Criminal organization involved in drugs, prostitution and illegal migrants uncovered Major operation by Italian police — Nine Albanians wanted for a long time are arrested Page 2

After meeting with leading figures in Albanian political life, just two days were enough for Mrs Doris Pack to reach the uncomfortable conclusion that “the political situation has not improved much since the spring”. The fact that the main opposition party continues to remain outside parliament, as well as the remarks and even insults directed at opposition figures by a good number of politicians in government, are the main factors that inevitably lead to such a conclusion. It is true that Prime Minister Nano has spoken, and continues to speak, at length about the need for reconciliation, cooperation and the use of European language in Albanian politics, but this is wholly insufficient to break the old ideas that dominate the mindset of almost the entire Albanian political class. Above all, “there is a whole sea between what is said and what is done”. It is an undeniable fact that, so far, the idea of power-sharing has remained confined to the narrow framework of aspirations, without being put into practice on a broad scale. Thus, the PD, as the main opposition party, has not been given much scope to scrutinize the activities of the party in power, and the San Egidio agreement has not been fully respected, although this is largely a consequence of the PD’s boycott tactics. Leaving aside Berisha’s obsession with closing every avenue for dialogue with political opponents and his maneuvers to prevent a return to normality, it must be said that on several occasions the government has fallen into his trap by responding in kind. Just as during Berisha’s time, there are instances when the current parliamentary majority discusses matters with the minority from a position of strength. Thus, those who until yesterday never stopped criticizing the PD MPs’ “card game” are now doing more or less the same thing. Yesterday, Doris Pack, Chair of the European Parliament Committee on South-East European countries, cited a typical example of this: the way the amendments to the constitutional provisions concerning oversight of the pyramid company and rotation on the Constitutional Court were approved. Perhaps the security and lack of openness with which the current government is operating in some areas are consequences of the fact that, for more than a year, Berisha has been described as “Albania’s greatest evil”, as well as of the shadow of “rejection” and the destructiveness Berisha has adopted since the very first day he moved into opposition. It is understandable that, when faced with a man who only says “no”, every action appears justified. Tomorrow Berisha and his party may return to parliament, but will the government be able to represent its position with the necessary clarity? G. LVONJSA

Coca-Cola’s advertising campaign in Tirana before production began in Albania

“They turned a blind eye to the cigarette trucks.” Police chiefs suspended Smuggling, the Interior Ministry takes action Smuggling has stirred up a storm in Vlora. Anti-smuggling operations appear to have swept up some of the chiefs of the city’s police force and customs police as well. Sources at the Interior Ministry report that orders suspending from duty—for lack of vigilance, at least that is the reason given so far—the Vlora Police Director, Gjon Abazi, the Director of Customs Police and the Head of Traffic Police have been signed. P. 7

Three Albanians and three Serbian police officers wounded P. 4

Berisha on the contradictions between the government and the presidency P. 3

The Tirana Prosecutor’s Office sheds light on the mystery P. 2

Court ruling on the Qafë-Shtamë massacre P. 6

Smuggling, the anti-crime unit intervenes in the South P. 10

Survivors of Otranto: Punish the guilty P. 11

Constitution Commission: the “anti-motion” camp wins P. 3