The farcical trial against the Vlora gang continues ON PAGE 4

Tax on bank deposit interest is being applied ON PAGE 5

INSTAT: The price index rises by 0.9% ON PAGE 5

Mafia clans in the Albanian government turn on Italy. An attempt is being made to create tension in relations between the two countries Sabit Brokaj, an adviser to Meidani and also a member of parliament for the Vlora district, said yesterday that illegal Albanian trafficking is encouraged by Italian politicians ON PAGE 3

Scandal at Hotel Tirana. The President unlawfully demands the suspension of a construction project near the Presidency “You cannot deprive former owners of their right to enjoy their property, as you did during the 50 years of communist dictatorship,” Tirana’s mayor replies to the president’s arrogance ON PAGE 3

By Edi PALOKA Democrats have taken to the streets again, this time with the call: “Majko, keep your promise!” These words, full of conviction, come months after the murder of Azem Hajdari, and the killers are still not only free but also protected by those in power. At the meeting held some time ago between the government and the opposition, Majko promised that he would accept independent investigations into Azem’s murder. He agreed and promised that the law the PD would prepare on this matter would also be passed in Parliament. But the law has been drafted and presented to Majko, and it has not passed in Parliament. Only Skënder Gjinushi, directly accused of the attempts on Azem Hajdari’s life, has commented on that law. Gjinushi spoke out against the law even before it had been drafted, calling it unconstitutional. After the law was drafted, Gjinushi said the same thing. But, as mentioned above, Gjinushi was directly accused of the attempts on Azem’s life, and it was Majko who promised the law would be passed. That is precisely why the Democrats asked Majko yesterday to keep his promise. Prime Minister Majko has not commented on this issue either, just as he has remained silent on many others. According to Gjinushi, Majko has sent the draft law to the OSCE offices for assessment, but that is not the promise he made. The draft law must be sent to Parliament, where each member of parliament will show whether or not they are willing to hold an investigation into Azem Hajdari’s murder. So far, sending draft laws to the OSCE offices and not to Parliament will bring no solution. Moreover, the draft law could be changed substantially before it reaches Majko. Could it be that Majko thinks he can evade his promise with this maneuver? If so, Majko would be making a blunder. The Democrats do not intend to wait indefinitely for those in power to keep their promises. Majko was given a chance, although we considered it paradoxical that he would continue with this stance; if he continues to remain silent and generally refuses to listen, then he, too, will face protests by the Democrats. Majko has made promises, and the PD has offered him a package on public order, yet he remains silent again. This kind of silence is not a positive sign for us, because it seems Majko is trying to prolong his government for as long as possible by maintaining this kind of peace with the opposition. So far, Majko has remained silent even when Gjinushi and his associates have spoken out, but Gjinushi’s statements have been treated as Gjinushi’s own statements. Gjinushi has spoken about the arrests of Democrats, has spoken about the law on investigating Azem’s murder, has spoken about the public-order pact, and has also spoken about the eavesdropping on the opposition leader. All these statements have been negative and in no way consistent with what appeared to be the spirit of the dialogue’s leader. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, the Democrats have promised not to take Gjinushi’s statements into consideration on the first point because they regard them as Gjinushi’s statements. But it should not be forgotten that, especially after Gjinushi and his associates spoke out, Majko was asked to make a statement—a statement that never came. If he has stood by his position and is truly sincere, then this is needed and demanded; an effort is being called for. Instead of Gjinushi being held responsible for this, it is also because he has taken up the matter in the face of everyone’s opinion, while Majko’s statement has been missing ever since Azem Hajdari’s murder. Majko must also stand by what he promised during a campaign in Albania; otherwise, the situation will once again be withdrawn into uncertainty, and political tensions will rise again. If there are elections, there may be only one option left to him: not giving Nesos. Therefore, since Majko has been put in this position, and paradoxically by his own actions, having promised differently from his predecessors and made different promises from his predecessors, and having tried to make his promises sincerely while artificially maintaining his government, he must show this immediately. The Democrats have ended well.

ON PAGE 3

ON PAGE 3 Yesterday, thousands of Tirana citizens in “Skënderbej” Square

The Independent Union of Civilian Employees of the SHIK Ministry demands: “Wage increases of more than 10 percent” Police employees, aviation workers in Kuçovë, the Gramsh factory and the Elbasan medical facility, as well as many military factories in Tirana, with more than 2,000 employees in total, are waiting for their economic demands to be met and for them to return to work; otherwise, they will begin a strike ON PAGE 5

Berisha offers condolences on the death of Rexhep Krasniqi The news of the death of Professor Rexhep Krasniqi, one of the most distinguished intellectuals and chroniclers of Albanian-language education, a fervent admirer and prominent activist for the Albanian language and culture in the service of the Albanian nation, has deeply saddened me and all Albanian Democrats. What is more, Professor Rexhep Krasniqi remains one of the giants of Albanian thought in the intellectual world of Albania. He devoted himself greatly to the ideals of freedom and the nation. Prof. Krasniqi made a major contribution to the development of education in Albania and throughout all Albanian lands, devoting all his energies to the founding of the League of Prizren and leading it for a long time. Through his contribution and work in education in particular, and in national culture, his legacy endures. Above all, his contributions and work in the service of the Albanian nation have been passed down to generations in Europe. I, along with many of my colleagues, sincerely believe that the works of Prof. Krasniqi will always enlighten Albanians and serve as a means for the spirit of this distinguished son of the Albanian nation to rest in eternal peace.

Today, 154 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 successors in the crime committed against this figure. The government, which has kept free and unpunished the criminals who took the December Leader’s life, is showing Albanians that the government itself has been involved and is acting on behalf of the killers, who have names but are untouchable by those in power. The 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.

On the sixth day, discussion of the political section of the draft agreement concluded By Mero BAZE, Rambouillet The slogans “Hill, go to hell” and “NATO, American fascism” filled Rambouillet today, shouted by the Serbs present there. Milutinović blames the mediators for the talks’ deadlock. Diplomats indifferent to the Serbian positions ON PAGE 2 Rugova and Qosja walking in the courtyard of the Rambouillet castle

The government: We may provide a solution in March ON PAGE 5

Will the President identify himself with the Prosecutor’s Office? ON PAGE 4