The Democratic leader declared yesterday that when he comes to power, he will send the Socialist leader back to the cells of Tepelena . Sali Berisha: “I’m with Majko, against Nano” The Prime Minister is preparing the new government, with Genc Pollo (PD) as Deputy Prime Minister and Fatmir Mediu (PR) as Minister of Public Order. page 3

The Socialist Party may be going through its moment of

The Socialist Party is perhaps going through the most difficult moment in its history these days. Judging by the way developments within its leadership forums are escalating, it is facing the danger of a definitive split. The revolt by some of the party’s well-known figures against the decision to convene a congress has taken concrete form through a meeting of the KPD, scheduled for today. Considering the manner and motives behind the organization of such a KPD meeting, as well as the names of its instigators and organizers, it is easy to conclude that this KPD meeting is, in a way, a coup, which will be the first step in a long campaign to neutralize the spirit of the PS’s last congress. First, the KPD itself is incomplete. As has become known, nearly half of the names on the list of those who should make up the KPD—which some archaic Socialist leaders, hiding behind the youth of Majko, Meta or someone else, are seeking to convene—do not meet all the requirements set out in the party statute. Indeed, this is also one reason why delegates have returned to the congress. If, throughout all these years, PS leaders have accepted such a violation of the statute without giving it importance, that does not mean this can continue without accountability. On the other hand, some of them are exploiting the section of the statute concerning the convening of a congress. This is not a new congress, but rather a continuation of the congress that elected the chairman and voted on several amendments to the party statute. And judging by the substance of those amendments, a congress may be convened only from time to time throughout the period during which the delegates hold their mandates. If this were another congress, that would at the very least presuppose new delegates, meaning new confirmations by the branches, perhaps even new local PS leaders. Adapting to the new conditions created by the latest statutory amendments and understanding their substance, a good number of the KPD members whose meeting is being sought for today have withdrawn, preferring not to take part in the congress, alongside chairman Nano and his representatives at the congress, while some would prefer to abstain. Majko’s supporters may also take such a position. In any case, the unfortunate thing is that what has so far been done by the most serious party on the Albanian political scene risks turning it into a party without influence, like those that have fragmented and given birth to smaller “daughters.”

The soldier on duty guarding Majko’s car. After the congress, Majko ordered 24-hour guard duty for car 005.

Tomorrow at 10:00, the concluding phase of the Third Congress will take place in the main hall of the Opera and Ballet Theatre. All the mass media have been invited to follow the proceedings. Tomorrow, 22 October 1999, at 10:00, the PS Congress will convene, marking the concluding phase of the congress, where the following will be considered: 1—Election of the PS chief financial officer. 2—Election of the Guarantees Commission. 3—Consideration of an article of the Statute, since 37 members of the KPD did not obtain the votes required under the PS Statute—that is, they did not receive more than 50+1% of the votes of the delegates present.