The state’s old habit, since the birth of the Albanian, is to oppose him! This is what the spirit and wisdom of our ancestors teach us. Perhaps from the bitter experience of the school of the foreign state, but not only from that. It seems to us that it merely decides and rules, and not only protects and ensures order. It seems to us that our state makes decisions and laws without asking us and against us! A great man once said: “Freedom is the right to do everything that the law does not forbid.” If someone convinces us that the law is just, then we are obliged to obey. If life convinces us that laws are not made for us, but against us, distrust, indifference, and opposition arise. In the case of Fatos Nano, the people have never been convinced that his punishment was a fair judgment. On the contrary, the majority has believed and still believes that it is a political act. For precisely this reason, his case has gone beyond the limits of a criminal file and has become a test of the relationship between the state and the citizen. When the state fails this test, it does not gain authority; it gains only fear and hatred. Fear may silence for a while, but hatred speaks for a long time. If it were only a matter of one individual, things would be simpler. But here we are speaking of a well-known political figure, the leader of the Socialist opposition, of a case followed by all public opinion. In this case, justice must not only be done, but also be seen to be done. And when its visibility is damaged by haste, propaganda, and the passions of the day, then the suspicion arises that we are not dealing with a trial, but with a prearranged sentence. Albanians have never been blind worshippers of the state. They have obeyed it when they felt it was theirs, when they saw in it order, protection, hope. But they have turned against it when they saw it as an instrument of oppression, as a hand that takes and does not give, as a voice that orders and does not listen. This old habit is not a virtue, but it is a reality. And a wise state does not ignore this reality; it takes it into account. Today, more than ever, the Albanian state needs to regain the trust it has lost. Trust is not gained through political prisons, revenge, or triumphalist language. It is gained through equal law, an independent court, respect for the opponent, and moderation. Otherwise, the punishment of Fatos Nano will remain in the public conscience not as a triumph of justice, but as its stain. In the end, the state must understand one simple thing: it may convict a man, but it cannot convict a political conviction. It may close a prison door, but it cannot close the mouth of public opinion. It may announce a verdict, but it cannot extinguish the question hanging over it: was justice done? And as long as that question remains, the state itself remains unexonerated.

BASHKIM ZENELI Member of the Presidency of the Socialist Party, deputy We, just as we want all Albanians to be treated with dignity wherever they live, likewise want good relations with our neighbors, and especially with Greece. This is a political, economic, and human necessity. Relations with the Greek state cannot be held hostage by nationalist rhetoric or artificially inflated incidents. On the contrary, they must be based on the principle of reciprocity, respect, and mutual interest. It is true that there are unresolved issues, historical sensitivities, and tensions that from time to time surface. But precisely for that reason, moderation is required from both sides. Serious politics is not fueled by shouting, but by arguments and patience. Albania has an interest in good neighborliness with Greece, just as Greece has an interest in stability in the south of the Balkans. It cannot be accepted that problems of migration, the minority, or property are used as tools of political pressure. They must be addressed with European standards and with ongoing dialogue. Every time these issues have been used for internal political consumption, the climate of trust has been damaged. We are not in favor of stirring up low emotions. We are in favor of rational solutions. We want our citizens who live and work in Greece to feel protected, respected, and not turned into objects of discrimination. Likewise, we want the Albanian state to act responsibly toward the Greek minority and not allow any arbitrariness. Good neighborliness is not a slogan. It requires wise policy, clear diplomacy, and restrained language. Whoever seeks conflict harms his own country first. Therefore, in Albanian-Greek relations, understanding must prevail, not confrontation. In this spirit, we believe that Albania’s European path also passes through building stable and civilized relations with its neighbors. With Greece we want understanding, good neighborliness.

(photo-seeker curious to catch) without boasting. These are minds, wisdom, and prudence formed over time and over time again. Strange, yes! The prosecutor in the case against Fatos Nano, even before entering the courtroom, attracts attention for her sharp language and demeanor. It seems as though she represents not only the law, but also a spirit of prejudice that turns the process into a spectacle. Instead of the calm expected from a representative of the prosecution, what stands out is the nervousness of her stance, which only feeds distrust toward impartiality. In a heated political climate, every word from the prosecution weighs twice as much. That is precisely why moderation is required, not rhetoric. But if words are used as a weapon rather than as a means to illuminate the truth, then the role of justice fades. The public senses this and comments on it with irony. This serves neither the prosecution, nor the state, nor the truth.

The Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party, Servet Pëllumbi, took part Interesting and youthful potential The parliament of democracy and, above all, what should concern the youth, is finding a path of progress. From this meeting it emerged that the issue of European integration, democratic culture, and cooperation among young socialists is a priority. The participants stressed the need for a new political spirit, away from old schemes and ideological prejudices. The meeting took place in an open atmosphere, where views were presented on the role of youth in building democratic institutions. There was discussion of the experiences of other European countries and of the possibility for Albanian youth to benefit from them. In this context, the participation of the Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party, Servet Pëllumbi, was valued as an important support for communication between political generations. The discussions underlined that Eurosocialist youth must remain connected to the concrete problems of Albanian society: education, employment, culture, and freedom of organization. Without this link, any European vision remains abstract. In this spirit, the meeting was considered a positive step toward organizing a broader network of cooperation.

DELVINE The wolves of the PDS are getting figurative apples The state bandit leaders talk about attacks, two by two, and try to smooth things over with clothing. So, chief, has he come out? Has he been silenced? Without scandals? In your eyes? Many of our policemen have been beaten and struck. According to the police of Delvina, all of this is slander and fabrication aimed at covering up the terror over the inhabitants and turning the guilty into victims. In this climate of pressure, citizens are asking for calm and law, not bravado in uniform. Xh. H. (To be continued on page 4)

The city on Friday and 29/4 at 10.00 at the House of the Socialist Party in the “Mihal...” neighborhood, where relatives, friends, comrades, colleagues with great sorrow accompany [him/her] to the final resting place ... Q. Shehaj (Continues on page 4)