The draw is held for Vehbi Alimuca — Page 5 The draw is held for Vehbi Alimuca Page 5

The by-elections bring partial optimism. They showed that the process of institutionalization will be a slow one and, moreover, under the constant pressure of political forces. On the political level, these elections brought nothing new, except for the emergence of DBSH as the third political grouping and as a promising alternative for the upcoming elections. To be honest, it must be acknowledged that hopes of immediately solving the many problems of local government were not based on technical elections, but on ideological and doctrinal ones. Voters should have entered these elections inclined to change something, or at least to break the myths that had arisen from the PS-PD bipolar struggle. It was clear that change could not come from a list of recommendations. Continued on page 4

The Romanians, the World Cup’s surprise. Colombia brings back great hopes. The Germans suffered so much. Berti Vogst accuses his players. Mateos breaks the Mexican’s record. The Koreans: The coach is to blame. Hooligans worry FIFA. Argentina appeals: Don’t underestimate me. Today’s match schedule: Italy-Austria, Chile-Cameroon, Scotland-Morocco, Brazil-Norway. Pages 14–15 “Republika”: two pages from the France ’98 World Cup

□ DBSH, a new daily presence in Albanian politics. Alliance for the State: Our electorate has slipped away. Union for Democracy admits its latest defeat Page 3 □ The game with the special forces, the provocation for a boycott... Russia, mediator between Rugova and Milošević. PD is angry with itself, “RD” with “Republika”. The authorities tear down DBSH posters in Patos. The Greeks: No to an independent Kosovo. Pages 2–4 □ The two Serbian soldiers surrender in good faith to the OSCE in Tropojë. A general is declared a deserter. Kosovars refuse the government’s tents. An explosion rocks the capital. Expired medicines put two ministries under accusation Pages 6–7 □ Farudin Arapi reveals SHIK’s financing by companies. VEFA + Gjallica, 6 million in sponsorships Page 8

Continued on page 4 Spain-Bulgaria lineup Pages 14–15