Nano’s meeting with Vranicki in Zurich. PD: 72 hours in the square for Hajdari. We have nothing to do with the law. The G-7 is also discussing the Albanian Marshall Plan Page 2

BY FRROK CUPI Everyone knows that every village and every alley has someone to laugh at. Even when they don’t have anyone quite suitable, people look for a fool. This has always been the best way to dispel fatigue, tension and irritation. Fortunately, the Albanian state now has one too; his name is Sali Berisha. Children laugh at this man, adults laugh, actors laugh, audiences laugh, and even foreigners who have had the chance to visit this country laugh. He really is an asset. But the problem is not Berisha’s comic value so much as the fact that there are two attitudes toward it: The first is the attitude of those who understand perfectly well that when Sali Berisha appears, it is time to laugh. They are now the majority of Albanians, wherever they may be. Whether Berisha rations, threatens, slanders, twists his face, or laughs with his whole skull, Berisha is a moment’s delight. In fact, when Berisha attacks you, it is even more wonderfully funny. I speak from my own personal position, having been under his arrows and attacks thousands of times; and believe me, I have experienced the lightest kind of humor. And when Berisha takes all his “enemies” to task; when he walks toward the podium; when he takes some philosophy into his mouth and turns his contorted face toward it, “se n’go ktu”; when he mentions communists, agents, ogres, heroes, God, and so on. How delightful—oh, dear Sali! How many people, from children to famous actors, while away their spare time imitating this man! But not everyone has understood that Berisha should only be laughed at. The second attitude toward Sali Berisha is a serious one. No one can be blamed for taking Berisha seriously. Especially since, just a little while ago, this comical man was on his way to becoming head of state, a position which, according to reports, he took home with him. In that office he was not merely comical, but first and foremost tragic. In that office he brought Albania and its people the greatest misfortune. I am sure that many of those who take him seriously do so because of the tragedy this man embodied in power. And these people now feel a shudder go through them when they see him. But in fact, here is the solution: take him for what he is, a man to laugh at. Now he has no teeth; he has only his face and his words, which he distorts in a comical way. It is regrettable to see some members of parliament and politicians take him seriously. That should not happen. I think the opposite should happen: when Berisha speaks in parliament, it is comedy hour, and members of parliament need a moment like that. (Continued on page 2)

Former PS MP Gafurr Mazreku yesterday at the Tirana court during his arrest[?]. Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

24 hours with Berisha’s private life Pages 12–13

Sexual maniacs are segregated in Albanian prisons Page 10