Attempts to split the coalition are political corruption Prime Minister’s interview: “Berisha will not have my fate in Bënça” Page 3

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA There was not the slightest doubt that Berisha and others from his party, who were expected to face accusations relating to the events of March last year, would deny everything. Not only that, but any demand that Berisha and his associates be brought to justice would be an ideal opportunity for the leader of the PD to protest, invoking his favorite assessments of “communist revenge,” “unconstitutionality,” etc., against his opponents in power. But, regardless of the calculations the PD leadership may have made, choosing such an option has a major drawback: it would quickly make credible the thesis that Berisha intends to give a political character to every step that might be taken in investigating his role and responsibility in the well-known events of last year. And, as has become fashionable in Albania in recent years, politicization is used in this case as a lifeline. Without questioning the emotional and political overtones in the assessments of the “Ngjela” commission, the hasty decision to leave parliament as soon as the contents of the commission’s report became known clearly compromises Berisha’s attempt to politicize the matter. Moreover, such a reaction was all the more striking given that the PD members had never recognized the commission in question, which Berisha himself had called the “McCarthy” Commission from the outset, and had not sent representatives to it. So, in the end, the PD leader had no reason to be so concerned as to decide to divorce himself from parliament because of the work of a commission he had ignored. On the other hand, the current reactions from within the PD concerning the possibility of Berisha and his associates being prosecuted contrast with his statements—which he continues to make—that he is ready to waive any kind of immunity himself and to be open to any fact, testimony, or document that might be used to prove his guilt. Judging by this, it would be entirely normal for Berisha himself to ask to undergo a proper trial, where he could easily prove his innocence. On the other hand, a trial of Berisha would give the PD the right to demand the same for politicians from the ranks of the PS and its allies, whom the Democratic leaders have said they have concrete facts and evidence showing are responsible for what happened a year ago.

Page 4 Meidani and Demirel at Rinas Airport. Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

PD chairman: I am not going to the prosecutor’s office P. 5

Prosecutor’s Office decides: Customs chiefs under investigation P. 9

War is imminent; soldiers are being called up, even for pay P. 4

Annulment of the decisions against VEFA is being sought P. 7

For the first time, the much-discussed material is made public. Malaj reacts: “Meidani is an intriguer” The Finance Minister faces his accuser The former Interior Minister publicly reveals for the first time the smuggling dossier and accuses Bleta of making illegal requests. Neritan Ceka presented the press yesterday with excerpts from the material he received from President Meidani, material that was also sent to the prosecutor’s office. According to the dossier revealed by Ceka, it is clear that the XXI Division clearly warned Albanian customs about what was happening, but the necessary measures were not taken. P. 2