Within a few days, Prime Minister Nano, first with the phone call in which he apologized to the mayor of Tirana, Brojka, and now with the invitation made to the opposition leader, Berisha, to go to Rome as part of the government delegation, gave two very meaningful signals regarding the spirit of tolerance that should characterize Albanian politics in the future. On the other hand, by responding positively to such an invitation, and moreover by greeting this move by the government as an “event in Albanian politics,” the opposition leader, Sali Berisha, has perhaps given the first sign of a shift in the way PD conducts opposition from now on. Thus, after nearly six years, since the famous “Trieste,” Berisha and Nano will be together outside Albania. Nano’s invitation was made at a convenient moment, putting Berisha before two alternatives, either of which would have been extremely difficult to choose. A refusal by the PD leader risked being fatal for his political future, since at the very least he would be definitively stigmatized in the eyes of outside opinion as the generator of the crises characteristic of his country for more than a year. In this way, even the recent political moves, such as his party’s boycott of parliament or the protest rallies, would be assessed in that sense. But by going together with Nano to Rome, Berisha in a way contributes to increasing the credibility of his opponent before the international factor, in terms of respecting the democratic rules of the game. Nevertheless, thanks to political instinct, the country’s former president chose the second alternative. Berisha did indeed accept the invitation to go to Rome, but he has quite rightly asked that his voice, the voice of the Albanian opposition, be heard there. This is because, despite the preparations of the government experts, it is not said that the alternative the opposition will present to the donors will be inferior, or that the needs of the Albanian people should be represented only by the government’s view. On the other hand, it is paradoxical that a government team like the current one, perhaps the best in the country’s history, fears the alternative that the opposition will present. In any case, Nano’s invitation and Berisha’s positive response will perhaps mark the much-desired turning point in Albanian politics with regard to the majority-opposition relationship. GAVROSH LEVONJA

Former President Ramiz Alia, declared innocent yesterday by the court. (p.2) Photo A.BABANI

Another police operation against criminal groups Police chief: “The detained individuals are accused of stabbing Roma people, and of numerous murders and robberies” Step by step, the Vlorë police have achieved successes in striking at crime by putting in handcuffs 50 gang members, people implicated in murders, rapes, robberies. The dismantling of the gangs has been the focus of the special forces of this police station. Yesterday, this unit achieved another success by arresting a dangerous gang that has committed many murders, rapes, robberies. P. 15.

The Greek prime minister arrives in Albania today P. 5

30 tons of cigarettes seized, bullets fired over the checkpoint P. 11

Officials boycott, only Arbnori attends the funeral P. 6

Fear and terror at “Sami Frashëri” high school P. 9