Bashkim Ulaj, with Tirana Datacom, wins the 40 million euro fiber-optic tender EXCLUSIVE / Olldashi had given the tender to ATU, created in February 2010, but later bought outright by Ulaj The news Bashkim Ulaj, the businessman known as a friend of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, for the first time also appears with documents as the man who won the 40 million euro fiber-optic tender. The tender was awarded to the company ATU. Ulaj’s wife is involved with the company ATU. Only this year, ATU sells its shares to the company Tirana Data-com, which is entirely owned by Bashkim Ulaj. For the first time it is proven that the 40 million euro fiber-optic tender was won by the businessman close to the prime minister In the photo: Prime Minister Sali Berisha with Bashkim Ulaj (right) Faksimile of the contract for the transfer of ATU capital from businessman Ahmetaj to businessman Bashkim Ulaj *** TIRANE Shqiptarja.com reveals the documents on the truth behind the fiber-optic tender in Albania, a scandal that began last year, and which served two ministers (Olldashi and Pollo), a tender worth 40 million euro. On 23 August 2009, Minister Olldashi, with administrative permit no. 120 “For granting, in exchange for payment, the right to use the national road axis,” authorizes the company ATU (Albanian Telecommunication Unit) to lay fiber-optic cables. Despite the disputes between Pollo and Olldashi over who would carry out the 40 million euro tender, and despite the fact that the General Prosecutor’s Office, at Minister Olldashi’s request, closed the investigation on 17 October of this year into the monopoly situation in the granting of this administrative permit, it seems that behind the 40 million euro, there is not... continued on page 2 In the photo: Prime Minister Sali Berisha with Bashkim Ulaj (right) Facsimile of the contract for the transfer of ATU capital from businessman Ahmetaj to businessman Bashkim Ulaj

Editorial BY ARBEN RROZHANI Don’t lie to yourself “Shqiptarja.com” published a piece yesterday about which, it is important to say, several newspaper editorial offices had had it for some time and all of them, without exception, had refused to publish it. Although it concerns a serious implication, one that emerges after an unprecedented massacre against the State Police, against its four heroes, about whom, from the very first moments after the killing, it was said that they had been pushed “from above”. “Shqiptarja.com” did not respond to the accusations, which until now are merely “words in the wind,” but brought forward material to show that the trial of the killer of those 4 police officers, according to the police, should have been held out of public sight. Yesterday the police wrangled over many words, saying it was not an order but a suggestion, without managing to deny that such a suggestion was indeed made by the Police. If it wanted to be transparent, it should have been the first interested party in having the trial held openly, just as the multiple murder was held openly and live, before the eyes of hundreds of vacationers on the beach of Durrës. With this, it also removed the concern about the “words in the wind” that were said about the unmasking of the operation of the killed police officers. The State Police must be sincere and not play a double game: on the one hand showing that it seeks to respect justice, and on the other hand seeking the investigative powers of the prosecutor’s office, powers that are separate under the constitution. It should be ashamed of being a tool of the government in obstructing the investigation into the January 21 massacre, or into several murders with political backgrounds, while diminishing the millions in foreign assistance, generously provided for a non-partisan police force. If the Interior Minister himself is Bujar Nishani and not some deputy director, as is being said here and there, let him respect the minister’s line, which two days ago openly expressed the wish that the state police should have the prosecutor’s powers for investigations. So let the government police also be the prosecutor, or as the saying goes, “the law itself, the judge itself.” By not lying to yourself.

JAKIN MARENA Former prime minister Majko is expected to become an assistant UN secretary for Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union. The PS leadership has decided to propose to the parliamentary group that Islami be expelled, and Seseri be asked to hand in his parliamentary mandate, for breaking the political decision. continued on page 7

Page 9 Meta trial, the Prosecution kneels down: How the judges voted Page 8 The Sheqeri brothers: Here is why we beat up MP Tahiri

Pages 4-5 The new contract is revealed, with the conditions for the Rruga e Kombit Page 10 The Doctor’s Order: The arrest of the doctors was wrong, without evidence

Page 6 Topi replies to Berisha: I’m a midfielder in politics Page 12 The fair, accusations against the organizers: We paid 40% more for rent

Commentary PART-TIME CONSTITUTION BY AFRIM KRASNIQI Page 6

PINK PRESIDIUM MPs who missed the session are penalized. Kadeli and Ylli returned even though they were ill

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