Today Berisha announces the “shadow government”; he trusts only his in-law—and he has him in the government . Berisha, as prime minister, brings criminals into the Government • The gang of thieves returns • Shaban Memia, Minister of the Interior; Blerim Çela, Minister of Finance; Prel Martini, Minister of Justice; Ekrem Spahija, Minister of Culture; Tonin Alimehilli, Minister of Agriculture; Luan Malt(e)zi, (the in-law) head of the secret police Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Ritvan Bode, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour Jemin Gj(i)ana, Minister of Defence Shaban Memia, Minister of Public Order Arjan Starova, Minister of Foreign Affairs Blerim Çela, Minister of Economy and Finance Prele Martini, Minister of Justice Flamur Shehu, Minister of Transport Ilir Bano, Minister of Industry and Mines Natasha Shehu, Minister of Education Ekrem Spahija, Minister of Culture Tonin Alimehilli, Minister of Agriculture Luan Maltezi, Head of SHISH Hysen Selfo, Head of the State Audit Avni Shehu, President of the Constitutional Court Rustem Gjata, President of the Supreme Court Omer Stringa, Governor of the Bank of Albania [Text in cartoon:] “Get away from ... let us overthrow ... the people in power are criminals!” PAGE 6

Police in Dibër A boom in arrests: 69 arrested PESHKOPI—Over a period of 70 days, the police stations in Dibër Prefecture, which also includes the districts of Mat and Bulqizë, have managed to solve 95 percent of the crimes committed in these districts PAGE 9

Police, scandal Rinas police officer gets dressed and undressed five times in a row TIRANA—A police officer’s résumé is filled with 5 dismissals from duty and 5 reappointments in the Morinë police, Police Station No. 4, Qafë-Thanë, Police Station No. 3, and most recently he had been proposed for work in Rinas with the anti-drug police. Neighbours level accusations PAGE 10 Police, scandal; Neighbours level accusations

TIRANA—A mafia network made up of an Italo-Albanian group has been uncovered in Italy. PAGE 6

IMF: Yes to the government, no to the DP’s proposals Berisha’s proposals are unworkable: pensions above 50 dollars, salaries above 100 dollars, taxes cut in half Mr. Mates: Alongside the government’s programs, for which you expressed a more positive view, there is also an opposition alternative calling for pension payments above USD 50, civil servants’ salaries above USD 100, and halving tax rates. What is your opinion if such a package is put on the table, strictly from a financial perspective? Neven Mates: Combining such policies—raising salaries and pensions on the one hand and halving tax rates on the other—would create a large budget deficit. This would have consequences and undermine macroeconomic stability in Albania. I think we would not support such a policy. Public-sector salaries have risen significantly in recent years. Salary increases depend on the growth of the economy overall. For salaries to rise in this way, the economy would need to be characterized by high growth and macroeconomic stability. IMF: The Albanian economy is moving at a fast pace PAGES 2, 3

Meta in Brussels: There is no real funding problem; it is not a matter of percentages • Patten–Meta: ways to speed up projects • Genimatas–Meta: completing the feasibility studies is essential We are cooperating with the European Bank and certain EU countries, particularly Italy, so that the difficulties can be overcome and funding can be secured for as many projects as possible. I think the justice authorities should act more decisively to clarify certain allegations or cases and not leave them unresolved, because this would be the best way to put a stop to yet another round of slander and accusations. PAGE 4

IMF approves the Albanian government’s tax-relief policies PAGE 3