Old adversaries come to terms over money Pollo and Majko urge their people to push through the parties law Vejsiu meets Angjeli and Çuçi. “The new law will shut down the parties” THE MONEY COMPROMISE Reze ar Xhaxhiu Democrats and socialists shake hands behind the curtain of Albanian politics. Two days ago, a secret agreement was reached between the leaders of the great “enemies” of Albanian politics. This time, the arrangement has brought Democrat Vejsiu and Socialist Angjeli to the same table. But the major directive came from Pollo’s and Majko’s offices, perhaps conceived even higher up by Berisha and Nano. For several days, perhaps not by chance, the spears on both the PS side and in the PD opposition camp were lowered, their tips left blunted, while behind closed doors and “in secret” the sides worked out an agreement. An agreement that will allow the political superpowers to continue feeding on the money they will receive from “Shqiptarët 2” and “Progresi”. The history of secret agreements between the two protagonists of Albanian politics goes back further. They have been made when both sides have been threatened by a common danger: the lack of money to survive, but also certain other “surprises” that had to be resolved by consensus between those who insult, label and attack one another, and then insult one another again—but this time in public and during election campaigns. The agreement on the Arbnori amendment, and another agreement on some parts of the election law: these have been the great secrets of the social-democrats, which, as a legacy, have been forgotten in the party press, but which have nevertheless been regarded as evidence of Albanian politics. But whereas the socialists and democrats failed to reach a shared victory in the two agreements mentioned above, the signing of the new law on the economic organization of their companies was achieved swiftly, and the credible days of May were consolidated from one leader to another, to the point that people began asking how we could possibly be adversaries. It seems, then, that what the blood spilled in Kosovo managed to achieve is indeed true: it brought Berisha and Majko together around a negotiating table, along with money—that of Molière, but also that of Marx and his followers—as if by magic. Just one special day of talks at a luxurious Tirana venue was enough for the offensive from both sides to give way, so they could work out the scheme for how the law would be rounded out, and how its blows would affect both sides. Just a few days earlier, the project’s author, Imami, had spoken sharply against the parties’ economic activities, since, according to him, these had led to violations and corruption. While the mere prospect of other companies, together with the PS, stirred up a commotion—“We will be left without such support,” some socialist economy conferences said—the Democrats remained timidly silent, thinking they might fall without having anything, and revealing their fear of new solutions, a technical government and the Democrats. It seems, then, that the old formula of money being given to an organization, with these additional benefits for the socialists and something for the Democrats too, was back in play. In the PD they say this was done to secure benefits and to appease the West and the East. But we should not forget that in all these parties, in the West or the East, people need a few more voices and a fair political contest, not buffoonery of the kind Albanian politics has brought us—sometimes like Hamsai, sometimes like the politics of 1920s Germany. In all this racket, the person unable to find their bearings is the ordinary Albanian: the party militant and the socialist or democratic voter. The next day, however, as our politicians quickly resume their political offensives and counteroffensives, people on the street—those who will go to the ballot boxes again tomorrow—ask how the great enemies can so easily lower their spears over a little money, setting aside their great principles and “noble” programmatic battles. This is precisely where the great divide begins: not only does it distance the people from their politics, and make the people turn away from their politics, but it also openly demonstrates the parties’ true intentions regarding this issue. It seems, then, that what the blood spilled in Kosovo managed to achieve is indeed true: it brought Berisha and Majko together around a negotiating table, along with money—

TIRANA - A secret agreement between the PS and PD. “Private activity by the parties must not be prohibited.” The two major forces in Albanian politics seem to have found common ground when it comes to agreeing on how they will obtain the money to support themselves. The plan was prepared by the leadership echelons of these parties through two senior officials, Genc Pollo and Pandeli Majko. The agreement consists of reaching, without debate, a compromise in Parliament to repeal the restrictions on funding sources imposed by the new law on political parties. Sources from the headquarters of the two rival parties in politics told us that Majko and Pollo found it very easy, through secret talks, to put an end to and reverse a bill submitted to Parliament by the Ministry of Legislative Reform. Not only that, but the agreement took full shape after talks between the Democratic mediator with the governing side, Veliu Vejsiu, and the socialist economic experts without official posts, Leontiev Çuçi and Anastas Angjeli. On page 3 Majko and Pollo together

INTERVIEW Servet Pëllumbi: Fatos Nano is disorienting our party “But Dritëroi was hasty...” Servet Pëllumbi “Nano disoriented the party by taking it to the right. The Socialist Party cannot govern alone. I am in favour of a coalition. The government must be supported. Dritëroi is essentially right, but I object to the language he used: it is popular, but does a lot of damage. Then he went outside the institutions.” On page 2

The Prosecutor’s Office responds to Meidani’s statement Agim Tirana: “Our people are underpaid.” What are we to do? TIRANA - “Corruption exists in the justice system.” Agim Tirana, Director General of Investigations, describes ways to fight corruption. For him, the challenge of dealing with violations and bribery among justice officials has begun, but greater financial support is needed. Two investigators against whom corruption has been proven were recently prosecuted. Those implicated must be replaced with qualified and honest people, but they must be paid. Lawyers’ salaries are not sufficient to turn capable lawyers into incorruptible prosecutors. More funding is certainly needed for this. “Let us receive at least 5 percent of the total amount seized from smuggling. That way, we will also rebuild the Prosecutor’s Office buildings that have been destroyed,” says the head of investigations at the General Prosecutor’s Office. On page 4

REPORTAGE SHKODËR - A large area of land [unclear] seems to have been filled with figures of death. Within one week, a total of five people have lost their lives, but the deaths have frightened the people of Mjeda, prompting local leaders to seek help from the military. On page 12

Vlora will elect its new mayor VLORA - Vlora will vote for its mayor before June of this year. This was announced by sources close to the local authorities. Meanwhile, the OSCE will conduct a census of the city’s population, which will assist with the elections. On page 7

Port taxes are driving traders away DURRËS - Tax revenues at the port of Durrës have fallen sharply. This is due to a collection of ships’ arrivals over the last two months [wording unclear]. Malaj criticized the work of the customs authorities at a meeting at the port yesterday. On page 8

The mystery of the murdered police officers SHKODËR - The killing of two police officers, [unclear wording concerning Saturday’s absence], is apparently leading investigators astray. After the victims, a new name has been added among the protagonists of the incident, which caused an immediate reaction in the northern city. Yesterday, according to the Ministry of the Interior, Sabri Gera, 34, from the village of Barbullush, was detained in Shkodër. On page 6

Additional floors are becoming dangerous TIRANA - Additional floors on apartment buildings pose a danger to residents’ lives. There is no old or new building in Tirana whose occupants do not try to find a way to deviate from the approved design. Buildings whose plans declare only five floors now rise almost to double-digit levels. The urge to expand the homes they have been allotted drives people to turn the rooftops above their heads into [unclear]. On page 5

TIRANA - “We have the overall strategy ready.” The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lufter Xhuveli, said at a press conference yesterday that the platform for the agricultural strategy, which aims to further develop the sector, will be presented in September 1998. According to Xhuveli, the strategy will proceed through several phases lasting until 2005. According to ATSH, $20 million was invested in agriculture during ’97, while the value of investments in ’98 will exceed $40 million. On page 9

Tomorrow the newspaper will take a day off, as will many of its daily counterparts. Eid al-Adha invites people to celebrate and to put their everyday troubles out of their minds for a few moments, although even celebrating can mean understanding hardship. The entire Editorial Staff wishes its Muslim readers, and everyone else wherever they may be, a happy holiday. We will take one day off in the hope that the next day you will once again want to buy our newspaper and seek your daily information from it. But, to create a little gap, we have decided to give you “a break” for at least a few hours on one day.