Where did the aid the world gives us go? Once again around the issue of aid After several officials publicly denounced the fact that the figure of 1,923 tons of wheat, officially presented as having entered Albania, has gone into “sincerity” with the world To change the excuse they have been seeking every day for the shortage of 30,000 tons of wheat, “well...? Do they have it?! Now 30,000 tons of wheat lost or...? An enigma! From the very first day, on May 13, 1992, the head of the Italian parliamentary delegation, vice-president of the Italian Socialist Party and former Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Martino, made public that the Italian government had given the Albanian state 5 million dollars for 50,000 tons of wheat. In particular, he explained that out of this total amount, 2.4 million dollars had been given for 30,000 tons of wheat, while the rest was for rice and pasta. In the most ordinary logic, the question arises: where are the 30,000 tons of wheat? It is not difficult to speculate. Few have not had in mind that large quantities of wheat with foreign labels had been moving through the country’s markets since three months earlier. But before reaching the state warehouses, they ended up in private hands. In Vlorë it was said that it was sent by the Italian company "Humbra". Where does this first "gap" in the wheat begin? From the holes in the documentation. In our official papers, at least until recently, it was written that 1,923 tons of wheat, arriving from Italy in the January-February period, had entered the country. Meanwhile, the Italian statement spoke of 30,000 tons. This discrepancy is not a slip of the pen. It is a huge gap that requires a full explanation. Where does this first "gap" in the wheat begin? In the first facts. If, for 30,000 tons, payment was made, as is being said, then either the wheat entered and was not properly recorded, or it did not enter at all and the payment went somewhere else. Both cases are scandalous. Does the government know about these losses... Neither the government, nor the customs units, nor the prefectural authorities have so far given a convincing answer. Every time the question has been asked, the answer has been passed from one institution to another. Responsibility is lost in the chain and no one bears the real burden. How much does this wheat “loss” cost... If calculated at market value, we are talking about damage worth millions of dollars. But the greater damage is moral and political: at a time when the country needs bread and aid, the wheat disappears among documents and intermediaries. Start, the loss or... Is there no end to the opportunities for people in Albania?! On the contrary, there is a limit to patience with empty explanations. Citizens expect the state bodies and the justice system to clarify where the wheat ended up and who benefited from it. (Continues on page 3)

NORMALIZING POLITICAL LIFE, A FUNDAMENTAL CONDITION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY The departure of the Italian ambassador from Belgrade and of its ambassador in Rome, Giorgio Angelelli, with the well-known motive, caused a strong reaction in the Balkan capitals on May 13, 1992, insofar as it was linked to the situation in the former Yugoslavia. With the withdrawal of the forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the federal assembly in Belgrade and with new positions toward Serbia and Montenegro, another diplomatic configuration is being created. In this context, the normalization of political life in Albania is considered a fundamental condition for the development of democracy. (Continues on page 2)

Apparently [?] writes that this company TVTI, which is accompanied by the clear idea that it is involved in other, more extensive activities. After the massacre, a personal meeting with the private representative in Albania. According to his statements, that company began activity in April of this year and brought 100,000 dollars into the country, but without declaring them. He justifies this by the need for studio and equipment. The gentleman has not presented complete official documents. At the same time, this representative has also been seen in other commercial companies, which makes one suspect that he may have ties to hidden financial dealings. STAFETA VJEN

On the eve of Prime Minister MAKSI’s visit to Greece The first years of the new government have highlighted not only economic difficulties, but also a lack of institutional coordination. On the eve of Prime Minister MAKSI’s visit to Greece, the question is asked bluntly: does Albania have a functioning government? Faced with repeated crises, state structures have reacted late and without a clear line. This creates insecurity among citizens and seriously damages the country’s image. To restore trust, political responsibility, transparency, and clear decision-making are needed. (Continues on page 4)

The initial calculations speak of a considerable financial damage. If 30,000 tons of wheat were financed by Italian aid and did not reach their destination, then we are dealing with a loss that amounts to millions of dollars. In a situation of general poverty and bread shortages, this damage takes on even more serious social and moral dimensions. Those responsible must be identified and held to account. (Continues on page 4)

Late yesterday evening, law enforcement forces carried out an operation in the center of Tirana. According to preliminary reports, the police intervened after information about suspicious movements and the presence of armed individuals. Unofficial sources said that several people were taken in for verification, while investigative bodies are working to clarify the incident in full. (Continues on page 4)

These days, when the rainfall and its consequences have worsened conditions in many areas, the public’s question is how the aid is being administered. It was also made known yesterday that funds and materials have been sent to several municipalities, but residents complain that they are not receiving what was promised to them. The main cause of this situation seems to be the lack of control and transparency. Instead of a fair distribution, there is talk of favoritism and unclear administrative channels. (Continues on page 4)

— I didn’t understand why Ishtë fisar I?ajevsor [?] I was on the public Q&A program, but an explanation I was expecting did not come. The main point of the debate remained unclear and this left viewers with many questions. It would be valuable for television not to be satisfied with superficial presentations, but to seek the truth and everyone’s responsibility to the end. (Continues on page 4)