In the pyramids of state crime: Berisha’s former Presidency, an armed gang In February–March, PD leader Genc Pollo, Presidency Secretary Kolec Topalli, and Berisha’s son Shkëlzen Berisha were armed TIRANA—In February–March of this year, the Albanian Presidency was the biggest bunker in the country. This was not only because heavy machine guns had been installed in every corner of it, but also because all its personnel had been armed. Xhahit Xhaferri, commander of the Republican Guard, ordered the arming of the staff of the Albanian Presidency. On his orders, all the employees and the President Berisha’s closest advisers were armed. After this order was carried out, they were no longer officials of Albania’s highest institution, but simply people with Kalashnikovs. At that time, they were the first armed Albanians. The list begins with the political adviser to Ndre Legisi: If there are deputies in this parliament who are deputies of the Kalashnikovs, they are the deputies of the PD. We have complete documents showing that, on Sali Berisha’s orders, they were armed, and at the top of the list is Genc Pollo’s name. [Document in photograph: REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA; PRESIDENCY; ...; GENC POLLO; DEMOCRATIC CARD; APPROVED; Pursuant to Law No. 7556, dated 25.5.1992, Article 5, “On Weapons”] begins with President Berisha’s political adviser and the Democratic Party’s Secretary General, Genc Pollo. It continues with the Presidency’s Secretary General, Kolec Topalli. Kalashnikovs were also issued to the adviser for construction, the adviser for agriculture, and, in turn, everyone from the legal adviser to the Presidency’s typist. Among those armed with Kalashnikovs were also Dja[?]na Ngresi, Lidra Glozhe[?]ni, Odeta Zhegu, Eda Sejko, and Valdete Vorpsi. But the commander of the Republican Guard also armed and sent the President of the Republic’s adolescent son, Shkëlzen Berisha. The arming of Presidency officials is confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior. On August 5, 1997, the former commander of the Republican Guard asked Mr. Genc Pollo to have the Presidency staff hand over their weapons, setting August 12, 1997, as the final deadline. However, sources close to the Ministry of the Interior say that Genc Pollo, Kolec Topalli and many other Presidency officials have not responded to this authoritative order. The former political adviser to President Berisha, today (Continued on page 2)

YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT: Debate begins on the new Constitution. The PD opposes it and walks out of the chamber. Following this position, the PS decides not to take part in the round table proposed by the PD. Page 2

Message of thanks from the President of the Republic, Prof. Dr. Rexhep Meidani On the occasion of my election to the high office of President of the Republic, I have received a very large number of congratulatory telegrams and messages from political parties, nongovernmental organizations, educational, cultural and scientific institutions, local authorities, municipal and commune councils, companies and manufacturing enterprises, charitable and religious associations, sports clubs, and especially distinguished personalities and longtime associates. ... cooperation and coexistence for the benefit of the Homeland. I value your support not as a division of responsibilities, but as the involvement of all Albanians in a commitment to help, according to their abilities, build a civil society without enemies, without violence, without division, and without regional, religious or cultural distinctions. I see your trust in me as your understanding of my commitment to set the past aside and focus on the future, where the government and opposition, with the loyalty arising from the duty owed in the difficult times the country is going through, from the international commitment to help us emerge from the crisis, and from the people’s wish to see a better day, will coexist for the sake of the higher interests of the homeland and the Albanian nation. Along with my gratitude, I assure you that I will always serve the trust the Albanian people have placed in me. … [damaged and illegible passage]

APPROVAL Pursuant to Law No. 7566, dated 25.5.1992, Article 5, “On Weapons,” and the Minister of the Interior’s Order No. 160, dated 2.10.1993, “On the criteria for issuing, withdrawing and administering weapons,” the Republican Guard issues weapons to the following persons holding office: members of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and of the Government; chairpersons of political parties and other persons on an equal footing with them, as well as their drivers. Under the state of emergency, by order of the Commander of the Republican Guard, the President was issued a personal weapon. However, with the lifting of the state of emergency, the persons listed below must return the weapons received from the Republican Guard by 12.8.97: 1. Genci Pollo 2. Theodhosi Sallaku 3. Ilirjan Tufina 4. Kolec Topalli 5. Orhan Sakali 6. Fatos Haxhiazi 7. Agim Sakalli 8. Liana Ngresi 9. Lidra Glozhani 10. Josif Nadi 11. Odeta Zhegu 12. Lirim Dedi 13. Eda Sejko 14. Geziz Jorgani 15. Sherri Kaloçi 16. Alban Alibani 17. Monor Ilko 18. Valdete Vorpsi 19. Kolel Tiraka 20. Tanush Frasheri 21. Fatbardh Avazi 22. Shkëlzen Berisha 23. Urim Çoja 24. Theodhoz Collaku 25. Ilir Rrumbullaku. COMMANDER OF THE REPUBLICAN GUARD

On Monday, August 18, 1997, at 12:00, a meeting with the chairpersons of the district KD of the SP will be held at the headquarters of the KPD of the SSPA to discuss several organizational issues. PRESIDIUM OF THE SSPA

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