Arbnori attacks the party: “we too, like the SP.” Blerim Çela leaves; State Audit in the hands of Balli. World Bank: USD 200 million for Albania

In the elections held on Sunday in Serbia, although the results have not yet been announced, it can be said that everything went as predicted. Thus, the Socialist Party, although without an absolute majority, remains the leading party, and its candidate, Iliç, is currently in the lead, followed by the ultranationalist Sheshel, while Drashkoviçi, now abandoned by his “Zajedno” partners, is the big loser. As expected, the Albanians of Kosovo once again chose the path of boycott and, in this way, given how the elections were conducted in Kosovo, contributed to the victory of Millosheviç’s party. In addition to the statehood motive, linked to the aspiration for Kosovo’s independence and prompting Albanians to choose to boycott Serbia’s political life, this time there was also the anti-Albanian contest conducted during the election campaign by three candidates vying to fill the position left vacant by Sllobodan Millosheviçi. On the other hand, the platforms of Serbia’s three main parties had nothing new to offer regarding Kosovo; indeed, one party’s candidate said that “the Kosovo problem does not exist at all.” But Serbian politicians may have adopted such strongly anti-Albanian positions during this election campaign because they knew that Albanians would not vote. In this way, seeking to capture the Serbian electorate’s vote, their best means were statements against Albanians and their claims. For the same reason, this time there was not a single Albanian name on the lists of Serbian Socialist candidates. And in this respect, it can be said that all previous records were broken. It was difficult to determine which of the three presidential candidates was the most extreme. It is quite possible that the education agreement signed a year earlier by Millosheviçi and Rugova, despite the delays caused by the West on the eve of the start of the new school year, was also forgotten by the Serbian authorities solely for the sake of Serbian votes in Kosovo. Given the ever-increasing engagement of the international community, especially the United States, this may be the last time that the Albanians of Kosovo use the weapon of boycott. It is anticipated that they will hold their own elections toward the end of the year. It is precisely from the position taken by the Serbian authorities, and first and foremost by the international community, that one can judge what stance has been reserved for Kosovo. The fact that the “strongman,” Millosheviçi, is now president of the Federal Yugoslavia, and that according to the programs powers will now pass from the republics to the federation, leads to the conclusion that, as far as policies in the federation are concerned, it makes little difference to Albanians in Kosovo who is at the head of Serbia. Perhaps a Republic of Kosovo within Yugoslavia might be more suitable for the time being. GAVROSH LEVONJA

Vebi Alimuça at yesterday’s press conference at Hotel Molla Photo GENT SHKULLAKU

Vebi Alimuça at yesterday’s press conference at Hotel Molla. Photo GENT SHKULLAKU

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