The main cities did not vote for the young candidates, but for their historic leaders Yesterday’s conferences confirmed the leaders’ absolute authority pages 2–4

. The conferences and meetings of the two major parties in Vlora and Durrës for the PS, and especially the PD’s meeting in Tirana, clearly showed that Sali Berisha and Fatos Nano will emerge victorious in their contests against their temporary rivals, P[?]ollo and Majko. The meetings of the PS and PD held in recent days served more as a ground where the contenders for the posts of party chair tested their strength against one another than as occasions to analyze the activities of the party branches. In this way, party activists found an opportunity to express once again their “loyalty” to their charismatic leaders. That is what happened yesterday in Durrës and Vlora with the Socialists, and in Tirana with the Democrats. Bearing in mind the international community’s positions on developments in Albanian politics, as well as its suggestions that “corrupt and conflict-prone figures”—meaning Nano and Berisha—leave the political scene, until recently it was thought that Albanian politics would speak with the voices of Majko and Meta on one side and Pollo on the other. But it seems that traditionalism, a certain distrust of young people who have not yet been put to the test, and perhaps some other factor are helping Berisha and Nano set the tone of Albanian politics for a few more years. In this regard, it should be said that the spirit of conflict that manifests itself in one way or another in Albanian politics has made the activists of the two main political forces feel more protected under the umbrellas of Nano and Berisha. In this regard, it would be wrong not to mention the influence of the experience and abilities of the two politicians who continue to dominate Albanian politics. Given that the departure of either one would make the other’s game more difficult, it can be said that Nano and Berisha have made a pact at a distance. Thus, the kind words Berisha says about Majko do nothing but refute the claims among the Socialist electorate around Nano that they see Majko as a “renegade,” or worse still, as an instrument of the Democratic leader. Nano’s support for Pollo’s candidacy had the same effect. A certain victory for Berisha next week, for reasons [text unclear] Nano’s support for Pollo’s candidacy. A certain victory for Berisha next week, for reasons that are almost certainly tied to Nano’s [support?], perhaps ...? But as for external influence, it should be said that Albanians are no longer the people of 1991, who saw everything that came from abroad as if it had descended from Olympus. Under these circumstances, the domestic factor remains decisive—a fact of which Nano and Berisha themselves were more aware. Perhaps this is where Majko and Pollo went wrong; they have to console themselves with the hope of winning, or remaining in power, in the years to come.

West

Page 23 photo REUTERS Mika Hakinen, who will now enjoy Frentzen’s and Kullthard’s smoke

Yesterday at midday, the body was found in front of the house The 10-year-old angel, from the village of Cakran in Fier, was found dismembered with knives and other weapons, just a few metres from his home. A nylon noose had been tied around his neck, with which he had first been strangled. And after strangling him, not satisfied with what they had done, the criminals dismembered him until he was difficult to recognize. Engjëlli had been missing for three days and his family had been looking for him. The very people who had taken him brought him home, but mutilated and cold, since they had taken his life some time earlier.

page 10