CONSTITUTION On page 3

Spartak Ngjela For 7 years, Albanian politics has continually been talking and talking about the constitution. At this moment, it seems, despite major divisions and inconsistencies, something may be achieved regarding the drafting and adoption of an Albanian constitution. Without going into the question of the weaknesses of Albanian constitutionalism in general, from the current discussion about whether or not to provide for a senate in the constitution, it is not difficult to understand that once again political motives are what dominate and condition the normal progress of the constitutional process. In truth, a constitution is in itself a compromise, a relationship between the organization of the state and the rights of the individual in a society. Within the constitution, as part of the mechanism of governance, the two chambers of parliament are the point that, as a tendency, should eliminate passions when it is qip[t?]are has the possibility of institutionally structuring internal cohesion, so that it is not so threatened by the two dangers that have menaced it for decades: Dictatorship and Anarchy. I think the time has come for us to become clear-headed and understand that a democracy not institutionally structured leads either to dictatorship or to anarchy. Precisely for this reason, we must not forget that if we once again seek the rescue of society from the danger of anarchy in dictatorship, not only will we once again offer a historical[?] testimony to our inability, but, looking also at the regional situation around us, we will cause the loss of our freedom once more. The freedom of the individual in a state cannot be conceived unless the law is the center of gravity around which politics must revolve, while the functioning of the law is the- are points that, as a tendency, should eliminate passions when it comes to the law. But today we still cannot understand that the new constitution of a country, or the establishing of a constitution, is neither a weapon to be used to protect political power nor a means of acquiring that power. The conflict that stands out in this issue today seems to be of this kind, because the majority wants absolute calm in holding on to power and fears oversight through a senate. And the opposition? The opposition has latched onto a Western constitutional tradition and, although it suits it as a way of breaking the majority’s absolutism, ultimately its tendency is in keeping with the spirit of structuring a legislative power within the concepts of the democratic tradition. In any case, it must understand that we suffer from the defects of immediacy and are always afraid of the future. That is why, over these seven years, Albanian politics has remained hostage to immediate passion, forcing all Albanian society to appear, at this time of the permanent evolution of Western civilization, unstructured, with people who day by day lose perspective, and society also… [text continues in the adjacent column] conceived if the law is not the functioning of the law necessarily depends on an institutional structure. And so, in this regard, it is once again the political passion to hold on to power at all costs that is preventing us from understanding that the two chambers of Parliament are merely a step forward in terms of compromise as a key element in advancing social emancipation. It is impossible for a society to become emancipated toward modern civilization without an emancipated political class, which must be built in the spirit of the modern state. We always lose time and forget that we have already lost a great deal; if we are unable to understand that the passion for power has deprived society of its freedom and the state of its institutions, then we will accomplish nothing even at this end of the century, despite having seen ourselves just over a year ago on the very brink of total destruction. Therefore, we can rightly say that today’s conflict over the Senate as a parliamentary chamber is not a conflict of legal principles, but a political conflict fueled by the passion for power. Any new institution that seeks to extinguish political passions in favor of a reasonable approach to the state is, regardless, a positive moment in the history of building the modern Albanian state.

OPINION / Today’s politicians confronted with the figure of Lumo Skëndo Aurel Plasari The reading of the thought of an active thinker, such as L. Skëndo, can be undertaken in more than one way. If one starts from the typological specifics of this thought, without disregarding literary and historiographical texts, Albanological observations, official and private correspondence, etc., one can undertake a discursive reading of the writings in which he approaches the phenomena of Albanian society, particularly its collective dimensions—that is, treating the Albanian social fact as a group, system, or structure. These include texts such as How Poor Albania Is Today and How It Could Be Saved from This Poverty (“Kalendar Kombiar,” 1900); Let Us Hope Only in Our Own Volumes (“Kalendar Kombiar,” 1914); Facts[?] and Lessons (“Delli,” 1915); Hope and Work (“Delli,” 1916); Letter on a Journey to Switzerland (Sofie 1915); Do me ftuar and found the cure for Continued on page 12

Secret talks with the leaders of the Division and the northern police CIA agents arrive at the border Two military helicopters land them in Kukës American experts observe the fire zone of the North, but no details have emerged from this meeting. Not even from the Albanian side. Sources at the American embassy in Tirana have not commented on the visit. On page 4 Rugova and Hollbruk yesterday in Prishtina (Photo: ANSA)

After the burial LUSHNJE - Massacre at the funeral luncheon. A mysterious killing on Monday night in the Martyrs’ Cemetery was followed by an even graver crime. Four masked men opened fire in bursts at the venue where the family members were having the funeral luncheon after burying the young man. One person killed and nine wounded, two of them seriously. Police believe it was revenge between rival gangs, since the first victim had been found with a mask on his head. On page 8

TIRANA - Drinking water will arrive somewhat differently in Tirana this summer. The Ministry of Health said yesterday that this would be done in order to avoid problems caused by long periods of stagnation in drinking-water pipes. We may drink less water this summer, but, according to the Ministry, we can be sure it will be cleaner than the dangerous liquid we drank as water in previous years. The schedules will change, and at some point there may even be penalties. On page 5

The Parliamentary Committee on the Economy discussed the draft law on pyramid schemes yesterday. Jemin Gjana had prepared a long list of questions for the chairman of the Supervisory Council, Farudin Arapi. The final date has been set, after which any dealings with borrowing firms will be considered illegal, and those who withdrew their money after that date will have to return it. MP Jemin Gjana said that the PD does not agree with this draft law and has drawn up another one, which it will soon submit to Parliament. Arapi explained that the distribution of money will begin with the small firms, while the sale of properties will be awaited for the others. On page 9

VLORË — Five inflatable boats and a speedboat were the first “victims” of the “Guardia di Finanza” off the coast of Vlorë. But more than 200 clandestine migrants managed to reach the coast of Puglia. The latter were caught, while the number of people who managed to break through the Italian cordon remains unclear. According to ANSA, 206 people were caught on the coast and inland, most of them Albanians, but also people of other nationalities. 159 people, including Albanians, Iraqis and citizens of Bangladesh, were detained at various times throughout Monday evening. On page 7

TIRANË — Albania is still anxious about taking part in the European Cups. Although two weeks have passed since the Task Force inspection, there is still no official announcement regarding the conclusions of their “visit”. Recent events in our championship, and especially the scandalous state of the stadium pitches, have compelled the UEFA commission to come urgently to Albania to inspect conditions. Although they watched two matches at “Qemal Stafa”, they do not appear to be fully convinced about holding European competitions in our country. It all comes down to the condition of the pitches. Apart from Tirana’s stadium, none of the others can be called a stadium, let alone a pitch on which players can keep control of the ball, much less think about tactical formations. On page 11

The list of 47 people On page 11

SHKODËR — Minister Perikli Teta travelled to Shkodër yesterday to find a compromise over the police building. Previous disputes and the white coats’ ultimatum had left everything unresolved. The minister spoke for about an hour in the office of Prefect Laskë Juka. Police director Pjerin Ndreu was also present, together with other local and law-enforcement authorities, but journalists were not admitted. On page 6

VLORË — Illegal construction is confounding the police. The authorities’ powers are unclear, and meanwhile no one takes responsibility for resolving the problems of a citizen affected by it. Vlora specialists in this field say that the laws in force favor illegal construction instead of preventing it. Meanwhile, as many as 177 such constructions are flourishing in Vlorë, and the two police forces—the construction police and the regular police—are unable to act against them. On page 7

DURRËS — The governing coalition will field a PAD candidate in the Shijak municipal elections, while the PD has 10 candidates ready to enter the race. As the elections draw closer, the names of the candidates for mayor remain a mystery, but at least the left-wing parties have agreed on which party they will represent in this town, which until recently was in the hands of the “Blues”. Its chairman has so far been an appointed representative of Balli, who may enter the race again as a candidate in the new elections. On page 8

Rugova and Hollbruk yesterday in Prishtinë (Photo: ANSA)