Arrests are being prepared to lock the truth of Azem Hajdari’s killing in a cell A SHIK operation has begun to take shape after the involvement and intervention of the administration in the investigation of the Hajdari case The chief who kills his own citizens By Edi PALOKA The three previous governments, within just a few months, have turned against people by accusing them of wounding reform. Trust in shameful governments has proved worthless in their dealings with the head of SHIK. From the very first days of his rule in the law-enforcement bodies and with the SHIK structures, Veriu and his two ministers, one for public order and the other for justice, created an organized system to strike at political opponents. This is also shown by the events of 14 September, for which responsibility is repeatedly laid at the head of state. Has the interior minister built up the idea that he has cut the police off from the other police structures? That arrests are being carried out to replace justice with hatred? That operational groups are being formed to carry out executions and kidnappings? In just one day and one night, as a consequence of yesterday’s attack on the head of SHIK, the arrest operation took on new dimensions. Ironically, this happened precisely as the truth about the Hajdari case was drawing nearer. Before the public reaction to the latest disclosures made in the investigation had even died down, the police and SHIK chiefs began moving to arrest not the perpetrators of the crime, but those who know, those who saw, those who can speak. Milo prepares his resignation Ceka and Zogaj aim for the Foreign Ministry Foreign Minister Paskal Milo is writing his letter of resignation, under pressure from the government sphere and from allied pressure. Among the names most often mentioned to replace him are Neritan Ceka and Preç Zogaj. Both are considered close to circles that have long called for a change in diplomacy. The aim is to sideline a figure identified with wavering positions and with the mismanagement of foreign relations. Bode in Korçë: Pogradec and Bilisht The election campaign in the PD begins PD secretary Ridvan Bode took part in the first campaign activities for the elections in the governing forums and party structures in the Korçë district. In Bilisht, the general secretary met with members and representatives of the branch, while in Korçë he held an expanded meeting with district leaders where the organization and conduct of the party’s internal elections were discussed. Mr. Bode also gave the figure for the increase in membership at the financial level.

Today, 329 days since the killing of the December leader The government protects the killers of Azem Hajdari Even in the most difficult time of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and idealism, the clique led by Nano is showing that it is standing by the same murder scenario. The latest information made public by the victim’s relatives shows that, instead of helping uncover the truth, state structures are being activated to silence witnesses and block the investigation. The present government is thus turning into a shield for those who organized Hajdari’s execution. The partially uncovered truth is troubling those who do not want their role to come to light. A climate of threats and insecurity is accompanying family members, associates and those who have evidence about the event. Instead of justice, the aim is to intimidate and isolate them. This is a blow not only to the memory of Azem Hajdari, but also to citizens’ own belief that the state can be put in the service of the law and not of crime.

VM IX issue No. (2305) SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 1999 Price: 20 lekë (250 drachmas) Editorial office address: Rr. "Purot e Naimit" no. 13 - 23 65 50, 11 26 24 fax 323 - 567 E-mail gazetar@albanianonline.net and ditam@icc.al.org

Editor-in-chief: Asif PAT0ZI, Deputy editor-in-chief: Shemsi PEPOSHI, Sami NEZA

The outline of changes in the Democratic Party on page 4

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