Following a draft government decision on transparency in the pyramid schemes Administrators also at VEFA. A distribution plan following broad consensus Following a draft government decision on transparency in the pyramid schemes The circle of deception narrows Administrators also at VEFA. A distribution plan following broad consensus “Deloitte & Touche” will probe the “black hole” of Albanian loan-sharking. The Ministry of Finance announced that the prestigious international management company “Deloitte & Touche” has won the tender to administer the five largest companies that borrowed money from the general public. After a long ordeal that for more than two years kept the attention, energies, hopes and savings of Albanians in suspense, the revelation of the pyramid schemes has reached a point of resolution. The truth, whatever it may be, will put an end to an endless anxiety, laden with social sorrow. A simple accounting at the end of the transparency process will clarify the borrowing companies’ obligations to the public, as well as the financial possibilities—until now hypothetical—for repaying them. A line will be drawn, and the companies’ bombastic statements, as well as the speculation aimed at concealing political crime, will be distilled into a single figure. Thousands of creditors hope that this figure will be in their favor, which would also be in the interests of the future of the companies concerned. The new democratic government has thus, step by step, fulfilled its public commitment to see the transparency process through to the end and to ensure that every penny recovered goes into the pockets of creditors impoverished by an absurd policy. This step is also in keeping with its international commitments to bring the Albanian economy into the real economic framework, which ensures the effective use of aid programs. On this occasion, Finance Minister Malaj assured the many creditors that all the assets of the pyramid companies recovered during the transparency process would be included in a distribution plan for creditors. This plan will be approved by law. Once a complete picture of the companies’ activities has been secured, the distribution plan will be subject to broad consensus, so that the authorities can decide on the form of distribution. Minister Malaj emphasized that the Finance Ministry is open to any suggestions on this matter that could speed things up, in order to protect creditors’ interests. Whether this will be a proportional distribution plan or one that favors smaller creditors—who are thought to make up the largest group of creditors—will be decided after broad consultation. Another important draft government decision, however, gives the green light to appointing administrators at the VEFA company. Under this draft decision, VEFA will be subject to financial inspection and administration by an administrator appointed by the company itself. This is because, according to the court file, VEFA has long since stopped making payments to its creditors. Court decisions concerning the fulfillment of contracts, as well as petitions submitted by entrepreneurs and creditors’ committees, also support this draft decision. Another argument in favor of this step is that the company has deviated from established financial principles that must be followed. To ensure full and accurate transparency, yesterday the government also approved a draft decision on “Registration of creditors for the purpose of declaring deposits in borrowing companies.” The general public will be able to declare the amount of money invested in these companies through employment agency offices. The documentation register will prevent any possible manipulation. Shyqyri Meka

At the Office of the President of the Republic Page 3

Vranicki in Tirana on Thursday Page 2

Parties respond to invitation from Republican Party leader Godo TIRANA — Representatives of the other parties responded positively to the invitation from Republican Party leader Godo, and met last night in the halls of the Palace of Congresses. After lengthy debates, the agenda was first established, TIRANA — Representatives of the other parties responded positively to the invitation from Republican Party leader Godo, and met last night in the halls of the Palace of Congresses. After lengthy debates, the agenda was first established; this itself was a successful outcome. A roundtable with points was set up, and the first point—the issue of television and ending the strike by the four MPs—was successfully resolved. I think this is a very satisfactory result. I am pleased. I hope that, in drafting an agreement under which the political parties at the negotiating table, by full consensus, decided that within a specified period the RTSH Governing Council would draw up the relevant regulations to create time slots and the conditions provided for by law for REMEMBRANCE if we move forward and resolve the other issues as well, then I would truly say that a spirit of compromise and agreement has entered Albanian politics. Meanwhile, the roundtable of parties, attended by representatives of the PS, PSD, PBDNJ, PD, Balli Kombëtar, etc., concluded with an agreement on commitments; by full consensus, they would be completed and and the conditions provided for by law to reflect the activities and opinions of the government and the opposition. Following this, the illegal strike, called a “hunger strike,” by the four Democratic Party MPs was also called off. They had chosen a car in front of the Albanian Radio and Television building as their place of confinement. Alba Gjakova positively to the invitation of the Republican Godo, representatives of the other parties, who gathered last night in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses. After numerous debates, the agenda was initially set; although ambitious, since it sought to address problems concerning television, repression in Kosovo, the constitution or administrative reform, it did not get beyond issues relating to the status of Radio Television. Nevertheless, simply on this point, Mr. Godo told “Zëri i Popullit”: “As you can see and ...”

PREMIUM TIRANA PILS EXPORT QUALITY

Look carefully! The person you see in the photo is one of the hunger strikers. His name is Shaban Memia, or, as he is also known, “the gang specialist”—a label used during one of the parliamentary sessions at which the Minister of the Interior had been summoned for questioning. His name is among those most frequently mentioned as one of the initiators of the opening of the arms depots in Tirana and the illegal arming of PD militants.

At the Council of Ministers Draft law “On the organization of justice” approved Trainees to spend six months under scrutiny against professional criteria — Page 5

At the Constitutional Court Decision on VEFA awaited Page 5

On page 9 Second part of the interview with academician Rexhep Qosja