“Our wish is for you to lead the Stability Pact” The American ambassador brings the latest project of the US administration for the Region page 4

By ALEKSANDËR ÇIPA The Executive acts through political relations. Such a move can

The Executive acts through political relations. [Top part of the headline cut off] political relations. Such a move can be said to describe yesterday’s action by Prime Minister Meta, following his visit to the Democrats’ headquarters, where he publicly confirmed the participation of a small ally of the main opposition party in the initiative for the Anti-Corruption Commission. This is the Prime Minister’s first act in what may be called his political undertaking to break the “unison” of the opposition’s “en bloc” refusal of the well-known invitation. At first glance, this act gives the impression of a reminiscence of former President Berisha’s once-created “Union for Democracy,” whose minor members his opponent Nano called “laçoparti.” But, viewed in the context of today’s situation, Meta’s move to gain another ally through the self-declaration of an individual decision by the Group promoted by Berisha proves to be a move that gets the result right. After this, the Democrats’ gesture takes on the context of being included according to the political-chess maxim: “Win the pawns to weaken the King.” And, more importantly, in this still not direct duel with Berisha, the Prime Minister is also playing the “die” represented by the other allies within the opposition camp. This undeclared alliance should also include the group of reformers, who de facto may be considered involved, despite their hesitation, because of the daily pressure inside the party headquarters. Thus, in his cautious statement that “Our invitation will be repeated and remains addressed to the opposition’s participation in the Anti-Corruption Commission,” the Prime Minister is also conveying an affirmation of his political offensive through institutional action. At last night’s meeting of the Anti-Corruption Technical Group (whose promotion Meta carefully attributes to the “Group of Friends of Albania”), he made the launch of this Commission’s executive work a fait accompli. (Its heterogeneity had been sought and is being convincingly achieved.) As a prologue to this act, Meta and the supporting majority apparently gained ground through the opposition’s refusal, and especially through the problems and hilarity within it. They have thus gained time through a fait accompli, avoiding, at least so far, political games involving figures of the “laçoparti” type. At the same time, with its latest gestures, the socialist Executive has found an opportunity to break away from a state that could be described as political “submersion.” What is even more important is the numerical increase in political allies. political allies, making it possible for Meta’s political vocation to visibly avoid becoming stagnant. Nevertheless, a return to “political wrangling” remains quite possible if the Executive prolongs the moment of organizing and of others making declarations of invitations, without at least providing the first executive proof of a genuine commitment to the Anti-Corruption effort. Nevertheless, yesterday’s move by Meta was excellent, since it prepared the ground for a final blow against a part of the political class that is corrupt, or invisibly linked to the domestic or foreign economic mafia. And Meta, who has this against him, has it hard and cannot get back on his feet. Now, at least, he Now, he has just entered the “ring,” but in any case has passed the “warm-up” phase. The public is now waiting for the victims of the Anti-Corruption effort, who should “flare up” in the cold cells of Tirana prison.

Page 7 The four young men sentenced yesterday in court. Two of them received life imprisonment

Shkodër Customs has become a gateway for smuggling cigarettes coming from Montenegro. The director of the regional directorate, Skender Dizdari, together with the head of Shkodër Customs, Saimir Lleshi, by allowing the law to be violated, have enabled the smuggling syndicate operating between the two countries to avoid paying the Albanian state billions of lekë. Allowing dozens of trucks to pass without customs clearance, to the detriment of those who deal honestly with the state, has suffocated traders who comply with customs law. Police sources in Shkodër told “KJ” that Fatbardh Neziri, head of anti-smuggling, and Ritvan Meçani, a customs officer, have also been involved in this affair, since their negligence has increased the pace of cigarette smuggling from the small state of Montenegro. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of the Republic’s Customs is reportedly drawing up a secret plan against the smugglers in this area, with special forces from the Ministry of Public Order to be included in the operation. What is happening at this customs post is at odds with the strict order issued by Petrit Ago, Director General of Customs, that “not a single pack should pass without customs clearance.” So why do they dare to do this in Shkodër, or do they have the backing of some politician or MP? The Hani i Hotit crossing should be open to free and lawful trade, but not to cigarette smugglers. R.N.