Law and order on top of new cabinet’s tasks

TIRANA, Sep 17 – New InteriorMinister Saimir Tahiri started his first day in the job with a general meeting of all the top police and ministry officials telling them that public security needs urgent steps.
He clearly told all of them they may keep the post only if they fulfill their duties.
The situation of the public order is far from normal, he said, referring to almost every day murders, injuries, conflicts, thefts and the unsafe situation in driving the country’s roads.
“Without exaggeration it is a national emergency,” he said. “Violence is shaking the foundations of the society and weapons are speaking more than words.”
Political will and police are the ones to bear the responsibility for that situation, according to the new minister.
Time has come, he said that police comes on its feet and reinstates security for the life, health and property of the citizens and enterprises. He said time was over of the phone calls to change the decisions of policemen which means no more interference when they enforce the law.
“There will be no more friends, relatives, and power people, without exclusion. The strong men do not exist due to their links with the power people. There are no more privileged above the law or violate the law and bear no account to the law,” he said.
Enough showing to the citizens that the law is worth for some, usually the weakest, and does not apply for others considered as the strong men. The minister also warned policemen not to “be arrogant to the citizen and close the eyes for those violating the law.”
He expected a radical change of the situation in the fight against human and drug trafficking. “Albania should go out of the shameful map as a country under observation from the U.S. Department of State,” he said.
He also asked for radical steps to weapon possession which is illegal in the country.
Road security was an absolute priority considering road police as covered from corruption.
“Starting from today, me the first, director general and all of you are in a test, the test of the public opinion to reinstate law and order,” he concluded.