Speaking on the occasion of the Socialists’ eighth anniversary, the former chairman and founder of the PS discusses intrigues, pressure and backstage maneuvering in the camp of those in power Pages 6, 7, 8 — Majko celebrating the party’s eighth anniversary yesterday Photo L. FILOPATI

Yesterday’s celebration of the eighth anniversary of the Socialist Party showed that the rifts within the party run deep, perhaps so deep that the fine words and speeches about the “new spirit,” “modernization,” “democratic spirit,” etc., are nothing but a bluff. Those who were present in the ... celebration hall, as well as those who followed it on radio and television, could hardly fail to notice the absence of Nano, the man who led the party for almost eight years, as well as several of the party’s leading figures, who are now known in public opinion as Nanoists or the “proNano” faction. The fact that the leading figures of the country’s largest party celebrated the anniversary of their party’s founding separately showed that, above all, they lack the ability to coexist—let alone that they could be imagined capable of joining forces in political battles. Whatever the merits, grievances or differences with the other group currently governing the country, there was no reason for Nano and the others to ignore the celebration of the anniversary of the party for which they had sacrificed, investing effort and sweat, perhaps more than some or several of those who now hold the party’s reins. In light of this fact, Nano’s predictions of “discussion of alternatives,” “competition of free thought,” etc., within the party leave a bitter taste. On the other hand, rather than making ironic remarks about Nano’s absence, Majko should have been concerned by it, because whoever he may be, Fatos Nano was the first and only Socialist chairman who held the PS together, even at the cost of sacrificing himself. Anyone has the right to think that when the PS’s leading figures are unable to celebrate together the birthday of the creation that brought them together, it will be difficult for them to hold a normal debate while respecting the rules of the game in the party’s forums. Reasoning further, one can say that last night’s unpleasant incident bodes ill for the main party in the ruling coalition, given that it is approaching its most important event, the congress. Last night’s event, so important to it, the Socialist congress, will be a... makes one think that the Socialist congress will be a fierce, immoral battle in which every means will be used, including dishonest ones, with the aim of seizing control of the party. And the most likely outcome is that the losing side will break off all ties with the other side, perhaps even forming another political grouping. But such a thing would only alienate the electorate from the party leadership and ultimately lead to everyone losing power, doing the greatest service to the opposition, which can hardly wait to return to power.

The boss of “2K,” once declared a pyramid scheme by the government, risks prison The boss of the “2K” company, Koço Kokëdhima, and owner of the newspaper “Shekulli,” seriously threatened yesterday at the Prime Minister’s Office the chief of the Usury Loans Department, Farudin Arapi. Arapi. He encountered him on the steps of the Prime Minister’s Office as he was leaving the building, and the great “boss” openly threatened him, swearing and insulting him, and then tried to hit Farudin Arapi. The latter’s personal security guard intervened and tried to break up the confrontation. “You’ll see what I’m going to do,” Koço Kokëdhima said during the exchange. The “2K” company, declared a pyramid scheme during Fatos Nano’s government, did not end up being shut down, despite the case also going to court. Though the case was left in the shadows by our government officials, the “2K” company’s file was not left out of Farudin Arapi’s documentation, as he continued to carefully ensure transparency about the pyramid schemes. Despite the conclusion of the trial, Arapi continued to insist on what he had already understood, even though the government lost its case against the big boss. And only yesterday, Arapi sent a second letter to senior state officials, this time with more substantial, specific details. According to procedure, it is submitted to the government’s top leaders. Just 30 minutes after the document—which could be classified as top secret, including regarding the measures the government should subsequently take concerning the company—was [sent], Koço Kokëdhima, president of the “2K” Company, showed up at the Prime Minister’s Office, where he threatened Arapi. The matter did not end there. As a state official, Arapi did not hesitate to file the relevant complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office. The issue is not that Arapi is being threatened, because this is already a familiar practice. But how could such a document have reached Kokëdhima’s hands so quickly, when he had not yet even come down the steps of the Prime Minister’s Office? One of the government officials must have leaked the “secret,” and this will have very serious consequences. And this is where the biggest problem arises, because perhaps this is not the first time. There is no other way to imagine how the Majko cabinet let transparency over the “2K” pyramid scheme fall into oblivion ... And so a dangerous precedent is set: while under the Democratic Party’s government, the officials of the time, by favoring VEFA, were lining their own pockets, the current officials could just as easily keep a “2K.” Kokëdhima, like Alimuça before him, has bought off all the government officials and the President, and “2K.” Nevertheless, using the people’s money, he is privatizing and buying everything state-owned, giving the authorities their share as well; some well-known names are the brains behind this company, which is swallowing up the entire state like “VEFA.” But even this has an END, called PRISON.