After a year of smuggling, last night at midnight, the Greek ship “Demon” was stopped. 6 Albanians arrested It had been trying to land for three days. Operation by the EC, Italy, Greece and Albania. Ship carrying 30 tons of goods seized Page 13

Like Berisha, although using different means, Nano is showing that he, too, knows how to exploit surprise in politics. This time, his bluff has an unusual name: “Anti-Mafia”. As part of his offensive to engage the PD, the main opposition party, in solving the country’s acute problems, Prime Minister Nano also made another untraditional move in Albanian politics by offering it the leadership of the “Anti-Mafia” commission. After the invitation he made several months ago to Democratic leader Berisha to join the government delegation at the Rome conference on aid, the idea made public by Majko two days ago represents another opening by the moderate socialist leadership toward the PD, in an effort to bring it closer to the country’s institutions, starting with Parliament. First and foremost, by entrusting it with leading the fight against mafia activity in Albania, where politicians may also have been implicated, Nano gives the PD the opportunity to substantiate its accusations against the government, which it claims is implicated in smuggling and illegal trafficking. Thus, by exposing the “mafia state”, Berisha would shorten its days, achieving the objective of early elections. In addition, such an offer to the PD also serves the socialist leader as a means of distinguishing himself within his own party. Specifically, those who oppose opening up toward Berisha’s party are, in a way, showing that they still bear the burden of the traditionalism of Albanian politics, represented by revenge, the exclusion of opponents, collective judgments, etc., as well as other “sins”. In fact, a large number of PS deputies and its allies vigorously opposed the proposal that Berisha’s party lead the fight against the mafia. Someone might be right to claim that mafia activities flourished under PD rule, but no one can swear that politicians currently in power have not also been involved in such activities. In this way, through the largest opposition party, Nano purges his own party of those implicated in illegal activities. Finally, with this move, the socialist leader and his group recalibrate the PD’s accusations against their party, while gaining the sympathy of the international community. On the other hand, as regards Berisha’s and his party’s response to the socialist proposal, Prime Minister Nano wins either way. A positive answer from the PD would be a success for Mr. Nano in his efforts to foster a spirit of cooperation between government and opposition in solving the country’s problems, thereby easing tensions somewhat. But even in the opposite case, he still comes out ahead, since Berisha and his party, whatever their excuses, would once again appear as a destructive element in Albanian politics. GAVROSH LEVONJA

Interior Minister Neritan Ceka at one of Tirana’s billiard halls

Infighting among the parties of the governing coalition over the fight against crime. Ceka and Gjinushi categorically opposed. The PS parliamentary group is also divided Following Majko’s idea that the Commission be given to the PD “The Democrats still carry the stain of having brought Albania to ruin,” said the leading figures of the governing coalition parties yesterday, opposing Pandeli Majko’s statement on TV that “the PD should return to Parliament and lead a Parliamentary Anti-Mafia Commission”. Yesterday, most PS deputies were also unprepared for and opposed to this proposal at the first parliamentary session of the year. P. 3

The PD is not returning to Parliament P. 5 “The PD and PS are equally interested in my departure”

P. 5 “The brother of the murdered officer had killed the commissioner’s brother”

P. 6 Drunk, with a pistol, he looks for the leaders. Abazi speaks out

P. 11

Gaxhai’s associate in handcuffs P. 2