The opposition, concerned about dangerous turns in foreign policy The attitude toward the Head of the Eurocustoms Mission by the government in Tirana is only the tip of the iceberg of tensions with Rome. Meta has chosen to bypass Italy on page 3

By Sami NEZA Relations between Albania and Italy have become a subject of discussion, and the latest after the debate from Albania of Vulneti e esh, is the arrival in the EU mission near the Albanian customs, the Italian seems to be expected to be a dismissed guest or sent to Italy to appear, but it has been said to be replaced. The mission’s head in Tirana, only one governmental link in the form of a placed figure, by the government that, and by the government? is also, in likelihood, developed by many circles, the final word has been given. While the development official and the prime minister himself made a short item in several media, the official and the explanation of the Italian emissary on page 3

Where the money for infrastructure disappears on page 9

No document signed by the Advisor, or by his administrators, is accepted in Albania on page 3

Opposition parties display a political condemnation in favor of former political prisoners on page 5

PS deputies from Durrës ensure the smooth running of the meeting on page 5

The Tobacco-Cigarette factory in Shkodër is shut down on page 8

Today, 5:09 days since Azem’s murder Today, 509 days since Azem’s murder Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari closes the denunciation procedure, and the authorization and the counter-complaint tie it together. Today marks 509 days since Azem’s murder and since the killers have gone unpunished. The Albanian public forgets nothing. Under the light of truth and administration, the government acts in the interest of the killers. Every action of it looks like a deliberate act to protect the killers. All signs lead to a simple conclusion: the government is hiding the truth about Azem Hajdari’s murder. This behavior has sparked strong reactions and distrust, but it also changed the atmosphere within the Italian institutions on page 3

and Security and Defence on page 2

Bullets at Hotel “Dajti”, two dead and one injured Gjolek Malaj executes the killer The head of the committees takes the detainee out of the police’s hands on page 7

“SIGMA” sh.a The first private insurance company Address: Rr. A. Frashëri Wilson Square Tirana, Albania Tel. 355 42 58254 Fax. 355 42 58253

English and Italian ENGLISH: RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE / Democratic Rebirth. Daily democratic newspaper. Tuesday, 8 February 2000. Price: 20 lek. Main headline: Relations with Italy in crisis. Opposition worried about dangerous turns in foreign policy. Position toward the Head of the Eurocustoms Mission by the government in Tirana is only the tip of the iceberg of tensions with Rome. Meta has chosen to bypass Italy. Other visible headlines: The mystery of Raineri's visit to Tirana; 14 million of the World Bank stolen; 3 thousand workers take to the streets; The government protects the killers of Azem Hajdari; Meta does not recognize Kushner; Opposition supports the demands of former political prisoners; Pollo, meeting with SHIK; SIGMA Inc., the first private insurance company. ITALIANO: RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE / Rinascita Democratica. Quotidiano democratico. Martedì, 8 febbraio 2000. Prezzo: 20 lek. Titolo principale: I rapporti con l'Italia in crisi. L'opposizione è preoccupata per le svolte pericolose nella politica estera. L'atteggiamento verso la Capo della Missione delle Eurodogane da parte del governo di Tirana è solo la punta dell'iceberg delle tensioni con Roma. Meta ha scelto di aggirare l'Italia. Altri titoli visibili: L'enigma della visita di Raineri a Tirana; Rubati 14 milioni della Banca Mondiale; 3 mila lavoratori scendono in strada; Il governo protegge gli assassini di Azem Hajdari; Meta non riconosce Kushner; L'opposizione sostiene le richieste degli ex perseguitati politici; Pollo, incontro con lo SHIK; SIGMA S.p.A., la prima società privata di assicurazioni.