ALBANIA's Socialist and other opposition parties signed a nine point agreement with the country's president, Mr Sali Berisha, yesterday, despite severe pressure from rebels in the southern part of the country who want no pact until Mr Berisha resigns.
In what could develop into a split between the political opposition in Tirana and the armed opposition in the south, the rebels, particularly those in the city of Vlore have demanded that the socialists continue their boycott of the Albanian parliament until the president tenders his resignation.
On the other hand, the opposition politicians regard Mr Berisha's offer as a significant advance. The president has offered them places in a "government of national unity", elections within two months under international supervision, a full amnesty for those who have armed themselves and the extension of the current ceasefire for at least another week.
The offer was made in an address to the people on Albanian television yesterday evening.
Pressure from the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co operation in Europe also helped shift Mr Berisha's position, but the fall of the strategic town of Gjirokaster to rebels on Saturday is believed to have been the key factor.
The initial reaction to the concessions from opposition politicians in Tirana was euphoric. It was, according to the leader of the Democratic Alliance, Mr Neritan Ceka, a "major step forward". The Social Democratic leader, Mr Skender Gjinushi, also gave positive signals.
It is understood that the opposition may get the ministries of Defence and the Interior in the new government as well as chairmanship of the National Information Service, which is more bluntly known as the secret police. A commitment was also given to reform of the national television service.
Delight in Tirana at Mr Berisha's offer was quickly dampened. One politician had managed to get through to Gjirokaster by phone and was told that the president's announcement bad been greeted by a barrage of gunfire from the rebels.
In the town, retired army general Agim Gozhita has taken charge, ordering teenagers to hand in their weapons and vowing to punish looters. "Shops will open and those caught stealing will be punished," Mr Gozhita told a crowd of 1,500 after he was elected president of the town's 15 member rebel council. But he also sent an unwelcome message to Mr Berisha, rejecting any amnesty to surrender weapons unless it involved the president's resignation.
In Permeti, a small town northeast of Gjirokaster, five people were killed in clashes between armed rebels and government forces yesterday, a Greek television correspondent reported.
As well as a danger of a split with the rebels, opposition parties were also concerned about what they regard as a short lead up to new elections and expressed the worry that they might not have enough time to become properly" organised before the vote takes place in June.
At present all criticism of the government is silenced under censorship laws. The main independent newspaper, Koha Jove, has not been published since armed supporters of Mr Berisha burned out its newsroom a week ago.
Politicians will have to find a way to persuade the rebels to accept peace terms and start handing in their arms. Albania's opposition is small and fragmented after a series of elections which are generally believed to have been rigged in Mr Berisha's favour. Most parties agree, however, that only the jailed Socialist politician, Mr Fatos Nano, seems likely to have the personal authority to bring the rebels around to agreement.
Mr Nano, a former communist like Mr Berisha, is also a former prime minister. Shortly after Mr Berisha took power, in the summer of 1993, Mr Nano was jailed for 13 years on charges of corruption and financial irregularities.
His sentence has been reduced on a number of occasions following a series of amnesties and it has now just 14 months to run. His early release could send a strong signal to the rebels that this time Mr Berisha really means business.
