Crime in Albania, just like the war in Chechnya on page 2

on page 2

The Foreign Minister reveals previously unknown ties with Athens on page 3

Political prisoners waiting for the New Year under the open sky on page 2

The opposition asks the Prime Minister for explanations on page 3

Elbasan Hospital procurement. 371 thousand lek embezzled on page 8

Orphans, amid the coldness of officials on page 9 God willing, 2000 will be cheaper on page 8

After the excitement over the platform of the PD “moderates” The newspapers “Albania” and “Zëri i popullit” competed yesterday over which could present the meeting of the Democratic Party defectors at the Palace of Culture in Tirana in more optimistic terms. To be fair, the Socialists’ newspaper was much clearer and more serious in its treatment and interpretation of what had happened at the miserable Pollo-Brokina meeting. At least “Zëri i popullit” had grasped the essence of the “moderates’” entire movement, having pointed out all their attacks against the Democratic Party. The newspaper “Albania”, partly because it failed to understand things and partly because of the unhealthy fan worship with which its editors view their idols Vejsiu, Pollo, Demi, Xhaferi, had not even managed to reach the level of “Zëri i popullit” in its treatment of this story involving forgers. While ZP was delighted that the “moderates” group said the PD was responsible for the events of March 1997, that they would recognize the constitution (which means they may have voted for it in November 1998), that the Democrats had been subjected to violence and more violence, and many other things of that kind, the newspaper “Albania” was delighted that this was the platform that would lead the opposition to power. In fact, delight was the only thing the two newspapers had in common. But while it is understandable for the newspaper of the Socialist Party, which is pleased by the fact that some clowns dare to challenge hundreds of thousands of Democrats throughout Albania by presenting themselves as representatives of the PD when they cannot even represent their own households, and by adopting its symbol, it is rather surprising that the newspaper of Ylli Rakipi should be spurred on by such enthusiasm, since at least formally it is called “independent”. In fact, lately there have been many coincidences between the newspaper “Albania” and the Socialists’ “ZP”, especially on matters concerning developments within the Democratic Party.

The government protects Azem Hajdari’s killers “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 of the successor to the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The governments of the former communists, from the very days [unclear in source] and without bringing the criminals to justice, acknowledged the life of the December Leader, tried to convince Albanians that they have been and are on the side of …, who have proper names, but do not … the president. Democrats and all Albanians … and honored by the name of Azem Hajdari cannot under any circumstances remain silent about this fact. The government must either be directly publicly accountable, or it must … all this cr… from the cr… of Azem Hajdari.”