Shkodër, the siege falls
The prefecture is freed, Podgorica tops the resignation. Deputies against Berisha
(Pages 2, 3)
Tolerance and the law!
BY AGIM SAKU
According to the information coming from the city of Shkodër, one thing is clear: the situation in the prefecture, blocked by some former persecuted people, overthrown by former persecuted people and exploited in an incomprehensible way by the opposition for gain, is now easing and calming down. However, this is a new blow against the government of Fatos Nano. On Saturday they cannot be considered as simply citizens of Shkodër, but as people who are using the old methods of pressure against institutions, even if they were temporarily supported by a political party or force. As for the former persecuted, they are one of the most respected strata of Albanian society and we have always seen them as a result of anti-communism.
From this perspective, the former persecuted have always remained part of the people. However, this is a new blow against the government of Fatos Nano, since while the matter was being discussed in parliament and efforts were being made to preserve order and calm, the crowd in Shkodër could not be considered either truly from Shkodër or former persecuted. It was undoubtedly an imposed group, as relatives explain, of a different kind. What does this mean, that every political party, especially the right wing, should distinguish how much of it is political and criminal from protest, with nothing under control? Are such people being protected? They were in Shkodër. On Saturday and yesterday opposition figures must surely have spoken with Sali Berisha and others to avoid the danger that had arisen.
If in the first days of public anger in Shkodër many well-known figures entered the prefecture to polish the image of “spontaneous” protests, now they are withdrawing. To avoid leaving that impression, young people are also being used by the opposition through other means. In any case, it would be good for the democrats themselves that someone intervened yesterday. On the other hand, the government should show calm and respect people’s rights and demands.
At first glance, political cost? This government has declared that it will not use repression, but only law and state institutions. This is the only path by which one can move toward normalization and the building of a stable democratic system. Stability comes before everything, and hatred not only should not be tolerated by the government, but harms us all.
The guiding principle for relations with people and the public must be different. On Saturday, when the prefecture fell, the country saw, and we saw, that on the other hand the city was experiencing a major failure. These days we saw how difficult it is to replace law with protest. On Tuesday in Shkodër there was strong confrontation with the police. On Wednesday there were no serious excesses in the city, but thousands of citizens carried out a peaceful protest.
Yesterday in Shkodër, during the morning, positioned in front of the prosecutor’s office
Photo ARMANDO BABANI
Guiding the martyrs at midnight. The prefect, deputies draw revolvers and weapons
Police and army on alert
The center of provocations, armed forces on readiness level 2. “The situation could escalate”
Police and army have been placed on high alert in Shkodër. The situation there appears serious. If in recent days in the troubled city tolerance by the government and institutions toward the protesters has prevailed, the white [text unclear] sparked the illustration of the deputy prefect and the government up to these moments of justice. The situation with the prime minister, with the special prefect, ensures a different and more specific set of measures to avoid incidents at the weekend. For this very reason all necessary measures are being taken to prevent any incident. For this order at the weekend there will also be one more unit of the country’s police forces. Even the engineering units will be tense and reinforced.
This is because of the funeral of the martyr of democracy, Arben Broci, which will take place on Friday, as well as the other protest that the opposition wants to organize today at 10:00, near the Shkodër prefecture, and other protests there. However, even here the government apparently has decided to maintain calm and avoid clashes. Perhaps this time even more so, since today they have persistently demanded resistance to the decisions. Right-wing parties have decided to take part with tribunes as well, thus representatives from the alliance for the rule of law. The first is expected to be Neritan Ceka. Yesterday afternoon, upon arriving in Tirana, the head of PAD had held talks and, as can probably be understood, will be in Shkodër with his supporters. Also, other representatives of the former persecuted strata have set off for Shkodër.
As for today’s actions, according to all indications, the place where the funeral ceremony will be held is precisely the center, in a square near the center where clashes took place yesterday. The demonstration will be peaceful, according to them. Meanwhile, it has also been made clear within the police forces that they will carefully follow every development in the situation, especially to avoid serious incidents that led to bloodshed.
Revolt, these days is under control. The law enforcement forces have avoided clashes with the protesters at all costs, while yesterday the government reacted more than ever to avoid causing the country such a serious destabilization. This uncertainty, in the most critical moments, has moved calmly, but recently it is creating the impression that most of them are born in the city of Shkodër. Not infrequently the government has shown a measured stance. This is so as not to leave even the slightest opening for the idea that the government and police are responding to the revolt with repression. In other words, we have been careful, without touching order, law and citizens. However, yesterday some irresponsible gangs, exploiting the situation, entered the prefecture intending to impose the power of the mob against the law. Since this was not achieved, they lowered their tone and modified their behavior during yesterday’s day.
Yesterday morning, near the prefecture it became clear that the angry crowd, with its demands, was also aiming to stage a show of force. After that, since the government was not falling into the opposition’s provocation with some of its armed and extremist supporters, everything receded and the danger diminished until late in the evening. From the latest observations, it seems that the police had extended control over a wide area, since any firearms incident would be extremely serious. On Wednesday such an incident had occurred, with the wounding of a police officer. But overall the situation was moving toward calm.
The center of provocations, armed forces on readiness level 2. “The situation could escalate”
Yesterday in Shkodër as well, during the morning, positioned in front of the prosecutor’s office
Photo ARMANDO BABANI