The story of the rebellion from Fatos Nano to Zani Çaushi In upcoming issues you will read: - Everything about the attack on the SHIK building - How Vlora Municipality was burned and who the arsonists were; - Where Gramoz Ruçi had his war headquarters; - All the names of the hunger-strike students, as well as their activities, etc.

The destruction of military units and one of the largest naval bases in the Mediterranean Those responsible for opening the weapons depots and the bearer of the Greek flag SPECIAL REPORT ON PAGE 5

By Astrit PATOZI More than a year after the terrifying events of 1997, Albanians are holding their breath to learn the details and the protagonists of the drama that plunged the country headlong into chaos and rivers of blood. When many of last year’s intense emotions have subsided and the streets are empty of the perpetrators of the most savage acts against humanity, when many of the barbarians have put on expensive suits and climbed into government cars, people find it easier to learn the truth about what happened to others and to themselves during the disastrous year of 1997. Let no one think that during the tragedy they could have hidden their head in the sand and escaped the witnesses’ eyes while killing, robbing or burning. It has taken a little time for history to be written—just enough for people to recover from the trauma caused by the horrific scenes, in which they were either direct victims or witnesses. It is understood that in a crime story, the one who tells the story is the injured party or the witness who wept silently, unable to stop the murderous hand. That is why it is no coincidence at all that the opposition of today and the opposition press are bringing the rebellion’s black file to light, for the simple reason that they were one of the barrels of the Kalashnikovs of the rev[?]olution that struck the state. But how is the publication of the shocking facts—what the opposition has called “the hour of truth”—being received? The first steps in the new file have awakened extraordinary interest and brought relief to the majority of Albanians, while the demons are reacting in despair. While letters have arrived at our editorial office every day from people asking us for a copy of the newspaper that they have been unable to find on the market, a group of bodyguards of government officials delivered a pile of more than 200 copies of “Rilindja Demokratike” in the middle of Tirana. Meanwhile, every day we receive hundreds of messages of support and new testimonies. After the true accounts of the rebellion were brought to light, threats have also not been lacking, recalling the macabre scenes of last year. “We didn’t roast those SHIK people, but we’ll roast you on a spit,” a male voice with a strong Lab accent told us on the phone yesterday. But to mask [a] strong Lab accent? … (Continued on page 3)

Berisha meets US Ambassador Mariza Lino PD chairman Berisha met yesterday with the US ambassador in Tirana, Mariza Lino, at the latter’s request. During the lengthy, hour-and-a-half conversation, particular attention was given to the current deteriorating situation in Kosovo. In this context, security and stability issues in the region were also discussed, along with the latest developments in relations between Montenegro and Serbia, and more broadly. PDSH chairman Sali Berisha and the ambassador

“Those who have repented from the Committees, and others implicated in the events of last year, are providing great help in gathering facts and testimony” THE TESTIMONIES OF REPENTANT GANG AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE WELCOME ON PAGE 3

Robert Muçen[i] and Abdul Lili recount the police terror in Këlcy[r]ë. Kërbaçi’s bodyguards could not stand Democrats in their den of orgies ON PAGE 2

The leadership of the creditors’ association: Nano, Fino, Malaj before the court ON PAGE 4

Debate on Albania in EDU’s Economic Committee ON PAGE 3

Bandits kill 2 police officers in the town of Burrel Crime has once again struck the blue uniforms in the northern town of Burrel. Two police officers, namely police officer Sabri Neli, 33, and the driver of the police vehicle... ON PAGE 7

hour-and-a-half conversation, they spoke in particular about the current grave situation in Kosovo and the alternatives and ways of resolving this important issue for the whole region. The interlocutors discussed the most effective forms and means of international engagement by the Contact Group, NATO, the OSCE, etc., to help bring about a just and peaceful resolution of the Kosovo issue. In this context, they also discussed problems of security and stability in the region, as well as more broadly. PDSh chairman Sali Berisha and US Ambassador Mariza Lino also discussed the general current situation in Albania, issues concerning public order and security, crime, the economic and social situation, attitudes toward the democratic opposition, and ways of overcoming this situation.

96 days since the former Minister of the Interior was imprisoned Former Minister of the Interior in the Government of National Reconciliation, Ali Kazazi, continues to be held in prison for absurd reasons. He was detained on February 14, 1998, at the Milot Bridge, following the police ambush laid for the December Movement’s Azem Hajdari, in an obvious attempt by the current state to incriminate the opposition. On February 17, an indefinite detention order was issued against him. Kazazi comes from a family with well-known anti-communist traditions and is a member of the PD National Council.

The director of INSIG, another godfather of the pyramid schemes The current director of INSIG, Sherif Bundo, has plunged both arms into the country’s pyramid schemes. Besides Arben Malaj, he is the second prominent economist from the Socialist Party to have served as a senior adviser to a borrowing company during 1996. It was precisely in that year that Bundo received the large sum of 50 thousand dollars from the company Silva to falsify an appraisal report for the company. Silva’s executives had asked Bundo to certify that the company was worth 8 billion lek, equivalent to 80 million dollars. Economist Bundo, without having any right or any diploma as a valuation expert, agreed to sign such a forgery in exchange for the payment he was given. Sherif Bundo is one of the authors of the Socialist Party’s so-called economic program, and the party itself has rewarded him with the important post of Director General of INSIG, one of the country’s money mines. Some time ago, Bundo also published a book entitled “Economic Encyclopedia,” at the beginning of which he even makes an appraisal of himself—which, naturally, is also falsified. He writes that he was removed from his teaching post at the Faculty of Economics precisely because he opposed pyramid schemes, while this same man used economic manipulations to create an image of security for one of these companies. Today the director of INSIG has much more at his disposal to falsify and steal, while also needing to keep a large number of bodyguards, one of whom has insulted and hit Arben Malaj. The forgery he committed, as well as his public deception about the reasons for his dismissal, while writing about 50 thousand dollars from a usurious firm, once again reveals the morality of the Socialists who run the most important institutions of the Albanian state.

At the time when Albanians were heading for the sea under the barrels of criminals’ Kalashnikovs

The Black File on Tepelenë 180 days under terror and gangs

On Saturday, a large rally in “Skënderbej” Square CITIZENS OF TIRANA, On Saturday, May 23, 1998, at 18:30, in Skënderbej Square, “Bashkimi për Demokraci,” the trade unions and the associations supporting this political formation will organize a large rally to protest: - Against political killings and the government’s efforts to eliminate the opposition. - Against the misery and poverty brought about by the left-wing coalition’s rule. - Against the rampant rise in prices. - Against the increase in taxes that is destroying business and trade. - Against smuggling by government officials. - Against the government’s deception over increases in wages and pensions, as well as their indexation. - Against the deception over the return of money deposited in pyramid schemes. BROTHERS AND SISTERS, The left-wing coalition’s rule has plunged the country into a deep economic, political, social, psychological and moral crisis, which is worsening every day. Everyone to Skënderbej Square on Saturday, May 23, at 18:30, to give a voice[?] to the future of the country and your children. Permission for this rally has been obtained from the police.