Allies and opposition: “A mouse doesn’t pass under the moustache twice”! The PS chairman said yesterday at a press conference that he could become prime minister as well as chairman of the PS Pages 2–3

The leadership of the Socialist Party, by deciding to suspend the campaign begun by former chairman Fatos Nano, has perhaps unwittingly done him the greatest service in his efforts to regain the position he lost in the socialist leadership. A reaction to this campaign by Nano, which from the outset created the impression that the current PS leaders themselves fear Nano—meaning that he is more capable than they are. Among other things, the decision in question by the PS leadership to suspend this campaign has naturally “persecuted” Nano, placing him in the position of a “persecuted man” and naturally magnifying his image among the socialist electorate. Let us recall in this connection the effects of his imprisonment by Berisha, thanks to which he retained the party chairmanship until the beginning of this year, not to mention his transformation into a martyr, a symbol of the PS and even of the other opposition parties. On the other hand, opposing the activities of an individual—activities that reduce the rights of all ordinary members of his party, regardless of the party’s statutes—casts a deep shadow of doubt over the existence of democracy within the party. But above all, with the socialist leadership’s decision that Nano must stop his campaign, it has handed him a powerful argument to use in his criticism of the government and the party leadership. With his experience, Nano is one of those politicians who knows how to successfully turn the opposite into an advantage. It is not known whether the PS has considered the possibility that the aim of his campaign is a definitive break with the PS, in order to form another group. In fact, Majko, Meta and the others have reason to fear the former chairman’s recent moves. First of all, rallies and populism are not in Nano’s interests. As for Nano’s relations with the PS grassroots, it can be said that they are among the best. It cannot be said that true socialists are pleased with Nano’s stance, and they cannot forget his attitude toward the opposition. As for the period immediately after Flora two years ago, it may be thought that his criticism of the current government is seen as a consequence of the fact that, after all, the “Majko” government came into being as a result of Nano’s agreement. Specifically, Nano is known as an old politician but, at heart, a great demagogue. In fact, Nano is criticizing the government for flaws that brought about Nano’s own downfall. This may be enough for the former prime minister’s opponents to find a way to neutralize his latest offensive.

It had been installed in a house in the village of Shkozë — page 9 Nano “rolls up his sleeves” for the fifth time

POLITICS Following criticism from the Group of Friends, the Prime Minister’s Office: “If we do not meet the conditions, not only the government but the entire country will fail” Page 6 FEATURE REPORT The story of the Americans of Albanian descent who fought in Kosovo and are now left in Albania Page 7 CURRENT AFFAIRS Telephone cards arriving from Finland disappear on the plane Page 9 DISTRICTS A masked gang attacks and robs trucks carrying aid for Kosovars in Laç. Page 11 In Dropull, Albanians and Greeks clash over water sources Page 13