Harsh accusations against the Albanian government from DEMIC and the EU Youth Centre ON PAGE 3

Prosecutors have no evidence of an “armed uprising” ON PAGE 4

By Edi PALOKA Every day it is becoming increasingly clear that organized crime in Albania has its roots in the mafia-style power that runs the country today. The criminals whose names we have heard, and are hearing ever more frequently in connection with bloody events, are all members of gangs formed by those currently in power back in ’97. They are the people who gave them the golden seat two years ago and who continue to serve them devotedly today. Many of them have put on police uniforms, others are currently bodyguards to those in power, while the “toughest” continue to live freely, keeping their gangs at the disposal of those in power. It is precisely through these bandits that those in power carry out their “business.” From smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, trafficking in clandestine migrants and prostitution, to the execution of people and extortion of businesses, those in power get the lion’s share. The fact is that people caught red-handed in various crimes, with the same color of blood on their hands as those in power or the police chiefs, are later let off the hook by the “bosses.” Each gang works for its own boss, who is somewhere along the power ladder: a deputy, a minister, right up to the Speaker of Parliament. This is precisely the source of the disputes that flare up from time to time among government circles. It is a war between political clans in power, which then spreads downwards into a gang war to seize as many areas of influence as possible. The mafia in Albania is now in the process of fully consolidating itself, and it lacks none of the elements that distinguish it from the international mafia. The clearest example of all this is Zani Çaushi. Mysteriously released from a Greek prison, Zani returned to Vlora and immediately placed himself at the service of those who are in power today. Zani Çaushi’s gang became the embodiment of the communist rebellion of ’97. There are dozens of documents proving this bandit’s ties to the leaders of the far left, especially Nano and Gjinushi (on this, let Zani tell how he stole votes from Frok Çupi too). It was precisely through their gang cells that Zani also received orders for the crimes he was to commit, crimes that bloodied Vlora. In these circumstances, having taken office under pressure, those in power were forced to devise a new game with Zani. They arrested him only to later declare him innocent. But that is the least of it. During the trial, their propaganda presented Zani not as a criminal psychopath, but as a hero. The PS deputy and member of its leadership, Drejtë A9? [as printed], went so far as to call him a ballad character. Meanwhile, at the very time Çaushi was being tried for serious crimes, the newspaper “ZP” called him “Robin Hood.” The final act in this disgusting farce came when the prosecutor in the case, the state’s representative, asked not for his conviction, but for his release and acquittal. In fact, no one doubted this outcome, knowing who had brought them to power and how. The result is perfectly clear: before long, the PS’s “heroes,” its “Robin Hoods,” could not go on without committing further crimes. Now they claim that the criminal will not escape the police and that his end is certain, but these are the very same newspapers that called him a hero, so there is little reason to believe them. It is enough to recall that it was once again the Speaker of Parliament, Skënder Gjinushi, who saved him from the “police cordon.” Nevertheless, as mentioned, Zani is only one of many examples. Dozens and dozens of other bandits continue to operate on the orders of Albania’s power-holders, as policemen in uniform, bodyguards, or bandits kept on hand to serve any official. These criminals are known to the authorities, who see them on the streets of Tirana or in official cars with police sirens. Not only does nobody touch them, they also make the law. This is the “century” we are forced to live in today. This is the style of the criminal “Robin Hoods” serving those in power. This is a state run by the mafia.

Zani had imposed a 100 million lekë extortion demand on the owners of the establishment. Albert Shyti met with the Speaker of Parliament before the massacre Albert Shyti entered the parliamentary presidium at 11:00 on Thursday and spoke with the Speaker of Parliament for more than an hour ON PAGE 4

“Union for Democracy” denounces the violation of fundamental human freedoms and rights by the regime in power Berisha: “Albania is today a country of political killings, a country of political prisons, a country of unacceptable torture, a country of unavenged deaths, a country where citizens’ fundamental freedoms and rights are violated” ON PAGE 3

After six years, the Albanian Journalists’ Association convenes its Second Assembly The following were elected to the leadership of the Journalists’ Association: Fahri Balliu, newspaper “55”; Agron Bala, radio “Kontakt”; Bardhyl Pollo, “Media Center”; Astrit Patozi, newspaper “RD”; Mero Baze, Radio “Europa e Lirë”; Leka Nodja, TVSH; Luljetë Dervishi, newspaper “Albania”; Ilir Ymeri, magazine “Blic”; Ruben Avxhiu, newspaper “Republika”; Renal Sakaj, “Analisti i Ballkanit”; and Besnik Disha, “Futbolli Shqiptar” ON PAGE 2

Tirana celebrates the anniversary of US independence The US Embassy in Tirana hosted a reception yesterday afternoon in honor of the 223rd anniversary of the declaration of independence of the United States of America. Important figures from politics, culture, and other intellectual circles in the country took part in the celebration of the independence anniversary of the country that is a symbol of freedom and human rights in the world. What stood out at the celebration was the reopening of the village: the reception was held at “Rilindja” village, the American residence, which was thus reopened after having been closed to the public for a long time for security reasons. The chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, and several other Democratic Party leaders also attended the reception. ON PAGE 3

DP: A television station whose fabrications go further than the gangs themselves ON PAGE 3

Covey, Kouchner’s assistant ON PAGE 6

Today, 291 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 those in power in a grave crime in Albanian political life. The government of the former prime minister, the entire state, and the criminal power-holders who took the life of the December Leader show Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the killers, whose names are known, yet who are untouched by those in power. Democrats—and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari—can never tolerate this fact. The government must stop shielding criminals from justice, or else public anger will erupt. This is the death that took Azem Hajdari’s life.

On Thursday, 8 July 1999, at 10:00, the Special National Assembly of the Democratic Party will hold its proceedings at the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tirana.

visit: www.albaniaonline.net (see page 5)