The “Nano” purge begins. Democrats: Brokaj is Enver Hoxha’s lookalike. Driza seeks political asylum in America

Yesterday the government responded to one of the many statements issued by the DP’s offices, the one concerning the conditions Rome set for Albania. In the morning Nano convened the Government; in the afternoon he laid his cards on the table in Parliament. In fact, yesterday Nano spoke more plainly than he had when he was rebuffed by Rome. He acknowledged that his Government is under close scrutiny. Albania is on probation. Besides hearing the Tirana government’s program, the Rome conference also set up a substantial roadblock in the form of a series of conditions, without whose fulfilment there can be no aid. On returning from Rome, the left-wing governing coalition conveyed only Europe’s enthusiasm. What the government officials tried to conceal was brought into the open by journalists. There are no more secrets now. Restoring public order, re-establishing the authority of the state throughout the country, ensuring freedom of movement and control of border-crossing points, respecting human freedoms and rights, showing respect for the opposition and creating the space for it to play its proper role in political coexistence and national reconciliation, institutional reforms, training the judicial system, reorganizing the armed forces, controlling trade relations, and establishing an appropriate legal framework for pyramid schemes. More or less, these are the conditions Rome laid before our government. Imposing conditions shows distrust of the Albanian political class. The conditions show that Europe and America no longer trust Albanian politicians blindly. Disappointments followed from DP politicians, who trumpeted the slogan, “We govern, the world helps us”; now a distrustful Europe is watching and responding, and, once it has gained confidence, will make the relevant decisions and determine the amount of aid. Taken as a whole, the conditions are achievable. All that is required is goodwill from both the government and the opposition. The bitterness and pettiness of relations between government and opposition so far have led international organizations to set conditions concerning the treatment of the opposition. The current government must not adopt the DP’s stance, which treated the opposition with elbows and total isolation. The government must become more mature and give the opposition the opportunity to have its say in solving problems. The DP’s insistence on creating a round table may be a signal that it wants to emerge from the bunker it has entered. Perhaps it will give up mass-producing denials and take the position of a constructive opposition. But will the left accept a round table now that it holds power? It is difficult. There are voices from the PS saying that this DP request smells like a trap to create a round-table crisis tomorrow. According to voices from the left, the DP should go to Parliament, where it has more room than at a round table to act as an opposition. Whatever the case, Albanian politicians must show attentiveness and tolerance. There is no need to crow like roosters at all hours, especially without cause. Albania must be built. Europe and America are watching us. If we cross Democracy’s white lines again, no one will help us.

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Page 4 Crime strikes Vlora: a [??]-year-old girl is kidnapped, the driver is killed, Lezhans are robbed, an 18-year-old is found murdered, the president of a construction company is taken hostage, and the son-in-law’s family is fined 200 million. Kakavija gang arrested, including a police officer. France leaves Durrës. Special forces announce the Librazhd gang and will enter Vlora this week. Arms factory in Mjeks attacked. Serbs kill two Albanians. Albania: 5 killed, 7 wounded, 11 arrested in the last 24 hours. New police chiefs appointed in Vlora, Gjirokastër, Malësi e Madhe, Elbasan. Pages 5–7

DP in Parliament next week Page 3 Arqile Boti: The wives of the new MPs behave themselves Page 12 Kreci tells the strange story: 5 months in prison Page 10 Football: Second-phase matches Page 15 Gjinushi meets rival groups in Vlora. Nano meets with Kurt Kola. Offer for diplomatic business. Pangallos in Tirana. Page 2 Silva pays out today Page 14

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