Police carry out a thorough search; specialist dogs arrive too. Page 2

BY BLENDI FEVZIU A statement by Meidani was enough to bring back onto the political scene one of the pressing problems of our time: contacts between the leader of the governing majority and the leader of the opposition. In the political back-and-forth of the week, the issue has been discussed and revisited by the press, often out of all proportion to its real significance. But while the exaggeration has more to do with newspaper circulation and its effects, the substance of the issue remains unchanged. In Albania, positive dialogue between the government and the opposition is lacking, and this begins first and foremost with the leaders of the two main political forces, Nano and Berisha. The chronology of their relations, described in detail by the newspapers, has once again shown that the two leaders apparently last met nearly five years ago, and that this is undoubtedly unique in the civilized world. The two men, first introduced to one another in mid-November 1990 in a joint interview in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit,” have shut themselves away in their bunkers, taking their parties with them—as has happened in Berisha’s case. But if pointing out this fact has brought no developments, the logical question that follows is: what effect could a Nano–Berisha meeting have on day-to-day politics? The comments and statements have, unfortunately, been pessimistic. First, it is absurd that a meeting between the two heads of the country’s political groups should require the mediation of a third person—even if that person is the President. Such a precedent seems to be leading politics down a dead end and needlessly complicating its simplest elements. It is feeding mistrust, one of the most negative effects of our politics. In this context, it is no surprise that international monitoring of the meeting, or of all contacts between the majority and minority more generally, is often being called for. Second, it must be acknowledged that the meeting has primarily symbolic value. It could help lower tensions in the country and establish, even if only formally, the institution of dialogue and debate. At the same time, it could be the best proof that Albanian politics is realistic and recognizes the basic principles of civilization. Naturally, a meeting between Nano and Berisha cannot be the miracle people are expecting. Nor can it be the solution that will repair frozen politics. To achieve this, or that, or whatever effects the meeting might bring, the two sides must lower their spears and censor their language of hatred. The PD must return to parliament and, at the same time, contribute to drafting the constitution. These necessary steps, along with a few others, are basic conditions for making genuine contact possible—contact that would make one believe Albanian politics has returned to Aristotle’s old dictum: “The power of persuasion has no temple other than speech.”

Otranto causes storm within the police P. 7

New expert report on the company’s finances P. 6

Berisha’s headquarters deserted P. 5 Brawl between public order officers and customs police They seized 17 “smuggler trucks” P. 11 Montenegrin president meets with “Rozafa Moraca” Hani i Hotit, to be opened in Shkodër P. 9 Meidani in Ankara for Albanian-Serbian relations Turkey: The US should be a third party P. 4 FROM 1 MARCH Koha Jonë 32 pages every day Price: 50 lekë

Page 24 Pandeli Majko between Nano and Tritan Shehu Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU Pandeli Majko between Nano and Tritan Shehu. Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

Accusations against the country’s leaders. Malaj, Bufj, Ceka... the ministers who came under fire from the party’s grassroots Yesterday, a meeting of Socialist leaders from the districts Local PS leaders, who had come from all districts of Albania, harshly criticized the government of Fatos Nano yesterday for failing to implement administrative reform, at a meeting where Gramoz Ruçi reminded the Socialists of his former authority. Ministers Arben Malaj, Ylli Bufj and Nertan Ceka were yesterday in the firing line of criticism from the leaders of PS branches. P. 3