Meidani-Nano shake hands at the birthday celebration
On the 5th anniversary of the Albanian Gazette
Meidani and Nano during the celebration (Photo: Hektor Pustina)
Linda Spahia
Meidani and Nano shake hands with each other at the “birthday celebration.” The Head of State and the head of the Executive have observed the rules of the political game in an atmosphere where people were celebrating, but also working. It really was the 5th anniversary of the Albanian Gazette, but the journalists and photojournalists could not remain indifferent. Many of them, friends and colleagues from other dailies, were there to see the meeting between the two leading figures, who in recent days have occupied the front pages of newspapers. In the halls of the Rogner Hotel, journalists, politicians, state officials (not forgetting the bodyguards) clinked glasses, as happens at a birthday celebration.
But attention could not help focusing on what would happen between Nano and Meidani. The Prime Minister placed his hand in a friendly way on the shoulder of his former counterpart, once chairman of the DP, who in political parlance is called the moderate wing of the DP. Shehu and Brojka were the only representatives of the DP present at the celebration. But while the mayor preferred not to get too involved in “public relations,” Shehu shook hands with none other than the DP’s number-one enemy. The Republican Godo was friendly and attentive, shaking hands with everyone present. The appearance of Edi Rama with Arta Dade could hardly go unnoticed. This was due not only to the tall stature of the painter-publicist and the minister’s grace, but also to the signatures that in recent days have linked the names of these people, who had not previously been presented together. Rama, wearing a sporty outfit—
RAMA-DADË: A BIG EMBRACE
Edi Rama and Arta Dade at the “Rogner” (Photo: Hektor Pustina)
TIRANA - No sign of jealousy between Edi Rama, the new Minister of Culture awaiting appointment by Meidani, and Arta Dade, the current Minister. At the “Albanian Gazette” birthday celebration held yesterday afternoon at the “Rogner,” the two colleagues met just as they had before, paying no attention to the recent changes in the Government or what the press had been saying about them.
Rama and Dade spent a few entirely relaxed moments together, making a strong impression at the G.SH. fifth-anniversary ceremony. By contrast, two other rivals who are vying for the Defense portfolio, Hajdaraga and Brokaj, were absent; they were not seen yesterday at the “Rogner” gathering. This made just as strong an impression as the peace between Rama and Dade.
The state (not forgetting the bodyguards, either) clinked glasses, as happens at a birthday party. between Nano and Meidani. The Prime Minister arrived first, together with his wife. After that, reporters and photojournalists waited for the President to arrive. Ten minutes later, just as scheduled, the President arrived. Nano walked over to Meidani and shook his hand. Photojournalists, cameramen and reporters hurried to take pictures or point their cameras, a commotion that had by now become very familiar to them. The handshake between the two leading figures lasted longer than courtesy—and the situation, unquestionably—would suggest. At the end of the celebration, Nano spoke in the presence of the other names remaining from his cabinet. For the political meeting between Nano and Meidani, that day, two days later, the mediation of the American ambassador Lino had been needed. She, too, was at the party, but, to tell the truth, she arrived after the handshake and smiles had already been captured on film. Our newspaper and its celebration had served as mediators for this formal meeting. The two senior statesmen praised the newspaper and its work. “I would like to encourage you and all Albanian journalists in general in this mission: You are closer to the people, and therefore can be more effective than the other segments of the country’s political and social life.” Nano, meanwhile, chose to speak more briefly, saying, “I am shorter than the President.”
Everyone was friendly, but they tried not to end up standing too close to one another. That was how the party went among the other groups of politicians, divided along the usual lines of “government” and “opposition.” The meeting between Tritan Shehu and Fatos Nano was an exception.
… Edi Rama’s meeting with Arta Dade. Not only because of but because of the signatures that, in recent days, have brought together the names of these people, who perhaps had not been introduced before. Rama, dressed casually in a way that makes it hard to imagine him in a caricature, and the minister, Dade, with her characteristic finesse, smiled for the photojournalists, although perhaps they hesitated for a moment, in case they might end up switching places. Despite it being a celebration, none of those present could escape their own positions. Paskal Milo was the first to greet Archbishop Anastas. Mariza Lino congratulated the newspaper, but first greeted Godo and then the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo.
Farudin Arapi met Arben Malaj, and surely someone else with whom figures and coefficients were discussed. Arben Imami could not forget the Constitution, just as Gjinushi could not forget the next parliamentary elections. Apostoli wished that at least in the Rogner’s premises nobody would remember the potholes. Also absent from the party was the most regular reader of Gazeta Shqiptare, who competes with the newspaper’s archive and the National Library’s collection. In the newspaper’s own pages, Sokol Dibar has not missed a single issue. After all, this is what we want: to have people who read us and respect our work. At the end of his speech, Meidani recalled that “ultimately, the age of the free press is also the age of democracy.” And perhaps politicians should remember that when they complain about the press, just as newspapers should remember it when they talk about politicians. We are in a race with one another, striving to achieve civic and professional responsibility. Perhaps it is one of the few races which, if its goal is achieved, leaves no one a loser.