Yesterday, too, at the National Independence Day celebration, Albania’s political forces did not celebrate together Page 3

Usually, holidays, besides being days of joy, are also considered days of peace, when adversaries are compelled to lay down their arms in order to pause and respect everything associated with them. But in this respect, too, the Albanian political class is an exception. Even the most significant event for a country and a nation, such as the National Day celebration, seems unable to calm the tempers of Albanian politicians at all. On the contrary, they take up arms to the point that they use even Flag Day to attack one another. The very fact that the two opposing camps organize separate ceremonies to celebrate only with their own followers serves to fuel the latest accusations against the other side. PROMISES AND JUSTIFICATIONS Thus, yesterday, alongside the official ceremonies led by the country’s president, Meidani, parallel celebrations were held in which the opposition leader, Berisha, was the central figure. As a result, since almost all Albanians still have their sights fixed on politics, conflict and a spirit of hostility are bound to remain inflamed among the broad masses of supporters of both sides, even on what is the most significant day for Albanians. For anyone who has followed developments in Albanian politics in recent years, there is no doubt that the main generator of crises in the country is the opposition leader—or, more precisely, his style of conducting politics. It is clear that, unwilling to accept the way he was ousted from power and consumed by a desire for revenge, he has decided to use every means to regain what he lost, without considering the consequences. It would be the greatest mistake to place the entire circle of blame in this regard on Berisha and his party alone. Not infrequently, leaders of today’s governing side prove in their statements to be no less harsh and intransigent than the former president. On the other hand, despite efforts to initiate a normal dialogue, at certain moments there has been no shortage of disregard for, and even attacks against, the opposition. But above all, the failure and inability to ensure calm, as well as to put an end to such phenomena as corruption and smuggling—in which government officials themselves are the main actors—are a key factor in expanding the opposition. GAVROSH LEVONJA

Gunfire for 45 minutes in the village of Pogaj Serbian soldiers fire on the village; border guards return fire PROMISES JUSTIFICATIONS Gunfire for 45 minutes in the village of Pogaj Kukës, battle on the border with the Serbs Serbian soldiers fire on the village; border guards return fire Page 2 The Albanian border has once again been attacked by Serbian army forces. In this attack, the sixth time this has happened in the region, bullets from Serbian machine guns and automatic weapons fell in the village of Pogaj and on the territory of the former village of Shalqin. At around 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, in the area of border pyramid D715, in sector No. 5 of the border with Yugoslavia, in the village of Pogaj in the district of Has, fire was opened with various automatic weapons from Yugoslav territory, specifically from the post in the village of Gorozhup, in Has of Prizren.

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Right in the middle of the capital, drugs are being sold to high-school students at some of Tirana’s most prominent schools. At first, they are offered at very low prices so that they will later become regular users. Drugs are distributed in full view of dozens of students, both at “Petro Nini Luarasi” and at “Sami Frashëri”; it should also be noted that the drugs come from several cafés along the Lana, on the Shallvare side. The main hub is in one of the cafés on this street, but its owner has [complemented?] police and anti-drug officers, so the drug headquarters distributes the “white poison” without fear, destroying dozens of high-school students. Meanwhile, the drug hub for university students is somewhat near the “Pergola” bar, where drugs are supplied in acceptable doses and the users are mainly students of Dramatic Arts and Economics. The Minister of Public Order has issued an order to swear in [agents?] for the three main bases in the capital, where secret agents have been assigned the mission of discovering the main hub, as well as the big boss, who is thought to be at one of the cafés near the Lana. SHIK is also keeping another base in Shijak under tight surveillance, from where drugs are taken to the other shore, the Italian one, through a figure on the scene who enjoys public “immunity.” It is suspected that light drugs are being distributed to primary-school pupils at one of the capital’s eight-year schools. If this is also true, then the alarm must sound for everyone—parents, government officials and opposition members, police officers and SHIK agents—all of us against this horde of bandits seeking to destroy children too. A.N.

It was announced late last night by the printing house where the newspapers are published that Monday will be a day off; journalists are therefore to report for work on Tuesday. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE