Malaj: Excavator operator Berisha should head the asset committee

Monday’s debate on assets, government and opposition face to face • Malaj: On Monday I will ask Parliament to give the excavator operator Berisha a full mandate to inspect MPs’ assets • I invite him to leave the road and head toward the institutions • The head of the parliamentary committee for the declaration and verification of assets should be the leader of the PD, who for years has done nothing but make accusations and slander in the street, without presenting any evidence whatsoever

Rusi of Durrës sentenced to 9 years in prison; took a USD 5,000 bribe

PRECEDENT Rusi of Durrës sentenced to 9 years in prison; took a USD 5,000 bribe PAGE 3

Sacrificial lambs, no price problem

Eid al-Adha Sacrificial lambs, no price problem TIRANA—At the largest meat-selling point in Tirana, Avni Rustemi Square, sellers of lamb and sheep meat described this year’s Eid al-Adha as their most profitable one. PAGE 7

[?]80 km of pipelines

[Brown & Root], [project?] [Brown & Root], [?] project [?]80 km of pipelines

The mania for importance, for futility

Why do state officials hide behind curtains?

Americans: “Cheers

The Port of Durrës expects USD 100 million

180 km pipeline in the oil project in Albania

AMBO and “Brown & Root,” a project 180 km pipeline in the oil project in Albania TIRANA—Since 14 March 2000, a group from the AMBO company, headed by its president, Ferri[s?]son, has been holding meetings with Albanian authorities. In this context, yesterday it was received by Prime Minister Meta. During the meeting, Mr. [Ferri?]son presented the plan and purpose of the mega-project linking the basin in the Black Sea with the one in the Adriatic. PAGE 6

Stability and projects in energy

4000 2010, “...esa for ...” TIRANA—After infrastructure, the energy sector occupies a special place within the framework of the projects for the ... Package that the ... Albanian has prepared. This ... within the framework of the ra- ... economic development ... of the Balkans ... the production of electricity at a cost ... for all economic activities. 4000 2010, “...esa for ...” TIRANA—After infrastructure, the energy sector occupies a special place within the framework of the projects for the ... Package that the ... Albanian has prepared. This ... within the framework of the ra- ... economic development ... of the Balkans ... the production of electricity at a cost ... for all economic activities. PAGE 5

The mania for importance and vanity: We want curtains in our cars!

• Members of parliament, deputy ministers, prefects, mayors, prosecutors, judges, department directors, police chiefs: request for curtains to Poçi and Shuli • The law needs to be reviewed: even ministers should not have curtains In the photo: Ollbrajt in Tirana in an armored car but without curtains PAGE 2

Americans: “Happy Corridor 8 from Durrës”

Durrës Port expects USD 100 million • Preliminary studies on the viability of building the Ferry Terminal (USD 100 million) and revising the New Maritime Port Master Plan are nearing completion • The Adriatic, two days faster than the Aegean DURRËS—“Let’s drink, cheers to Corridor 8!” The American experts from the “Moffat & Nicols” Company, conducting the preliminary study on the economic viability of building a terminal at the Port of Durrës, are certain that American capital will “pour” 100 million dollars into this investment. As reported, the US Government, through its Trade and Development Agency, notes that because the Port of Durrës channels westbound flows and saves two days compared with Thessaloniki for cargo headed to Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia, private American capital is interested in investing USD 100 million in Durrës, once it is convinced by the studies conducted by the consulting company, which is exclusively American. PAGE 9

2000: 12,000 jobs; in 2001, the number will double

The national employment strategy is approved. 2000–2002: employment over three years The national employment strategy is approved. 2000–2002: employment over three years 2000: 12,000 jobs; in 2001, the number will double • New jobs. There are currently around 230,000 unemployed people in Albania, and during the past two years, for the first time, state institutions have provided funding for employment • National Employment Fund: loans for jobs • Social assistance will be turned into public works PAGE 6

Police seized a Russian ship in Shëngjin

SHKODËR—A Russian merchant ship that had violated Albanian territorial waters on Thursday was seized by the border police forces of the Shkodër district. The news was confirmed by the spokesperson for the prefecture’s police directorate. PAGE 3 Traffic

Vatëma Gaxhai remains in prison

TIRANA—“60–70 percent of the prison population serving sentences in Albanian prisons consists of people convicted of murder or robbery resulting in death.” After the prison murder PAGE 4