“ALBA”: Italian troops arrive on 20 June. The “purity” commission is sabotaging the elections. Lir Çeta from the hospital to Durrës prison Pages 4, 5 Gunfire again at Berisha’s rally in Laç. Nano and Gjinushi continue their tour in the South. Sarandë-Delvinë: You will get your money Nano and Berisha during election rallies in Vlorë and Tiranë Photos GENT SHKULLAKU

The scenario of the pre-election period this year is leaving nothing out compared with the one that unfolded last year, which produced 26 May. Although the elections scheduled for 29 June are now just over two weeks away, the political parties competing in them are still facing problems and artificial obstacles authored by Berisha or his people. After the tribulations surrounding approval of the electoral law, which formed the basis of Berisha’s obstructionist policy, after the conditions concerning the southern committees and the opposition to lifting the state of emergency, it now seems to be the turn of the “Mezini” card, with which Berisha has planned to put a spoke in the wheels of his opponents—or to achieve a more desirable objective, such as preventing the elections from taking place. It is a well-known fact that for almost two weeks the parties have been sending the “Mezini” commission the long lists of candidates whose biographies are to be checked. But by yesterday, the deadline for receiving the responses from the “purity” commission, the parties had received replies only about candidates who had already taken the “virginity” test once before, on 26 May or 20 October of last year, while no word had come about those standing for election for the first time. This delay can hardly fail to cause alarm at party headquarters, given that the deadline for submitting parliamentary candidates has passed. Even if that deadline were extended, the parties would hardly gain much, since 29 June is right around the corner. But the worst problem concerns those whom the “Mezini” commission may find issues with in their past. Under the law in force, in order to “defend their honor,” they must appeal to the Court of Cassation. Yet the court needs several more days to deliver its final verdict, to defend candidates who have been “burned” or Mërrinj, which would force the parties to make changes “in extremis.” It is now clear to everyone that Berisha’s “readiness” to hold elections on the appointed date or to meet all the demands of the international community is merely a mask in his efforts to regain the ground he has recently lost. Keeping himself in the background, Berisha has set in motion all the mechanisms under his control to sabotage the electoral process or at least his opponents’ activities. Thus, the opposition is once again suffering the consequences of the 9 March agreement, in which no one remembered the “Mezini” commission. It is not known whether “Mezini” will be the last card in Berisha’s hand for postponing the elections, or whether it would be no surprise if, even on election day, the parties faced yet another surprise, devised in his mind. G. L.

Nano and Berisha during election rallies in Vlorë and Tiranë. Photos GENT SHKULLAKU

Election-related disagreements suspected Page 3

Leart Shyti tells “KJ” Page 9

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