A 2003 report indicated that until the disruption of their cooperation in January, Socialist Party (PS) chairman Fatos Nano and the chairman of the Democratic Party (PD) Sali Berisha had an agreement that saw coordination between the ruling PS and opposition PD parties (Albania 18 Feb. 2003) that began with the leaders jointly backing Alfred Moisiu as the consensus candidate for the Albanian presidency in June 2002 (World Press Review 22 July 2002; RFE/RL 25 June 2002).

Called the PS-PD (Albania 7 Nov. 2002) or the Nano-Berisha agreement (ibid. 13 Feb. 2003; ibid. 18 July 2002; Shekulli 21 Nov. 2002), PS Secretary General Ruci said that it sought to "defend the interests of the two biggest parties ... and the interests of the democratic development in Albania" (Albania 7 Nov. 2002). A second report claimed that the agreement divided political control of major institutions by jointly selecting individuals to direct the secret service, the State Control Commission, the Central Election Commission, the Steering Council of the Radio and Television and the Radio-Television National Council (ibid. 14 Aug. 2002). However, Nano denied this argument and attributed the agreement with reducing the political tension in Albania and allowing institutions to implement reforms (Shekulli 24 Nov. 2002).

An August 2002 Albania commentary described the Nano-Berisha agreement as "secret" (Albania 14 Aug. 2002) while a number of other reports portrayed it a personal arrangement between the party leaders and referred to criticism from and dissention among members of the PS and PD (ATA 6 Jan. 2003; Shekulli 15 Nov. 2002; Albania 11 Oct. 2002; ibid. 18 July 2002). A Shekulli commentator, however, opined that the agreement aimed to change the historical record and thereby benefit Berisha, settle political scores for Nano, continue antagonistic politics and advance their private aims (21 Nov. 2002).

A January 2003 report indicates that dissension between Nano and Berisha concerning the by-election of a PS candidate may end cooperation between the Socialist and Democratic Parties (ATA 6 Jan. 2003; ibid. 7 Jan. 2003). An editorial penned by commentator Besmir Struga stated that Berisha was "no longer interested in supporting the agreement" (Albania 7 Jan. 2003).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Albania [Tirana, in Albanian]. 18 February 2003. Luli Progni. "Albania: PSD's Gjinushi Views Relations with PS, Government's Performance." (FBIS-EEU-2003-0218 18 Feb. 2003/WNC)

_____. 7 January 2003. Besmir Struga. "Albania Commentary Argues Nano-Berisha Pact Damaged PD, Berisha." (FBIS-EEU-2003-0107 7 Jan. 2003/WNC)

_____. 7 November 2002. Luli Progni. "Albanian Socialist Party Secretary General Defends PS-PD Agreement." (FBIS-EEU-2002-1107 7 Nov. 2002/WNC)

_____. 11 October 2002. Luljeta Progni. "Albania: Ex PD Ministers Condemn Berisha's Recent Policy, Cooperation with Nano." (FBIS-EEU-2002-1011 11 Oct. 2002/WNC)

_____. 14 August 2002. "Albanian Daily Reveals 'Hidden Agenda' of Nano, Berisha Agreement." (FBIS-EEU-2002-0814 14 Aug. 2002/WNC)

_____. 18 July 2002. Luli Progni. "Albania: PR Assembly Chairman Godo Comments On Recent Political Developments." (FBIS-EEU-2002-0718 18 July 2002/WNC)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) [Tirana, in English]. 7 January 2003. E. Koraqi. "PR Leader Godo Says Possible Failure of PS-PD Agreement to Lead Albania to 'Setback.'" (FBIS-EEU-2003-0107 7 Jan. 2003/WNC)

_____. 6 January 2003. "Albanian Parties View Agreement After Berisha Termed Elbasan By-Election Unfair." (FBIS-EEU-2003-0106 6 Jan. 2003/WNC)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 25 June 2002. Alban Bala. "Albania: Lawmakers Elect Consensus Candidate Moisiu as New President." http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2002/06/25062002151647.asp [Accessed 19 Feb. 2002]

Shekulli [Tirana, in Albanian]. 24 November 2002. V. Mucaj and B. Hoti. "Albania's Nano Criticizes Opponents of PS-PD Cooperation." (FBIS-EEU-2002-1124 24 Nov. 2002/WNC)

_____. 21 November 2002. Mustafa Nano. "Albanian Commentary Says PM Nano, PD's Berisha 'Destroying' State's Institutions." (FBIS-EEU-2002-1121 21 Nov. 2002/WNC)

World Press Review [New York]. 22 July 2002. Sokol Mici. "Albania's Changed Political Landscape." http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/649.cfm [Accessed 23 Dec. 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Internet sites, including:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

Hellenic Resources Network
International Crisis Group Balkans Briefings and

ICG Balkan Reports

World News Connection