The former deputy prime minister accuses: Then they took the money TIRANA - The former Minister of Defence and former political opponent of Berisha, Dashamir Shehi, accused the Democratic leader Sali Berisha yesterday of being the mayor of Shaja. This is a new accusation against Berisha, following those levelled by his political opponents—that he is a dictator, nepotistic, authoritarian, a criminal with immunity, etc. It seems to be the first time that the leader of the Democratic Party has also been branded a thief, an accusation camouflaged in a second official scenario involving Democratic Party officials who are alleged to have been driven out of the Democrats’ ranks. One of the most important figures in the Democratic Party during its time in government, who was even deputy prime minister, has declared that the thieves have left the Democratic Party, but the honest people have not.

During manoeuvres from Albania, 60 surface-to-air missile bases have been identified as targets KOSOVO / Meidani in Tropojë: NATO attack even without UN permission WASHINGTON - Is military action in Kosovo an imminent reality? According to the American daily “Washington Post”, American and Pentagon experts have said that, in order to intervene militarily to stop the violence in Kosovo, it would first be necessary to carry out a bombing campaign to protect NATO aircraft from a possible Yugoslav attack. According to the newspaper, the air strikes would target 60 Yugoslav surface-to-air missile bases and 24 of its fighter aircraft. Air strikes are one of nine NATO options to be discussed and considered in the future. Meanwhile, NATO is planning further military manoeuvres near Kosovo. According to the American envoy for the Balkans, Robert Gelbard, new manoeuvres will take place in the near future. “NATO is examining six scenarios in view of the grave situation in the region.” Overcoming fear Alfred Molslu Events in Kosovo have developed rapidly. Terror, repression, the threat of a major military intervention, and villages and towns forcibly cleared of Albanians have all become causes for concern among international and European public opinion. The justifications offered for Yugoslav aggression—that it is fighting terrorism before it spreads to its territories—show that the United States, Europe and the democracies of NATO countries have, at a convenient moment, left them free to pursue a solution through bloodshed. Albanians are at risk and worried both about the fate of their Kosovar brothers and about the future of security and independence in the Balkans and Europe. At the latest meeting of the Atlantic Council (Albanians of Kosovo in the Atlantic), held in Brussels, participants, deeply concerned, addressed the US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and NATO, setting out their demands to NATO, and also addressed NATO Secretary General Balldwin Bojse, asking what measures would not be allowed to end in bloodshed. NATO, which is considering taking responsibility for stopping the massacres in Kosovo and maintaining law and order there, will not assume responsibility, because responsibility belongs to all the states of the region; they share responsibility for the Balkans. It will not assume responsibility, because they share responsibility for the Balkans. It will not assume responsibility, because they share responsibility for the Balkans. NATO and the United States are convinced; NATO and the European Community are determined not to allow Bosnia to happen again. Albania and the new Atlantic Albania has been seen as organising an international defence in response to the provocation in Kosovo, which was unanimously welcomed and appreciated among NATO and KOS-OVA members. It is clear that NATO, with its massive force, is determined to preserve peace and security in the region. Those who must find a solution should understand that no one intends to allow the violence in the region to continue. NATO’s Balkan strategy for Kosovo is very clear: it must preserve peace, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty over Kosovo’s territory, with the aim of protecting the Albanian people of Kosovo, who wish to give up fighting and prevent violence, rape and looting. Albanian state soldiers and their property, according to plan and intention, as an inseparable and combative force and a part of the endangered assets, are making all preparations to create a dangerous belt on the border between Albania and Serbia and to achieve their own goal of taking control from the KLA; the resistance forces, too, aim to reject its striking forces. It must be borne in mind that everything in the region should be handled carefully. Internal and external efforts must proceed fairly and safely towards what is required, with a compromise over territory and the aim of achieving recognition; this is no longer a danger and threat in diplomatic terms, but a military-diplomatic approach. Terror destroys the population. Terror presents people with a fait accompli; this has already been seen in Bosnia, and similar things are unfolding in Kosovo. It is difficult to assess how military operations can be carried out, given the many motivating internal factors, but essentially also the external ones. Milosheviçi knows clearly that he cannot win the war against the KLA. The initial successes achieved by the Serbs in the operation to push back this movement may not last long. As often happens, after the KLA has shown its courage, it will try to regroup and resist, using guerrilla tactics throughout. Milosheviçi’s strategists must bear this in mind. This is precisely the moment that should be calculated as the time to begin negotiations. The rules of the game in such cases are well known: “Make concessions to me, and I will make concessions to you.” Serbs and Albanians alike should understand that it is difficult for them to hold Kosovo. They agree only halfway—that is, to keep what suits them and give up what does not. This may explain why the war does not have the intensity of a guerrilla war, but rather the kind seen in Kosovo. Thus, they have been left free to let tensions flare across a large area. A population has been displaced. A concession concerning the population. The declaration of a state of occupation. Such developments could create a situation more alarming for Europe itself. In such a case, even the people of Serbia would wish to protect everything, believing that what is happening in its relations is irreversible. The political and military eruption in the Balkans will also lead to a highly critical situation for Mllosheviçin and The Hague. Mllosheviçin’s efforts, under such circumstances with NATO, make things even more difficult, but not impossible indefinitely. This has ultimately increased all his fears. This will make it clear that if NATO is described as being forced to advance, NATO also bears responsibility; the Albanians are at risk, and all responsibility lies with NATO. The positions taken in the coming weeks could continue the negotiations, but not over the territories of Kosovo. By now this is clear to everyone. Meidani, Hajdaraga, Ambassadorina Lino in Tropojë (Photo: H. Pustina)

SPECIAL WORLD CUP FRANCE ’98 The Italians are more relaxed after the victory over Cameroon and are continuing their World Cup campaign, as this shows ... The Cameroonians ... played very hard and on many occasions they were rough ... in their tackles. Nevertheless, Maldini was involved for most of the match. Vieri, scorer of two goals (Photo: ANSA)

DURRËS / Millionaire vessel seized. No weapons found The cigarette ship, Albanian owners “Lucky Mar”, threats against prosecutors DURRËS - Could the smuggling cigarette ship have Albanian owners? The suspicion emerged yesterday from the highest offices of the General Prosecutor’s Office. “We are under threat from the owners,” said the official, Ajim Tirana, head of the investigation. According to him, for this reason the names of the prosecutors and other details could not be made public. Yesterday, the ship “Lucky Mar” was seized, while a search confirmed that there was no trace of any weapons on board. The ship carrying 150 tonnes of smuggled cigarettes

The Ministry of Health denounces it Spoiled meat for the army. Confidential sources said yesterday that food supplies for the army had been received. Spoiled meat for the army. Confidential sources said yesterday that food supplies for the army had been received, including 20,000 cans of meat, which, after tests and checks by the relevant food-inspection teams, were found to be below standard. The shipment, which was likely sent as aid to the army from a Western country, was transported to the units in Tirana without waiting for the test results, which came back exactly as they should not have.

GAZETA of Durrës DURRËS - Gorea snubbed Nano today, “he didn’t ...”. At the meeting of Albanian government officials chaired by Prime Minister Nano, held at the prefecture of Durrës, the city’s mayor, Alqi Gorea, was absent. Asked why he did not attend the meeting held to discuss the economic development of the city of Durrës, Gorea replied that no one had remembered to send him an invitation to take part.

GAZETA of Shkodër SHKODËR - In a beautiful building, bearing the marks of the trials and acts of violence that took place on 22 February this year, a “crowd” of people tries to make its way through the remaining offices, first seeking to justify the wages they receive from the state and then to do their work. The abandoned building, left behind after the notorious unrest, offers almost nothing in which to work. Only two offices have changed colour compared with the dozens of others. On page 6

GAZETA of Vlorë VLORË - They riddled the police officers with bullets and now risk the death penalty. The Court of Appeal will decide whether four young men accused of killing four police officers in Ballsh a year ago will be executed. Although the Lushnjë Court of First Instance issued capital sentences for Aleksandër Xhelaj, who has still not been apprehended, Gëzim Çuke, Fredi Selimidi and Sfejdën Shehu, their lawyers have requested a retrial before the Vlorë Court of Appeal. On page 7

Today, two more installments of the France ’98 Encyclopedia. Germany begins ITALIA MONDIAL ’98