Majko: An attack on crime in Durrës Dozens of “commando” troops will guard the port. Traffickers face their darkest day today. Gangsters will be shot. TIRANA—“Commando” troops will take control of the port of Durrës. Prime Minister Majko has signed two orders placing the port of Durrës under the protection and supervision of “Commando” troops. Allowing for the time needed to organize the troops, from the day after today the “Commandos” will place the entire port area under surveillance. At the same time, the Prime Minister… and the local police forces; the solution appears to have been found by imposing a strict military regime throughout the port area. A host of problems appears likely to be resolved as a result. First, there will be a harsh crackdown on the smuggling of all kinds of goods, as well as drug and arms trafficking. This is especially true during the night hours, when the police also seem very… [unclear] at the port captain’s office, they beat the port director in his office. Better days also appear to be ahead for customs officers at the port customs office, who have on more than a few occasions been subjected to serious threats from gangsters collecting bribes from merchants in exchange for tax concessions, after threatening and intimidating the customs officers. The merchants themselves also appear likely to be safer and free from the threat of fines imposed by the local toughs… to hand over the port of Durrës. Prime Minister Majko has signed an order the troops and draw up operational plans, from tomorrow the “Commandos” will oversee the entire port area. At the same time, Prime Minister Majko has ordered the National Intelligence Service to create the necessary surveillance network covering the entire port area. Sources close to the Prime Minister said the idea is to install visual-monitoring equipment in various terminals and sections of the port’s quays, which will record all port activity, 24 hours a day. Following numerous reports claiming that Albania’s main port has become a major hub for criminal trafficking, involving ... the entire area of this port should have been placed under surveillance. A host of problems appear set especially important at night, when the police are barely present on the port premises, while customs is not operating. Thus begin dark days particularly for fuel trafficking, whose tankers are emptied at night into the world of smuggling. Meanwhile, port authorities will be better protected, since they have been under serious threat of becoming witnesses to trafficking carried out by people who have various transport vessels at the disposal of criminal networks. No more than 72 hours ago, this was precisely how people who did not care about the permits they were supposed to ... Better days also seem set to begin for the port customs officials, who have on many occasions been seriously threatened by criminals collecting bribes from traders in exchange for tax concessions, after threatening and bypassing customs officers. Traders threats of fines imposed by Durrës’s tough guys, who have based all their criminal activity at the port. Sources close to the Ministry of Defence say that placing the port under the protection of “Commando” troops means that no civilian, including port employees, will be allowed inside its grounds. Any further attempt to enter without the permission of the authorities controlling the port will receive a harsh response, which, according to the “Commandos’” rules, means: strike without warning.

Nano: No one can say that we need the US more in Albania than it is present in Europe No one can work alone. No one should be allowed to abuse power. The old style of politics, dominated by a lack of transparency, isolation and even retaliation, has also affected the younger generation. We are all asking why we are seeking a political endorsement? Because, through a popular screening process, I want to understand and then filter out everything we have done wrong. It is not too late to correct the style of political leadership and direct communication between the state and the voters of this country. Government programs must be formulated as they are in democratic Europe. In this new situation, as the Stability Pact is coming to life, the European Community expects us to be and become partners. This requires rational projects and programs. In this context, I propose that negotiations begin on 1 January 2000 for Albania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and, of course, Serbia under Milošević, so that these countries may become “associate” members of the EU and a customs union may be established among them. This treaty should enter into force in 2003. (Continued on page 16) Fatos Nano

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