The Transparency Commission informs Parliament about the investigations into VEFA Pages 3, 11

The Democratic Party gave the first signal the day before yesterday that it has no intention of taking part in the June elections. According to the party’s newly elected secretary, Genc Pollo, the PD cannot participate in the vote in areas where rescue committees exist. This statement, made immediately after the meeting of the National Council, at which President Berisha expelled the last “rebels” who opposed him, reveals the PD’s capable plans regarding the holding of elections under an agreement that it itself also signed on 9 March. The arming of the population following the opening of military depots in early March is one of the most pressing problems that the Government of National Reconciliation must resolve. Having won Parliament’s confidence, Prime Minister Fino declared that beginning the collection of weapons was a priority for his cabinet. During a month in government, the government has made several attempts to begin this extremely difficult operation, whose success will ultimately depend on many factors. The functioning of local government, the organization of police stations, the effectiveness of the state administration, and the presence of foreign military troops appear likely to determine the collection of the frightening quantity of weapons in the hands of civilians and children. But the issue of weapons cannot be used as a political card, much less viewed through the lens of a regional conflict. When he talks about the committees in the south, Pollo localizes the problem, as though northern Albania had not opened its weapons depots. Although he himself is also a deputy from the South (Pollo did not respond to the government’s appeal to go to his area in Përmet), the PD secretary general continues to incriminate an entire population, speculating about the issue of weapons, which is in fact a nationwide problem for Albania. It is not only the rescue committees that possess weapons. In Laç, three days ago, a group of children entered an ammunition tunnel without permission; it exploded, killing two of them. This news report shows that all Albanians have taken and used weapons. To speculate about this means sabotaging a historic agreement signed by three senior PD representatives: Berisha, Shehu and Vejsiu. In the circumstances in which Albania finds itself, conditions cannot be set for taking part in the elections. What would happen if, for example, the opposition had made it a condition on 9 March—for example, the opposition had made it a condition on 9 March—to determine the status of SHIK and RTV before putting its signature to the agreement? The collection of weapons is first and foremost a matter of public order, and in the Government of Reconciliation, public order is the responsibility of a minister from the PD. If the Democrats want to contribute to collecting weapons and, more generally, to restoring public order, they should do so first and foremost through their people in the coalition government. Otherwise, any complaints about anarchy and disorder would sound demagogic. Political forces now have the opportunity to note how the president’s party is beginning to change course, as parliamentary elections loom on the horizon.

The Italian soldiers of the mission disembark yesterday at the port of Durrës Photo G.Shkullaku The Italian soldiers of the mission disembark yesterday at the port of Durrës. Photo G.Shkullaku

Andreatta inspects the peacekeeping forces Page 2

The “rebels” reopen the schools Page 6