The Prime Minister demands complete order throughout the country. “I will check on you every day” “Every citizen who does not respect the law is considered an enemy of peace” page 5

By Koço Danaj The Congress of the Socialist International admitted the Socialist Party into its ranks. Politicians’ discussions about a consultative or

The Congress of the Socialist International admitted the Socialist Party into its ranks. Politicians’ discussions about a consultative or deliberative vote are nothing but propaganda bubbles. The Albanian left now has two parties in the Socialist International. But another phenomenon draws attention, one that concerns the concept of Euro-Atlantic integration in Albanian politics. At this congress, whose agenda had been made known to the Albanian left-wing parties, issues of particular importance concerning European integration and the future of the European left were addressed and discussed. Yet the Albanian left-wing public, and the public at large, learned about these issues from foreign news agencies. None of the politicians from the Socialist Party or the Social Democratic Party, nor the propaganda of the Albanian left in general, gave any coverage to these issues. The former went to the congress to be admitted, and their pre-congress propaganda presented admission as the sole achievement; the latter, already members, went to take part in a ceremony. The time has come to abandon the outdated propaganda about membership lists or boasts that “we joined back in 1992.” The issue must be examined more deeply. During its years in opposition and its time in power, the Socialist Party has gained experience of its own through the formation of the “Alliance for the State” coalition. At the Congress of the Socialist International, two currents within the European left were clearly visible: Tony Blair and Gerhard Schröder’s current, advocating a move by the left towards the centre-left, and the current of the French socialists, advocating a renewal of the left from within. As was evident from the materials presented to the Congress, these were not theoretical notions, but the fruit of a practical reality championed by Blair, Schröder, and Jospin. In essence, the issues addressed by the Congress of the Socialist International concerned the future of Europe and the world. Therefore, the Albanian public at large, and the left-wing public in particular, needs to know what the position of the left-wing parties in Albania is today, and what it will be tomorrow, on the issues discussed at this congress. Discussion of these major issues concerning Albania’s integration into Euro-Atlantic relations and politics is paramount. Meanwhile, interviews and discussions about membership and its stages reflect the outdated mentality of Albanian left-wing politicians—the mentality of 1992. For the Albanian left, the main issue at the end of the century is not the membership list, but the reality of concrete integration into Euro-Atlantic politics, relations, and structures. What will the Albanian left’s position be towards these two currents? Which one will it support and implement, and which current would better serve the building of the Albanian state, the rule of law, and economic prosperity? These are the things the Albanian public needs to know, not propaganda about “consultative” rights or “deliberative” rights.

Brandenburg Gate, the gate connecting East and West Berlin photo REUTERS pages 16&17 Brandenburg Gate, the gate connecting East and West Berlin. photo REUTERS

Vefa had worked with four banks in Tirana For the first time after a long silence, Vehbi Alimuçaj, tired of being in prison, has decided to tell the story of the holding company where most Albanians had deposited their money. The first story he has decided to tell concerns the events of February–March 1997, when Agim Shehu, the former Deputy Minister of the Interior, decided to attack protesters using VEFA helicopters. On the trip aboard the VEFA helicopter ba, but I told him that the window could not be opened, so the bombs were not dropped.” This was the first testimony. The accounts expected to follow concern Vehbi’s economic activities. page 7