PD excluded from the Election Commission. Frightening forms in Parliament Serbs militarize the border and block food aid PD excluded from the Election Commission. Frightening forms in Parliament The Prime Minister is ill Serbs militarize the border and block food aid Page 10 Milošević benefits from his meeting with Rugova. The Contact Group suspends the punishment. Page 10

The Albanian government has fully adopted Milošević’s position: “Kosovo is an internal matter of Serbia.” The Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on behalf of the government that Kosovo’s status should be “a Republic within the Yugoslav Federation.” By viewing Kosovo within the federal framework, while the Albanians themselves have declared in favor of full independence from Serbia, the Nano Government is fulfilling a direct, euphoric commitment to Milošević and to the misguided elements of international diplomacy. This statement, repeated immediately after the start of the Albanian-Serb dialogue, may be a “concession” requested by Milošević in order to settle accounts with the Albanian side. Since Continued on page 3

DOSSIER: Scandals that sank INSIG Page 9

The PD National Council asks him for an explanation TIRANA—“Tell us why you no longer pay us any attention.” Former Democratic Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi and former PD leader Tritan Shehu are once again being “targeted” by their own party. The two former senior Democratic leaders, sidelined from PD’s top bodies after the June 29 elections, have been boycotting party meetings for some time. Many Page 3

The number of signatures on the PR petition to reinstate the death penalty has reached 57,000. According to the latest information from the PRSH organizing office, more than 57,000 Albanians have so far said “yes” to the Republicans’ initiative. The growing influx of signatories in major cities stands out: around 8,700 in Durrës, more than 6,500 in Tirana, and also in other cities such as Elbasan, Fier, Lushnja, Kruja, etc.

Yesterday, a day of hostages and kidnappings: 90 minutes of anxiety on the 5th floor Two girls kidnapped in Deçan; men from Fier arrested; the owner’s children and the driver kidnapped Page 2 Mato Gruda in Ostren defends his house with a 75 mm cannon Three bullets in front of his wife Migrant brings 50 goats back home instead of his wages Page 5 Albanian students stranded in Pakistan Three death sentences at the Lushnja Court Secondary education on strike Thieves pull dentists’ teeth One kilogram of heroin seized in Rinas Four thieves steal 43 million Pages 6–7 A few friendly words for Bardhyl London Ngjela’s lawsuit today Vlora sparks a row in the Government Page 4 Artists face unfounded accusations Page 13