The PD rally degenerates into an outbreak of violence / Parties call for respect for the Constitution PD outside the law Clashes with law enforcement; six police officers injured Pages 3–5

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA There was no doubt that Berisha and his party would react when the bills for the events of March last year arrived at its door. But the method he has embraced for protesting the arrest of former PD government officials is not only no longer effective; it is, above all, harming Berisha himself. By prejudging the step taken by the prosecutor’s office on Saturday night, the PD leader confirms to both domestic and foreign public opinion some of the hypotheses his opponents have formulated about him. First of all, by reacting “with both feet first” to the step taken by the prosecution regarding the events of March, Berisha once again presents himself as a politician with an archaic mindset that politicizes everything. In this respect, it would have been more appropriate for him and the PD in general to wait, allowing the judicial authorities to take further steps, and then strike at the most opportune moment—which would not have been long in coming, given the difficulties of defending the charges against those arrested, as Nano also mentioned in his televised speech. After that, the PD’s reactions would also have seemed more justified. The matter becomes even clearer with the hysterical calls to “defend democracy with weapons,” issued by Berisha himself and amplified by some of his associates or certain PD factions. If we are talking about weapons, Berisha and the PD, who were unable to defend the state against what they call an “armed rebellion,” are unlikely to be able to win now that they are deprived of the use of power. Moreover, by sounding the call to take up arms, Berisha is once again presenting himself as the country’s main generator of destabilization, lending credence to the accusations about his role in last year’s events and about his being “undesirable” to those international circles interested in a peaceful and stable Albania. By calling for revolts, the PD leader and the people around him give the state the opportunity to “betray” them within the framework of the law, taking responsibility while defending constitutional order—something the previous government was unable to do. And as for this, with the events of recent days drawing to a close, those people speaking on behalf of the PD are experiencing the effects of the provisions that envisage banning a party. Yet even if today’s state institutions do not go that far, this would be an occasion to demonstrate the tolerance and spirit of a state, to demonstrate the tolerance and spirit of a democracy—which would once again be a great boon for Berisha and the PD.

Unit 1001 at Rrapi i Treshit was taken under protection by villagers during the turbulent days of March 1997 The story of how the strongest evidence against former PD officials survived The Chemical Warfare Agents that incriminate those arrested in March for crimes against humanity escaped destruction entirely by chance. Yesterday, one member of the investigation team explained how the prosecutors came into possession of the strongest piece of material evidence: the poisonous chloropicrin, published in the media a few days ago by the Prosecutor of the Republic himself. P. 7 Pjetër Arbnori yesterday at the PD rally. Photo: LEONARD FILOPATI

The PD prepared a 2 April P. 2 Former chief of staff on the run; arrest warrant issued in absentia Adem Çopani, court signs arrest warrant P. 7 The Albanian army demonstrates its strength

signs the Albanian shells on the Yugoslav border P. 11 A quiet agreement between the PD and part of the PS The arrests, a game against Nano P. 4 The Kosovo army, ambitious plans The KLA active in Macedonia too P. 6 The grassroots demands withdrawal from the coalition PAD in crisis, Ceka’s fault P. 4 Packages arriving from abroad are opened and stolen Albanian Post scandal erupts P. 9