Political attack on four judges of the Tirana Court of First Instance ON PAGE 4

Reasons for the Italian government’s distancing itself from Nano and his successor ON PAGE 4

The compromised figures in the justice system have abandoned their offices ON PAGE 5

Coalition talks on the new government have stalled. Gaqo Apostoli, who shares out the money with Nano and Gjinushi, is splitting the allies. Ndre Legisi will replace Fatos Klosi at the head of SHIK. The chairman of Fier’s terrorist Committee, Petro Koçi, will be Minister of Public Order.

The all-encompassing crisis in the country was demonstrated in recent days also by the socialist President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani. Despite having the full support of the international community and the backing of the country’s political forces to play his proper role in establishing political dialogue, Mr Meidani preferred to remain an obedient “soldier” of Fatos Nano, who appointed him and made him fall into line. Mr Meidani, who was supported and backed by the country’s political forces, both government and opposition, so that he could play the role assigned to him by the Constitution and by his duty as head of the Albanian state, consciously chose to support the Socialists and Fatos Nano. The country’s constitutional practice, when a prime minister resigns, recognizes the President’s political consultations with the political parties regarding the new prime minister as a basic democratic norm. In all circumstances, political consultations help the President hear all the opinions and political assessments directly regarding the new prime minister he appoints by decree. The success or failure of that prime minister’s work is also attributed in no small measure to the President and to his office, which is not paid to hold meetings with non-governmental organizations but, above all, to lead the state as its head. By appointing Majko with astonishing speed, before the results of the vote in the Socialist Party Committee had even been announced, Mr Meidani made a swift and hypocritical move. He thinks that the range of opinions will endorse the decree appointing Majko, even though he hesitated for two weeks before appointing the Nano IV government, causing considerable public concern. By issuing yesterday’s decree without any prior consultation, Meidani and Nano are trying to present Albanian politics with a fait accompli. But politics is not a matter of cafés and crisis; on the contrary, it is also a matter of what is called its own proper sphere. All the opposition political forces have described Meidani’s action as hasty and harmful to the convening of a joint political round table with Meidani. The latter, through his adviser, has declared that the President does not intend to invite the political forces directly to a joint meeting and supports the Socialists’ solution, which is not only unilateral but also fundamentally very limited. The puppet show Fatos Nano wants for the country, with a prime minister who has been imposed on his allies, has taken power—and it is doomed to fail from the outset. Meidani’s position on the crisis, with his intervention in support of the Socialists, is so clear that it leaves little room for political change. It is highly likely to push the opposition once again to make clear, in advance, whether Nano and Meidani want a comprehensive solution. They cannot hide or bypass it. Dialogue cannot be covered up with a square, nor can it be given the face of Pandeli Majko. Albania is in a deep political, institutional and, above all, economic crisis. There is no solution in the opposition’s political interest in a socialist government with puppets at its head. But its concern, expressed in opposition to its own political leaders, is for inclusive dialogue and a broader solution, for a government and an institutional compromise involving all political forces. Meidani must assume full political responsibility. If Meidani and the political forces are not interested in an attack on the government, let them return—but with names and a team of ministers supported by all. It is certain that they will remain responsible for their actions and for the catastrophe they are serving up to the country. We know why things have gone wrong again, and it is not too late to prepare the necessary steps. Shemsi PEPOSHI

Yesterday in “Skënderbej” Square

The platform of the “League Against Dictatorship” will not change ON PAGE 3

Today marks 19 days since the murder of the December Leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, provides proof of the involvement of Fatos Nano’s government and his successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former communists, which leaves free and unprotected the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, shows Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the murderers, who have names and identities but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari can under no circumstances tolerate this. The government must either capture the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Local government denounces the government’s centralist policy and rejects Nano’s accusations We have been criticized as obstructing government projects when none have been brought forward; we have been accused of boycotting decentralization when there has been no real practice of decentralization at all. On the contrary, the government has taken powers in several areas, transferring them to its officials at the local level, the prefects. ON PAGE 2

The Italian press ridicules Majko’s appointment as head of government Nano’s departure was greeted enthusiastically by official Rome, while his replacement by Majko caused great surprise. The Italian press attacks Fatos Nano, his successor Pandeli Majko, and the Socialists’ plans to form a new government, considering them inadequate to pull the country out of the crisis. Yesterday, the newspaper “L’Avvenire” wrote that Albania would be governed by a “kid of a prime minister,” noting that Pandeli Majko’s appointment to the important post was utterly laughable. According to the newspaper, Majko not only lacks the age and experience needed for such a burden, but also the minimum abilities for such a post. Similar comments about Majko appeared in almost all Italian daily newspapers, which meanwhile accused Fatos Nano of corrupt governance that had encouraged crime and illicit trafficking not only in Albania but throughout the region. According to the Italian press, official Rome greeted Nano’s departure enthusiastically, having regarded him as a sort of pro-Greek figure, while viewing Majko’s appointment with great skepticism. Italy’s newspapers express their surprise that a country in a deep political crisis should turn to a “kid,” with no talents or experience, to find a way out of the dire situation.

Clarification from the spokesperson of the DP ON PAGE 2

The opposition is once again taking to the squares to protest. Thousands of citizens in “Skënderbej” Square are demanding a genuine political solution and opposing the actions of Fatos Nano’s government.

On Saturday, 3 October, the National Conference of the PDK will hold its proceedings. All delegates are hereby informed that the Conference will be held in the hall of the National Historical Museum at 11:00.

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