Fatos Nano yesterday in Tirana for his mother's funeral At around 1 p.m. yesterday, the people who had gone to attend the funeral ceremony for the mother of Socialist Party Chairman Fatos Nano learned that Fatos himself would take part in the ceremony, having arrived on Thursday as a political prisoner. It seemed that for a moment humanism triumphed over prolonged revenge.[?] The simple and solemn ceremony was marked by the human solidarity of thousands upon thousands of people from a living Korça-like community made up of several charities.[?] After it, there was a touching meeting with comrades, friends, relatives and colleagues. The participants' Cultural Center seemed as if it wanted this lyrical moment to last longer than just a few hours. Then there was a meeting with the journalists, which we are publishing in full. Photo L. Çika Reuters

Conversation between Fatos Nano and journalists How do you assess the authorities' action in allowing you to take part in your mother's funeral? I hope the value of this action has a longer-lasting effect than that, not only for the dead, but also for the living. Albania needs a truce, and the wise can make the truce. I thank those wise people who convinced the state to take this action. Don't you want to mention any name? I don't know, because the head of state spoke differently last night. It seems that in his conscience an angel descended onto his bed.[?] Did your inspiration at 11 o'clock grant the permission for you to come to Tirana?[?] I do not believe that the state is so centralized that Berisha should sign my permission to attend my mother's funeral at 1 o'clock. I don't believe it, because this government has rules that do not allow written documents. I know that tonight I will be at home. What happened when you were informed that you would be coming to the funeral? - When I submitted the request, I was not lacking in confidence. When I heard the president on television in the evening, I hoped, not only for myself. Now I am calm and I confirm that today the unexpected came to me. In your interviews and in your speech before your mother's grave, you made many religious references. Could it be that Fatos, during his time in prison, converted a little? - It is about the natural evolution of human beings toward personalism. I think the character is in good spirits and, of course, in such cases they live with the aesthetic medal of imperfection, even that of the representatives of God on earth.[?] Do you think your messages about lowering the weapons will reach the right ears and get a concrete response? - Those who want to listen hear; not those who only look away. I don't think messages should be sent into the desert. I have a principled position on this issue. What did you experience in these hours with your relatives and colleagues? About two months before my mother died, in a family gathering, I called her the Holy Mary, not only to simply express my own appreciation of her on the same level as the figure of Saint Mary, but also because she truly deserved it. Two months ago I sent her a letter because I felt the need to communicate with my mother. Among other things, I wrote something that turned out to be wrong, that is, regarding my relatives, because her emotional and psychological reaction was harmful to her health. I wrote that I miss being together again, there on those corridors outside, or on those steps where you saw me off two and a half years ago and, shedding two tears, promised me that you would take care of yourself, so that you would take care of me too. Meanwhile, my father tonight expressed the still unfilled part of longing and pain by saying: It is truly a forgotten feeling, an extraordinary sorrow to have you near again, moving in that house where you were born and raised. Please, something within these coordinates is still in my soul and will remain until the moment of departure. Here we are seeing your comrades-in-arms, your political colleagues. How much space did politics occupy during these hours? My concept of politics is, in a certain way, the generalization of human relations, and I have tried to channel this concept of mine into what is called professional politics or official politics. Today I received many political messages and, quite spontaneously, I received many political messages. I would summarize all this with what Sabit Brokaj said at the grave: "The mother is very precious and magnificent, so she does a great deal even when she dies." What were the messages you received from your friends? Perhaps every moment of communication was filled with (Continued on page 2)

Dear friends, On behalf of my father, sisters and children, and on behalf of all my relatives, I thank you for the honor and your presence. This is a simple ceremony; we are bidding farewell to our beloved mother, the one who gave life from her own life for us. And we will give from our life for others. I think this message expresses immortality. On this occasion I would also like to thank the authorities who gave me the chance to give my mother her final joy, together with my closest people. I would thank them because I would praise the fact that they recognize the truce. Before death and the enemy, weapons.[?] But I would ask them to lower the weapons also for the living, for life as well. Not only in the face of death. In my name, in the name of my relatives and of God, I ask you for a whisper for my mother.

Six stories by Blerim Shala Page 10

Press conference of Skënder Gjinushi Page 4

A delayed chance Page 6