The head of state’s lawyers explain: “He is entitled to do so; under the law, he can remain in office for now” Berisha blocks Parliament The President insists: I will resign when I become an MP Dispute at the CEC. Deputy Chairman Klosi: “It’s absurd; he has blocked us from issuing the mandates” The politics behind the legal volleys Fatos Baxhaku TIRANA - “I will leave, but first I will also announce the new government.” “The President must resign now; otherwise, the Central Election Commission cannot announce the names of the candidates who have won seats through proportional representation.” As expected, the battle between the two parties has once again continued fiercely, even after the elections. This time, the country is waiting to see who will be the person to lead it on the road to normalisation. Both sides are bringing forward laws and complicated legal articles, each interpreting them in its own way. Meanwhile, the country waits, eyes and ears fixed on the news coming from a political scene that remains confused. People have understood that unless even the last problem—the head of state—is resolved, the country cannot begin functioning normally. Two questions immediately come to ordinary people’s minds as they try to find their bearings in this tangled web of legal accusations and counteraccusations. First, why is Berisha so determined to hold on to office until the very end? Second, why are the Socialists in such a hurry to remove him from the leadership of the state? In the second case, the answer is somewhat easier to guess. It can only be the Socialists’ fear of some “trick” by their old opponent. “We’ll be safer if we remove him before the government is formed,” the election winners must have thought. The answer to the first question seems much less clear. Sources TIRANA - “The new Parliament is being blocked.” The alarm has been sounded. Berisha and the Central Commission entered yesterday the second day of a dispute that has become fiercer since the 29 June elections. The President insists that he will resign only moments before taking up his parliamentary mandate. Meanwhile, the Election Commission is waiting for Berisha’s decision before announcing the final results. Above the parties, in fact, stands the law—or at least that is how it appears. According to the fundamental documents that serve in place of a Constitution, a President cannot also be an MP at the same time. Berisha’s lawyers say that the Commission has no right to rule on the mandates of future MPs, while the Commission’s chairman explains that mandates for MPs from the proportional-representation list are issued only by this Commission. And Berisha is one of them. On page 3 … for the socialists’ commitment to remove the state from their rule as soon as possible? “trick” by their longtime opponent. “We’ll be safer if we get him out before the government is formed,” the election signatories must have thought. The answer to the second question does not seem quite so clear. Sources at the Presidency informed the CEC yesterday that on the same day Berisha is sworn in as a deputy, he will resign from the country’s highest office. According to them, this is entirely within the laws in force. The country is frozen with fear as it is fought over, including by the fascists they have nurtured and by both sides. The ministries, the police, enterprises, customs, tax collectors and ordinary people are all waiting for the clash between the two big figures to end in favor of normality. Who will make the first move remains to be seen very soon, perhaps as early as today. Perhaps Nano will extend a hand just one day after the elections; perhaps he will be forced to accept Berisha’s presidential hand. Only the two of them together will be able to lead politics out of the labyrinth it has entered. Then, perhaps, the one who gains most will be the one who knows how to back down first. Sali Berisha Kondi, Secretary of the CEC

TIRANA - Nano gathers his people and closes ranks around his future Government. Together with the four secretaries of his party, Nano has once again reviewed the future line-up of those who will lead the country. The candidates one by one, the date of the Steering Committee meeting, the Government’s responsibilities and relations with the allies were all among the issues discussed by the Socialist Party, the main items at a meeting that lasted more than six hours. Marathon talks, with everyone once again keeping their secrets from the public yesterday. Sources within the party say its leaders are extremely concerned about the “delay” in the transfer of power. On the other hand, it seems the PS Steering Committee will not be able to vote on the ministers selected by Nano during these two weeks. This was one of the issues that sparked considerable controversy within the party’s ranks. Majko said yesterday that this body would meet at least two days after the Assembly meeting. The names of those slated to head the future ministries are also being discussed in the corridors of the PS. At the beginning of the year, Nano wants a brief presentation concerning the names and formation of the government, the dynamics of cooperation and the main points of the programme. Many say the PS has been excessively generous, and this is also the opinion of a good number of party activists, particularly Socialist supporters dissatisfied with the appointments that have been made. It has never been easier—and yet again—because even the PS does not seem at all certain about next week. This was perhaps one of the main reasons for yesterday’s meeting, which, not coincidentally, lasted until late afternoon. President Rexhep Mejdani Presidential Secretary Datë Gumenti Speaker of Parliament Skënder Gjinushi Prime Minister Fatos Nano Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Fino Minister attached to Nano Katsiot Islami Minister of the Interior Neritan Ceka State Secretary for Public Order Musa Ulqini Minister of Defence Sabri Godo State Secretary for Defence Perikli Teta Minister of Foreign Affairs Paskal Milo Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilir Meta Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Institutional Relations Arben Imami Minister of Health Leka Silo Minister of Education Et’hem Ruka Minister of Culture Arta Dade Minister of Transport Gaqo Apostoli General Minister, Energy Kurt Kola Minister of Economy and Privatisation Ylli Bufi Minister of Construction PS Minister of Justice Përparim Sanxhaku Minister of Agriculture Laftër Xhinove Artan Bizhga

“In Berat, we will not back down in the face of crime”

INTERVIEW / “Here are my relations with the Party” TIRANA - Meksi recounts his relations with the leaders of the DP. Just one day after the party’s Presidium meeting, one of its founders launches attacks against the party leadership. “That pseudo-DP, which does not respect those who worked for the party and created it, is not part of the party but is against it.” Attacking, while avoiding names and individual responsibility, the former Albanian Prime Minister believes that “no one has the right to malign my name and remain in the party alongside Aleksandër Meksi.” Attacked by everyone, criticised and talked about, Meksi does not forget to hit back, but also to make accusations. In any case, the former head of the executive and the DP cabinet says he knows a great deal and is waiting to see what developments may come at the Democratic Party’s autumn Congress. On page 2

A judge withdraws from Sude’s case A judge orders the courtroom cleared Protest at the trial: “Hold the proceedings” TIRANA - Sude’s clients protest in the courtroom. After the judges announced that they would postpone the trial yet again, dozens of clients in the courtroom protested, demanding that the trial not be delayed. Police intervened in the courtroom and removed all the “rebellious” clients, who nevertheless continued shouting outside the premises of the Tirana Court, where the trial is being held. The proceedings scheduled for yesterday were postponed after one of the members of the judicial panel, Fehmi Petku, asked to withdraw from hearing the case. The presiding judge, Gjin Gjona, said only that the Court of Appeal would now decide on the matter, but did not mention the reasons given by his colleague, who had asked to withdraw from the proceedings. In any case, the Court of Appeal will now decide. On page 3

THE HEAD OF THE POLICE back down in the face of crime” BERAT - “The operation we have undertaken in Berat is very delicate, and we will make every effort to avoid any confrontation with the armed population.” Deputy Interior Commander Bare commented yesterday on the mission of the special forces in Berat and said that the specialists would help reorganise the police station and its operations. Bare says that despite the grave situation that has arisen, almost all the crimes committed in the city have been recorded and their perpetrators are already known by name in police files. The special forces have been patrolling the city’s streets, and at last the city has found the peace it had dreamed of. No crime or extraordinary incident has occurred in the city over the past 48 hours. On page 5

ELBASAN - An attack on a criminal police officer. - An attack on a criminal police officer. Kristaq Bega was shot on the main boulevard by unknown persons on Tuesday evening. His body was found by two passers-by, who then notified the police. Bega was the commander of the anti-crime unit, and the reason for the burst of automatic gunfire directed at him is unknown. However, it is suspected that the crime was committed for motives related to his duties. On page 5

MIAMI—The police have still not apprehended him, but the identity of the killer of Italian fashion king Gianni Versace is now known. According to an FBI agent, the attacker, named Andrew Cunanan, is one of the most wanted criminals in the United States, and was so long before Versace’s murder. Miami police are convinced that the killer is still in the city. Cunanan, a serial killer and homosexual, is also wanted for other murders. It is still not known whether Cunanan had any romantic relationship with Versace, who was also homosexual. Meanwhile, Versace’s burial site has become a true place of tribute for all admirers of the famous fashion designer. Hundreds of candles and bouquets of flowers have been placed where Versace fell dead. On page 6 Naomi Campbell at Versace’s funeral (Photo: REUTERS)