Results up to midnight show a slight lead for Majko pages 2–3

From the way yesterday’s conference of the Tirana Socialists unfolded, it was clear that, despite the fact that Majko and his supporters managed to secure a greater number of delegate seats for their supporters at the congress, former PS leader Fatos Nano has made considerable gains. Let us recall that Tirana has always been the strongest “anti-Nano bastion” in the country. Specifically, Nano has always emerged defeated from clashes held in this branch, whose leading figures have consistently opposed him. Even the “prison” factor, which turned the former socialist leader into a symbol for his party, can be said to have had minimal influence among Tirana’s Socialists. The fact is that the PS branch leadership in the capital has always been dominated by his opponents, from Ulqini to, most recently, Poçi. However, yesterday’s figures show that Nano now feels he is in a stronger position in Tirana. Such a rise in Nano’s standing is in fact part of a broader increase in his popularity in almost all districts of the country. This is not only the result of a carefully managed campaign; what has once again made Fatos Nano a central figure in his party is the shortcomings of the current government, whose rule has been characterized solely by slogans that generally fail to take concrete shape. But, beyond this, Nano, thanks to his political intuition and experience, has brought new, concrete ideas onto the field of battle, aiming first and foremost to modernize the party by insisting on the establishment of strict rules in every aspect of its functioning. The repeated attempts at manipulation, which culminated yesterday in armed men entering the conference hall, are precisely the consequence of the absence of these rules, which are essential for a genuine party. On the other hand, the maximum mobilization of Socialist officials for this conference, and their placing even the structures under their control at the disposal of those supporting Nano at all costs, are further indications of their fear of an unpleasant surprise that the former leader might have sprung yesterday. This led to Nano’s innocence in the so-called “lighting-fixtures scandal”—one of the main themes of the Socialists’ anti-government protests for years—passing unnoticed during the conference. In keeping with this, it would come as no surprise if, in a moment of danger, Nano’s opponents in power were to reserve for him treatment more or less like the treatment Berisha gave him one cold morning, to put him out of the game.

Photo: Klosi, head of SHIK, yesterday at the Constitutional Court in the case against the government Photo P.llo International rights have been violated Kurds take Albania to court Now we are caught between two fires. From the West come accusations of Kurdish trafficking, while from the East comes a summons to court from Kurdish emigrants, who claim they were not allowed to come to Albania even though they had valid documents. The lawyers for the Kurds who were turned back have warned the Albanian state that they will take it to an international court for denying the free movement of people. Until now, no one had imagined this, while everyone was denouncing the arrival of Kurds from the East at Rinas, on their way to the West. The summons to court from people without a homeland has also caught Albanian emigrants by surprise, even though they have a homeland and receive no protection when their documents are torn up and they are sent back. page 7 Photo: Klosi, head of SHIK, yesterday at the Constitutional Court in the case against the government. Photo P.llo