The DP chairman writes to the publisher of the London newspaper “The Times” ON PAGE 2

The removal of the Chief Justice without any reason is a serious violation and an assault on independence ON PAGE 4

The government does it, becomes a bridge to enrichment, the destruction of orphans, children with cancer, wants all of Kosovo in Albania [?] Business at the expense of the victims ON PAGE 5

Majko warns Kondi, Krapi and Demeti that they will follow Koçi’s path A battle between SP factions in parliament. The solution of the moment wins ON PAGE 3

By Lazër STANI Even with the dismissal of Minister Petro Koçi, what had happened with the two previous ministers of the left-wing coalition happened again. On the eve of his dismissal, Minister Koçi admitted that Albania is governed by a group of mafiosi who hold real power in Albania. In so many words, even if using crocodile tears, Koçi told the press: “I can say that after me it will be Majko’s turn. The group with mafia tendencies, in which Majko is not the commander, I believe will seek to bring this about very soon.” The minister’s statement clearly reveals a chilling fact: a group with mafia tendencies governs Albania today, and this group is so powerful that the dismissed minister dares mention it only tangentially, presenting the conspiracy as if Prime Minister Majko were also completely powerless and unprotected in the face of it. Thus, two years after the left-wing coalition came to power through armed rebellion, one of the senior officials of the Socialist Party, who has been Minister of Public Order for seven months, admits that mafia rule has been definitively established in Albania; he admits that this power is so strong that one day Majko himself will also be its victim. It is pointless to ask where you were, Mr. Minister, during these seven months, when you did nothing to fight the mafia and denounce it precisely now, when you have been reduced to a shadow, just as your two predecessors in the coalition did? During your seven months in government, did you get on the trail of these mafia groups, and why did you not enforce the law against such a group? Who prevented you from enforcing the law, who is the “guardian angel” protecting these devils, and what mask does he wear? It is clear that Minister Koçi will never answer these questions, just as his two predecessors did not answer them. In any case, it is enough that, in moments of despair, they acknowledge the tragic reality to which Albania and its institutions have been reduced: the powers are in the hands of the Socialist Party and two or three satellite parties, or taxi parties, as their master called them in a moment of irritation. It is no longer possible to speak in Albania of legal institutions, constitutional order, or law. All these have been replaced by the sole real “institution” functioning in Albania: the group with mafia tendencies that governs ... functioning in Albania: the group with mafia tendencies, which rules all-powerfully by the laws of the jungle. This is why these two years of government have in reality been two years of misrule, two years of anarchy, two years that gave birth to crime, political murders, corruption on a gigantic scale, the destruction of institutions and progressive economic impoverishment, the loss and degradation of prospects—so much so that even those who two years ago seized Kalashnikovs and bottles of petrol to burn and destroy the institutions of the Albanian state cannot find a way out of the jungle that is devouring them one by one, according to its savage laws. Koçi threatened that after him the next victim would be Prime Minister Majko. If this happens too—and there have been no shortage of attempts during these months that he has held the post of prime minister—then the Albanian state will no longer exist. But, on the other hand, the prime minister’s existence as a figurehead, as Koçi openly implies, shows that this state does not exist and that the country has fallen entirely into the hands of mafiosi, which could have tragic consequences for the fate of Albania and the Albanians. The opposition has denounced this frightening reality in good time and systematically over these two years. Now the voices of denunciation are also coming from within the governing coalition, especially from those who have served in this position. But these voices raised in protest dare not stand beside those who are directly to blame. They lack the civic courage to point directly to the wound. They do not dare speak about their own direct responsibility for the situation created, nor denounce the group with mafia tendencies that has definitively subjugated the Albanian state. None of these anti-crime voices has even said where this group with mafia tendencies draws its power from, or which state or political structure—or structures—have become the group’s instruments and made it invincible. Minister Koçi declared that Majko is not the commander of this group with mafia tendencies, but he did not have the courage to say who commands this group, which has brought Albania under its heel. If he did not have the courage to do so, then the former minister and the other former ministers of public order whom he succeeded should have! After two years, Prime Minister Majko himself must do it, or publicly explain the reasons for his powerlessness and make way for new political processes. Otherwise, the Albanian state will continue to undermine its own existence, and its future will move toward irreversible collapse.

A possible peace agreement for Kosovo is causing more confusion than hope in the international community

President of the AN Parliamentary Group, Gustavo Selva: President Rugova’s ideas are valued in the West Gustavo Selva writes to the chairman of the PD Parliamentary Group, Genc Pollo ON PAGE 2 Minister Kondi submits to the HJC the list of judges with a “bad biography”

The Kuçovë branch of the PD denounces the violence inflicted by the police on its leaders ON PAGE 6

Italian Guardia di Finanza patrol boats save the migrants from death More than 120 Albanian migrants from Kosovo, mainly women and children, who had set off from Vlora in an inflatable boat, were abandoned by the smugglers about 15 kilometres south of the city of Vlora at midnight on Tuesday ON PAGE 2

Minister Kon(di) submits to the HJC the list of judges with a “bad biography” with a “bad biography” 60 judges on political purge lists ON PAGE 4

PD chairman Berisha received the two Italian MPs Rolajani and Xingareti Yesterday morning, PD Chairman Berisha received the two Italian MPs, Mr R e-Rolajani and Xingareti. The meeting was attended by PD deputy chairman Pollo and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Topalli. Berisha expressed his gratitude to the Italian government, parliament, citizens and volunteers for the solidarity and valuable assistance they have given Albanians during this extremely difficult time. The meeting discussed the situation in Kosovo and Albania. The Italian parliamentarians assured Berisha that their call to halt the bombings was in no way intended as a concession to Millosheviç, but only to create a new impetus for NATO in its efforts to achieve its goal. Berisha stressed that halting the bombings would constitute a highly unwarranted concession to Millosheviç, who would consider it a victory. Regarding the situation in Albania, Berisha said that what we have is not a state governed by the rule of law, but a state of clans that use power to make profits. The conversation was open.

ON PAGE 7

Today marks 250 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 successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former communists, which leaves free and undisturbed the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, is showing Albanians that it was and remains on the side of the murderers, whose first and last names are known, but who are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honoured Azem Hajdari cannot under any circumstances tolerate this. The government must either arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Jakup Krasniqi, spokesperson for the Provisional Government of Kosovo, told Tirana’s state radio and television on Monday that “NATO has been put at the service of the UÇK’s just war in Kosovo.” The statement was made at one of the camps for arrivals from Kosovo in Tirana. The news was welcomed with joy at the Pentagon, and the CIA immediately tried to find Mr Krasniqi’s address in order to send him a greeting. But because Mr Krasniqi is at the same time Enver Hoxha and, as NATO says, has old maps, there is a risk that a missile might mistakenly be sent to the place where the government spokesperson whom NATO is serving resides.

If you wish to contribute money for the exhausted children of Kosovo, you can send your donation to account number 34220/00/0376 at “Dardania Bank” in the name of the association: “Children of Kosovo, our children”.