The president, an enemy of the press, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists in the United States. Alongside him, Cuba’s Castro Page 3 Gjirokastër Deputy Prosecutor Pasho: SHIK had spread its tentacles everywhere. Berisha must go

BY FRROK ÇUPI We can say that the opposition died twice: The first time, it died of its own accord, complaining that “Berisha is oppressing us and the people are not following us.” This death was interrupted when the portrait and major phenomenon of Vlora appeared in Albania. Vlora revived the Albanian political opposition, while also reviving Albanian civic life, which seeks to emerge from the village and become a state. In this sense, Vlora represents all of Albania. For the second time, the opposition is feeling death approaching, certain and final, now that it is turning its back on Vlora. It began turning its back at the moment when the opposition surrendered at Berisha’s table on 9 March, moving only from opposition into a position of power. That day, faced with the choice of serving Vlora and Albania or serving Berisha’s polished table, the opposition chose the latter. At present, Albania’s life is in a state of alarm and deadly strain, because a great gulf has opened up between the Vlora phenomenon and the political opposition, with Berisha standing in it. The latter both threatens Vlora, telling it not to be the civic-minded Albanian city that it is, and cajoles or lashes the opposition in order to make it distance itself from Vlora. Beaten down or browbeaten by Berisha, the opposition is swearing these days that “For the sake of God, for the sake of the DP, we have nothing to do with Vlora.” On the other hand, it swears to Vlora that “we love you; we have come to you for weddings and funerals, as well as for the beach.” However, Albanian political life currently has two major definitions: The first is that Vlora is, in fact, all of Albania and not some separate part of it. All Albanian citizens share the same dissatisfaction with Berisha’s government, which they no longer want to see on the throne. The second definition is this: Without Vlora, there can be no spirit of protest, no civic life, no state and no government. In other words, no opposition. Why has the opposition turned its back on Vlora? The simplest reason is that while the opposition wants seats, Vlora and Albania want elections and progress. Seats can be found even in dark corners, whereas progress is out in the sunlight. Another reason is that the opposition, frightened and [covetous?], was not capable enough to demand and carry out rescue operations, but instead sought to operate on Dr. Berisha’s government using only local anaesthetic. The third reason the opposition is afraid of Vlora (that is, Albania) is that it has not received permission from foreign diplomacy. By this logic, Berisha had received diplomats’ permission to rob and abuse the people. What is more, this would mean that foreign diplomacy had decided that Vlora should be in the South, have a sea, and have Uji i Ftohtë. In other words, the opposition is waiting for another Albania, bestowed by diplomacy. The basest reason, meanwhile, is that there are some people in the opposition who kiss Vlora by day and Berisha by night. But the day when the opposition will seek out Vlora is very near. That day, the Opposition will try to rise from Vlora’s grave. That day, the Opposition will try to rise from its forgotten grave or emerge from the post-mortem horror. The stage is set: Berisha is preparing to give orders to his illegal Army; efforts are under way to divide Albania and reign over a northern tribe. That day, the opposition, which is not very concerned about the people’s fate, will seek shelter for itself. But it may be too late. We can only hope that the Opposition will not have to wander as long as the Jews in the desert before finding Vlora.

Yesterday during the Cup final, Partizani–Flamurtari. Photo: A. Babani

A tense atmosphere at yesterday’s match at “Qemal Stafa” Stadium, the Republic Cup final between Partizani and Flamurtari. A serious incident had taken place earlier yesterday involving three Vlora footballers, when civilians who had emerged from unlicensed vans near the Presidency were the reason for the absolute readiness of the Tirana Police. Tensions increased at midday yesterday, shortly before the match began, when rumours spread that President Berisha would be present in the stadium stands. The man who has never watched a football match to the end in his life did not break with this habit yesterday either. After the 2–2 draw, Partizani was declared winner of the Albanian Cup, winning 4–3 on penalties. As people waited for Berisha to arrive at the stadium and present the cup, dozens of armed civilians surrounded the Presidency building. It is not believed that this action was prompted by the presence of Vlora supporters.

Parashqevi Simaku recounts her intimate life Pages 14–13