60 police officers dismissed as inactive, incompetent and corrupt Arrests continue; three more in custody. Search declared for 10 people accused page 8

BY MARTIN LEKA During the seven days since last Sunday, when Albanians voted for their “idols,” the refrain accompanying the Albanian media, especially the press, has been a genuine “apologia” for Berisha’s defeat. Indeed, it has been more about Berisha’s defeat than that of the Democratic Party. Some exuberant, others more modest, everyone has sought between the lines the “reasons why” Berisha, the party leader, suffered defeat. Given the way the party has behaved so far, one can find nothing democratic about it except its identifying “surname.” Under this pressure of information focused on the opposition’s authoritarian leader, the winning protagonists seem to have been pushed aside. We certainly do not think this reflects ingratitude, just as we cannot excuse ourselves by using the expression “the winner is not judged.” The “Berisha” phenomenon cannot be denied as a factor, both in the Socialists’ victory and, even more, in the Democrats’ defeat. One cannot possibly say that Edi Rama won because of the “bogeyman,” considering his excellent campaign. Credit cannot be given to anyone else but him, because he did not tire of meeting thousands of people in Tirana, from the Roma who clean the capital’s rubbish to the scien[?]tists, or the people in Korçë who clashed with the election commission because Edi Rama’s name was not on the ballot?! This victory cannot be marginalized because of Berisha’s failings, just as the thousands upon thousands of Socialist Party members and supporters who took part in building the infrastructure for their victory cannot be left out. Fatos Nano and Ilir Meta politically presented an image of rationality, but also of being at ease, considering the latter’s statements in defence of the Constitution and the law. In any case, the Socialists are the protagonists of the victory, even though they knew how to deal with Berisha in a way he did not want. Berisha has now withdrawn, although some nationalist heralds, whose analysis is muddled, are strangely frightened only when their spiritual leader loses. But political history, including recent history, shows that people described as authoritarian (including dictators) remain dangerous even without power if one loses control over them. If we paraphrase the expression “the winner is not judged,” the Socialists will be judged from now on if they lose control over Berisha’s brutal behavior and that of his violent supporters.

page 3 Fotaq Nano, chairman of the CEC Photo Pllo

Technician at a building under construction dies, near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The brick broke into 26 small pieces. After an investigation, police arrest the company president and the court orders detention without time limit Page 11