Meksi: Homes for the homeless. The bank: No home without a mortgage Pages 9, 12, 13

No one could have imagined that Albania, too, could prove capable of such democratic perseverance. Now, after at least a month of crisis, it is more than clear that the Democratic Party in power is under siege—indeed, under a fivefold siege. First, it is surrounded by a total economic impasse. The entire pyramid-scheme scandal evolved into a complete and dramatic collapse of Albania’s economic pillars, showing that our transition to a market economy was simply an illusion and that, over five years in power, the Democratic Party’s rulers had done nothing but build an empire of corruption and economic crime. Albanians had voiced this observation through the opposition and independent intellectuals, but “geostrategic interests” would not allow it to come to light. The DP is especially surrounded by a vast sea of protests and, above all, an ocean of discontent. If you follow the slogans of the outraged demonstrators in Vlora, Fier, and elsewhere, you will also see the reasons. First, they show the discrediting and bankruptcy of DP governance. Second, they show the fall of President Berisha’s image and the dumping of all this people’s troubles onto his shoulders. He may feel happy amid the storm of applause from a few hundred people dependent on the state budget at the TOB, but that will not save him from total political destruction if he fails to make the about-face that even the most mediocre person in this group could make. The opposition has imposed the third siege on the Democratic Party. It emerged weak from last year’s two electoral battles and from the government’s manoeuvres to undermine them. This may have kept it from initially leading the popular revolt, but that does not seem to matter. It managed to unite, in the interests of the Albanian nation, with the Forum for Democracy, and is emerging as the soundest alternative for saving the country from a backward cataclysm and the repetition of a “year of calamity.” But the fifth siege appears fatal for the Democratic Party and the regime it established in Albania. It seemed Albania would once again be left alone during this year of great democratic upheavals in the Balkans. But that was not the case. The consistency, determination and, above all, clarity of American diplomacy finally convinced the European Union that a poor Albania—and especially one with a degraded regime that was transforming the country into a Colombia of Europe—could not be left to its own devices. First France, then Italy, and finally Germany clearly distanced themselves from the government and President Berisha, calling on them to ensure transparency and respect the will of the people and the principles of democracy. It seems the West understood that Albania’s strategic position in the Balkans did not mean that a strong regime and an anar[chic] state should be tolerated. A state... where law does not rule, but anarchy. It was observed... If such a state, with a strong regime in Tirana, could lead to a Kosovo adventure, it could threaten to explode in Belgrade as well. That is precisely why it seems that Albania’s file was present at all of her meetings. Albright in Rome, Bonn, Paris and London—and it can be said with certainty that it is the American position that is saving Albanians and democracy in Albania. VLADIMIR PRELA

On 20 February, Thursday, the Forum for Democracy is organizing a large peaceful rally to mark the sixth anniversary of the overthrow of the communist dictatorship. We call on all the people, students, school pupils, intellectuals, the unemployed, trade unionists, merchants, etc., to gather in “Skënderbej” Square to protest against any form of totalitarian government, against every violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and against fraud, theft and violence. FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY

DEMOCRATIC PARTY TIRANA BRANCH MR. GANI PADRIA At the “GJALLICA” company Following the conclusion of the 26 May elections, as well as the local elections, we have not been within the required parameters; therefore, we ask you to help us by sponsoring us. Thanking you in advance: For the Democratic Party, Tirana Branch S.ECRETARY Prof. Dr. Shaban Memia CHAIRMAN Albert Brojka Do Berisha, Meksi, Memia and Brojka know whose these signatures and stamp are?

Starting Thursday, 20 February, the newspaper “Koha Jonë” will also be published daily in English. Number of pages: 8 Price: USD (420 LEKË)