Yesterday Meta was warmly received by the Greek minority, while today he knocks at the port of Saranda From the North of Albania, the head of the Executive descends to the Greek border page 3

FERDINAND XHAFERRI Two days ago, in his first pose for the Media of the new century, the President of the Republic, asked about the Central Election Commission, recited the standard phrase “Read the Constitution” in front of the cameras. A two-word phrase, repeated several times by the head of state, and many similar, worn-out expressions, when heard from a foreign dignitary who rarely visits Albania, certainly convey a sense of pride in the regard they show by expressing themselves, however briefly, in our language. But when the president of your country behaves in this way, it can be classified as neither laughable nor sad. The essence of the problem has to do with a natural chain reaction among all representatives of the political spectrum, ranging from the center to the right, over the composition of the Central Election Commission, as declared by Mr. Meidani. By dismissing the logic of compromise, which had ample room to be put into practice, the President of the Republic sides with the left-wing coalition, joining under the slogan “Democracy for everyone, we count the votes.” The cynicism lies in the fact that, without any argument and in a very cold, dismissive manner, the President has chosen to take a position against an opposition example, offering only the mechanical invitation “Read the Constitution.” The question is whether Mr. Meidani has the moral right to make such an invitation. From what he has said and done so far, it seems that the President has read or understood only the line of the Constitution saying that Mr. Meidani bears no responsibility for what he says and does while exercising his mandate. This logic is indisputable, because if the President had read even one more line, he would certainly have borne in mind that an article of the Constitution also entrusts him with responsibility as head of the High Council of Justice. Considering the state of justice, which appears to specialize only in releasing criminals, as well as the fact that Mr. Meidani stands at the top of the pyramid of justice twice over, both constitutionally and through family ties, Mr. Meidani certainly has no moral standing to invite others to read the Constitution. The President’s position is also inconsistent with the Constitution, because one of its articles clearly stipulates that he must also represent the unity of the entire people. By presenting himself to us with this kind of stance in response to the opposition’s mass complaint, he should at least understand that by acting this way he is doing nothing more than disregarding the Constitution. Everyone should bear in mind, and especially the head of state, that statements of this kind artificially create a tendency to heighten tensions. At present, all the products of June 29, currently acceptable, including Mr. Meidani, must finally be convinced that the opposition cannot and must not dance to the music composed by those in power. Compromise within the current Constitution must once again give concrete form to the composition of the CEC. Under current circumstances, this is the only way for neither side to feel that its most precious element in assessing democracy—the free vote—has been violated.

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A child and an elderly man lose their lives Not yet six years old, the child has died because of severe flu. Yesterday in Gramsh, the child had a 62-year-old as a fellow victim. The illness is spreading throughout Albania and causing fatalities everywhere. In the mountainous district of central Albania, news of the two victims has spread, along with fear for others. Six seriously ill patients continue to fight the flu virus, which is proving fatal this time. In Gramsh too, doctors have considered the arrival of refugees to be the cause of the disease’s introduction. page 10

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