Koçi: “Political circles want destabilization ahead of the vote” Life in chaos Majko destroys Klosi, Meidani does not accept Page 9

BY BLENDI FEVZIU Four or five years of violence, confusion, and insecurity are finally reaching a climax. Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and Speaker of Parliament Skënder Gjinushi are openly accusing, in front of the press, the country of heading toward a coup d’état. Setting aside the nuances of what this unusual phenomenon should be called in a normal country, the essence remains the same. The last 12 hours and especially the past 12 hours have begun to push the situation toward a point where everything could end very quickly and spectacularly through a move that could have unpredictable consequences. Even moderate people in politics are now speaking with great fear about the possible course of events. It is enough to recall the statements made by several politicians on Saturday and Sunday evening to understand that things are not going as well as they may seem. Instead of calming things down and cooling tempers, they have chosen to sound the alarm. That means only one thing: that they have information and serious reasons to fear an unwanted move. No one to this day can say with certainty what is being cooked up. Are we talking about a move or a murky spontaneity? Are we talking about blocked roads and a besieged government or something more? It is hard to say. But there is no doubt that the climate is grim and the state appears more powerless than ever. In a country that has still not recovered from the 1997 crisis, such words sound like an alarm bell. Many may think this is an ordinary political battle, but recent developments make the idea increasingly plausible that someone is seeking to drive the country toward confrontation. If that happens, Albania risks once again entering a spiral of insecurity, from which it may emerge only at very high cost. Albanians need calm, not threats and destabilizing scenarios. Politics must show responsibility and institutions must function. Otherwise, the fear that the country could slide toward a coup d’état will not remain merely a newspaper headline, but will become reality.

Meta: “Shut the newspaper up!” With a fury that threw insults from the bars into the eyes of the journalist of “Koha Jonë,” using every tool of distortion of the truth and personal destruction, Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta chose last night to attack verbally and with denigrating terms the largest newspaper in the country. Just like in Enver’s lessons, from the studios of Albanian Television, now fully controlled by the Government, he lashed out at the editor-in-chief of “Koha Jonë,” accusing him of being a slanderer and a liar. “Is he a zealous user of Milošević’s slogan or even of the poor Kadri Hazbiu? This is disgusting and repulsive,” Meta said in a language that the head of government and parliament should have reserved only for hooligans. Invited opposite Fevziu on the “Opinion” program on TV Klan, the second man in the government tried to denigrate a newspaper that has always upheld the right to publish and the rights of journalists. Such are the lessons taught by the son of the mafia communist from Tepelena! He then came out on the mission of the November 4 rally, sharply accusing publisher Nikollë Lesi and the entire editorial staff of “Koha Jonë.” The accusations of this man, who only a few days earlier had had his phone blown up in his hands, accusing political opponents of conspiracy, have not been deterred. Given this terrible experience with this person, the press and media in Albania should be protected by law from people who want to bring back censorship and fear.

Bomb on a truck, ten injured The explosion, miraculously, passengers, the weapon in the drom Page 11 COMING SOON THE MAGAZINE AKS 60 COLORED PAGES PRICE 150 LEKË Published every Sunday