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Albania: Future of Public Salvation Committees Analyzed

[Luka] Elections have ended in victory for the opposition forces. Will the Vlore Public Salvation Committee continue to function, and what will its position be in the coming days? [Petroshati] The National Public Salvation Committee and the Vlore Committee will consider their future existence during a meeting next week. We have several alternatives regarding the committees' future. We will decide whether the committee will be a civil movement committee, a depositors'commission, or whether it will be transformed into a reconciliation and national unity committee. It is up to the National Public Salvation Committee to decide that at its next meeting. [Luka] Do you think that you still have a good reputation among the public now, after the 29 June elections and Berisha's loss? [Petroshati] Yes, very much so. This can be inferred from our daily rallies in Flag's Square. It has become a life ritual for us to talk to the people about our daily problems and worries. In short, I want to assure you of our good reputation among the people. [Luka] Are you going to ask the government's opinion about your future existence? [Petroshati] We shall ask nobody's opinion, other than the committee's itself. We have already declared that it is up to our organization to decide on all matters. The government has, after all, nothing to do with the committees. Our future activity depends solely on our organization. [Luka] You have done good work reconciling the young men of Vlore during the rebellion months. Are you going to leave it half way? [Petroshati] In my view, everything will continue. The name may change, but we will never abandon our mission half way. We consider it a civil act that will help reconcile the hotheads of the city and also contribute to the disarming of the public and to the work of the government. [Luka] The Public Salvation Committee has not received any remuneration for the work it did during the last six months. In the event of its continued existence, how are you going to resolve the financial problem? [Petroshati] I think the new government and the local authorities should take note of the work of our committee, both from a moral and financial viewpoint, because we coped with difficult situations at a time when the state did not exist. I want however to stress, also on behalf of my friends, that the financial aspect has never been a priority in our work. I also think that it is going to be a social organization with a relevant status that will tackle acute problems that Vlore and Albania face in the future. [Luka] The Public Salvation Committee expressed its revolt against the Radio Television [RTV], which was backed up by thousands of citizens in the square. [Petroshati] Yes, it was our revolt and that of the people of Vlore, because although we had new elections and Berisha is now a dead horse, its instruments continue to serve him. We consider it a shameful act on the part of the RTV to show on its screen incriminated people, at least for Vlore, like Sokol Mulosmani and Arben Perrenjasi. Vlore is testimony to their crimes and considers them, especially Mulosmani, to be behind several killings and the Vlore tragedy. By giving air time to people who do not care for the president, the government, and the party, who are allegedly doing their duty, it only serves to fuel popular fury and protests in Vlore. The people here know Mulsomani very well. [Luka] Are you going to invite representatives of the political parties to your next meeting? [Petroshati] Our meeting will be open. The representatives of the respective parties, intellectuals, and wise people are invited to attend it. [Luka] Your main concern was the issue of returning money lost in the failure of the moneylending pyramids, have you forgotten it? [[Petroshati] Certainly not. That is why we came out at the front of the protests. We pledged to return to the people of Vlore and all of Albania, their money on the basis of the government's laws and norms in force. In the event of the new government -- that will be set up following the 29 June elections -- being indifferent like Berisha and Pjeter Arbnori [speaker of parliament], who have described our protests as walks from Vlore to the Skele, we will take to the streets again and start our protests in Flag's Square. We do not care who comes to power. Of course, nobody wants Berisha in power anymore. I think that he will go. This is such an acute problem that it will be the focus of the new government. [Luka] Has the committee disintegrated? [Petroshati] It is a fact that some members have left for personal reasons. About 70 percent are still there, and they will remain active until our mission is concluded.