ALBANIAN VOTE AND INTERNATIONAL VOTE

AIM TIRANA, September 27, 1999

The approaching of the two biggest Albanian political party Congresses, of the opposition Democrats in September 30 and ruling Socialists in October 9 has aggravated the internal rivalry between the leaders, who are fighting to gain or hold the party chairman post. The most interesting element of the race which is under war and as usual is over passing the limits of the political ethics, is that like in the Socialist Party and Democratic Party, the main rivals boast in their campaigns as having for themselves the international factor support and not the opponent. More interesting is the fact that in such cases they are not talking of the opposing party rivals, but within the party ranks. The push for this pre-congresses development in the Albanian political parties life was also given by the international factor stand towards the parties and the main candidates, in the flared up political campaign this Fall, in Albanian capital.

The meetings of the new US Ambassador in Tirana, Joseph Limpreht , in mid September poured gasoline into the fire, because they showed a kind of protocols hierarchy and Whites House preferences for the politicians of new generation, which futher ignited the debate between the contestants of the same party.

Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, who is the main candidate for the SP chairman post, after the meeting with the US Ambassador said that under his government the relationship between Albania and US are in the highest level, since they were established.

In the same time was stated that ahead of the SP Congress, the Premier together with the Public Order minister Spartak Poci, who was praised by the American government, will pay a visit in the US, which was interpreted in Tirana as the confirmation of the American support for the new generation of socialist politicians. On September 22, Tirana was visited by German Chancellor, Gerhard Shroeder, the first visit of a German Chancellor in Albania, and on September 21 Majok was invited by the Montenegro's President Gjukanovic.

Majko's contender for party's chairman post, ex-Premier and ex- chairman Fatos Nano tried to strike his opponent precisely on the relationship with the US, accusing him in various party conferences that Majko's government is averting US and EU conditions. In the Democratic part camp, vice-chairman of the party and contender for the chairman post, Genc Pollo, that the US ambassador met ahead of DP chairman, clearly looked more favourite, because on September 13-16 a hasty visit to the US was organised for him, where he met very important people for a deputy chairman of an opposition party in a small country like Albania. After the return from the US he passed the massage that US has given him full support. His compatriot, Tirana city mayor, Albert Brojka, on September 21 declared that US expressed support for the young, moderated politicians of the right wing.

The current DP chairman Sali Berisha, who is re-running for the post, tried through his offices to play down the effect of Pollo's visit in the US among the DP members. Meantime, he took advantage of the meeting of the chairmen of the European Democratic Union, in Berlin, where DP is a member, to demonstrate his supporters the Western assistance and above all that of Europe toward him. After the return he declared "I am coming from Berlin with strong and full support of Western countries central right."

Situations, where each candidates and each political force pretends to have US and Western support, has created confusion in the socialist and democrat electorates, which are sensible of the messages coming from abroad. Thus, the Albanian top politicians, though they are sweating these days to win the districts delegates' votes, in fact are trying the impossible to win the international votes in favour of the Albanian policy.

The young politicians generation, though not so experienced in managing propagandistic massages or signals of international support like the old politicians, have managed to assimilate as an important carte in their election campaign. This has its effect and shook the ranks of the politician old guard of the two parties. The irritation, with which was received the dea of the White House and important European offices that in the Albania of Stability Pact the young politicians should be encouraged and supported, is manifested in various ways by the old politicians.

Former Premier Fatos Nano on September 10, asked on the US support for Majko and Pollo was against what he considers interference in the rules of democracy. Chairman of the DP, Sali Berisha, on September 13 after the meeting with the US Ambassador, and also on September 15 the day he left for Germany, repeated his view that the suffrages are won in Albania, which was taken as an objection to Pollo's invitation in the US.

Facing an unpleasant diplomatic position by the Albanian politicians camping to gain international votes, US ambassador reinstated the known formula that US do not support certain individuals or political forces, but supports the democratic processes and Albanian people. Not only Limpreht, but also Berisha, Nano, Majko and Pollo all know that it is not like this. The same like the present US Ambassador, also his predecessors have stated the same formula. Albanian policy has analysed it differently, so former US ambassador Rayerson was accused as being a member of DP, while Lino another US ambassador in Tirana was accused of being a member of SP. Up to now ambassador Limpreht is not accused of siding with any Albanian political forces, but is almost sure that after these congresses, the lossing side will accuse him as well.

The fact that in both parties is resurfacing a kind of xenophobia or self-national bragging in certain segments and above all in rank and file militants adds to the previous argument. In the DP local conference, for the second biggest town in Albania, Durres, the Berisha supporters, who won the local chairman post, conducted the campaign with calls and mentalities of Enver Hoxha period that the imperialist and international forces are sponsoring conspiracies against DP and its leader. On the other side SP ex-chairman, Fatos Nano feeling of not having enough international support, behaved on the same communist mentality of international plots accusing on September 21 that his stepping down as Prime Minister has been a joint act of Italian Mafia, Berisha, Majko and Kosovar Premier in exile, Bujar Bukoshi.

Apart from these xenophobic ideas, do the old leaders of the Albanian parties think that the Albanians votes are of paramount importance in the governing scene, as their supporters are propagating in the local conferences of both parties?

This is hard to believe, because even ex premier Sali Berisha, in 1998 was forced to quit his mandate, although he had gained the votes of the Albanians. The international votes in both cases were against him.

In a country like Albania, where even for workers wages is the IMF or EU that pay, the new and old leaders of the political parties has gained enough experience as to know the fundamental adjustment between local votes and international ones, or to be better express the dependence of the Albanian vote on the international one. SHABAN MURATI (AIM)