The coalition is at risk; Socialists are asking the prime minister to make changes immediately Majko: We should start with public order, defense and customs. Page 3

BY BLENDI FEVZIU The government will soon have a new face. The news, discussed for a long time, was confirmed yesterday by two powerful figures in the PS. First Majko, and then Nano, acknowledged that the time has come for changes in the government and its composition. Majko went even further, specifying the priorities for such a change. We must start with public order, the army and customs, he stressed, in effect touching on the heart of the current government. Majko’s statement must be the culmination of a lengthy period of reflection, considering that the PS newspaper has launched a conspicuous campaign against mistakes in the management of the Ministry of the Interior and beyond. But government changes could affect the coalition agreement, thereby threatening it in practice. The first signs have appeared, as the smaller parties have indirectly stated that possible changes in the government should be the subject of a new interparty agreement, like the one in July. In this confused situation, it seems that all sides are right. Nano believes he needs to govern and can do so only with the people he needs. No political compromise can justify bad governance or compromise the coalition’s image. But Nano himself was the one who chose the path of compromise a month earlier. By failing to set clear rules of the game, he agreed to give the parties their places in government without considering how unsuitable the candidates they proposed might be. On the other hand, handing responsibility for public order to the leader of the PD did not seem like a responsible move. Regardless of Çeka’s personal qualities, the 2.8% of the vote won by the AD is negligible as a basis for granting authority over an absolutely crucial portfolio. Nano and his party received almost 60% of Albanians’ votes to stabilize political leadership; public order and the transparency of the money lost in the process of the great fraud. The PS disregarded this vote of confidence, avoiding half the responsibility and delegating it to a second party. If Nano has truly decided that it is time for change, he must not repeat the first mistake. The parties can retain their respective shares of representation through a compromise that changes the form, not the substance. This step will be necessary to prevent a split within the governing coalition and to persuade the President to make the changes in question. In a move before the President, it would be no surprise if, in a second situation, the ’90s were to see the return to the political scene, alongside the disappearing parties, of the man who seems to have become a mere spectator. Meidani may refuse to lead the much-discussed changes, worsening the political situation. Through a diplomatic formula, this would also be the best proof that the PS is realistic and capable of governing Albania.

. Page United Nations troops patrolling the border between Macedonia and Kosovo. Photo: REUTERS

The PD grew rich on blood P. 2

Sali Berisha is also on the list P. 6

Vlora, tears for the victims P. 10

The Socialists disagree P. 4

Shkodër, four lose their lives P. 11

The Ciko case remains unresolved P. 16

The Bezhani Commission: “unclean” figures also in the justice system Soon, official screening also for newspapers with a circulation of more than 3,000 copies The Bezhani Commission is continuing its screening of officials in the justice system and SHIK. Sources within the commission confirm to “KJ” that, so far, six officials of the intelligence service have been found to have once collaborated with the State Security Service. “Four of them have agreed to leave, because they were unable to dispute the evidence presented to them,” said one of the commission members. P. 5