PS and PD in a struggle for existence The OSCE’s special envoy, manager of the Albanian crisis and former Austrian chancellor, Franc Vranicki, will arrive in Tirana today. The OSCE office notes that he will issue the official announcement, according to which the core of the well-known envoy’s visit is connected with the opening of two OSCE regional offices, in Shkodër and Gjirokastër. In fact, Vranicki’s arrival coincides with a moment when new precedents are being reconsidered in Albanian politics, threatening the formal status quo established after the adoption of the June 29 electoral formula. The PD has now outlined a strategy for an unexpected political comeback, giving shape to public protests that are often brought to a climax with hunger strikes. At its most recent congress, the Democrats’ staff, elated by Berisha’s de jure election as party chairman, initiated the idea of early parliamentary elections, demonstratively abandoning the Parliament chamber. The senior OSCE envoy is also well informed about the euphoria prevailing among the government leadership, Nano, who formally declares his commitment to respecting all democratic standards, but treats the opposition with a neo-totalitarian mindset, threatening freedom of speech and seeking to install in the senior administration the entire contingent of officials from the old, former communist nomenklatura. Despite the goodwill and political will of the right-wing forces, particularly the PR, to institutionalize a negotiating table among parties across the entire political spectrum, relations between government and opposition remain generally confrontational and risk a period of artificial tension at this time. Direct responsibility for this lies with the parliamentary majority led by the PS, which fosters a spirit of individualism and political exclusion through the absurd tendency to regard only the PD as the opposition. This is the most disguised blow dealt to the image of the right, which has its role to play in political life. The talks that former chancellor Vranicki will hold from time to time with Prime Minister Nano and PD chairman Berisha will, in any case, be stripped of ordinary diplomatic courtesies, in order to work out the most functional scheme for the next political procedure, one capable of satisfying both sides. This time, it seems, the courtesy with which Vranicki will conduct a conversation will amount simply to a telephone call from the hotel. In the framework of his important mission, Mr. Vranicki must not forget that the role of a “third political side,” represented by the right, must also be respected in Albanian political life.

The headquarters of “Gjalliçes”, in Vlorë “Gjallica” is alive. Kadria: I will repay 60% of the capital The center of the smuggling operation uncovered Page 8

PS betrays Mazrreku. Hajdari refuses the Court Page 2 Vranicki is Albanian. The PD betrayed us treacherously. Page 4 Godo comes to the pensioners’ defense Angjeli replaces Malaj Page 9 □ Berisha will publish the documents on the pyramid schemes Page 4 □ Gunshots at a wedding Page 6

- From now on we will do modern politics

“REPUBLIKA”, “Sami Frashëri” Street, near “Petro Nini Luarasi” High School, Tirana. Log. No. 986/110, Tirana Commercial Bank. Tel/Fax (+355 42) 259 88 Tel. (+355 42) 230 90