CIA, advisers in Albania
From Berisha’s office to the mysterious "occupation" of Sazan
Page 16
Nano, the different move
BY BLENDI FEVZIU
Monday, as a beautiful day, the Tirana conference yesterday sparked heated public opposition to Berisha. After the recent visit of the senior US deputy, an unusual level of activity is being exerted in public. In Washington, many reports on the events of 1997 have arrived. Berisha and Nano have met indirectly with various representatives and intermediaries. Since their arrival in Albania, the economy and social order have been placed under tight control by foreign advisers.
The choice of Nano’s embassy, which from the secret offices of his party is trying not to hide anything, has brought new conflicts. First of all, the arrival in Paris as of two weeks earlier and Albania had been full of weapons; later the government was forced to negotiate. Then, American and Italian advisers began quietly visiting Tirana to verify what was happening.
In the first days of July, sources close to the government claimed that a small special team had been deployed in Albania. They were mainly interested in military bases, the location of storage depots, and the movements of armed groups. Another lead concerned Sazan, where news spread of a mysterious "occupation." The information was scarce, but enough to raise suspicions about the presence of agents and advisers.
According to the same sources, Nano was trying to create a closer relationship with the Americans, presenting himself as a guarantee of stability. At the same time, Berisha was trying to preserve his own channels of communication. The clash between the two political camps was also reflected in the information flowing out of state offices. Some of it seemed deliberate, some of it not.
The full article continues on page 16.
Nano surprise, Meta chairman
Yesterday after the conference, Nano and Meta shake hands
Photo GENT SHKULLAKU