Here is how the PD, PS and LSI spent millions on the consultancies of Washington officials Lobbying near the American government since 2006. Heavy bills paid with budget money The story The Albanian government has paid hundreds of thousands of US dollars for support from the American government in 2009, and continues to do so now by allocating hefty funds from the state budget to lobbying companies in the US. From “BKSH & Associates” in 2009 to “Podesta” in 2012, the government that borrows to pay civil servants' salaries gives hefty funds to buy Washington’s support. TIRANA ARBEN RROZHANI The Government of the Republic of Albania has made it a habit, with the money of Albanian taxpayers, to buy and seek the support of the American government, despite countless scandals ranging from corruption, electoral fraud and the distortion of democratic standards in the country. Since Sali Berisha came to power in September 2005, once an enemy of the Clinton administration in 1995-1997, the government and the PD have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget funds to lobby the American administration, paying lobbying firms that recruit congressmen, administration officials and, ultimately, the American government itself, so that it would look favorably upon the Albanian government. Up to 500 thousand US dollars are known to have been paid by the Berisha government since 2006 to the former secretary for... continued on page 2

Surprise appointment Page 9 In the photo: Denion Meidani with singer Fjolla Morina Meidani's son, director of SHKB Left wing under PD orders In the photo: Denion Meidani with singer Fjolla Morina

Editorial BY AFRIM KRASNIQI The crisis of trust and democracy Democracy is not a procedure; it is something more than that. Laws are important, they are the bedrock of democracy, but for a healthy democracy much more is needed; functioning institutions, public participation and support, transparency, and inspiration in civic values and principles. In the global economic crisis it is expected that democracies themselves will face anger or growing public disappointment. The challenge for democracies remains the ability to learn from mistakes, to correct themselves and to revive hope. The change of legitimate governments in Greece and Italy through dialogue and political agreement shows how democracy works in these countries and how rational solutions come from institutions, from politicians with integrity and a sense of measure. The domino effect of the revolutions brought radical changes in North Africa, creating hopes even in the countries of the Persian Gulf Efforts to restore trust in democracy, to make it functional and inspiring, are leading to democratic changes of governments also in Spain or Croatia, in Bosnia, or Belgium. The domino effect of the revolutions brought radical changes in North Africa, creating hopes even in the countries of the Persian Gulf. A country like France that brings Jacques Chirac to court and not the former president Jacques Chirac, in Israel the former President Moshe Katsav is convicted, in Croatia former prime minister Ivo Sanader, etc. The list of Western politicians tried and convicted during 2011 reaches 123, including senior state leaders, ministers, congressmen, senators, senior judges and other high political figures. In Germany the crime of the mayor is a financial scandal linked to the president. Everywhere, the majority of... continued on page 4

GENC KONDI Today a roundtable is being organized, in cooperation with the OSCE, to discuss the draft strategy for the transition of radio and television broadcasting from analogue to digital (numerical). The deadline for completing the process is 2015, as the final year for shutting down all analogue broadcasts... continued on page 7

Page 4 Presidential candidacy, Blendi Klosi: Not from Berisha's clan Page 5 The new prime minister, Albert Brojka: The PD no longer wins elections

Page 10 The municipality removed the workers, waste takes over Sharra Cemetery Page 13 Nasho Jorgaqi: How we placed Noli's bust in Ibrik Tepe

BLOG/Periphery BY ALBA MALLTEZI So much luxury in Tirana restaurants, but... Page 7

Shoes Made for walking...

In 2014 analogue television will be switched off. KKRT: Decoders will be state-funded

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