Threats fly, tensions escalate between political rivals in Albania

From Altin Raxhimi, CNN

January 23, 2011 6:57 p.m. EST

On Sunday, Albanian opposition leader Edi Rama gives a speech during a ceremony for a man killed during riots.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Socialist Party calls for a protest Friday, a week after 3 died in a similar rally
• PM says Socialist Party head Rama could get "exemplary punishment" if that happens
• Rama says he won't back down, accusing PM Berisha of using forces to "annihilate justice"
• Albania is in the midst of a political stalemate tied to a disputed June 2009 election

Tirana, Albania (CNN) -- The showdown between Albania's ruling government and its political opposition showed no signs of abating Sunday, with Socialist Party leader Edi Rama calling for yet another demonstration despite fresh threats from the nation's prime minister.

Rama, also the mayor of the capital city, Tirana, on Sunday promoted a protest at 2 p.m. Friday to decry alleged corruption and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sal Berisha. This would be exactly one week after tens of thousands rallied for the same cause in Albania's capital, leading to the deaths of three people after some protesters clashed with government forces.

"My life is not more precious than that of the three Albanians you killed," Rama said, referring to the prime minister who has consistently singled out the Socialist Party leader for blame. "Berisha has committed a coup d'etat by using the government to subdue, violate and annihilate justice."

The opposition has accused police of provoking protesters. But Berisha had said demonstrators instigated the violence in a bid to take over his office as well as parliament and key ministries....more see:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/01/23/albania.protests/index.html