Agolli chairs the formal session. Pollo is denied the floor to make a statement about the protest Ilir Berisha; Nano returns The President resigns. Parliament meets for only 10 minutes The tangle is resolved. And the head of state’s final message to the people: “I defended the DP’s alternative” During yesterday’s parliamentary session (Photo: Plator Ilo) TIRANË - Farewell, President. Sali Berisha announced yesterday to the Albanian people that he was stepping down as head of state. “I remain unwavering in my decision to continue my political and parliamentary life afterward.” Setting out the reasons for his resignation, Berisha once again reminded Albanians that “in these five years they achieved more for themselves and their families than ever before.” A few hours later, in a country without a President, the first session of the new parliament convened. It was Dhritëro Agolli who opened the ceremonial part of the session. In his speech, the poet Agolli announced that “at last the doors of the new parliament have opened.” According to Agolli, “we arrive with tired smiles, but not frozen ones.” Gen. Bono wanted to make a statement, but was not allowed to do so by the chair of the session. “I reject the procedures,” Agolli reminded Pollo, telling him that he could be given the floor at another session.

YESTERDAY, THE STEERING COMMITTEE TIRANË - The Socialists divided up the positions of power, but the debate on voting for the future ministers in the new government was more limited than at its largest forum. Nano’s opponents insisted that the vote of confidence for the new government should first take place within the party. But the majority has made a concession this time as well. The vote for the country’s new leaders will take place in Parliament. This was decided yesterday at a meeting of the Steering Committee of the party that won the 29 June elections. Yesterday Nano did not read out or vote on any ministerial names, but told his own side that he would be Prime Minister, that Fino would be his Deputy, and that Mejdani was the undisputed candidate for President. Dokle and Majko have also received their posts. THE COUNTRY’S NEW LEADERS President — Rexhep Mejdani Prime Minister — Fatos Nano Deputy Prime Minister — Bashkim Fino Deputy Speaker of Parliament — Namik Dokle Chairman of the Parliamentary Group — Pandeli Majko Deputy chairman for political affairs — Luan Hajdaraga Deputy chairman for economic affairs — Eduard Aksuhi Deputy chairman for legal affairs — Zef Zeka Secretary-General of the group — Hamdi Sejko Laws Commission — Femi Abduli Foreign Affairs Commission — Sabri Godo Economy Commission — Anastas Angjeli Agriculture Commission — PSD Education Commission — E. D. H. tha e Bashkuar Media Commission — Musa Ulqini Labour Commission — Shpëtim Golemi Defence Commission — Luan Hajdaraga Public Order and Security Commission — Namik Dokle Representative to the Council of Europe — Jonuz Bega Representative to the OSCE — Arlindit Sotirani Representative to the Inter-Parliamentary Union — Agim Fagu Representative to the North Atlantic [organization] — Ilir Zela Representative to D. D. në Z. — Servet Pallumbi Representative to the European Parliament — Bashkim Zoneli Enver Roci On page 2

Residents are abandoning the ancient city of Berat. A large number of young people have left, on their own, in recent weeks. What remains behind is only the ashes of war and the corpses of the unrest. It is as if the Ottoman armies no longer pass through this city of the colonists. In fact, even back then the people of Berat did not abandon their city. But the Turks among themselves seem to have been more brutal and dangerous than an attack by a foreign army. A few days ago, special forces from “Brisku” had also entered, as had other special units of the Ministry. “We will not withdraw without restoring order”—this is what the Ministry’s top officials had confirmed. But the next day the police cars were directed toward Tiranë. And once again, that was all there was to it. Why did they leave? The police officers from all the units themselves say they know nothing. “They told us they were leaving, so we left, that’s all.” But they themselves recount what they left behind: “Women who were standing in the street, crying as they waved us goodbye. ‘Welcome, boys, we can see you here.’” But the journalists told them that people’s spirits had been crushed, and the women had had to cry from grief. After this, the city once again fell under the control of the gangs. All together, they form a circle around the attacks. Today someone is trying to find a way out. Someone says the place has become Palermo, Chicago in the 1920s, or the era of the gangs of the 18th century. It does not matter what name one gives it, but one thing is certain. After seven months of terror, people can no longer live in this situation. Their cities, neighbourhoods and homes have become hell for them too. In February, when revolts broke out in Albania, Berat was the city that burned the most, with more homes and hospitals burned than anywhere else. And the Turks burned it. Since then, no institution has been able to raise its head. The only ones exercising power are the gangs, which have divided up the neighbourhoods, fight among themselves, rob people and leave victims behind during the day. At least 210 people have been killed during this time. This month alone, 15 people have been killed and 118 others wounded—figures reported by ATSH. But now the biblical march of catastrophe has begun as well. They are leaving their homes. They obtain visas and go abroad, or take shelter with relatives in less troubled cities. When has this ever happened?! Whoever has occupied this country, no one has ever left Albania; now, however, people are leaving. And this seems like more than a terrible ending. While paying tribute to and lining up the police walls in Tiranë, perhaps it should be remembered that Albania is not only Parku Rinia, not only Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit or Tiranë. While here in the capital people go out for an evening stroll, let it not be forgotten that in many towns in the south and north people lock themselves inside their homes—not to mention those abandoning their homes—as early as three in the afternoon. Mentor Kikla

INTERVIEW Arbnori recounts: “How I led…

AFTER THE NEWS ABOUT THE REPEAT ELECTIONS A police officer is killed in Koplik SHKODËR - Attack on the Koplik police station building. As Wednesday was dawning, two people whose identities have not yet been disclosed fired bullets into the building’s façade. According to initial information, the act is connected with the bloody events surrounding the elections in Zone 4 of Dushkajnint. On voting day, two Socialist commissioners were killed in one of the villages in this zone. The incident shook thousands of voters, causing voting to be halted at many polling stations in Zone 4. As a result of the attack, police officer Fran Murri, 28, was killed while on duty at the entrance to the station. Immediately after this criminal act, police forces pursued the perpetrators, but without success. The two criminals, who were in a car, sped away into the darkness of the night. Yesterday morning, a group of forensic experts arrived in Koplik from Shkodra; they are investigating the circumstances and cause of the attack. Meanwhile, in accordance with the Constitutional Court’s decision, voting will take place on Sunday at 14 polling stations in Zone 4. The candidates facing one another will be PS candidate Lek Çukaj and DP candidate Ali Spahia. The Socialists of Shkodër insist that the elections need to be repeated at only five polling stations. After the runoff, it seemed that Spahia would win, but KOZ declared the Socialist candidate Çukaj the winner. Only several days later did the DP file a complaint with the Constitutional Court, thereby winning the right to hold voting in 14 zones. Everything will be decided next Sunday. Artan Kopliku

People from Fier attack Lushnje

INTERVIEW Arbnori recounts: “How I led Parliament” TIRANA - Pjetër Arbnori recounts leading the Assembly. Boycotts, tensions, insults and debates. In his interview, the former Speaker of Parliament also recalled the most difficult moments of his political career. Yet, according to Pjetër Arbnori, the Albanian Parliament is regarded as mild, even though there have been insults and slurs in it. In his view, his greatest regret remains the failure to pass the Constitution in both legislatures over which he presided. Arbnori believes that he tried to make this his duty. “I only have an ‘m’,” he says; he has been attacked and praised by both the government and the opposition. Arbnori remembers his wife, Suzana, who was very happy when he lost. “Now she’ll have me closer,” says her husband Pjetër. On page 2

LUSHNJE - The Fier gangs attack Lushnje. LUSHNJE - Gangs from Fier attack Lushnje. The Fier gangs arrived in the Myzeqe town in the morning and began terrorizing the population. Gunfire was heard near the hospital, where the biggest battle also took place. The toll of the fighting was four dead—three from among the people of Lushnje—as well as a large number of wounded, some of them innocent passersby. The cause of the battle was connected to an incident that had occurred on Monday on the Lushnje–Rrogozhinë road. A person was in the car, masked by several unknown individuals. One of the victims was also a man from Fier, for whom his companions sought revenge in Lushnje. The wave of violent fighting also engulfed the hospital, where a large number of patients took up Kalashnikovs to defend themselves. On page 5

PROMISES SUPPORT FOR FOOTBALL TIRANA - The crack of Kalashnikovs has touched the Emperor of Football, Franz Beckenbauer, also known as “Kaiser Franz”. The number one figure in German football himself has shown concern for our football. “Full support for Albanian sport,” he declared. How much is a football feeling worth? For fans it is everything, even more than any other joy in life on many occasions. For everyone else, it is entertainment, time spent in the warehouse of the round ball, but for us today it has a different meaning. Everyone hopes that sport will deliver the message that others have been unable to deliver: peace and harmony. We live in Albania, but expect others to give this to us. We have played three matches abroad because of unsuitable security conditions and the danger, and we may have to move even the match against Ireland to Spain. We have tried hard to convince them that things are calm, but have achieved our aim only to a limited extent. Only the opportunities available have, to some extent, helped dispel that bleak image that all Albania does is fight. And if a small, modest group of artists and sports journalists can send the message from within, a stronger voice is needed in the European arena. This time, the Germans have taken the reins. “I have followed the events in Albania with interest. I am pleased by the improvement in the current situation in your country and hope that things will return to normal as soon as possible. Within all our possibilities and all our influence in UEFA, we will support Albanian football.” This was the essence of the conversation between our ambassador in Germany and the president of the German Football Federation, Edigius Braun. But he was not the only one. In these difficult days, when politics has cast its claws over all aspects of Albanian life, including football, and there is hope that it will be so, the greatest figure of all time, Franz Beckenbauer, has remembered to stand by Albania and the Albanians. Alongside the German Kaiser are all the players of the European champion national team. “As a sign of gratitude to the wonderful public, to Albanian sport and athletes, we are sending you two jerseys signed by the entire German national team.” This was essentially the message delivered to our embassy in Bonn, which, besides showing respect, also conveyed that sport in Albania still exists. “Allow me, in my own name, to convey warm greetings to all Albanian sports fans from the national team coach Berti Vogts, the national team captain, Jurgen Klinsmann, and especially from Franz Beckenbauer, who has just taken up the position of vice-president of the organizing committee for the 2006 World Cup.” This is the best news, which will undoubtedly encourage people to strengthen our support; we hope they will join hands and hope that the match against Ireland will be played in Tiranë. “We thank Mr. Edigius Braun for his initiative in supporting Albania. Naturally, we want to play in Albania and in front of our public, and if this happens, we will be grateful to everyone. It has been a good thing for all Albanians.” This was the first reaction of our national team coach Haffiz after hearing the news that the German Federation supports ours. Dritan Lundra

Franz Beckenbauer and Rummenigge

How Albania sank to its present blood-soaked state. Reflections from Merxhani to Vargas Llosa On page 8