Donald Lu’s shake-up: “Magistrate Balili” has been on the run from the police for 18 months and justice is powerless. 4 criminal clans and 20 mafia families control Albania; not a single big criminal fish has been convicted.” Vlahutin: SPAK will strike corruption in Albania ▶ PAGES 2-4

Ministry: “Temporary construction.” The 8 questions raised about the Multifunctional Center inside the Park. Gjergj Frashëri: Absurd construction ▶ PAGES 8-9

IMF: The Albanian economy is strengthening, but watch VAT ▶ PAGE 14

Parliament approves the Electoral Reform commission on Thursday ▶ PAGE 7

Fatos Klosi: The truth about mafia families in Albania “In Albania there are families tied to crime that do politics, but they are not similar to mafia families in the US” BY ADRIATIK DOÇI ▶ PAGE 5

BY ANDUENA LLABANI Lu speaks Albanian; should we believe him again today, as if it were the last time...?!... Yesterday Ambassador Lu spoke more Albanian than at any other time he has spoken plainly in Albania. In fact, he seemed somewhat “regretful” in the Albanian he has used since the first day he set foot in our country. The strong statement about the gangs that still, with great presence, direct criminal activity in Albania seemed to alarm everyone, even though, in the context of Albanian news, we have heard such words countless times before. continued on page 11

▶ PAGE 6 POLICE OFFICIAL: THE FILES ON THE SANTOS AND XHINDI MURDERS WILL BE REOPENED

Former SHIK director is beaten in ’96, just after returning from Italy ▶ PAGE 10

▶ PAGE 15 The American lottery, applications start today, beware of these mistakes What you should keep in mind when filling out the form. The mistakes you must not make when applying

University registrations begin, deadlines and how winners are announced ▶ PAGE 16