Support from the USA and Europe’s left is followed by sympathy from Austria’s right for the young Meta The strong points of the head of the Executive: strict enforcement of the law, a vision for the future, and relations with civil society pages 2–3

There is no doubt that the chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, is a shrewd politician who knows how to maneuver and take the right steps at the right moment, keeping in step with political developments not only in the country but also in international politics. He demonstrated this once again recently with his full support for Prime Minister Ilir Meta, declaring that “Meta will be Prime Minister of the PS even after 2001.” In fact, the socialist leader’s statements in support of the Prime Minister are dictated more by other factors than by personal sympathy or affection. The truth is that lately, strong signals of support from international actors have been arriving continually for the Albanian Prime Minister. Thus, two weeks ago, unlike Nano, who was not received by any official of the US administration when he attended the Democratic Convention, Meta was granted an official meeting with Secretary of State Olbrajt. Yesterday, Austrian Chancellor Volfgang Shysel, although the leader of a right-wing political force, expressed sympathy and full support for Albania’s left-wing Prime Minister, encouraging him along the chosen path in running the government. In short, Nano, as a pragmatic politician, has sensed that any attempt to put a spoke in the Prime Minister’s wheels and lay traps for him, when he enjoys strong support from international actors, would be nothing but an adventure that would seriously compromise the PS leader’s political future, perhaps even risking his final departure from politics. Also, by lavishly praising Meta, Nano is trying to create the impression among his electorate that he is in unison with the Americans and the international community in general. But, beyond aligning himself with Western positions when it comes to assessing Meta’s government, by standing alongside him Nano also aims to claim for himself, at least in part, credit for the successes achieved by the current government team in solving some problems that for years had remained like an incurable gangrene. Most notable among these are the improvement of road conditions and the construction of new road arteries. Finally, it should not be forgotten that we are approaching the local elections of 1 October, and Nano himself has no strong argument with which to face the opposition’s offensive. The only weapon with which the governing Socialists can neutralize the opposition’s powerful impact is the successes of the Meta government, together with the comprehensive support it receives from international actors. Meta’s government, combined with the effectiveness of ministers Poçi, Angjeli, Gjoni, Muçi and Nakon, shows that the PS is gaining international support in the Balkans, troubled by the confrontational policies of the political leaders who have governed over the past ten years. Thus, yesterday’s move by the PS leader is, in itself, diplomacy rather than love on Nano’s part for Prime Minister Meta. The latter is known as a strong-handed ruler, while Nano is a politician who turns perfectly in the direction of the wind blowing from the West.

This is the first time an Albanian socialist has been received by the right-wing in power in Europe Yesterday, during his visit to Austria, Prime Minister Meta was received by his Austrian counterpart, the right-winger Schussel. During these three years, while socialist prime ministers have been at the head of governments, this is the first time an Albanian Prime Minister has been given a warm welcome by representatives of a right-wing force in power. The fact that the Albanian Prime Minister in Austria, although from a party that has not yet joined the Socialist International, is being shown respect and receiving support from the right-wingers governing there is the most significant signal of appreciation for the work of the Albanian Executive led by Ilir Meta. This follows closely on American and European recognition of a strong-handed leader in the western part of the Balkans. In the photo: The Albanian Prime Minister with Austria’s Chancellor, Wolfgang Schussel, yesterday in Vienna