Former PPSH leader recounts. Pëllumbi confirms The person who has agreed to speak about the day the Socialist Party was born, today one of the largest political forces, is one of the party’s most prominent figures from before the Congress was held. Without giving any particular reason, the important figure from the time of the Socialist Party’s changes does not rule out once again becoming a political figure. He recounts the steps in the historic transition from the PPSH to today’s Socialist Party. The account features Alia and his insistence on putting Fatos Nano at the head of the SP. Servet Pëllumbi confirms it all. On page 4 Enver Hoxha and Ramiz Alia

Record seizure off the Seman coast. Two Serbian helicopters in Tropojë Weapons aboard the billion-dollar ship 150 tons of smuggled cigarettes seized, worth USD 7 million Customs officers’ suspicion: weapons for the Serbs in the hold DURRËS - 150 tons of smuggled cigarettes have been seized off the Albanian coast, but there is suspicion that weapons were also hidden aboard the ship flying the Cambodian flag. This is the largest quantity ever seized in Albania, and also in Europe, in an operation by Euro-customs and the “Guardia di Finanza.” But it seems that, besides the surprise that will put a full 7 million dollars into the state’s pocket, other mysteries surround the ship. The latter was seized near the mouth of the Seman, and was headed for Bari in Montenegro. According to sources among the operation’s participants, it was learned that the Lebanese captain was calm when he saw the Italian guards aboard, but immediately changed his attitude when he found out that the ship was being taken to the Port of Durrës. The same sources report that weapons may be hidden in one of the 17 containers that have not yet been opened, given that Serbian helicopters fly over Albanian villages. On the same day that NATO aircraft passed very close to the Serbian border, Yugoslav soldiers responded by violating their southern neighbors’ airspace twice. The heavily armed helicopters patrolled about 1 kilometer inside Albanian territory in the Tropojë area. Meanwhile, the alert has been raised at all military airports. On page 2 Natalina Çea inspecting the seized cigarettes (Photo: Hektor Pustina)

Trembling, security, regret, relief, horror, pleasure, confusion, war, peace, astonishment, protection... These were more or less the feelings experienced on the morning of February 15 by all the Albanians who heard the heavy roar of the “birds of war” flying above and near them. In the vocabulary of the day’s conversations, it seems to me that the preferred words of the past year and a half—Kalashnikov, masks, smuggling, kidnapping, prostitution, etc.—were heard less often. There were even fewer of the politicians’ Italianisms, as they unleashed the demagogues’ apprentices and whisperers ahead of the Albanian electoral test due to take place in a few days. I believe that late that evening, when everyone took stock of their hours and their routine, they realized with some surprise that they had found a little time for sports (the World Championship), films and music. Only a very small number of people in Tirana did not abandon their “duties.” For several days they have been out in force throughout these neighborhoods, and their blasts have been heard all night, even more than the roaring. So have the beggars. These days people have given more, and the beggars hoped this situation would last as long as possible. But fortunately, beggars are not the only ones in these battles. Kosovo’s leader Ibrahim Rugova has been forced to change his own course quickly for meetings and very high-level official engagements that have intensified in the wake of events. The UÇK has become more active, and fortunately the other Albanians too have become...

FRANCE ’98 WORLD CUP SPECIAL On pages 10-11 The Brazilians’ joy after the first goal (Photo: ANSA)

ALBANIAN EMIGRANT ARRESTED TIRANA - 2.3 kilograms of heroin seized in Rinas. Within a few days, anti-drug forces have managed to intercept another shipment of narcotics arriving from the USA. The carrier, a 25-year-old who had obtained a residence permit across the ocean, had been under police surveillance for some time. Deputy Minister Çano described the arrest as the successful conclusion of an operation that had been underway for some time by the blue uniforms. Anti-drug officers seize a mountain of heroin. And among those disembarking from the transoceanic aircraft that arrived in Rinas was Florian Pepi, whose name had long been on the list of people sought by the police. On page 5

Accusations also against Ruli, Shehi and Vrioni The names of Democrats are also on the pyramid-scheme lists. The name of former Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi appears on the list of 182 senior officials and politicians that foreign transparency monitors presented to Prime Minister Nano and his chief administrator, Farudin Arapi. The fact was made known yesterday by the Democrats’ headquarters. Sources close to the blue leader Berisha, who is on an official visit to France. Berisha has chosen not to make public the names of the former Prime Minister and other former ministers purged from the ranks of the PD, to deal with them later, after the partial local elections. On page 3 Berisha and Meksi

READY TO RETURN TO THE CEC . TVSH gives the PD 7 minutes. TIRANA - The PD is moving toward a return to the CEC. It seems that Erveta has reached another compromise that has saved the local elections, following the PD’s departure and the conditions it set. After OSCE intervention, the opposition will once again take its seats on the Central Electoral Commission, thus removing the risk of a boycott of the partial local elections. On page 3

GAZETA of Durrës . Dredgers bring back the ocean-going ships. DURRES - For five years there has not been a single dredger to dredge the Port of Durrës. As a result, high-tonnage ships cannot enter this port, all because of a piece of equipment that could be found quite easily. This is a problem that emerged from meetings held with foreigners in recent days. On page 8

GAZETA of Shkodër . Waves of alarm from the Lake. SHKODER - “S.O.S” - Lake Shkodër is in danger - this is the appeal made by Shkodër environmentalists to various institutions. In this context, the round table “Integrating the lake’s ecological issues with the development policy for the surrounding areas” is also being held. On page 6

GAZETA of Vlora . Vlora’s Rambos turn one. VLORE - A base surrounded by sand-filled sacks and barbed wire, with young men training inside it. This is what catches the eye as one passes through the outskirts of Vlora, very close to the seashore. Having arrived in August of last year, the rapid-intervention special forces of unit 751 are now approaching the first anniversary of their re-formation as a distinct police force for the South. On page 7

Trembling, security, regret, relief, horror, pleasure, confusion, war, peace, astonishment, protection...

Natalina Çea inspecting the seized cigarettes (Photo: Hektor Pustina)

. On page 12