Today, a grand rally in “Skënderbej” Square Today, on 12.01.1999 at 12:00, a grand rally will be held in “Skënderbej” Square in Tirana to commemorate four months since the murder of the hero of democracy, the tribune of Albanian nationalism, Azem Hajdari. Democrats of Tirana and all Albania! Let us all gather in “Skënderbej” Square to protest the murder of the immortal hero, Azem Hajdari; against the government’s silence, which protects Azem’s killers; against the extrajudicial killings of dozens and hundreds of other Democrats; and against the violence and arrests that continue to be inflicted on the opposition. Everyone in the square to stay the hand of the neo-dictatorship! Everyone in the square against crime and misery! Everyone in the square for Azem Hajdari! Everyone with Azem—everyone for Azem!

The government is terrorizing all Albanians who have even the slightest connection with Arab countries ON PAGE 4 “Bin Laden’s man,” the SHIK informant

Power line in Fushë-Krujë blown up with explosives. Another serious fault in the transformer at the Fierzë Hydroelectric Power Plant Yesterday morning, around 08:00, pylon no. 257, at the Cement Factory in Fushë-Krujë, was damaged with explosives. The perpetrators immediately fled in an unknown direction, while the police were once again unable to identify those responsible for the crime. ON PAGE 4

Strong accusations from Italy against the Tirana government. Those in power organize drug, prostitution and migrant-smuggling networks Majko’s innocence—or unwillingness—to fight smuggling, corruption and illegal trafficking is convincing the international community that the prime minister is held hostage by mafia clans in the PS, and that the only alternative for saving Albania from such phenomena, as well as saving neighboring countries that suffer from them, is a new political solution. ON PAGE 3

By Edi PALOKA Two days ago, Gjinushi publicly declared which clan is now fighting harder than anyone else to sabotage the dialogue. Called in for a television interview, Gjinushi publicly revealed his clan and its aims. For the first time, Gjinushi forgot to mention what is generally attributed to him and, without holding back, declared that there is a grouping among those in power doing everything possible to undo what has been achieved through the establishment of dialogue. Gjinushi and the faction he represents were so incensed by the establishment of dialogue that he began making blunders. He went so far as to call the dialogue between Berisha and Majko something non-institutional, a conversation between two private individuals. What does that make the institutions in Albania, if the prime minister, deputy prime minister and opposition leader are not institutions?! Such blunders and outbursts, of course, occur when you have lost your reason, when you feel so defeated and angry that you can no longer think clearly. Nevertheless, Gjinushi did very well to speak publicly, leaving no room for anyone to try to work out who the people now fighting to sabotage the dialogue are. Gjinushi revealed the clan that is fighting for this, even though he tried to cover it up clumsily. The current Speaker of Parliament declared that he is part of a clan with the President of the Republic, the head of the secret services, and other senior officials who have long been trying to become leader of the PS and, at the same time, prime minister. Respekt Mediani, Skënder Gjinushi, Kastriot Islami and Fatos Klosi are the clan trying to sabotage the dialogue, trying by every means to turn it into a quarrel. Behind such outbursts and insulting language stand some very powerful politicians from the ruling camp and senior officials of the country and the judiciary. The reasons these people have repeatedly gathered in a group may be relatively different, but their common purpose is at the heart of it. Mediani was a person chosen by the President and the opposition to resolve crime in Albania. He squandered this opportunity, ultimately seeking his own undoing as well. This happened because Mediani thought and wanted to eliminate Nano, but did not truly want to offer a solution for Albania. This is also why he appoints judges. Skënder Gjinushi, too, reached a point when he no longer wanted Nano and, in his own way, polished him off—not because he had decided that Nano had plunged the government into crisis, but because his interests had become tied to a clan whose interests no longer aligned with Nano’s clan. Continued on page 3

Berisha-Vollebek meeting on Sunday: Bode and Minarolli condemn the political use of the General Prosecutor’s Office

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Strike council awaits Minister Ruka’s response ON PAGE 5

Today, 126 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 protégés in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former colonels and its protégés are preventing an independent investigation into this event. The government of the former colonels, all its services linked to crime, and all the institutions must not obstruct the investigation into the event, which is of exceptional importance. Why is it not accepted that the killings of Albanians be investigated? The events that took place before the murder of Azem Hajdari cannot under any circumstances be tolerated as a cult. The government must either bring the criminals before justice once and for all, or publicly declare that it itself carried out the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Following a shocking testimony by General Astrit Mehje. Here is who is collaborating with the Serbs against Albania ON PAGE 2

Petro Koci’s gang continues state violence ON PAGE 2

Serious attack on the Albanian media in Prishtina Three armed men shot at Maloku in the place known as Kodra e Diellit in Prishtina. Later, despite prompt medical assistance and a surgical operation, Enver Maloku died. The circumstances and details of this attack on a prominent figure in the Albanian media in Kosovo remain unknown. ON PAGE 6

Berisha meets Prime Minister Bukoshi Democratic Party Chairman Berisha met yesterday evening with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Bujar Bukoshi. The interlocutors held an extensive discussion about the situation in Kosovo. At the meeting, the need for cooperation among all political and military factors in Kosovo on the Kosovo issue was emphasized. As Berisha and Bukoshi noted, they shared the view that a common position among political forces in Albania and Kosovo provides strong support for resolving this problem.

A worker speaks—Here is how director Astrit Hysi is stealing from the Durrës drinks factory ON PAGE 5

Ministry of Finance increases the number of unemployed For 1999, the Ministry of Finance has not budgeted subsidies for the mines of Ferkon, Burrel, Bulqizë and Memaliaj, the Fier nitrogen plant, 13 Albpetrol branches, the Laç Superphosphate Plant, the Tirana factory... ON PAGE 5