page 6 The weapons seized at the port of Durrës. Photo: A.BABANI

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA There was no doubt that international organizations, first and foremost those present in Albania, would react negatively to the DP’s latest move to boycott parliament. This was also expressed in a statement issued by the OSCE representation and the representative of the Council of Europe in Tirana. In fact, the decision taken by the DP two days ago constitutes an open challenge to the very presence of representatives of international institutions in Albania. This is because their mission is to support efforts to return the country to normality, overcome the climate of mistrust between political forces on opposing sides, and build a constructive political debate to resolve the most important problems concerning the future, naturally within institutions that are now considered legitimate. However, returning once again to the old path of a boycott, in opposition to the above objectives, would naturally be a very serious concern for representatives of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, since in fact it is a major step backwards. Moreover, the DP’s decision to say “goodbye” to parliament came just a few days after the conclusion of the second three-parliamentary mission to Tirana, which did not fail to recognize the positive steps taken over these months since its first visit. And such a development, besides causing concern, could not fail to arouse great disappointment and surprise among the members of the three-parliamentary delegation, who, after leaving Tirana, had thought that matters had now been put in order. But the negative consequences that may result from the DP’s abandonment of parliament and its return to the street option clearly compromise the international community’s hopes regarding the contribution Berisha and his party could make by supporting comprehensive efforts to resolve the crisis in Kosovo. Recently, the DP headquarters has been regularly visited by all the figures involved in this effort. For this reason, it is no surprise if remarks and suggestions urging the DP and Berisha to reconsider their decision to walk out of parliament also come from other quarters, first and foremost from the USA. Beyond this, with regard to the impact of the DP’s move on the international community, another harmful effect is that the DP thereby enables the governing majority to emerge as the international community’s sole interlocutor on various issues.

The border with Greece is blocked; special forces carry out checks. Dozens of trucks are turned back Police cordon at the southern customs posts With tanks against smuggling Border with Greece blocked, special forces carry out checks. Dozens of trucks are turned back Following accusations of corruption levelled at the customs authority, it seems that the police have decided to become a major obstacle to smuggling. For the first time, there has been no movement on Albania’s national roads by trucks carrying smuggled goods, nor any unloading of ships along the coast. Hundreds of regular police and special forces were deployed yesterday and the day before in Korçë to curb smuggling. P. 7

He enters Nano’s villa at night P. 6

Meidani opposes the boycott, appeals to the opposition Meidani against the boycott, appeals to the opposition Berisha, you rushed into it! P. 5

Malaj and Teta: here are the dates of the parliamentary showdowns P. 3

Marsi, the military officers leading the operations P. 9