For months, the socialist opposition and its press have made a great fuss about the arrest of the leader of this opposition, former Prime Minister Fatos Nano. Amid all this deafening din, reminiscent of the comedy “Much Ado About Nothing,” malicious suspicions and unscrupulous accusations prevail against Albanian justice, the people of the law, and all those who, through effort and sacrifice, are striving to make law and justice a real norm of our lives. It must be said from the outset that all political forces in Albania have spoken positively about law and justice, the rule of law and its authority, because this is the alpha of democracy. And it goes without saying that under conditions of political pluralism, no political force, not even for the sake of demagoguery, can act otherwise, because it would openly condemn itself as a regressive, anti-democratic, barbaric force of absolute power and totalitarianism. And while they declare and speak out in favor of the law and its inviolable authority, these political forces, on the other hand, do everything they can to obstruct and neutralize its operation, trying at all costs to convince people that whenever the law acts, it is actually acting unlawfully; that it is the absurd order of someone who, from the heights of the state pyramid, supposedly holds the fate of free citizens in his hands. An absurd fabrication, yet one that is being made believable by exploiting the bitter experience of the past (we know that for fifty years we lived under a state where things are still in the process of reform and completion). Nevertheless, it must be said that, thanks to the persistent work of the bodies specializing in drafting and adopting democratic legislation, the rule of law is now moving toward taking its full shape. So why, why all these accusations and all these suspicions about the rule of law and Albanian justice? What lies behind this perverse and, in essence, terrorizing tendency? This is not being done in the name of the triumph of law and justice. Nor in the name of democracy. It is simply a cunning, malicious game, fueled by frenzied political passions. Certain political forces today are prepared, for the sake of political gain and of taking power at any cost, to sacrifice the law, justice, democracy and, God forbid, Albania. Of course, it is not a cause for joy that Fatos Nano is in prison today. On the contrary, whenever a person is confined in prison cells, it is a source of pain for society. The ideal would be for there to be no prisons at all; for there never to be a need for anyone to be subject to the operation of the law, or for some members of society to have their freedom—so sacred, so exalted, the essential substance of our being—taken away. But can this Christian wish, this sacred ideal for our souls, be realized in practice? Unfortunately not! And this is part of the pain of our lives, a part we cannot escape. [Text is damaged/garbled in the source.] Society must function normally, solely so that it can survive and improve step by step. At least we Albanians have suffered terribly from the absence of law and justice, and this bitter experience, among the bitterest that today’s human community can endure, obliges us to make a more conscious and serious commitment to defending law and justice. So, whether we want to or not, we will all be subject to these norms. Otherwise, our collective fate will be trampled, and our future will be trampled. Fatos Nano, too, will be subject to the law and justice, regardless of who he is. This is entirely normal in any democratic society. What is abnormal is the opposite: violating the law, trampling justice, and not answering to the law, to justice. So why all this fuss about bringing Fatos Nano before the law, why all these accusations against the rule of law, justice and democracy? Is it perhaps intended that these sacred things, which we have attained over the last two years, be neutralized and discredited, clearing the way for those who until yesterday played tragically with the fate of Albania and the Albanians?! Let Fatos Nano be subject to the law and justice. And the law and justice will not be unjust to Fatos Nano, just as they must not be unjust to any citizen. Of course, it is not the fault of the justice bodies or the law that former Prime Minister Nano has “coincidentally” also become the leader of the socialist opposition (former- They are law acts, it is the anti-law that is at work; that the absurd order of someone at the top of the state pyramid has control over the fate of free citizens. An absurd fabrication, but one they are trying to make credible by exploiting both the bitter experience of the past (for it is well known that for fifty years we had a state sustained not only by criminal laws, but also by the utterly criminal dictator’s orders imposed above those laws), and some defect in our justice system. There is a need for someone to submit to the judgment of the law, for some members of society to be deprived of their freedom—something so sacred, so exalted, the essential substance of our being. But can this Christian desire, this idealism that sanctifies our souls, be realized in practice? Unfortunately, no! And this makes up cannot avoid, perhaps when. Human experience has demonstrated the necessity of applying laws and justice, solely so that the organism the this makes up may function properly. But all the same, part of the pain of our lives, laws and justice, solely so that the organism the this makes up may function properly. Certainly, it is not the fault of the justice authorities or the law that former Prime Minister Nano is “coincidentally” also the chairman of the Socialist (former Communist) opposition.

The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, welcomed NATO’s latest decision to launch air strikes if the 10-day deadline for withdrawing artillery from the outskirts of Sarajevo is not respected, or if the city is bombarded further. He expressed his belief that this decision would help accelerate the establishment of peace in the Republic of Bosnia and, at the same time, stressed that Albania reaffirms its commitment to provide the airport facilities NATO may need in carrying out its missions within the framework of the UN. He also considers the US government’s decision to recognize the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia important for stability in the region, and stresses that resolving the disagreements between our two neighbors, Greece and Macedonia, is in the interest not only of these countries’ bilateral relations, but also of stability in the southern Balkans. ATA

The delegation of the People’s Assembly, headed by Mr Pjeter Arbnori, was received by the Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament, Mr Aleksander Jordanov. In his remarks, Mr Jordanov stressed that he was pleased that, alongside exchanges of high-level government delegations between our two countries, contacts at parliamentary level were also being added. Speaking about these relations, he noted that there are no insurmountable problems between Albania and Bulgaria. In his remarks, Mr Arbnori gave an overview of the work of the People’s Assembly and stressed that, following the elections of 22 March and the clear victory of the anti-communist forces, the democratic government, comprising the DP, PSD and PR, is striving to implement reform in all fields. The delegation of the People’s Assembly held meetings with various groups in the Bulgarian Parliament. ATA

In a press room free of provocateurs and sick, impassioned elements—a circumstance reflecting a commendable effort to achieve this goal—Servet Pellumbi, accompanied by Xhevat Lloshi and Gramoz Ruçi, held a press conference yesterday. The fact that Mr Pellumbi handled almost the entire press conference, as well as other facts showing that overall he had emerged as the leader of the PS, gives the impression that he is the de facto chairman of the PS and the de jure vice-chairman, as a gesture of gentlemanly courtesy toward the former leader in prison. Early elections, the PS’s favorite tune For some time, PS leaders have been issuing their verdict in favor of early elections. And although the people have grown tired of this tune, the PS continues to play it. “The electorate wants it,” said Mr Pellumbi. But which electorate? The 27% of the overall electorate that voted for the PS? What reaction has there been from the rest of the electorate, apart from the socialist electorate that was directed into demonstrations and rallies? One fact, secondary but illustrative of the PS’s “good” desire for cooperation and understanding, was its invitation to the other parties, including the DP. But when Mr Pellumbi categorically answers “no” to the question of whether he would accept a coalition, he has in fact revealed a lack of the necessary willingness in this regard. Strange: an invitation to a conference as a message of a desire for understanding, yet a refusal of the offer of a coalition! Pellumbi acknowledges achievements to date The opposing party’s perspective, stripped of the opposition rhetoric that has appeared realistically in the pages of “Zeri i popullit” and in statements by PS leaders, stands out. “Nothing has been done” is on the tip of the tongue of whoever writes for this newspaper, of whoever speaks in Parliament on behalf of the PS... Yet on this point Pellumbi appears realistic. He acknowledges a number of achievements to date. Thus, he accepted as achievements the drafting of common legislation for the market economy, the distribution of land, the creation of a class of businesspeople, efforts to expand the scope of freedoms and human rights, and the law on fundamental freedoms and human rights (despite the fact that PS deputies voted against it). SH.LUKU

Five Norwegian parliamentarians have proposed nominating the Albanian writer Adem Demaci for this year’s “Nobel” Peace Prize, the Norwegian national news agency NTB reported. Demaci spent 28 years in Yugoslav prisons as a dissident and was awarded the “Andrei Sakharov” Prize for Freedom by the European Parliament in 1992.

A group of journalists has set off for Warsaw, consisting of Ylli Rakipi (Republika), Edi Paloka (Rilindja Demokratike), Sokol Gruda (Zeri i Popullit), Skender Minozhoti (Albanica), Fatos Kongoli (Drita), Sami Neza (Rilindja), Marku (Zeri i Rinise), Arjana Kokobobo (TV), Denada Bare (Radio Tirana) and Astrit Memla (Radio Tirana). The visit has been organized by the Soros Foundation in Tirana and its counterpart, the Stefan Batory Foundation in Poland. During their visit to Warsaw, the Albanian journalists will hold a number of meetings with their Polish colleagues and will also meet ministers, representatives of political forces, well-known politicians, intellectuals, clergy, etc.

Not just something to laugh at We have all expressed our views on the Nano affair. People talk about it every day. Only those whose job it is—the justice authorities—are not speaking out. Meanwhile, various extrajudicial decisions have been issued and trumpeted as democratic. 1. The first decision to release Nano from prison was made at a Socialist Party rally in the capital. But the Tirana prosecutor’s office did not take it into account. 2. The second decision on his release was made by the electorate of Kuçova. Once again, the competent authorities did not take it into account. 3. The third decision was made by “Zeri i popullit.” This decision has been linked to the fate of Albanian democracy. The alternative is posed: without Fatos Nano’s release, there can be no democracy in Albania, and beyond that, in the Balkans and Europe. 4. The fourth decision is final. A petition bearing 700,000 signatures demands his unconditional release. The prosecutor’s office remains silent once again. 5. The fifth decision on his release was made by a municipality in Greece and sent to the competent Albanian authorities for implementation. They did not take it into account, and relations of friendship with this municipality nearly became strained. 6. The sixth decision was made at the Second National Conference of the Socialist Party. The unconditional release of the opposition leader is presented as an indication of Albanian democracy. 7. The seventh decision was issued by Italian deputy Alesi. This, too, is a final decision that does not need to be appealed. There are other, less important decisions that are not worth mentioning. What stands out among this multitude of decisions is their incompetence and their unlawful demand. The normal course would be to call for his speedy trial. One could ask that he be convicted while at liberty, which is also my personal opinion. But as long as the relevant legal authority has ordered his arrest, no one has the right to prejudge justice. The only thing that can be demanded now is his trial; that is, justice must decide whether he is guilty or innocent. That would also be the right, democratic position. The strange thing is that no one is asking the justice system for this; instead, they pass judgment on the country, as if they were all competent to arrest and release whomever they please. As for how guilty or innocent Fatos is, I will reach my conclusion after the trial, when the facts are made known. In the meantime, others should do the same. A little patience. These are serious charges that require proof, not Socialist and internationalist solidarity.

ARE YOU IN TUNE...?

500 lek (new) for the most apt caption. In response to the contest announced by the newspaper ”RD”: “Find the caption for the photo” □ Reader L.Haderi sends us this caption: ”Nano in excellent psychological shape. Anyone who doubts it should take a look at the photo”. □ Citizen Xh.Stefa comes up with this caption: ”F.Nano: I can now tell you that it is no secret that Enver Hoxha used to stick out his tongue at the soldiers guarding him when he was dozing off: just like this. This does not show that he was ill, as is claimed, but that he was an ordinary man and joked with the people around him”. NOTE: We explain that the caption above relates to accounts by some of the soldiers who guarded Enver Hoxha. They say that, lately, he would come out among the soldiers, surprising them and mocking them with his tongue out. □ Meanwhile, I.Sheshori writes: ”What got into you, tongue of mine, that you spoke about “Baba”?” The contest continues: