Bode: Yes to Majko’s proposal Nano Berisha On page 2

Skifter The secretary-general of the Democratic Party stated yesterday that Berisha might agree to a meeting with Nano, if the latter makes an official and sincere invitation and sets an acceptable agenda. Politicians of various kinds have for some time—even President Meidani himself, senior and junior officials, and party leaders with and without an electorate—been hoping that a simple handshake between Nano and Berisha could mend political relations and save Albania. After his release from prison, Nano said he was ready for primitive talks between the two leaders whom they had voted for. Berisha and Nano have missed many real opportunities to shake hands. The first came when Berisha came to power in 1992. But, under the banner of fighting communism, he waged a vicious, primitive campaign against his political opponents, reminding us of Haveli’s outburst: “There is no worse communist than the former communist who wants to become an anti-communist.” A year later, instead of shaking Nano’s hand and advancing the idea of inclusiveness, Berisha did the opposite, sending him to prison... Berisha, though, not as a former President but as an ordinary citizen; meanwhile, Berisha has never agreed to meet Nano, whom he has always regarded as a smuggler or common thief. But what impact could such a meeting have on Albanian politics at a time when the Democratic Party, led by Berisha, has boycotted Parliament and the Commission for Drafting the Constitution, and holds rallies every day calling for the overthrow of the government and Nano, while dismissing every constructive piece of advice from abroad? Would Berisha return to Parliament after such a meeting, would he cooperate sincerely in drafting the Constitution, and would he take part in the state’s legal institutions? In the situation Albania is in, such a meeting would be nothing but demagoguery: it would not only fail to calm the politicized passions of Albanians, but could even cause misunderstandings among the respective electorates, which, unfortunately, even at the lowest levels, reflect enmity-[?] Havelt’s expression, that “there is no worse communist than a former communist who wants to become an anti-communist.” Years later, instead of Berisha shaking hands with Nano and advancing the idea of inclusiveness, he did the opposite, sending him to prison in a trial that all international organizations labeled politically orchestrated. This act would not only make a handshake in the future difficult, but also once again split Albanian society into two primitive camps: us and them. Perhaps the second opportune moment to shake hands came after the massacre of March 9 last year. But once again the sides were far apart, accusing each other of destroying Albania and showing no sign of remorse or guilt for the chaos that had occurred. The failure to address last year’s events and the total fog that still hangs over March ’97 have once again left Albanians in two opposing camps. The electorate of the Democratic Party seriously believes that Nano is responsible for Albania’s destruction, while the socialist electorate believes that Berisha is responsible. Unless an independent inquiry brings about genuine transparency, the Nano-Berisha meeting will be seen more as a meeting to strike dirty deals than as an enlightening and positive meeting.

KOSOVO / Testimony of the Austrian journalist that shocked the world Residents of Rahovec accompanied the journalist from the Viennese daily “Die Presse” to the outskirts of the town. From there, he says he saw the mass graves where 567 Albanians had been buried, including 430 children. The graves are about 700 metres from the town and had previously served as a rubbish dump. On page 4

TIRANA - Agolli opposes Pëllumbi over the Extraordinary Congress that will vote on Nano. “I don’t think it makes sense to convene; perhaps an extended conference or meeting should be held,” said the most popular figure in the Socialist Party. On the other hand, Pëllumbi has signed the request on behalf of the entire Socialist Secretariat. Yesterday the professor insisted on the proposal to hold a vote on Nano, while also agreeing to the meeting. Agolli On page 3

INTERVIEW “Albanian politics still has a primitive character.” Having returned from a visit to the USA, the Minister of Public Works and Transport thus gives his first official response to the attacks made against him during his absence. Apostoli was accused of being a Government witness and it was even said that he had gone to America without permission. Apostoli On page 2

Ceka responds: That is not enough; customs officers must go too After the Prime Minister’s accusations that law enforcement was involved in smuggling The new police chiefs will be on probation. Minister Teta explains that if they fail to deliver the expected results, police station chiefs will be dismissed, even if they have only been in the job for a short time. This could be a weapon against corruption and collusion between police commanders and organized crime. Operations in the northeastern area will meanwhile be more frequent, to protect the lives of Kosovar refugees and ensure aid reaches them. Meanwhile, former Interior Minister Ceka has defended the law-enforcement personnel who are soon to be dismissed, accused of smuggling. According to him, behind the 33 police directors there must also be 33 customs officers. Ceka has once again resumed his attacks on the heads of Customs, whom he considers chiefly responsible for smuggling. Police during an anti-smuggling operation

PYRAMID SCHEMES/Why only 10 percent of the amount will be returned What happened? How did it come about that the 12 pyramid schemes crumbled along the way, losing not only their prestige, luster and fanfare, but also property assets and liquidity worth 200–300 million dollars? On page 9 From the usury-scheme protests in Vlorë

The “secretary” of cinema TIRANA—The renowned Albanian film actor Stavri Shkurti has passed away. A few words on Albanian television conveyed the news; today, his friends and relatives are gathering in Korçë to pay their final respects. He died in Thessaloniki, Greece, after spending some time on Greek soil. His portrait, with a face almost carved in stone, made him well suited to the positive roles of socialist realism. Many may remember his role as the party secretary in the successful film “The Lady from the City” and in “A Female Friend from the Village.” The characters he portrayed also conveyed what Stavri carried within him: a good man. Stavri Shkurti died at the age of 71. Stavri Shkurti

Police during an anti-smuggling operation

On page 8