Socialist officials enrich themselves with the money of people arriving from Kosovo By Edi PALOKA The bombshell story takes up a front page in the newspaper "Koha Jonë" and has caused strong reactions in public opinion, as well as within the government. According to the information published, two senior officials of the state administration, S. Kogi and Y. Hushi, illegally benefited from an amount of 73 million old lek from funds intended for Kosovars who came to Albania. According to documents held by the newspaper, this money was embezzled through fictitious invoices, manipulated tenders and undocumented payments. These were funds allocated for accommodation, food and emergency assistance for Kosovar families temporarily settled in the country. The scandal has seriously called into question the way the Socialist government managed aid during the Kosovo crisis. The opposition has called for an immediate parliamentary and criminal investigation, describing this as one of the most blatant cases of abuse of human tragedy for personal gain. Meanwhile, the officials mentioned have not given a convincing explanation for the accusations. Sources close to the relevant institutions speak of a broader network of embezzlement, in which other local and central officials may also have been involved. The case is expected to deepen further in the coming days, while public opinion demands transparency and punishment for those responsible. ON PAGE 4

Can Albanians continue to live with Serbs? ON PAGE 2 Erzen Shkopsi, a journalist with the American forum for human rights, a movement whose mission is to help around 250 countries around the world. Skopje, 28.08.1999, 11:00 a.m., grim day. Yllok i biri (the old father-in-law) scratched up, at the judge's you will wait. On page 2

Pollo: An independent Kosovo, the best solution for the region ON PAGE 3

An initiative by the right wing for building the Balkans ON PAGE 3

By Edi PALOKA [...]

Baçer, the chromite miners are on a hunger strike Abuse and theft by traders rampant Baçer, the chromite miners are on a hunger strike ON PAGE 5

Kuk, today in Tirana Pipi opens the heavy campaign from Kosovo ON PAGE 3

International Blockade Order of Kembixhit of the invitation to parliamentary thefts ON PAGE 5

captures 80% of the population The looting in the Telekom cash register reaches captures 80% of the population ON PAGE 4

The government protects the killers of Azem Hajdari

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507 million JUNE 27