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The beginning and the end of this century have been the most tragic in the history of the Albanian people. At the beginning of the century, Albanians were faced with the need to resist the unprecedented Serbo-Slavic violence, which sought to partition Albania and annex it to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the latter also supported by the great powers. At this end of the century, Albanians have been confronted with violence, genocide, ethnic cleansing accompanied by the scorched-earth practice, terror, medieval atrocities, mass graves of innocent civilians, rape, and looting—the true face of a Nazi-fascist regime. At this end of the century, Albanians are determined to join the civilized world as a free ethnic community, ready to build their democratic future. The signing of the Rambouillet agreement placed them alongside, as allies of, the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance. The Albanian delegation showed at this conference that they are people who want peace and freedom, to make possible a new reality, different from what they have experienced until now. The USA and NATO member countries, ultimately in the name of defending the values of democracy, showing that democracy is not weakness, launched the attack on Serbia and are ready to see it through to the end in order to win it without any hesitation. As Prime Minister Blair has also said - This is a just war, based not on territorial ambitions, but on human values. Being determined to Continue, page 8

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The speech of Mr. Sabri Godo I wish to express my opinion on one of the current political problems: the formation of Kosovo’s government and Mr. Ibrahim Rugova’s departure for Italy. Everyone knows that the absence of a unified representation for Kosovo, which could serve as an interlocutor with the world community, was for a long time not only a problem, but also an accusation leveled at Albanians, as if they were incapable of uniting and embarking on the path of self-government. This became especially pronounced after the KLA appeared on the scene, taking upon itself the defense of the people and the genuine struggle for independence. The KLA’s emergence brought the people out of a kind of political lethargy and, through armed resistance, compelled the world community to place the Kosovo issue at the center of its attention, supporting the Rambouillet Conference. There, for the first time, and to the joy of all Albanians, a united delegation of Kosovo’s political groups and military forces appeared, which P. 5

News at 01:00 The meeting of the Presidency of the Socialist Party, prompted by the resignation of Minister Petro Koçi, continued past midnight. Two issues were discussed: the name of the new minister and the discussion of the accusations directed at the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

Fishta’s speech at Avni Rustemi’s funeral Poems by Sulejman Mato, Gjokë Beci, Agim Pepa, Gent Ulgini Fables by Ferit Lamaj and two stories P. 11–15

• Sklafaro: Albanian factors are not divided • The rocket over the Chinese Embassy had Arkan in its sights • Eight NATO cabinets • “Ylberi,” help from an old friendship • SPORT: Vllaznia loses the match and second place