Three years after the incident in Ilir Çeta’s family, the man who drove the chairman of the PD out of Rrëshen pages 16, 17

BY MARTIN LEKA The political configuration of the Balkans seems to have definitively entered a new phase. The changes began with NATO’s bombing of Serbia and the repressive institutions installed in Kosovo, and have advanced with the overthrow of the mastermind and ruler of Serbia’s criminal regime, Millosheviç. Seen from this perspective, the over-occupied “powder keg” of the Balkans seems to be taking the shape of a vessel whose explosive material is diminishing more and more each day. Ardhia e Koshtunica, in the worst-case scenario, is nevertheless a better choice than Millosheviçi. The ideas of the Belgrade leader regarding democracy or authoritarianism will become clear in the times ahead. Montenegro, too, has long been showing signs of its independence from the Belgrade regime and is very close to democracy and the West. Kosovo, likewise, is increasingly establishing the framework of a state independent of Serbia. Today is the test for the Albanian people of Kosovo to demonstrate their civic spirit and readiness to lay the foundations of democracy on the path toward a single sovereign state. Albania passed such a test successfully during the corresponding elections on 1 October, which were praised by the international community as never before. Seen in this light, a part of Albanian politics seems not only to be failing to contribute to the positive developments appearing on the horizon, but, on the contrary, to be moving against the current. This now-identifiable part of the political scene, knowingly or unknowingly, is doing serious harm not only to Albania, but also to Kosovo. On the eve of the historic elections for the Albanians of Kosovo, contrived and elaborate rallies by part of the opposition are a criminal “identikit” for the Albanian cause. The opposition, not only in this instance but especially in this instance, has demonstrated the height of political irresponsibility. An extended protest outside the seat of the Albanian Government on the eve of the elections in Kosovo, and the incitement of militants to cause unforeseeable incidents, cannot be called “parallel” to the protests in Belgrade a few days ago. It is clear to everyone that if the Albanian State had shown indifference, if a police officer had lost his Olympic calm in the face of the provocative crowd led by the Democratic leaders, this would have risked chaos in Albania and defeat in Kosovo. Yesterday’s stones thrown at the Prime Minister’s Office must have sounded like a symphony and been applauded only in Belgrade.

Today, Radiotelevizioni Koha is broadcasting the local elections live from Kosovo