From Sunday morning until last night / How the police stopped the armed uprising

Arrest sought for Sali Berisha and six DP MPs Pages 2–18

BY ARBAN HASANI The attempted coup d’état in Albania ended on Monday afternoon, leaving behind not only the flames and embers of burned institutions, but also the anxiety that the political precedent of 9 March 1997 might be repeated. Paralyzed at its peak by the forceful intervention of the police, the coup d’état nevertheless has not been able to put an end to the forces shaping Albanian political life. Despite the challenge the street, with its weapons and violence, posed to the state on Monday, the same forces and actors, the same politicians and their intermediaries, and the same practices for the so-called resolution of the crisis in the country still loom over Albanians. In fact, all that is defined as a “crisis” remains the persistent idea of one side seizing power from the other by force. Against the backdrop of the burned and destroyed Council of Ministers building, the vandalized Parliament, the antitank attack on Chairman Gjynushi’s office, the physical and psychological abuse of RTV journalists, and the desecration of the national microphone, there stands the possibility that the actors or forces behind this destruction may sit at a common table with the other parties. Yesterday, from the quiet offices of the Presidency, the idea was floated that the dramatic force known as the Democratic Party would continue to impose itself on Albania, despite having gravely violated constitutional order. This is nothing other than a return to 9 March 1997, with the same people. The only difference is that those who signed that agreement were in opposition, whereas now the same presidential political players are turning back to those with whom they signed the status quo a year ago. If some former opposition figures feel nostalgic about meetings with the former president, it would be more normal for them and the others to find another place and time to satisfy that longing—or to repay one another for their place in politics. The Albanian government and its coalition parties have made their position unequivocally clear: they will not accept any compromise that would shield from the force of the law those responsible for the coup d’état that failed in Tirana on 14 September. In the face of this position, with the judicial authorities having requested the lifting of immunity for all the MPs who organized the seizure of institutions, offering a table with “political forces” seems more like a complex of people who have something to pay back. This proposal is nothing other than a return to the future, accompanied by the anxiety of instability and chaos, lawlessness and destruction. Because, ultimately, a repeat of a roundtable like the one on 9 March could lead to the same burned offices, the same desecrated television station, the same coup d’état.

DP demonstrators during the hours they controlled the capital Photo: REUTERS DP demonstrators during the hours they controlled the capital — Photo: REUTERS

Former deputy director Malja at the head of the rebels Page 7 How the occupiers entered and left the TV station

Police on alert, districts calm Page 10 Rally of the governing coalition parties

Order from the Ministry of Public Order As of yesterday, all police forces have been ordered to shoot without warning at bandits who steal private or state property, attempt to violate state institutions, or resist police forces during a search.