After three years, the American ambassador will leave Tirana Politicians who used to tremble at the sound of her mobile phone are worried After three years, the American ambassador will leave Tirana Lino is leaving, Albania’s de facto president Politicians who used to tremble at the sound of her mobile phone are worried P. 4 Ambassador Mariza Lino

The idea put forward of holding a confidence vote on the PS leadership has sparked considerable debate within the largest political force in the “Alliance for the State” coalition, which has been in power for two years. Since the call for a confidence vote on the leadership came after an attempt by a group of PS leaders to reinstate Nano as party chairman—a post he himself had vacated—and since its promoters were supporters of the former socialist leader, it was only natural that doubts would arise about the real purpose that might lie behind such a demand. These were the reasons that prompted responses from the “anti-Nano” people and those aligned with the PS’s current leadership team. In fact, however, the idea of holding a confidence vote on the leadership of a party, especially a party as influential as the Socialist Party, is not at all a bad one; on the contrary, it is extremely useful, if not necessary. The main benefit is that the discussions held on such an occasion create an opportunity to identify the mistakes and shortcomings, but also the merits, of the party’s leadership team. In this way, its current leadership—or those who may take over if there are changes—can make the necessary corrections, thereby improving the effectiveness of the party’s various structures. On the other hand, if the socialist leaders have done a good job, they have no reason to fear a confidence vote, since their merits and the value of their work will come to light, and their position will only be strengthened. Otherwise, if someone is clearly responsible for weaknesses and incompetence, they should leave, making way at the helm of the party for someone more capable. Indeed, changes in the leadership not only strengthen the party but also serve its democratization, preventing it from becoming the property of a particular clan. Finally, holding a confidence vote and debating differing views would also help bring together the leading figures of this party—Majko, Nano and Meta—to some extent.

Ambassador Mariza Lino

The benefits of the excellent relations that have existed between Macedonia and Taiwan since diplomatic relations were established are now also being enjoyed by displaced Albanians from Kosovo staying in camps in our small neighbour. According to reports in recent days, the Taiwanese government has donated 6,000 mobile phones through the Macedonian government to displaced Albanians from Kosovo. This generous gift from the Taiwanese government was made to make it easier for Albanians to communicate with their relatives scattered across different countries around the world. It is also reported that the Taiwanese government paid 190,000 dollars for the phone cards to be used in the phones donated to the Albanians.

The Union for Democracy warns: In this situation, there could be violent protests — page 3 The Prosecutor’s Office: Ashim Thaçi should help us with compromising materials about Bukoshi’s role in the 14 September uprising — page 2 Replacement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Thimio Kondi in place of Avni Shehu — page 7 The Socialists abandon their promises. They will seek a meeting of the KPD and a confidence vote on the party leadership — page 7 Interview / The Defence Minister in Thaçi’s Government speaks: If it were up to Rugova, there would be no KLA at all — page 9 The new issue of the magazine “AKS” has been published