Meta, the journalists’ greatest enemy

Journalists and publishers of the government press condemn the government’s violence against “RD” journalists Memorandum by several non-governmental press editorial offices The Prime Minister is leading a campaign against the independent press on pages 8–9

EC: Albania in a critical situation; a solution is needed

After the presentation of evidence of manipulation of the 1 October elections Hans-Peter Furer: “We see that it is very, very difficult. Today we are faced with a contradictory situation. I think we must find a way out as soon as possible” on page 3

The criminalization of politics

Berisha meets the Minister of State in

The criminalization of politics and the politicization of crime

Nebil ÇIKA For some time now, criminal acts in Albania have been accompanied by a clear political backdrop. This refers to high-profile crimes, since it must be emphasized that the rate of everyday, ordinary crimes has also risen significantly. Political crime in Albania forged strong ties with politics and became institutionalized during the Second World War on page 5

The opposition protests and the wickedness of the state

BISLIM AHMETAJ In Albania, everything is a cause for regret. But what deeply shocks you is the reaction of the nonexistent state to the opposition’s protests in their quest to restore the freedom to vote. on page 4

Corruption caused the energy crisis

The new director of KESH: The crisis stems from corrupt structures and mismanagement on page 11 The new director of KESH: The crisis stems from the structu-

100 more police officers to crush Tropoja

Tropoja again took to the streets yesterday, protesting police violence. Prime Minister Meta doubles the size of the punitive expedition on page 7

Zopel: International investigation into the elections

Berisha meets the State Minister at the German Foreign Ministry Berisha: “The CEC violated all the articles of the electoral code, both the vital ones and the secondary ones, with the sole aim of favoring the Socialist Party. In addition, to harm the DP and the opposition, the CEC has repeatedly annulled court rulings on electoral matters” on page 2

The government protects Azem’s killers

Today, 779 days since the murder of the December leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari proves the involvement of Fatos Nano’s government and its successors in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government must either capture the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself carried out the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Year X of publication No. (2682) SATURDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2000 Price: 20 lekë (250 drachmas) ADDRESS: Near the DP headquarters Tel.: 2323 55 and 2323 57 Tel&Fax: 2303 29 Account No.: 5092/116 - BKT No. 1, Tirana Internet address: www.rilindjademokratike.com and E-mail: gazetard@albaniaonline.net Editor-in-chief Astrit PATOZI