Alarm in Tirana. Gjiniushi: Parliament will convene (Page 3) Serbs terrorize Tropoja / Women and children leave the villages Shells over Albania Alarm in Tirana. Gjiniushi: Parliament will convene Page 3

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA Yesterday, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Gjiniushi, confirmed that Parliament would convene in an extraordinary session concerning the measures that must be taken to deal with the dramatic situation in the northeastern border area, where the fall of Serbian shells has by now become routine. The decision to cut short the MPs’ recess, which had begun only a short while ago, is undoubtedly a sign of commitment and responsibility on the part of the leadership of the legislative body. But, on the other hand, it shows that the earlier decision not to deprive MPs of the leave they are entitled to had not been thought through. It took only the Serbian shells that exploded yesterday in the Padesh area for a decision to be made to bring the MPs back to the parliamentary chamber. In fact, this entire period, once again marked by the situation in Kosovo, has been continuously tense, with a high likelihood of unexpected developments. That alone was reason enough for parliamentarians, as well as several other state and government bodies, to postpone their holidays until a later date, even if the weather conditions would not be suitable for such a thing. Moreover, it is already a well-known fact that developments in Kosovo do not pass without consequences for Albania too. Specifically, the problems of caring for and resettling the many Albanians arriving from Kosovo were a very important reason for parliamentarians not to suspend their work. Albanian politicians are not impressed by the fact that, because of Kosovo, their European partners have not even taken the trouble to go on holiday. But sending MPs on vacation and yesterday’s alarm calling them back to Parliament are yet another example showing that Albanian political activity has been based only on improvised decisions and moves, usually dictated by the moment. If the international community has so far turned a deaf ear to statements or results emerging from the institutions of the Albanian state, this is primarily a product of this policy based on improvisation. Indeed, even now, it would come as no surprise if Albanian parliamentarians met only to adopt some resolution calling for the condemnation of Millosheviç and to tell NATO that it should intervene in Kosovo. But, considering the positions expressed in the statements of its leaders as well as of European politicians, one gets the impression that this urgent meeting of Parliament too—forcing MPs to leave their holidays—will have no concrete effect on what is happening on the ground. The situation would be different if it occurred to some MP to ask for NATO’s maneuvers to be moved elsewhere.

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Yesterday, a serious daily newspaper published an article about a villa being built without a building permit in the courtyard of the home of Parliament Speaker Skënder Gjinushi. The newspaper asked when Skënder Gjinushi had dared, The newspaper asked when Skënder Gjinushi had dared. asked when Skënder Gjinushi had dared. [unclear section] After this, someone from the “Fideli[t]” press club had the courage to put forward the hypothesis that perhaps Gjinushi himself was building a house, albeit without a building permit. After all, what value does such a permit have before the Speaker of Parliament, who signs laws for others and not for himself? That is what they were saying yesterday at the journalists’ club. Journalistic curiosity about the blocking of Gjinushi’s balcony and the establishment of a construction company right in his courtyard, despite the presence of armed guards who do not allow any citizen to disturb the Speaker of Parliament, led a journalist from “ZP” to follow the construction company’s foreman, who ended up at the office of the “2K” company, which the government has declared a pyramid scheme and has called to be placed under administration. After that, we tried to get in touch with Mr. Gjinushi, but his mobile phone was out of service. Finally, a resident of the first floor of Gjinushi’s apartment building said that a villa was being built by the neighbor (Gjinushi), and that the construction company was “2K.” As far as I know, the company is building the villa for him free of charge. Everyone does the same when they have power! the neighbor concluded his account. A PSD MP, a senior member of the leadership, told “KJ” yesterday: “That’s why I couldn’t understand my chairman when ‘2K’ was declared a pyramid scheme. He was more concerned than the president of the company himself. It seems he was worried about the villa, not the company. I’ll raise it at the party meeting, although by then he’ll have finished the villa.” Late last night, we again called the Speaker of Parliament’s mobile phone to hear his opinion too, but it was unavailable. We will try again tomorrow. K. VLORA

A NATO soldier training an Albanian child with his weapon photo REUTERS

Order to the embassies

Vlora dies for Nano F 4 Order for Albanian embassies around the world Beware of terrorism F 2 Europeans warn, Albanians don’t listen to us MAPE: We will leave F 6 Soldiers open fire on arms looters Berat, attack on the depots F 11