Kastr(i)ot Islami, man behind police appointments. Ruci: Who had the Gjirokastër commissioner dismissed? Berisha’s generals appointed Page 3

By FRROK ÇUPI But where should we be? Should we be where Italy is today, where Slovenia is, where Greece and Austria are; or where they promised us last night, in Switzerland?! We are not there, nor can we be, because we are here; or because they are keeping us here. Our situation is sad, all the more so because even what we had within our concept of an “Albanian state family” has been destroyed by the power that fell twice, once on 9 March and finally on 29 June 1997. Now we are here, where we are. Are we going to stay here? First, two other questions must be asked: First, have we carried out a full analysis of why we are here? Or have we blundered?! At the moment when we emerged from the crisis that was burying us, we almost swore that “we will forgive, but we will not forget.” Unfortunately, we have begun to forget. If we keep forgetting, then the “black sheep” will join the white flock and soon we will no longer know which one is the wolf and which the victim. And a little later, unfortunately, the past tragedy will be repeated. The second question is: Are we here to remain silent, or to work for change?! The new political class and grouping, emerging from the conflict that bloodied and burned Albania, have declared their resolve to use their most beneficial energies to do good. But to be clear and honest, starting with ourselves, all of us, those in government and those in opposition, stand before the “Devil’s gate” and the motherland’s lament: “This fellow has blocked our way; look what he’s doing!” “What is this, then?” Naturally, everywhere there is an evil for each side and for each state. But when evil stands alone, it can never block everyone’s way. Yet here the opposite is happening: even though we are all on the side facing Evil, the solitary One has blocked the gate. Then why are we here? When we all rise up against Evil, evil does not appear. The dilemma is very simple: either everyone is with good and evil is no more, or evil exists and everyone else does not know why they are here. As matters stand now, this seems very tragic, but unfortunately it is real. Among us, good and evil now flow together. The good is everyone’s unity. This is not an act of devotion to the ousted President, even though, fortunately, everyone has their own political views. Such a mass unity against an unforgotten evil is the most positive phenomenon among Albanians... Meanwhile, the evil it supports is the necessity of embracing the voting majority. The current government has an absolute majority of the vote behind it, just as it has the obligation to represent its power. Is this difficult? Certainly, yes. But is it necessary to do? Again, certainly yes. The difficult task of post-crisis governance is to deal with and heal the consequences, but at the same time this is its particular duty. People are facing great upheavals, with the sole aim of demonstrating the evil that brought the country to this situation. If not, then why would we be here? But nothing could be worse than evil blocking everyone’s way: why are we here, why?!

Prime Minister Nano and Interior Minister Ceka at the 85th anniversary of the police photo: G. Shkullaku Prime Minister Nano and Interior Minister Ceka at the 85th anniversary of the police. photo: G. Shkullaku

On the sixth anniversary of its founding, the achievements and shadows of the government Several ministers are absent from the Socialist youth anniversary celebration. President Meidani is represented by his daughter. Former chairman Majko leaves the party The absence of the former Secretary-General of the Socialists, now President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, also left a bad taste at last night’s celebration. The great absence was partly made up for by the presence of his daughter, an active participant at the cocktail reception. Also absent from the gathering was Deputy Speaker of Parliament Namik Dokle, as well as many majority MPs. Quite a few anti-communists were among the most active at last night’s cocktail reception, while many former leaders of the Eurosocialists stood around like orphans. P. 3

The cards are on the table. At last night’s parliamentary group meeting, Socialist MPs rebel. Legjisi “accused”

Linden: There is no democracy outside Parliament EC: PD returning to Parliament P. 5 Brojka: Crime is seeking to undermine public institutions Mayors against terrorism P. 4 Arms trade — What does the former minister have to say? Zhbalali: If they provoke me, I will speak P. 2 The Student Union calls for the election of the rector and Senate Shkodër students on strike P. 10 The cigarette-smuggling super-balloon is ready to burst The ship “Demon” may be released P. 10