The situation in the Balkan region could be reignited by Milošević’s rule The USA remains the most strategic ally of the Albanians. Today in Tirana—Albright, the American Secretary of State page 5

BY MARTIN LEKA When nine years ago he was to cross the Atlantic to the “land of the eagles,” the American Secretary of State, Be-

When nine years ago he was to cross the Atlantic to the land of the eagles eagles,” the American Secretary of State, Baker, rarely had Tirana’s streets and squares experienced such a situation, an almost spontaneous outpouring of enthusiasm, reaching even “unconscious” acts of kissing the wheels of the car in which the distant visitor was riding. Baker’s itinerary was almost the same as that of his successor today, Madeleine Albright. Times, people, policies, politicians: everyone has changed. Some things for the better, others for the worse. Ramiz Alia is no longer president, and Sali Berisha, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Democratic Party, will no longer take the podium... There will no longer be so many people in the streets and squares, because people have changed too, and perhaps the streets and squares as well. They have changed—or, in this case, it is worth saying: the media have also multiplied. But surely the American Secretaries of State have “changed” too. Nine years ago, Albright’s predecessor, in greeting the breaking of the “iron curtain” of isolation and the celebration of democracy, said that we were free to say what we wished; that we were free to profess what we wished; that we were free to choose our leaders; that we were free to practice our faith! In fact, during the nine years following the visit of the esteemed American lady, we Albanians have achieved these freedoms (except for “the odd” occasion when we were not free to choose our leaders, because the very leaders we ourselves had elected stole our votes). Surely, Mrs. Albright will not repeat the same vocabulary today. Not simply because American policy has been actively present in Albania during the period separating the Baker and Albright visits, but just as simply because Albanian politics has been able to identify itself, both within and beyond its borders, through those undemocratic actions which, for diplomatic reasons, Baker did not mention nine years ago. Without philosophizing pointlessly, beyond what Baker said and what we mentioned above, we Albanians, led by politics, have also done much wrong. Should it not be said—led by politics, we have also done much wrong—that we needed her to tell us again ourselves that we were free? In many cases, abusing our democracy and freedom, we have broken the law, destroyed parks, cut down forests, built kiosks, opened parks, and killed one another. In many cases, with weapons and in other ways, we have killed one another. In many cases we have misused our freedom, turning it into a “solution.” Today, Albright, the “Guardian Angel of the Albanians,” surely will not preach the terms of “unrestrained freedom.” She will not tell Albanians: “YOU ARE NOT FREE—SHE WILL SURELY HAVE TO TELL THE ALBANIANS: ‘YOU ARE NOT FREE TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.’” Between the “Guardian Angel” and the “Iron Lady,” the latter matters more to Albanians. For the sake of iron, Albanians [text corrupted] the “Guardian Angel” Albright, who today sets foot on Albanian soil for the sake of well-being [text corrupted].

Today the capital’s residents fill the boulevard for Albright, while tomorrow the Democrats will take it over for a rally Tomorrow the Democratic leader has announced a very large rally, which more than 40,000 people will attend to celebrate the day the symbol of the communist dictatorship was toppled and to show the government that the DP will soon come to power. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Order remained silent yesterday about stopping Berisha’s rally, although a few days ago they said, “Berisha will not dare enter Skënderbej Square.” Yesterday the Democratic leader declared: “On Sunday the Square is mine. If Nano and Meta want to stop us, they should think carefully about the consequences that may follow. The DP will fill the Square.” Although the police have made preparations today for the arrival of Albright, the American Secretary of State, it is still thought that all police forces will merely observe Berisha’s rally at midday on Sunday. It is also learned that Prime Minister Meta has not commented on Berisha’s illegal rally, leaving it to be understood that he might also stop it using Poçi’s police force. As if by coincidence, the PS will also organize a rally at the QNK and at the Palace of Congresses for February 20, ignoring the DP rally in Skënderbej Square; although, according to Berisha, they will surround the socialists’ rally in a democratic manner.

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