- The Austrian firm "Horwarth Consulting" was asking for only 9.5 million dollars, while «DV-ALBA» swallowed 17 million dollars - OSMAN SHEHU: Hotel Tirana is a building of Albanian politics, and [the justice system must resolve it] [?] Once again the problem of the reconstruction of Hotel "Tirana", or of the hotel transaction, has become the darling of the press. Tirana, which makes this issue even sharper by treating it sensationally in the Albanian media. Thus one of Sunday’s private newspapers, under a sensational headline, vents its frustration over the hotel’s reconstruction, a contract won by the company "DV Alba", which with a sculpted plan of 17 million dollars has left room for speculation and even insinuations. In fact, this reconstruction of Hotel "Tirana" has from the outset been fraught with doubts. The 17 million dollar investment for Hotel "Tirana" is considered unfavorable for the savings bank, because it raises the value of the hotel building by only 3-4 million dollars. Thus, the difference between the declared price of the project and what is thought to remain for the construction company. According to specialists in the field. The figures presented for the reconstruction are staggering. So much so that, if compared with those of hotels with 5-star luxury standards and if private construction for such facilities were taken as the standard, according to specialists even the sum of 17 million dollars would turn out to be exaggerated. More specifically, the reconstruction price of Hotel "Tirana" reaches 1,894 dollars per m2. According to engineers and economists, Hotel «Tirana» has a construction area of 9,000 m2. Even if only the total area of the hotel is calculated, its price per square meter comes to around 1,900 dollars. To better understand the terms of the issue and the figures being analyzed, we asked the urban planning and tourism specialist, Osman Shehu, who had been the hotel director for 10 years. According to Osman Shehu, Hotel «Tirana», apart from its economic aspect, also has another value. Shehu says that over the past 50 years Hotel Tirana has been a point of reference for the country’s political life, for major state and party activities in Albania, while at the same time giving it a monumental value. Speaking about the history of the earlier reconstructions, he said that in 1991, with German funding, reconstruction of several floors began according to the standards of the time. According to him, for the complete reconstruction of the hotel there have been several projects and offers. One of them was from the Austrian firm «Horwarth Consulting», which with a very modest sculptural plan valued the entire reconstruction at 9.5 million dollars. The other firm, «DV Alba», submitted a sculptural and financial plan worth 17 million dollars. Osman Shehu says that one problem remains transparency and the comparison of the offers, as well as the need for justice to provide a final answer on this matter. (Continued on page 2)

- as long as Prishtina has not even considered in its head an alternative proposal of conditions, ... will not impose conditions!! The fight against the great madness of the government (?) [?] with it and the representatives ? [text of the column is partially illegible and cut off at the edge] (Continued on page 7)

The deputy Kiruja - the biggest owner in Peqin Adem with stamps, as if it were clear that she has been elected as deputy from Puka, has found the ideal solution to enrich herself quietly. She has entered the business of a sausage factory in Lezhë. Where 5 million dollars are needed to reconstruct it and she has taken a 7.3 million dollar loan from the bank. Specialists in the field are also astonished at how this transaction was made, since it weighs more than the object itself. Without blushing at all in the table of winners (supposedly of the tender), without blushing at all at her name, [text continues damaged] The current government promised it would investigate everything, but the scandals are increasing. [end of article partially illegible]

Peshkopi Over 100 thousand dollars in expenses for the Peleshte commanders’ car - "A discussion of a scandal" - The office lost 4 [illegible words] [the article is partially unclear due to rotation and image quality] The mayor [?] and other local officials are mentioned in the text. [Continues on page 6]

Durrës Lawyers prepare for a strike After strike warnings from primary school teachers and professors, another strike began to be organized yesterday. This time it concerns the lawyers of the bar association, who state that their profession is being seriously harmed by bias and by [illegible] of [illegible]. For this reason, they will hold a [meeting/activity] in the coming days. VIKENA NINI

IN PARLIAMENT: This matter is given a different interpretation for every Albanian; we will inform you in tomorrow’s issue The law on pastures and meadows is approved CHRONICLE The speech of MP Bashkim Fino(?) on behalf of the PS parliamentary group – This debate about [illegible] of the president [illegible] [illegible] on the privatization bonuses [illegible]. In [illegible] another [illegible] the law on pastures and meadows was approved. (Continued on page 2)

production, zervish Haxhiaj , zervish Haxhiaj 12 DP with the case of [damaged word], [illegible] were held [illegible] [illegible]. The conclusion [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]. The company [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]. [Continues on page 7]

6 committed enterprises [?] Arsim and 6 [enterprises/entrepreneurs] state that the material apples [damaged text] after [shortened] Skënder [?] [damaged text] Not [illegible text] 600 workers Two roads without valgu, what is the municipality doing? Based on the rumors that [damaged text] [damaged text] the government [damaged text] [damaged text] By [illegible text] of [damaged text] [short rubric texts mostly illegible because of the page orientation]