To rebuild Albania, old grudges must be forgotten page 3

The ideas put forward by Prime Minister Majko in his speech at the Socialist Party (PS) activists’ meeting were met with particular interest by all the country’s political circles. Perhaps this was because it was the first time in several months that the prime minister had addressed domestic issues, after Albanian politics had been focused solely on Kosovo. Of greatest interest, naturally, are the proposed changes—not so much to the opposition as to the coalition partners and, above all, his own party. These changes concern both political direction and approaches to governing, but especially changes to the government team he leads. Sources within the Socialist Party report that efforts are being made among its leadership forums to put pressure on Majko so that he abandons the idea of making changes to the government. Some have advanced the claim that “Majko is using these changes to strengthen his position ahead of the congress.” All this pressure is being applied because the factions in the PS, which have now come out into the open, fear the consequences of the moves Majko has announced. In all likelihood, these changes could affect officials linked to one faction or another—or, more precisely, officials who serve them. It is a well-known fact that appointments to the government and other state structures have resulted from deals and backroom bargaining among groups within the PS and the coalition, intended to satisfy particular interests that ultimately involve material gain. At first, Majko, unfamiliar with the situation and not yet firmly established in his position, felt powerless to oppose such appointments imposed by the party and its allies. But now, with the end of the war in Kosovo having significantly strengthened his position, he seems to have decided to settle accounts once and for all with incompetent ministers, or those who are close to him in order to line their own pockets and those of the people who helped make them ministers. His successes in “tests of strength”—such as the arrest and dismissal of former Interior Minister Koci, or the appointment of Justice Minister Pandeli—are an encouragement for Majko not to yield to the mounting pressure from the political mafia in his party. More than anything, however, the support of the US and the West gives Majko the assurance to continue boldly along the path of change. Otherwise, if he gives in to the pressure, he risks losing that support, which would be fatal to his future political career.

Albanian Prime Minister Majko and his Greek counterpart, Kostas Simitis

By Nikollë Lesi I am obliged to express my opinion publicly about the city, which looks more like an enormous village. The road has been displaced by potholes and trenches, and the terrible condition of the asphalt has become so commonplace that the word itself seems to have been forgotten in the language of Lezhë’s residents. They are, in any case, extremely patient with my electoral promises, as well as those of the governing coalition. On several occasions, in official meetings with Prime Minister Majko, Deputy Prime Minister Meta, and Ministers Angjeli and Poci, I have tried to ensure that Lezhë receives the attention it deserves: a city that not only embodies national values through its antiquity and history, and where religious and political tolerance is at a high civic level, but also occupies a position on the North’s main road artery. Naturally, something has been done, but not in proportion to the promises made by the author of these lines or to what Lezhë is entitled to. President of the Republic Meidani has visited this northern coastal city twice, promising that he “will intervene with the government on the roads and the port,” but his respect for the place of the “National League” has reached only as far as the doorman at the Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Majko likewise made his first visit as prime minister to this city. For the people of Lezhë, this was certainly interpreted as a message that their city would no longer be “neglected.” But his words, too, could reach as far as

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All economic aid will go through Thessaloniki, not Skopje