Back From The Brink In Albania

The latest political convulsion in Tirana appears to have died down for the present

The latest political convulsion in Tirana appears to have died down for the present. The events of the past days, however, serve to illustrate the continuous danger of long-term conflict in the Balkans, especially in the context of territories in which ethnic Albanians form the majority nationality, not only in their home country but also in Kosovo and the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia. Albanians, it should be stressed, are perhaps the least fortunate of Europe's peoples. Their geographical remoteness has been enough to deny them many of the best influences which have emanated from the rest of Europe but not sufficient to save them from the continent's excesses.

The country has successively been victim of its own internecine strife, the braggadocio and bullying of fascism following the thuggish invasion by Benito Mussolini, a bizarre and brutal variant of communism under Enver Hoxha which in theory, and occasionally in practice, exceeded the ideas of Stalin in its extremism. It has hardly been surprising, therefore, that the transition to democracy and a market economy in Albania has been a painful one. It is an understatement to say that the Democratic Party of Mr Sali Berisha, whose supporters were involved in the recent disturbances, belies its name.

In the course of his presidency Mr Berisha held elections which were described as flawed by many western organisations and oversaw the appalling loss of property by large sections of the population due to the operations of crooked pyramid investment schemes. In March of last year the country erupted into a form of armed chaos not seen in Europe this century. All forms of governance collapsed and only the introduction of an international force under the OSCE prevented even greater loss of life.

In the election that followed, Mr Berisha was roundly defeated and his immediate handing over of power to the opposition Socialist party of Mr Fatos Nano gave cause for optimism in the ranks of those who wanted real progress towards democracy. His more recent activities, however, have revealed a sinister purpose. Few will disagree that Albanians in Kosovo have been victims of the aggressive policies of President Slobodan Milosevic and the minority of Serbs who support his brutal policies.

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Less obvious and less reported has been the part cynically played by Mr Berisha's supporters in the Kosovo events. Many of the arms stolen from depots throughout Albania during the chaos of March 1997 have found their way into Kosovo. That part of Albania which borders on Kosovo happens to be the stronghold of Mr Berisha and his supporters and there is evidence that he has used the events in Kosovo to create a climate of political uncertainty in his own country.

This instability has resulted in the recent events which once again have threatened the very political entity of Albania. Mr Nano's response has not been helpful. To talk about giving no mercy to criminals does little to calm a situation in which the average Albanian citizen has been the major victim. A more measured response and pressure from the international community may yet prevent another flare up in this the most dangerous of Europe's regions.