Hour by hour, anti-crime forces search Laç; 7 more luxury cars are seized • Pal Dajçi at the head of the criminal protesters • The people of Laç distance themselves PAGE 5

LAÇ — The opposition Democratic Party of former deposed president Sali Berisha organized an illegal rally yesterday in the town of Laç, in defense of criminals whom anti-crime forces are preparing to target in a 72-hour operation. Berisha’s people, led by MP Pal Dajçi, numbered no more than 200 yesterday afternoon at the protest against the police. As usual, they shouted slogans against the government, demanded that the police leave Laç on the grounds that “we have established law and order ourselves,” and called for the pursuit of 20 criminals—once hidden in the caves of Mount Shën Ndou—to be halted. A few days ago, 20 bandits belonging to a criminal gang that controlled the trafficking of prostitutes, the kidnapping of girls, and car theft throughout the north attacked and inflicted injuries, and took the special police station in Laç hostage. For 72 hours the police have been carrying out a large-scale operation in Laç, arresting 37 people by yesterday evening and seizing an entire arsenal of weapons, numbering several hundred. The citizens of Laç also distanced themselves from the criminal reaction of Berisha’s people in Laç, while local officials have joined forces with the criminals, providing them with political support at every turn. Yesterday’s rally was illegal. Perhaps the response to this rally is still unexpected, given that the MPs themselves, Pal Dajçi, have placed themselves at the head of the crowd. As in every other criminal incident that has taken place in this territory,

PS Secretary Petro Koci: The PS will give the prime minister the necessary room to make changes PAGE 4

The Council of Europe recognizes not one PD chairman, but two PAGE 23

Berisha’s statement shocks Council of Europe representatives PAGE 23

— INTERVIEW ON PAGE 16

A police officer from Mirdita is wounded in a shootout with a highly wanted man in Rreshen • Poçi: The police will show no mercy to bandits, especially those who shoot at them PAGE 5

The motto changes: “Start today and finish in 5 years.” In 48 hours, everything changes on 34 km of road • Work that began early yesterday morning is due to complete the rehabilitation of the 34 km today at 13:00 140 people and 40 machines — the “rapid intervention forces” on the road PAGE 3

INTERVIEW President Meidani and Bulgarian President Stojanov discuss cooperation Economic cooperation, the “Achilles’ heel” of Tirana–Sofia • Meidani: Efforts have been made to increase economic cooperation, which has still not found the necessary scope Stojanov: Let us create opportunities for business in both countries • Stojanov: For a safer and more prosperous Balkans instead of conflicts On pages 6–7, interviews with Presidents Meidani and Stojanov

OF THE DAY Politics brings regional economic liberation Here are the benefits for Albanians in the Balkans The chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, immediately attracted the attention of the media and political circles with his visit to Macedonia. In a conversation with Socialist Prime Minister Meta, Nano presented in Macedonia the PSSH platform for creating an all-Albanian forum for stability in the region. Meanwhile, the Macedonian side’s response on issues concerning the rights and integrity of Albanians has become very positive, and there are now signs that the Albanian University of Tetovo will soon be legally opened—a matter of great importance for all Albanians in the region. Although new, the platform of the Albanian socialists has already produced its first results in the region. The Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro have understood and welcomed the Nano–Meta initiatives, and today this has led to a political opening of the borders between our neighboring countries and Albania. A political opening of borders naturally brings not only respect for the rights of Albanians living in these countries, but also “regional economic liberation,” which logically becomes support for peace and stability in the region. Today, the Albanian state is correctly oriented toward peace in the region and is now also becoming an active player in establishing peace. This is one of the greatest achievements of our state and the PS, since it positions Albania as an ally of the USA and the EU. It is regrettable that, when we should all be united around this vital platform for Albania, representatives of the Albanian opposition are sowing the poison of division in Kosovo, which has such a great need for peace and cooperation. Precisely as the Prime Minister of Montenegro meets Prime Minister Meta in Shkodër and the President of Macedonia receives PSSH Chairman Nano in Skopje, poisoned emissaries of the PD insult the Meta Cabinet as a “nest of thieves” and call Nano “an agent of the Greek and the Serb.” Such a policy of subversion has only one name: a profoundly anti-Albanian policy! But today it is clear which policy is finding support and which is being thrown in the trash. This was demonstrated more clearly than anywhere else by the Macedonian prime minister’s commitment to opening the University of Tetovo!

• After 11 years, Albania exports vegetables.................... 17 • Albanian vegetables drive down prices of foreign vegetables........ 17 • Currila - Plepa - Kavajë, illegal business severely punished........ 18