Chief Prosecutor Rakipi: “People close to senior officials are implicated” — Page 3 Chief Prosecutor Rakipi: “People close to senior officials are implicated” Page 3

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA Despite the fact that Berisha and the rest of the DP leadership have recently been the target of criticism over a number of political moves considered inopportune, primarily the final departure from Parliament, every politician or other political force has the right to use all legal means and methods to achieve its objectives. Boycotting is undoubtedly one such means. This is especially true given that the former opposition, now in power, has itself used boycotts, perhaps successfully. The problem, however, lies in the DP’s failure to find the right moment to use a boycott, as well as its inability to justify the moves it has made in this regard. Nevertheless, boycotting Parliament, the commission drafting the draft constitution, institutions, or various initiatives undertaken by the governing side and the rest of the opposition would not attract so much attention if the DP and Berisha presented the public with their own alternative projects and ideas. In fact, the absence of alternatives has characterized almost the entire political course pursued by the DP while it has been in opposition. Thus, even when it criticized various parts of the Government’s programme or its options on different issues, especially economic ones, the DP generally did not put forward alternative versions. In some cases, even when it did, it proceeded from inconsistent positions. The criticism from the left concerning Nano’s fiscal policy may be cited as an example in this respect. By failing to offer alternatives, the DP has deprived the electorate of the opportunity to assess and choose the most suitable options and paths. This, together with the effect of the collapse of the Berisha state last year, has made the DP appear to be an unconvincing political force. This was quite clear from the mass abstention in the partial local elections, where Berisha’s party and some of its satellites were unable to win over that part of the electorate which had expected more from this one-year period of the “Alliance for the State” government. Putting forward concrete alternatives would be decisive for the DP precisely at this moment, when it has decided to fight outside legal institutions. For example, by refusing to contribute to drafting the draft constitution, the DP has created the impression that it intends to leave the country without a constitution. Things would have been different if, throughout the months of this period, it had drafted its own version of the constitution, made it public, and also presented it to international institutions.

For the first time, exchanges of fire with the border police — P. 6 For the first time, exchanges of fire with the border police Serbs attack Kukës P. 6

Former President Ramiz Alia speaks about the Kosovo crisis — P. 4 Former President Ramiz Alia speaks about the Kosovo crisis The politics of Gandhism out of the picture P. 4

Zani Çausi when he was free

The conflict in Kosovo must be resolved at the negotiating table, and there is no reason to abandon the diplomatic path The Alliance reassures Albania and Macedonia amid the worsening crisis The international community has grown tired of the Democratic Party’s boycotts. OSCE Ambassador Daan Everts advises Berisha not to ignore the advice of the international community, or otherwise he will become an unacceptable partner for it. “We respect Berisha, but he must respect us too,” Everts says. The successful ambassador who mediated political disputes in Albania has now given up trying to intervene with the Democratic Party to bring it back to parliament. P. 5

New problems after Venice. The Socialist Party against the Assembly Council New problems after Venice. The Socialist Party against the Assembly Council Commission Blocks the Constitution P. 2

The former Italian ambassador is back in the country he left after a scandal P. 2

An unprecedented investigation. A group that grew rich by exploiting people’s grief has been uncovered P. 7