The Socialist Party Presidium meets late last night to prepare for the congress At Nano’s rallies, some people wanted by the police, as well as former customs officers page 2

During these years of pluralism, Albania’s foreign policy has been criticized for constantly wavering in its orientation. At one time it was said that joining the EU was the priority; then relations with neighboring countries came to the fore, without forgetting the so-called “traditional friends.” One need only refer to at least the statements made by our politicians and those who governed Albania until October last year to reach the above conclusion. Thus, at different times it has been said that “Athens is Albania’s bridge to Europe,” before switching to the version that “Albania should integrate into Europe through Italy,” followed by similar statements regarding other EU member states. These changes have usually been dictated by secondary, even personal, reasons, with various politicians—while congratulating themselves on their patriotism and their aim of making the country shine—being driven by interests, nostalgia, or even dubious personal ties. But events in Kosovo, especially in recent times, should have made it clear to Albanian politicians who Albania’s and the Albanian nation’s principal ally ought to be. The fact is that, with the exception of the USA and Great Britain, which strongly supported the Albanian cause, the others—first and foremost the neighboring countries and those described as “traditional friends”—remained silent rather than acting in support of Albania, or openly sided with Belgrade, as was the case with Greece and the pro-Serbian lobby in Italy. Add to this the extremely important fact that the USA is the sole political and economic superpower on our planet that determines the fate of the world, and it follows that Albanian foreign policy should have only one “North Star” to guide it: the United States of America. On the other hand, it must be said that, unlike other countries, including its allies, America does not suffer from some “old love” for any of our neighbors that would lead it to sacrifice the interests of the Albanian nation, as has happened in the past. As for the recent statements by a well-known Socialist politician named Nano, the idea deep down has been that “ties with America should also be developed through Rome or Athens”; the opposite can be said to be the case. Recalling President Clinton’s statements and those of other American officials that “America has vital interests in Kosovo,” which it is demonstrating in practice, it would be absurd to claim that one can get there using tickets bought from others. As for integration into the EU, NATO, or whatever else, Albania will be viewed in a completely different light from the way it has been viewed until now if it decides to have the USA as its strategic ally. A few days ago, the USA decided that Albania should be admitted to the World Trade Organization, a step China and other powerful states have been seeking for years. The same can be said of regional integration processes. Moreover, in the Balkans the idea of a federation, confederation, or other union without American tutelage is difficult, if not impossible.

Photo: Nano enjoying the calm of being prime minister and chairman of the SP

The World Bank president visits Bathore and Kukës pages 17–18