those in power manifested itself once again through wage policy. While most citizens in Albania are wondering how to secure their survival, Nano and his ministers are thinking about how to increase their personal incomes. By increasing their own salaries in this way, the government officials and Nano show that they are insatiable for money. The money from smuggling, tenders, other shady dealings, corruption, extorting people for jobs, extorting them for visas, seasonal employment, scholarships, licenses, and other activities is now joined by the greed to take as much as possible legally from the state budget and taxpayers. Nano’s government, in its greed to obtain as many lekë as possible, even through salaries, has decided to double its own pay, while 400,000 families across the country have no income at all with which to buy even bread. The cynical, hypocritical, inhumane government that calls itself socialist has, with its latest action, turned into a predatory government, using every means and method to fleece Albanian taxpayers.

The DP’s deputy chairman, Genc Pollo, speaks from Strasbourg. The Palace of Europe adopts a resolution on Kosovo “Reactions are expected from the Albanian political forces, but especially from the government” ON PAGE 3

Greek soldiers and the state of the army are the main topics of today’s talks The chairman of the Defense Committee, Azem Hajdari, and MP Ferdinand Xhaferri will meet today with the NATO delegation headed by Mr. Brandenburg. According to sources, the chairman of the Defense Committee, Hajdari, will present the NATO delegation with concerns about the presence of Greek soldiers in Albania without an international mandate and will call for their withdrawal. The chairman of the Defense Committee will also express concerns about the purging of the army, the return of commissars to the defense structures, and the dismissal of the Albanian army’s current leadership together with the socialist government. L. M.

The OSCE Ambassador in Tirana, Evert, and the lawyers on the 22nd day of the hunger strike

Congratulatory message from the Chairman of the DP, Sali Berisha, addressed to Muslim believers on the occasion of the Great Bayram holiday He sends his heartfelt wishes to Albanian Muslim believers in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, the diaspora and wherever they may be: “Many happy returns on the day of the Great Bayram, the holiday of a person’s sacrifice in the service of God, forgiveness and mercy.” The month of Ramadan is the month of people’s perseverance in their sacrifice, of sharing common suffering and mercy; it is a month of general trial in what, for part of the world, is a lived reality connected with use, and a month of understanding through sharing suffering together and through charity. The day of the Great Bayram is also the day of an individual’s triumph, of standing firm against hardship and evil; it is the day of forgiveness, tolerance, respect, love and generosity of spirit from one person toward another. This year we celebrate Bayram not as we deserve, but united, and with God’s help, next Bayram even better and stronger. May God bless Muslim believers and all Albanians wherever they may be. Once again, happy Bayram to everyone celebrating together this blessed holiday of the Great Bayram. Glory to God!

The editorial staff of the RD newspaper wishes all Muslim believers a happy Eid al-Adha