The Flag is “stolen” in Vlora. The Socialists privatize the celebration. Pjetri brings Berisha the flag from Lezha

By Arben ILIAZI Albanians did not unite yesterday either, on Independence Day, to enter the normal course of history. The party flags, without any hesitation, were waved above the National Flag. This is the great fatality of politics, with a large dose of self-deception and anti-nationalism. Thus democracy, too, has a vague meaning and a disturbing affinity with deconstructivism. Why does politics continue to divide Albanians even at moments when history is being recalled? Because it is cynical, desperate and stubborn. Particularism denies the possibility of finding a suitable language for understanding and agreement. The language of the present is entirely artificial and follows in the footsteps of the old psychology. It makes no concessions, but

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Clandestine migration trafficking: 10 billion a year Italian Anti-Mafia: We must investigate in Albania Testimony of the Vlora speedboat operator about the Italian rubber boats The angel of Mostar leaves; England did not grant visas Pages 2–6 Gramoz Ruçi: April 2, why he fled to Greece, relations with Nano Ema Bonino: How the Taliban arrested us Pages 16–17 TV Special: 29 November–5 December, Main Albanian and Italian television programs Page 23 Week 12 of the Football Championship, Tirana climbs above Tomorr Maradona returns to Italy Page 21

Petro Marko: In “The Agents”; Dritëro Agolli: “Petro Marko, the rebel, the bohemian, the insurgent we miss”; Moikom Zeqo: “Poetry and modernity”; Entela Komnino: “Film time instead of history” Pages 11–14

“REPUBLIKA” wishes its readers a happy November holidays. On this occasion, we inform readers that the newspaper will not be available on the market on Tuesday.