President Meidani, resident of the Palace of Brigades; PD round table: Berisha, a monologue instead of dialogue. PD: Smuggling is directed by the Nano cabinet Page 3

Under the circumstances in which yesterday’s round table was held, it would have been better if it had not been held at all. First of all, Berisha himself, who inspired, conceived and led it, had no reason to waste his precious time at a table that was entirely his monologue. The fact is that Berisha was the only one speaking almost the whole time, while the others merely approved or, in broad terms, repeated what he said. But first and foremost, Berisha’s proposal for a round table to discuss the conditions set by the Rome Conference was intended to draw the Socialists out of parliament’s hideout and, by confronting them while they lacked the numbers of votes, enable him to impose his own games. This could not be concealed at all by the assurances Berisha gave yesterday that “this round table does not aim to replace parliament.” But with the Socialists absent, and even their coalition allies, Berisha’s move completely lost its value. Judging by those who attended, it can in no way be said that yesterday’s round table was anything more than a meeting of the parties belonging to the “Union for Democracy.” Certainly, the absence of the parties in the governing coalition meant that the topic of the Rome Conference’s conditions was replaced by Berisha’s lessons on the importance of inter-party dialogue and the need for national reconciliation, even as yesterday he did not spare his opponents from attack. Thus, Berisha’s round table yesterday, by judging itself, has also made the idea of continuing inter-party contacts within the framework of such a round table lose its importance. Under these circumstances, it would have been more appropriate for Berisha to change the format of the round table and turn it into a bilateral one. In this way, institutionalizing bilateral contacts between the PD and PS would at least have had one benefit. Instead of discussing general issues, these contacts could have given considerable space to normalizing relations between the country’s two main political forces. But this would have been a great service to Albanian political life in general, rather than merely to the two largest parties. As for the Socialists, by avoiding Berisha’s attempt to minimize the role of the Parliament they had brought together, their failure to attend yesterday’s round table has, to some extent, served Berisha. Indeed, a glance at yesterday’s attendees shows a reserved opposition front. Specifically, alongside Berisha and his allies, Republican leaders and those of Balli Kombëtar were also seated at the table. Berisha’s efforts to bring these two parties into his “Union for Democracy” fold are well known. But more than that, by responding positively to Berisha’s invitation, despite the circumstances that worked against Berisha and his side, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists might have created a purpose of his own, the Socialists would have served Berisha’s manoeuvres through the round tables more easily. KJ

Prime Minister Fatos Nano yesterday at the inauguration of the Institute for the Politically Persecuted. Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

Evidence secured, photos of raped women Page 13

The Finance Board of the “Koha Jonë” company yesterday issued the final accounting of the damage caused to it by the burning of the newsroom on 2 March 1997, as well as the thefts of transport vehicles during this year’s events. According to the newspaper’s transport director, who continues to be, in the view of the entire Albanian public, the newsroom of Albania’s largest newspaper, “Koha Jonë”, was burned and destroyed by SHIK and the Republican Guard on the night of 2 March this year. The calculated material damage was: computer equipment, $70,000; office equipment, $20,000; building damage, $40,000; theft of transport vehicles, $41,000; newspapers not published from 2 March to 18 April 1997 (as a result of the state of emergency), estimated damage of $34,000. In this, the Finance Board of the company in question has not calculated the losses from failure to publish advertisements contracted at the beginning of the year, or the newspaper’s thefts and the unrest in the cities of Fier, Vlorë, Shkodër and Gjirokastër. In fact, the newspapers “Koha Jonë” and “Albania” are the newspapers most damaged by this year’s events, without receiving any financial assistance from any association or foundation, while other newspapers (which were not burned) have received thousands of dollars in aid from other funds. Nevertheless, the newspaper’s staff believe that they can repair the damage by the end of this year, if publishing these figures is meant to make people understand that “KJ” does not have millions of dollars! “KOHA JONË” FINANCE BOARD