Former President Berisha meets his local officials: “New elections very soon, whenever we want. We have made mistakes” Diplomatic storm: Meidani signs the dismissal of 24 ambassadors. Parliament: The SP votes for the “Arbnori amendment.” Yugoslav police rob Albanian merchants Page 4

Berisha once declared that “as a politician in opposition he would be much more active than during his time in the presidency.” But the way Berisha has conducted the opposition so far has shown that he does not have a clear grasp of what it means to be active in politics. In fact, a politician or political force is said to be active when it is characterized by putting forward ideas and making moves that strengthen its position, usually by catching its opponent off guard, and so on. Above all, in this regard, it is important to find the right moment to make the planned move. But a glance at Berisha’s actions during these months in opposition makes it easy to see that his opposition campaign has amounted to a collection of improvisations, which so far have yielded no results. Initially, since he forced his party to boycott parliament, opposition activity was limited to a volley of routine statements opposing every step taken by the new government. But by refusing to approve anything proposed by his opponent, Berisha fails to reckon that he and his party are losing a considerable part of their supporters’ trust. As a result, the success of his political maneuvers becomes more difficult. After exhausting his supply of statements, Berisha began his campaign of threats, which, for lack of convincing arguments, was nothing but a flash in the pan, to the point that [?] many [?] prompted Berisha to abandon even some of his allies. He is also causing concern with his changing positions on various issues. Thus, in trying to oppose an initiative undertaken by parliament to approve the constitution, Berisha first says that the “parliament of Kalashnikovs” has no right to do so, then calls for it to be achieved at a round table of the parties, and later demands a Constituent Assembly, only to subsequently cite the absence of public order as an argument. Parliament, meanwhile, has become the place where Berisha and the DP are showing that they have not yet adapted to the workings of an opposition that seriously challenges the current government. Indeed, their tendency to disregard even the simplest rules of etiquette is more an expression of frustration caused by their lack of results. Developments so far have shown that Berisha has been the main party to confrontation and an obstacle to reaching compromises. And at a meeting of his party, he said, “We are 25, I swear that I will [?],” he said, “We are 25, I swear that I will do [?],” which, bearing in mind the events [?] in the parliamentary chamber, makes you [?] the events of the last two days in the parliamentary chamber make you believe that Berisha has battles and fistfights in mind. The DP leader, in the way he is conducting the opposition, brings to mind someone who, while running and trying to reach the finish line as quickly as possible, gets his feet tangled and risks falling flat on his face. The unfortunate thing is that while Berisha’s actions have now thrown the DP into disarray, in the future they could cause it to disintegrate completely. It is no coincidence that the current government officials link their certainty that they will not be forced out of power to the fact that Berisha is leading the opposition and the DP. KJ

Presidential couple Meidani and Prime Minister Nano yesterday at “Qemal Stafa” Stadium Photo GENT SHKULLAKU

Presidential couple Meidani and Prime Minister Nano yesterday at “Qemal Stafa” Stadium Photo GENT SHKULLAKU

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