After leaving prison, speaking exclusively to “Republika” Pages 12, 13

EDITORIAL By Genci ÇOBANI Every evil has, nevertheless, something good about it. Perhaps more, perhaps less than one (for example, a half-good thing). The events of recent days across Albania showed that everything said up to now about “inclusiveness,” “integration,” “dialogue” and “tolerance” has been nothing but a bluff, a hypocrisy, beyond the limits normally permitted by this term in politics (even if Albanian standards are taken as the point of reference). In truth, the [unclear] at the top of his party, using his meeting with the opposition leaders as a challenge to rival Majko, clearly showed how one can play and win in the socialist camp simply by being “tough on enemies.” What greatly surprises many people who believed in the socialists’ generosity and tolerance toward their allies (often, fragments of all the servile, sycophantic machinery that the PBDNJ has installed through its directorates and deputy ministers in the PS government administration were cited as arguments) is that the socialists’ “kindness” toward their allies is alive and well, but only until they forget to sing “hosannas” to the socialist masters. Otherwise, the mask falls, and behind it Today, its talk of bluff, a hypocrisy beyond the normal limits permitted by this term in politics (even if one takes Albanian standards as a point of reference). In truth, no one had ever believed in this “outstretched hand” to the opposition. More precisely, in most cases it clearly looked like a glove that, apart from a deceitful invitation to a duel, offered the opposing camp nothing else. The way Nano rose again in the socialist camp was solely by showing himself to be “tough on enemies.” What tolerance toward their allies (the large shares of power that Nano and his fellow party members handed over to their smaller allies were often cited as evidence, even though the latter did not really deserve them) was the way they treated Melo and his party. Extreme threats, bordering on hysteria, and the deployment of other agencies have been the same in their efforts against the socialists, even though they have occupied example of the “mother” party, while officials of the latter’s party have reacted even more harshly than Meta himself. They showed that the socialists’ “sweetness” toward their allies is pure syrup, but only so long as the allies do not forget to sing “hosannas” to the great socialist leaders. Otherwise, the mask falls, and behind it another mask closes over yet another one beneath it, and so on, into a nauseating infinity of masks and flirtations. Nor does ferocity suit the socialists, so long as they pretend to have become socialists.

Father rapes his 13-year-old daughter His wife reports her monstrous husband Page 5

The Prime Minister’s threat frightens party officials “Alliance for the State”: everyone against the “rebel” The governing coalition “Alliance for the State” is caught up in a “turf war.” Following Prime Minister Meta’s threats the previous night to throw the PBDNJ out of the coalition, the person who reacted least fearfully to this statement was Vasil Melo himself. By contrast, the other reactions were equally submissive toward the socialists, despite coming from different positions. The other allies have threatened Melo, following the example of the “mother” party, while officials of Melo’s party have reacted even more harshly than Meta himself. Page 3

Republicans condemn the violence and call for a solution Republicans yesterday once again criticized the violence used by the police in Bajram Curri, stressing that it was unjustified, given that no institution had been attacked or burned, as Prime Minister Meta said. Republicans yesterday once again criticized the violence used by the police in Bajram Curri, stressing that it was unjustified, given that no institution had been attacked or burned, as Prime Minister Meta said on the day of the incident. Meanwhile, the violence in the northern city was followed by further violence in the streets of the capital, where the most serious incident was the police detention of PD chairman Sali Berisha. Page 2

The Balkan analyst comments on events in Albania Janush Bugajski, Director of the Southeast European Studies program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, commented on developments in Albania, particularly recent events, in an interview with “Voice of America.” Janusz Bugajski, Director of the Southeast European Studies program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, commented on developments in Albania, particularly recent events, in an interview with “Voice of America.” “It is worrying that there appear to be signs in Albania of disregard for the law, disorder, and the oppression of opposition members.” Page 4

Greece Page 7

Fails on the roads, sells out his associate Causes for the postponement of the contracts are being sought Fails on the roads, sells out his associate Meta: Nako is to blame Causes for the postponement of the contracts are being sought Pages 8, 9

The ship is detained at the Port Page 5