Government: VAT not paid, obligation is $2 million At first they were allowed not to pay value-added tax, but now they have changed their mind The company ‘Bechtel Enka’ complains to the business ombudsman. Tax authorities: We want what is owed to us. Minister Bode two years ago: We cannot fine the state The story After initially being allowed not to pay VAT, the government has now had a change of heart, imposing a huge fine on the builder of the “Durrës-Kukës” road segment ■■■TIRANE GENC KONDI Sources from the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman said yesterday that the company, which for three consecutive years has recorded the highest annual turnover among all VIPs in the country, Bechtel-ENKA, the builder of the “Rruga e Kombit”, was found to have violated the obligation to pay VAT and has been issued a fine of 2 million dollars. After qualifying this year in the tender for the construction of the Tirana-Elbasan segment, which also includes the tunnel, the company thus receives its second “slap” within a short time, having been the executive power’s favored contractor during the years it built the Rrëshen-Kalimash segment. At that time, Minister Bode responded to opposition accusations that the state was giving up large revenues by canceling VAT for Bechtel, saying that “the state has no reason to tax itself.” The figure of 200 million new lek is considerable and is expected to go through the appeals system, but these always pass near the General Directorate of Taxes before ending up in lengthy court proceedings. According to Tax Procedures, however, the company must pay a good part of the fine in order to gain the right to appeal it... continued on page 6 LSA photo In the photo: Prime Minister Berisha, former minister Basha blasting the Kalimash tunnel

Qosja in a heated debate in Kosovo BY ADMIRINA PEÇI Pages 14-15

Analysis BY ARBEN MALAJ Why an unrealistic budget The economy is the best barometer of our well-being and European perspective. The burden of debt on GDP, cutting unemployment, taxes that deepen inequality, as well as reduced support for education, healthcare and social solidarity, negatively affect our future. The debate on the economy and the stability of public finances for the coming years has intensified. If we analyze more carefully, we notice several factors that significantly affect the situation. First - Parliament is discussing the draft 2012 budget. This is a difficult moment because of the tense debates. Warnings about rising risks are coming from international financial institutions, which are calling for the start of preventive measures to stop the deterioration. Second - the end of 2011 shows how our economy has been hit more severely than the government admits. In 2011 the government will collect around 33 billion lek, or 330 million dollars less, in the budget. In 2011 the government will collect more than in 2010 only 5 billion lek, which in real terms works out to 5-5% less. Third - our two main partners, Greece and Italy, have been hit by the crisis. This will also severely affect our country’s economy; the first and most serious consequence will be difficulty in collecting revenues. Therefore, the government’s forecast that in 2012 it will collect 26 billion lek more than in 2011 is unrealistic. This increases the risk of abusive revenue collection, will reduce VAT refunds to businesses and will increase non-payments to private companies. The risk of hiding... The government’s forecast that in 2012 it will collect 26 billion lek more than in 2011 is unrealistic continued on page 7

Police station chief: The decision was taken after their request The parents of judge Konomi at risk are protected by police at the door VIOLA MURATI The parents of Skerdilajd Konomi, the judge who was murdered in mafia-style fashion in the middle of the city of Vlora, feel threatened, and for this reason have requested protection from the police forces of the city of Vlora. The news is confirmed to “Shqiptarja.com” by the chief of the Vlora police station, Alfred Elezi, who states that since October 1, many days in fact after the sensational murder of Judge Konomi, they have requested protection from the public order forces. In the house of the ... On page 8

Preliminary road expert report: Eduard Cani guilty, not Ledio Ruçi The accident, the court decision: Minicooper went through a red light POLI HOXHA The court decision on the release measure for the son of Socialist MP Gramoz Ruçi is now fully known. According to this decision, citizen Edi Lika was the decisive culprit, because according to the expertise, he is found to have been at a red light. Despite the police claim that the expert report has not yet been completed, the prosecutor handling the serious accident case, Blerim Tanushi, has reached the preliminary conclusion that the only culprit is... On page 9

List of female applicants for the police school Page 10-11 Klik Ekspo Klik fair: Topi meets new businesses Page 6

Pages 2-3 Changes in traffic fines: experts say: Here’s how the police will rip us off Page 4

Page 5 Education changes the law on rectors to reconfirm Dhori Kule[n?] Page 13