The government must change Gjinushi: “Corrupt ministers must be replaced” Page 3

BY CARLO BOLLINO DIRECTOR OF “GAZETA SHQIPTARE” For years, Albania has been suffering from a mysterious and unknown disease: occidentocracy. No doctor has been able to diagnose it so far, and whenever experts from different countries around the world come here to offer advice, they end up making the illness worse. Criticism never comes without pain, and I say this to explain that this disease is not fatal; indeed, it is even necessary. But the harm exists and must be pointed out. Occidentocracy is the virus that strikes smaller countries when they are too heavily constrained by larger ones. Fatos Nano’s government came into being under rules dictated by the OSCE, which imposed European-style democratic standards: a multi-party majority, a truly independent President of the Republic, a clear separation among all branches of State power, and currents of opinion within parties. That is how things work in the West, in countries with a strong democratic tradition. Albania has known democracy for six years, and so those antibodies demanded by the international community, which serve to ward off the disease of authoritarianism, provoke a reaction in this young democratic body, just like growth hormones. If the Government were in the hands of a single, strong and unchallenged person; if Justice were controlled by that same man in power; if there were only one party in power, with no other opposition, no different voices or debates, perhaps Albania today would be living in its modest tranquillity, without trauma, but not free. Unstable governments, crime and social clashes are the other face of democracy, throughout the world. What I have said concerns politics, but there is also an analogy with the economy. The Nano government has a duty to follow the prescriptions and financial measures suggested from abroad. The International Monetary Fund is like a giant doctor who claims to cure sick countries by giving them strong medicines and failing to consider that every suffering patient also has a soul. And the IMF’s prescription for Albania says: dismiss the workers, because they cost the State treasury; increase taxes on the population; cut customs duties; bring inflation under control. If Albania does not follow this prescription, there will be no international aid. The IMF is not concerned that, in order to comply with its rules, unemployment rises, poverty spreads and smuggling grows. The fight against crime in Albania, too, depends on and is conducted according to international rules: the criminal must be tried according to the same international rules; the criminal must be guaranteed [rights], the police must not use force, and the death penalty must not be applied. But masked gunmen continue to kill police officers, who must both remain alive. These rules are right, because they embody modern civilisation, but civilisation is a luxury that comes at a high price. Naturally, the harm caused by occidentocracy cannot serve to justify the abuses of those in the Government or the opposition who seek personal gain for base reasons. The violent, the corrupt and the illiberal must go home, because this too is a principle of modern democracy. Gentlemen ambassadors, who put on the robes of rescuing doctors, we ask you to show greater care and respect. A judge’s mistake can put you behind bars; a doctor’s mistake can send you underground.

Prime Minister Fatos Nano shaking hands with the EXPO 98 mascot yesterday in Lisbon. Photo REUTERS

The President’s adviser attacks the head of government Brokaj: Nano is incapable “The Prime Minister lacks governing ability and leadership style” Page 2

The course of the trial of the six was the proposal of the [unclear: “dashngotoni”] DP: We don’t ask America A foreign diplomat reveals the secret. The US Embassy declines to comment Page 4

Politicians and parties continue to find themselves at odds, refusing to carry out the reconciliation project, which the whole country deeply needs. There is no dialogue on either small or major issues. Today, “Koha Jonë” and “Gazeta Shqiptare” are trying to offer a small example of civil coexistence. Although they are newspapers competing with one another, today they are exchanging the editorials of their respective directors. A sign of peace, dialogue and democracy. Each is doing its part. Joint note from the editorial offices of “Koha Jonë” and “Gazeta Shqiptare”