A Nigerian, responsible for drugs in Shkodër, is arrested

drug trafficking, police strike cocaine trafficker A Nigerian, responsible for drugs in Shkodër, is arrested SHKODËR—Africans are also staying in Shkodër. This was the good fortune and achievement of the Shkodër police, who, during an operation against drug trafficking, managed to discover and arrest a Nigerian as well— PAGE 11

Police arrest 6 of the 12 people taken in

TIRANA—The 12 people taken to police stations were suspected of being involved in the series of murders that took place in Tirana. The Prosecutor's Office has signed arrest warrants for six of them PAGE 10

Who stole the weapons from the Ministry of Public Order depot?

Ministry of Public Order Who stole the weapons from the Ministry of Public Order depot? TIRANA—Where have 13 automatic rifles and 8 pistols gone? This is the question posed by the Prosecutor's Office concerning their disappearance from the Ministry of Public Order depot. They were taken to protect the Ministry's buildings, but were never returned to the depot PAGE 11

Berisha: local councils are demanding irregular tenders

ELBASAN—There are quite a few councils and municipalities that have awarded tenders at prices 40% higher, and the service tender is scandalous. “...”, for the prosecutors ... PAGE 6

Meta: No one should hide behind a Socialist Party membership card

Yesterday's review of the Ministry of Transport. Prime Minister Meta to the road builders: I am dissatisfied with you, with the pace of your work. Measures must be taken, up to and including the dismissal of managers who do not respect the deadlines for completing road-improvement works • For any kind of negligence, irresponsibility or delay that is observed, we will continue to take extreme measures against all those who display these shortcomings, replacing them with more responsible people • Inherited contracts and “fictitious” contracts for Corridor Eight are causing us great harm • Accountability demands on companies must be increased • Foreign companies must understand that they will not prevent us from taking extreme decisions to terminate contracts if they fail to change their approach • Additional government funding for existing roads, especially in the north • There will be no shortage of funds for the Port of Durrës • Rinas: concession tender for the new terminal

LATEST NEWS - Meta in Korçë yesterday evening

KORÇË—Prime Minister Meta arrived in Korçë late yesterday evening. Today he will hold extensive working meetings at Korçë's local institutions. The focus of these meetings will be, in particular, the issue of promoting the implementation of investments for the year 2000. Yesterday Prime Minister Meta set off from Tirana and inspected the works and their scale on the route from Elbasan toward Qafë Thanë, a section of Corridor Eight being built by the Macedonian company “Mavrovo” PAGES 2-3

Chenard: The worst deaf people are those who do not want to listen

The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities calls in Tirana for a technical process for the local elections • Chenard yesterday in a meeting with Minister Fino: “The opposition's claims about the electoral process do not hold up. The electoral process must be a technical process, not politically inflated. Otherwise, the worst deaf people are those who do not listen” PAGE 4

The Italian Consulate in Vlorë begins accepting documents for legal employment in Italy

Procedures begin for preparing documentation for employment in Italy • The deadline for submitting an application for a guarantee at any Italian Police Headquarters is 15 May 2000 PAGE 8

The murder of MP Azem Hajdari: Muharrem Haklaj will be questioned

NEWS FACT The investigative team on the “Hajdari” case is mobilized and takes action The murder of MP Azem Hajdari: Muharrem Haklaj will be questioned Another testimony against him. Hajdari's murder: the noose is tightening around Berisha 10

Customs officers ask local media to publicize Berisha

Some customs officers at the Vlorë customs office are politicizing themselves around luxury cars to support Sali Berisha They are the ones who set up barriers to fleece people; all of Vlorë knows them 8 Caricature: “There aren't some in my city ...” [?]

Two slates of DP candidates in the elections, “for” and “against” Berisha

Independent candidates from the DP confirmed 5

INSIDE

• 6.5 million dollars to privatize the Savings Bank, INSIG ...... 7 • Property is protected by the Constitution, but the laws must be issued more quickly ............................ 7 • AMC privatization: 15 May is the final deadline for submitting bids ................. 7