. More than 6 hours in the courtroom: here is what the accused said. Page 2

BY FATOS LUBONJA At a time when most Albanians had been convinced that those responsible for last year's tragedy should appear before the courts, today we nevertheless ask, astonished: Why have the six PD members been arrested? It is hard to believe that these arrests are the result of justice. For the position on last year's events, expressed chiefly through the words of the President and the Prime Minister, despite its contradictions, has tended toward forgetting. Because until just a few days ago, a Nano-Berisha meeting was being discussed as a hope for the normalization of politics. Because the West itself has been in favor of reconciliation, not justice. So why these arrests? There is no doubt that this is neither Nano's revenge nor an attempt to cover up failure, as the PD members claim. But one thing is true: the team in power seemed too weak to undertake this action without the approval of its Western allies. But what convinced the latter that, finally, this had to be done? Most likely, convincing evidence that the PD continues its destabilizing activity and can bring nothing but harm to Albanian political life. It cannot be ruled out that evidence has been found linking the attacks on the US Embassy to the PD, or evidence of links with Islamic terrorists, just as its destabilizing activity is known from its positions on Kosovo. In fact, one thing is clear: a criminal is not put in prison only for the crime he has committed, but also because, while free, he may commit other crimes. This was forgotten for a whole year, and Albanian life suffered plenty of trouble as a result. One need only recall the events in Shkodër, the explosives in Gjirokastër, the countless unauthorized rallies, and more. Albania cannot continue in this state of near-destabilization. All those ready to set Albania ablaze in order to come to power and plunder its wealth must be shown their place. From this point of view, this arrest should be welcomed as the first step in cleansing politics of crime. Nano and his people must conduct politics on the understanding that they can remain in power without pursuing the alternative of fear and without putting before us the fearsome alternative of Berisha. The country needs further political development toward dialogue and the return of crime to politics, not this negative and paralyzing equivalent. Nevertheless, with regard to this prospect, this arrest carries a certain smell and cannot help but raise the specter of several chronic scandals in Albanian politics, such as: Will these arrests be allowed to proceed fairly, regardless of political circumstances and interests? Will Albanian politics be seen as having the confidence to act justly and energetically without first taking the hand of foreigners, who have often pursued other interests? And finally: will there be transparency, transparency and political credibility in Albania?

Blerim Çela, escorted by police, entering the courtroom yesterday. Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

There will be further arrests Handcuffs for everyone against whom there is evidence—not only from the PD, but also from the former opposition “Anyone, whether from the PD or the PS, against whom irrefutable evidence is obtained of direct involvement in the destruction of the Albanian state, will be arrested. For us, the investigation has no political color, only justice.” Agim Tirana, Director of the Investigation Directorate at the General Prosecutor's Office, made another sensational statement yesterday at midday, just 48 hours after six PD figures were arrested. P. 3

After the arrests, here's what politicians say March 9 was not violated P. 5 PD accuses the Prime Minister Detentions are political Nano gave the order P. 4 Relatives of the accused recount the night of the arrests How the arrests were made P. 6 Hundreds of people protest outside Nano's house Berisha at a rally P. 4 Suffering from diabetes, he cannot be treated in a cell Zhullali in hospital P. 3 Incident at the US Embassy, marines fire shots Why the policeman was killed P. 9 TNT destroys an industrial center Explosion in Gjirokastër P. 11