Another 180 million lekë go to Dakli; evidence: the rotten barrier at Zarranika

The PD chairman announced yesterday that additional lists for the local elections were being prepared urgently Berisha is imposing fines on the heads of municipalities, demanding money from them from tenders PAGE 4

POLICE POÇI SIGNS: FIVE ANTI-CRIME CHIEFS IN TIRANA DISMISSED Changes are expected among the chiefs of police stations. Changes in the districts too PAGE 2

AGREEMENT ALBANIA - MACEDONIA, JOINT CROSS-BORDER CONTROL The aim is to prevent illegal emigration and curb trafficking PAGE 2

Pensioners! Berisha lies to you shamelessly, as always Pensions have been increased; compensation will continue to be paid as usual BERISHA: In 1998, in February, inflation was at 17%, so he applied pension increases of 20–21%; in ’99 inflation was 1%, and a pension increase of 10% was applied. In connection with the inflation figure announced a few days ago by IMF officials, a percentage was calculated, and at the end of the year, in 1998, they were increased by 2%; the government itself increased pensions by 15%. In ’92 inflation was 236.6%, pensions were increased by only 25%; in ’93 declared inflation was 31.9%, the increase in pensions was 25%; in ’94 inflation was 26.8%, the increase in pensions was 25%; in ’95 inflation was 6%, pensions were increased by 10%; in ’96 the increase in pensions was 10%, while inflation rose by 42.1%; in ’97, 20% was declared, and pensions were increased by 42.1%. “Based on this decision, the minimum urban pensions will be 5,148 lekë per month, while the minimum rural pensions will be 1,328 lekë per month. Following this increase, pensioners are expected to continue receiving compensation for electricity, compensation for bread, as well as compensation for each dependent.”

• Albania became a member of the World Trade Organization yesterday “New prospects will open up for Albania in terms of deepening the economic reforms of the transition, assigning it a dignified role in the international community”

COMMENTARY • VLORA, A REFLECTION OF ALBANIA’S NORMALITY By Kreshnik Lumi • MONEY IN POCKETS, A SOURCE OF CRIME By Krenar Kronikani • PD GOES INTO THE ELECTION CONVINCED IT WILL LOSE By abc • OSCE, THE ORGANIZATION THAT MANAGES CRISES By Emmanuel Serot