The gangs: fighting on the national highway. Customs officers flee. Bezhani probes the Government 4 American warships in Albania The KLA protects the population from Serbian reprisals. The OSCE is sidelined Albanians freed the hostages; Serbs massacred 80 Albanians p. 15

By Agim BAÇI The Albanian state has finally stamped its amateurish features and, as if it were an individual making a caricature of itself, “retaliated” against the accusation by the Yugoslav chief diplomat that it was a “base of Islamic terrorism” by arresting a man who himself bears precisely such an accusation. Indeed, all the actions of this state display emotion, haste, a continuous lack of order, and open inferiority, as if this state put feelings, rather than nationalism and the law, first in its activities. Thus, at a time when the Yugoslav chief diplomat accused Albania of being a “base of Islamic terrorism,” the Albanian police arrested for the second time a man (Maks Çičiku) accused of having links with Bin Laden’s terrorist organization. At first glance, it seems like an entirely ordinary arrest, and there is no reason to prejudge the conclusions of such an action. But it seems completely naïve (let us kindly call it “naïve”) that the Albanian police would arrest a man on such a charge, which had been made against Albania by the Serbian chief diplomat only 24 hours earlier. All the more so given that “something had already been done” with this man just a week earlier, when the SHIK secret service, rather than the police, had acted. As early as June 1 of last year, when a suspicious Frenchman named Klod Kader(?) “set out to help his Muslim brothers in Kosovo” (“killed” a Muslim student in central Tirana) (?), the newspaper “Republika” began warning—Continued on page 3

America “tames” the White Bear Agim Neza What is distinctive about American leaders, according to political analysts, is that they see success in the shared partnership of states, not as a result of mistrust. US President Wilson (1913–1923) emphasized: “We are not jealous of rivalry in the fields of trade or other peaceful achievements. We are, indeed, a true friend to all the nations of the world, because we seek nothing from anyone, covet no one’s riches, and wish to overthrow no one.” This policy remains relevant at this moment too, aiming for peace and mutual partnership among all nations. The facts have shown that in the Balkans in recent years, the total commitment of US leadership has influenced p. 16

Bahri Myftari, “Murder by the Sea”; Siri Sulejmani, “An Extraordinary Visitor”; Demir Gjergji, “My Season, Summer”; Artan Marku, “Coffee Abyss”; A cycle of cartoons by Medi Belortaja

The RP does not kneel to the DP Godo: Venice again on property issues in Tirana p. 3 Çiçiku: He has formed armed gangs Police officer’s car blown up p. 6 After Paszënkë, a grenade at home War between Lazarat and Gjirokastër; man from Lushnjë wounded p. 7 Football: Shqiponja, the Cup’s Boom. Lushnja, last-second luck. Teuta’s revenge. Vllaznia triumphs over Tomorr p. 21 Minister Rama gets into business p. 18

Tomorrow, at 11:00, at its headquarters, the PR Presidium will hold a press conference