FREE OPINION - BY BASHKIM FINO Fino: We aim for every citizen to find themselves on the electoral roll of their current place of residence

the mirror — Press Director Gëllçi at a press conference the mirror Press Director Gëllçi at a press conference Minister Poçi has the government’s support for the work done Street crime, organized crime and trafficking have suffered their hardest blow in these five months PAGE 16

Here is how Berisha’s municipal administrations deliberately obstruct The government provided the money 10 days ago PAGE 12

48 hours: police operation continues at all crime hotspots in Tirana Eight people arrested: 4 robbers and 4 others who had long been wanted THE PEOPLE ARRESTED 1. Arlind Gecaj, 15, born in Tropojë and residing in Tirana; 2. Durim Mahmutaj, 18, born in Tepelenë and residing in Tirana; 3. Ardian Veseli, 16, from Tirana; 4. Sabri Tartari, 16, born in Kavajë and residing in Tirana (The above individuals are robbers. Police seized a variety of household electrical appliances, about 100 remote controls, cigarette packs with a total value of about 3 million lekë, etc.) 5. Denis Meta, 18, from Tirana, wanted as the perpetrator of an armed assault; 6. Besnik Boko, a resident of Zall Herr, wanted for trafficking narcotic substances and weapons; 7. Ramadan Ruci, 37, born in Kukës and residing in Tirana, wanted because in May of last year he fatally struck a child with a vehicle and fled the scene; 8. Petrit Papleka, 37, born in Tropojë and residing in Tirana, previously convicted and wanted after being sentenced in absentia for “theft in complicity” PAGE 6

The compass for this entire campaign should be to complete the process of removing Berisha’s corrupt regime from every level of local government

ISSUE OF THE DAY Regardless of how the media commented on Prime Minister Meta’s statement that, as part of his close observation of the Albanian reality, he will make a working visit to Tropojë in the coming days, the Albanian prime minister’s approach to work and leadership expresses a new civic mentality in our political class. If, until 1997, Berisha pursued a feudal policy, dividing Albania and splitting it into domains, Meta is demonstrating a different culture: quietly and without fanfare, using every means at his disposal, he is tearing down “feudal” borders and creating an Albanian territory for Albanians. When Berisha, during his reign, turned the Presidency into a consulate of Shkodër and cynically refused Nano a “visa” to visit Shkodër, with the famous feudal expression “Shkodër doesn’t want the socialists,” Meta made no attempt to sabotage Berisha’s announced visit to Vlorë. Meta did not oppose Berisha’s intention simply because he is a civic-minded person who knows well that an Albanian can move freely, without a “visa,” throughout their own country. Here lies the “small” difference between these two leaders! Meta wanted to convey this message to Albanians when, as prime minister, he made his first visits precisely to Shkodër, Malësi e Madhe and Lezhë. Berisha dislikes Meta’s philosophy not merely because he deliberately rejects every socialist alternative, but because he cannot live in modern times! He longs for principalities, swords, farms, executions, intrigues, etc., and it would be no surprise if, now in the twilight of his career, he were to write the third volume of Don Quixote of La Mancha, or his autobiography. Meta’s civility and new leadership mentality are admirable, but these virtues would not prove effective unless we all embraced them. This mentality must not be prejudged as a “socialist mentality,” since the new mentality has no party affiliation. It expresses a national tendency which, unlike Berisha, judges Albania’s position in modern times, not in feudalism!

The compass guiding this entire campaign must be to complete the cycle of removing Berisha’s corrupt regime from every level of local government The compass guiding this entire campaign must be to complete the cycle government Nano: Let us uproot Berishism from Local Government through a democratic vote In the three-year period ’97–’2000, 200 percent more was invested in all the country’s districts than in Berisha’s five-year period ’92–’97 PAGES 2–3 In the photo: PSSH Chairman, Fatos Nano

Discussion of the draft electoral code continues PAGE 4

PD chairman in Austria: a futile effort PAGE 10

Building ago PAGE 12 Obstruction not only in Tirana, but also in Durrës by the municipality Here is how Corea dumps garbage at the Dajlan Bridge, where the overpass of Corridor Eight is being built On November 5, ’98, it ordered the municipal services to dump garbage along there PAGE 11 Figures and statistics showing how many people are employed As of February 2000, the number of people who have found work: 1,320,141 During the two years ’98–’99, 200,000 people found work and were legalized in lawful employment PAGE 8

• The Minister of Justice promises: Inspection campaign in all courts soon...... 7 • A group of emigrants meet Ambassador Robo in Athens: What will happen with Albanian driving licences? July 31 has arrived ...... 14 • Oddly, Berisha’s campaign has no effect on prices; only the price of leeks is rising ...... 8 • PD fabricates explosions with explosives; the truth in the village of Stjar is that the glass in a frame containing Azem’s photo was broken ............ 6