Vlora’s socialists have also invited Majko, Ruçi, Meta and Pellumbi On Tuesday, a large rally in Vlora marks the second anniversary of the victory over Berisha page 3

Although it no longer has the importance it had two years ago in influencing the country’s politics, as far as developments within the Socialist Party are concerned, there is some possibility that Vlora will change the balance of forces in the PS’s leadership forums. The socialists of the coastal city, once a center of revolt against Berisha’s government, are using the second anniversary of the socialists and their allies coming to power to bring together the most important leaders of the largest party in the left-wing governing coalition, as part of an expanded PS meeting for the city. Among the socialists’ leading figures, only the former chairman, Fatos Nano, immediately accepted the invitation to go to Vlora. Faced with the support being given to secretary-general Majko by part of the international community, and Majko’s influence on the party leadership, Nano has no choice but to make use of the party base—more precisely, the areas where he feels he has sufficient support, such as Vlora is believed to be. Here, the former Socialist leader may tap not only the various grievances of Vlora’s socialists regarding both the government and the way the party is being run by the current staff, but also the anti-Berisha sentiments that have been more visible in this city than anywhere else. Specifically, from the day he left the party chairmanship, Nano has accused his successor of flirting with Berisha, citing the meetings and agreements reached with him. The very organizers of such a meeting, which would be more of a face-off between the PS’s leading figures, are known as representatives of the “hard line.” Thus, a victory for Nano in Vlora over his opponents, thanks to its psychological effect, would lead the former Socialist leader to repeat his success in other cities as well. On the other hand, however, a “cold” reception in Vlora would prompt Nano to abandon any illusion of returning to the head of the largest party of the left. Nevertheless, Tuesday’s meeting, the left wing. Nevertheless, Tuesday’s meeting, alongside the left, leaves either a Vlora woman to return to the head of the PS, or at the water’s edge to break at the top once and for all failure. Having finally secured support from the crowds The odds are that the former leader will be surrounded by crowds that make up more than 80% of this anti-Berisha city, which is an indication that the coastal city raises and topples governments.

Politics/FRESH orders Socialists who oppose the government must keep quiet page 2 Economy/Albania’s external debt: USD 800 million We come from debts and head toward debts page 13