Gazetat — Albanian Newspaper Archive

Berisha’s Mercenaries

Disarming the PD—a condition for restoring peace and security to the country

It is no coincidence that Berisha has made the disarming of the “rebel committees,” as he calls them, a condition for holding elections, while leaving aside the disarming of the Democratic Party, which he himself armed. Knowing that he cannot win in a fair electoral contest, Berisha intends to see his adventure through with armed forces. This is clearly demonstrated by the many documents held not only by the committees, but also by honest citizens. One thing is true: most of the weapons are in the hands of Democratic Party militants and members. That is where disarmament must therefore begin. The lists of names exist, as do the quantities and types of weapons they have received. Highly reliable sources, which possess all the necessary documentation, report that the operation to arm the PD in Fier was led by Belul Çelo himself, former chairman of the PD branch in this district and currently Minister of the Interior in the Government of National Reconciliation. Could it be true? The lists say yes. But if Minister Çelo and his party are genuinely interested in disarming the population and collecting weapons, let them set the example themselves first. To make things easier for them, we are helping them with one of the lists, which is no longer in their safes. Also conspicuous among them are other “General” cadres of the PD, such as prefect Haki Mustafa, former Durrës prefect Vikor Margjilaj, prefecture secretary Edmond Gjoleka, etc. Meanwhile, among these “chosen” people are the names of organizers of electoral crimes, whether threats or the Libofshë incidents, connected with the parliamentary elections of 26 May, such as Behar Plaka (who, strangely, had been supplied with 2 automatic rifles and 2 machine guns), Enver Plaka with 21 automatic rifles, Agim Qejvani with 104 automatic rifles, Aleksandër Bardhi with 45 automatic rifles, and Xhemal Xhemali with 41 automatic rifles. Weapons were also distributed by clan, with the trusted recipients including the Zyka clan (Peshat), the Shkreta clan (Libofshë), the Mucaj clan, etc. D.P.

The TVSH Chief of Police

Qemal Sakajeva Returns Page 4

I Am Optimistic About the Upcoming Elections

MEETING OF PRIME MINISTER FINO WITH JOURNALISTS “I will not agree to be a merely nominal prime minister” I will make the President my final proposal for the new heads of SHIK Page 3

Berisha Seized the Central Bank as Elections Approach

The British newspaper “The Financial Times” writes, 27 April 1997 The British newspaper “The Financial Times” published an article on Sunday on page 2 about the dismissal of Kristaq Luniku, Governor of the Central Bank of Albania. According to the article, the government is [unclear], among other things, it says: Albanian President Sali Berisha signed a decree dismissing the Governor General of the Bank of Albania, Mr Kristaq Luniku, a move that further damages the credibility of the country’s efforts to rebuild its shattered economy. Mr Luniku said his removal was “illegal”. He attacked the decree as a “takeover of the Central Bank” by Mr Berisha, “who is undermining the independence of the Bank of Albania”. “The Bank was the only institution that was not under Berisha’s orders, but now he wants this institution under his control, because elections are approaching,” Luniku said. Albania is seeking financial support from the IMF as it struggles with anarchy and breakdown following the collapse of a number of fraudulent pyramid schemes. Luniku’s dismissal is expected to complicate the negotiations (with the IMF). Mr Luniku has been replaced by Mr Qamil Thusha, deputy director of the National Commercial Bank. The Bank of Albania under Luniku’s leadership had emerged as one of the few independent institutions in the country. His position had become increasingly exposed and clear in recent months, as he had warned Mr Berisha and the government, as early as the end of 1995, about the growing risks posed by the development of the informal financial market and the proliferation of fraudulent financial schemes. The government took no action on the draft laws proposed by the Central Bank concerning usury and money laundering, while government authorities did nothing to strengthen banking legislation, which included regulations to prevent any organization other than licensed banks from accepting deposits.

List of Some of Those Armed by the PD in Fier