CLASSMATE FROM THE FACULTY Mimoza Ferraj reveals the minister’s early statements Ksera, soldier of Vorio Epirus “I am Greek and I will die as a Greek” The story of the former engineering student, now Minister of Labor. Pride in nationality, the dream of uniting the South with Greece. Athens expels Albanian women and children again Pages 2-3

The prosecution seeks 23 years in prison for Ndrea Prendi, 25 for Agim Llupo[n] DOCUMENT / FULL CHARGE January 21, the government Guard fires 500 bullets over the crowd The prosecution seeks 23 years in prison for Ndrea Prendi, 25 for Agim Llupon

Commentary BY ALEKSANDËR A. ARVIZU U.S. Ambassador to Albania A very simple answer Albania celebrated the 100th anniversary of independence in the month of Novem- ber. It was a time to be proud, a time to reflect on the country’s successes in over- coming the great turmoil to become a NATO member and to aspire to join the EU. Now, as Albanians look ahead to the parliamentary elections of 23 June, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new chapter in Albania’s history – a chapter that must be defined by thriving democracy, built unambiguously on the will of the people. Traveling throughout Albania, I find a common theme in the conversations I have, whether I am in Shkodër or Gjirokastër, in Vlorë or Elbasan. Al- banians are concerned about real problems – employment, feeding their families, health care, education, environmental degradation and crime, to mention just a few. Many have complained to me that the political leadership (and here let me be clear that people speak of both the governing coalition and the opposition) seems to... continued on page 20

Kills his son and the Italian woman: I didn’t want a foreign daughter-in-law Kills his son and the Italian woman: I didn’t want a foreign daughter-in-law Page 19

URBAN FRAGMENT Page 12 THE GREAT BREAK BY Evis Cerga

THE INTERVIEW ON “KASKETA” ON A1 REPORT Page 7 IN THE PHOTO: The chairman of FRD Bamir Topi with Kastro during the interview on the program “Kasketa” on the “A1REPORT” television Topi: Marriage? I do not regret it “I don’t want to involve my wife in politics. I am not afraid of death” IN THE PHOTO: The chairman of FRD Bamir Topi with Kastro during the interview on the program “Kasketa” on the television “A1REPORT”

ITALY Page 18 Four Albanians handcuffed, 15 kg of heroin on a fishing boat

REPORTAGE Page 21 The House of the Lushnje Congress, an appeal for help

ELONA ELEZI Agim Llupo in court The Tirana Prosecution requested 23 years in prison for the former commander of the Republic Guard, Ndrea Prendi, accused... Pages 8-11

THE FILE Page 12 Anita Kaçuli: How I spoke to Khrushchev about the wool plan

Crosswords of the latest by Kadri Vokopola Page 23

... always one step ahead... Raw materials for restaurants, pizzerias, creperies and fast food.