Guilty of the events of March, he holds the entire party hostage Page 5

BY ARBAN HASANI The news of a forced confidence vote for Nano in the Socialist Party and the opposing trenches over the Malaj issue do not seem to have much to do with one another. But in fact, unfolding in parallel, these two moments in Albanian political life converge on one crucial point. Will Fatos Nano be able to remain at the head of the PS and the Albanian government? The factions and currents, supporters and opponents, are formulating their strategies around this now highly debatable prospect. Consequently, the smuggling game has only one purpose: how much will it weaken the Albanian prime minister when the party is on the verge of forcing a confidence vote under its statute? Nano’s opponents remain convinced that the PS chairman will not feel the pressure of a confidence vote within the Socialist Party so long as no fuss is made. They believe Nano will continue to lead the Socialists until someone cries out that the statute has been violated; it stipulates that in August 1998 the PS chairman must be voted on again by the National Conference or Congress. Knowing this “weakness” of Nano’s, his opponents have no intention of speaking up, at least until they find a suitable candidate who can genuinely stand against the incumbent chairman. The most suitable time for them would be after the constitution is approved, an opportune moment to replace the prime minister without electoral repercussions. And then they will reveal that “the king is naked” and has violated the party statute with both feet. To reach the final act of a genuine confidence vote for Nano, with a well-established candidate put forward over a period of more than four months, his opponents have brought the major smuggling dossier to light. For months, they have sought to wear down the current head of government with horrifying corruption figures, gathered with no effort from the state’s atrophied offices. In this way, they hope to keep the tension over theft and smuggling high, diverting attention from a simple vote—a vote that would secure Fatos Nano another two years at the head of the Socialists. The only way for Nano not to be caught “naked” is to face the vote now, when he is the only stable figure in the PS and there is no alternative. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for him to withstand the endless files on customs officers and officials that will be served up to the public every day, with the sole aim of driving him out of the PS. Nevertheless, Nano is the only one who can save the Socialists from division and loss of power.

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The PS statute requires: A mandate for the chairman Nano awaits the vote P. 3

Page 4 Photo REUTERS Albanian soldiers training in Skurraj, Laç

Yesterday the government working group on transparency met Yesterday, following numerous and heated press controversies concerning the old, but deliberately “forgotten,” pyramid scheme named “2K,” whose president is Koço Kokëdhima, the government group for the control of pyramid firms met. It was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. During the meeting, some other problems that have arisen during this period were also discussed, and it was decided to recommend to the next government meeting that controls be initiated on several other pyramid firms identified by Mr. Farudin Arapi’s inspection. Despite numerous friendly interventions, not even the “2K” firm will escape inspection; it is backed by a group of powerful politicians and financial circles. Meanwhile, it has won several tenders from ministries, but even so it did not escape being subjected to an inspection. Apparently, Prime Minister Fatos Nano is sparing none of his associates who turn out to be involved in corruption or smuggling.

Last night at the Presidency At 19:30, the car of the president of the pyramid firm “2K,” which has taken capital and securities from the public, entered the offices of the President of the Republic, Mr. Meidani. Immediately after him, belching smoke like a wreck, the car of the President’s Political Adviser, Mr. Preç Zogaj, also pulled in. The duty officer told the “KJ” reporter that Kokëdhima was in the office with Meidani and that they were drinking coffee. We note that in 1996, too, in the office of former President Berisha, in the same office bis...

They had abducted her to make her a prostitute 13-year-old raped Page 6 The coalition splits after the President’s letter Gjinushi with Meidani Page 3