Students of the Institute of Physical Education are beaten ON PAGE 4

INSTAT: Prices rose 222% NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA ON PAGE 5

Woodworkers protest again ON PAGE 5

Government in Kavajë: The tourist area of Golem will be returned to its pristine state, just as in the time of Comrade Enver. Bulldozers will destroy all the buildings ON PAGE 2 Attending the Municipality’s annual meeting, Meta, as the first socialist government official to meet Kavajë’s elected representatives, came to say that the former communists’ vendetta against the city—a bastion of democracy—remains the same as before, despite Majko taking over and Nano leaving its leadership

By Astrit PATOZI More than a year and a half after the swearing-in of the first left-wing coalition government following the June 29 elections, it is an understatement to say that the Socialists and their allies are incapable of restoring the order disrupted in Albania, while it is becoming abundantly clear to everyone that it is this very government that generates criminality. In the first days of 1999, it is observed that ...

Deputy Chairman of the DP, Genc Pollo, clarifies one of the main points of dialogue between the government and the opposition Deputy Chairman of the DP, Genc Pollo, yesterday expressed surprise at the statement made by Information Minister Ul- “I have the impression that Mr. Ulqini spoke without consulting the government leaders, since I have not

Parliament passes law to control the speed of motorboats that attack Italy every day carrying drugs, undocumented migrants and prostitutes Supported by the left-wing government, the speedboat operators have turned the Strait of Otranto into a channel of death over the past two years Yesterday, Parliament claimed that by approving the government’s proposal “On the registration and control of vessels under 20 tons,” it would halt illegal trafficking by speedboats, inflatable boats and other vessels from the Albanian coast to Italy and Greece. The law, passed in an extraordinary session, was described by most opposition MPs as a “show” by the prime minister ahead of his visit to Rome, since illegal trafficking has flourished more than ever under the former communists’ rule. ON PAGE 3

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, sets out the Democratic Party’s alternative for bringing the country out of the crisis The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, sets out the Democratic Party’s alternative for overcoming the country’s crisis A political solution followed by early elections Yesterday, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, set out the Democratic Party’s alternative for bringing the country out of the deep economic and political crisis into which it has sunk. A political solution followed by early elections are the first steps presented-

and their allies are incapable of restoring order in Albania, which has been shaken, while it is becoming increasingly breeds crime. In the first days of 1999, it is becoming clear that Albania’s decline is heading toward catastrophe, while the well-organized Albanian mafia is also making itself felt in European countries with a distinguished tradition of combating organized crime. Majko’s government was taking stock of its first 100 days when, no more than 100 meters from the Prime Minister’s Office, a 21-year-old was killed by armed men who, as in such cases, remain unidentified. In the first days of this year, the streets of the cities have been stained with the blood of dozens of victims; high-voltage pylons have once again been targeted by TNT explosions, while two detainees died in the hands of police officers in Beratë Koqi during torture. While Majko and his aide Ulqini were smiling at journalists and listing the “successes” of their first 100 days, Albanian demonstrations were taking place in Italy. These confront and harm every Albanian living and working in the West, and are at the same time a direct indictment of the government in Tirana. A haven for crime The strengthening of the Albanian malavita in Italy or in other Western countries cannot be treated as a wholly separate matter from the spread of crime in Albania, not only because of its inherent connections, but primarily because of the many factors that support it. If there is a large organized network in Milan trafficking drugs, prostitution, or even weapons, controlled by Albanians, the roots of the expansion of their criminal activity must be sought first and foremost in Albania. The ease with which they operate in their own country, where they have bases, homes, agents, or key associates, has enabled Albanian gangsters to spread and grow stronger at a galloping pace in recent years. Given that, from the outset, Albanian mafiosi do not have to worry about the police, or even about the secret services or foreign agencies; moreover, there are also factors in European countries that work in favor of Albanian mafiosi, as well as certain elements of Italian politics, which also create an unfavorable climate for thousands of refugees from Albania living in Europe. Drug, arms, and prostitution traffickers find it extremely easy to settle in Italy or elsewhere because they give little or no thought to protecting themselves in their country of origin, where the police are either absent or collude with them. Feeling very much at ease in Albania, the young Albanian mafiosi do not have to hide their activities, which are ongoing and involve compromises with the Albanian police or local authorities; this is almost impossible, while the metropolises readily offer them the breadth and anonymity they need. Feeling very safe in Albania, Albanian gangsters can easily return and move around their homeland for a long time as soon as they find themselves at risk in the West. (Continued on page 3)

“I have the impression that Mr. Ulqini spoke without consulting the government’s leaders, since I do not want to believe that Messrs. Majko and Meta could go back on the statements they made, which would also amount to abandoning the path of dialogue” The Deputy Chairman of the DP, Genc Pollo, yesterday expressed surprise at the statement made by Information Minister Ulqini, who denied one of the main points of the dialogue between DP Chairman Berisha and Prime Minister Majko concerning the establishment of an independent investigative group for the Hajdari case. The at the statement made by Information Minister Ulqini, who denied one of the main points of the dialogue between DP Chairman Berisha and Prime Minister Majko concerning the establishment of an independent investigative group for the Hajdari case. At the eighth anniversary of the DP branch in Elbasan, Pollo once again clarified the public’s understanding of the willingness shown by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister during the meeting regarding a response to a draft law that would make it possible to establish the independent investigative group. “I am surprised by such a statement from Mr. Ulqini. At the dialogue table on December 21, Prime Minister Majko told us that he would welcome a draft law that would enable the establishment of the investigative group, saying that he would sign it and submit it to the PS parliamentary group. Deputy Prime Minister Meta also supported this,” Pollo said. The Deputy Chairman of the DP was skeptical about the seriousness of the statement made by the Information Minister. the government’s leaders, since I do not want to believe that Messrs. Majko and Meta could go back on the statements they made, which would also amount to abandoning the path of dialogue,” Pollo said. Information Minister Ulqini said at a press conference that, at the meeting between DP Chairman Berisha and Prime Minister Majko, the government representatives had not agreed to the creation of an independent investigative group for the Hajdari case. Such a statement also contradicts Majko and Meta’s own previous statements on the matter. The establishment of an independent investigative group to uncover the truth about the murder of the century has been regarded by DP leaders as and the opposition at the December 21 meeting. Consequently, the government representatives’ withdrawal from this promise constitutes an unacceptable retreat from dialogue for the opposition. B. KASMI

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, yesterday set out the DP’s alternative for bringing the country out of the deep economic and political crisis into which it has sunk. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, yesterday set out the DP’s solution followed by early elections are the steps put forward by the DP as a necessity for overcoming the extremely difficult situation in the country. In the Prime Minister Majko government’s first 100 days, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament saw only a sincere desire in the new Prime Minister to solve the problems that preoccupy Albanian society. On the other hand, however, Topalli recalled that none of these problems...

DP and IDA: fruitful cooperation Yesterday at noon, the Deputy Chairman of the DP, Mr. Genc Pollo, received representatives of the American Democratic Institute in his office for a meeting...

The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, welcomed the agreement between the OSCE and the UÇK reached yesterday by the Norwegian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Vollabek, the head of the OSCE Verification Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Uoker, and Ambassadors Hill and Petric, describing it as an important step that will contribute to further progress in the process of resolving the Kosovo issue.

Today, 128 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 Ramiz Nano’s government and that of his successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The governments of the former Communists, which leave at liberty and unmolested the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, show Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the murderers, who have names and identities but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari cannot tolerate this under any circumstances. The government must either capture the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Reorganization of the DP’s structures, a process begun some time ago ON PAGE 2

Elbasan’s industry is privatized at the Socialists’ headquarters Industrial facilities with technology and a tradition of production for domestic and export markets were drawn into the game of political mafia and corruption ON PAGE 5

Patriotic rhetoric about Kosovo, as well as the killing and imprisonment of nationalist democrats, are two things that do not go together The Socialist Government’s latest statements on Kosovo have been seen as a major departure in this party’s policy regarding the independence of half of the Albanian nation, which is occupied by the Serbs. If we were not to revisit the old and recent history, ON PAGE 2