Among the 7 intellectuals on the staff is Father Zef Pllumi On the staff of 7 intellectuals, Father Zef Pllumi as well A Catholic priest comes to Rama’s aid How the Ministry of Culture is changing EDI RAMA “Revolution” at the Ministry of Culture. A “body” of advisers is not a renewal structure of the much-discussed organizations, nor a showcase for the hierarchy of the Albanian cabinet. I hasten to say this, because I would like… [partly illegible] “Revolution” at the Ministry of Culture. A “body” of 7 “advisers” on Albanian culture would be taking the ministry’s boat forward… [partly illegible]. But what “strikes” is the presence of the Catholic priest, Father Zef Pllumi, the first religious figure in a socialist cabinet. …empty polemics, by making it as clear as possible to everyone that I have not called these people to put them on the Ministry’s balcony as fathers of culture, but to involve them somewhat more closely in the work of the cabinet. Put another way, today I find myself in this position and… [partly illegible] Continued on page 11 Minister Rama

Malaj attacks Majko: “Nano must intervene” Minister to PS Secretary: The state isn’t functioning INTERVIEW / Finance chief’s harsh response to the Socialist leader TIRANA - Another conflict within the political class governing the country. Majko and Malaj have turned their arrows against each other. “His people, like Gëzim Ble… [partly illegible], are holding the PS hostage,” a number-two witness for the Finance Minister’s party told the press. But Malaj has decided not to let the attacks made publicly by Majko pass without comment. “We are working with the mentality of the state, not of rallies,” Malaj jabs. In an interview with the newspaper, the Finance Minister warns that he will leave his government post. On page 9

Hospital alert: Many admitted, one dead TIRANA - Tirana Lake claimed three female lives… the extreme heat forced them to cool off, and afterwards they died. Yesterday, an elderly woman arrived at the emergency department of Tirana Hospital; the heat had struck her while she was sitting on the bank of the Lana. Meanwhile, three children, one aged 8, another 10 and a third 14, drowned in the artificial lake where they had gone swimming to escape the scorching heat. But just a week earlier, another person had drowned in the lake, and once again the heat had been the root cause of the tragedy. Emergency doctors said that, in general, during the summer they deal with heart attacks or neuroses caused by what is known as “sunstroke”. On page 5

The Presidential dossier The smuggling dossier in the hands of the Presidency continues to reveal new behind-the-scenes developments. After the figure of 80 million dollars lost by customs over the past 8 months, suspicion has now arisen that smuggling may be an item provided for in the state budget. On page 9

Godo: He served the Serbs Gjinushi: If the UÇK grows stronger, the power of the moderates will decline Godo: He served the Serbs Rugova without power? Nano’s statement sparks controversy Gjinushi: If the UÇK grows stronger, the power of the moderates will decline The Albanian prime minister said on Friday in Kranj Montana, according to the Rojter news agency, that “Rugova has become a figure without real authority,” and also stated that resolving the crisis must be linked to keeping the borders unchanged. This has sparked controversy in Tirana, with nearly the entire opposition turning against him. What was new in Nano’s remarks in this case was the attack on the leader of Kosovo’s Albanians, which was strongly condemned by Godo, as chairman of the Foreign Policy Commission, and by Berisha on behalf of the PD. On page 3

NAPOLON ROSHI Two events of these past days rank among the most positive developments: Amb[?] the US ambassador to the UN, Riqard Hollbruk, meets with UÇK representatives in Kosovo, while the White House spokesperson describes the UÇK as a party with which one must talk about Kosovo’s fate. And this when, around two months ago, UÇK activists were described as terrorists. The 180-degree turn in the position of the world’s greatest power is due as much to the courageous endurance of UÇK fighters as to the terror and ethnic cleansing carried out by Serbian special forces. It was once again demonstrated that no one grants freedom, that historically it is freedom that determines the course of negotiations, and that it is the fruit of the actual balance of forces on the ground. For years in Kosovo, the path of peaceful resolution was pursued. Endurance was shown beyond… [continues outside the photo] the limits of endurance. The West regarded this patience as Gandhism, although, to be truthful, the Gandhians (Mahatma Ganci or Martin Luter Kingu) have gone down in history as among the organizers of the greatest and unstoppable movements of peaceful protest. But all this patience, it seems, was interpreted in Belgrade as an expression of fear and submission. Instead of a willingness to negotiate realistically, more tanks and Chetniks were sent to Kosovo. When the knife had gone as far as an Albanian could bear, an armed popular revolt erupted. After the first phase of natural hesitation, because it had been caught by surprise, the international community has, in practice, recognized the legitimacy of this armed resistance. In the mass media’s reports from the battlefield, it is difficult to draw a dividing line between the reports of the UÇK proper and those of the village men who selflessly defend their homes, refusing to submit to terror and the Chetnik desire for ethnic cleansing. Thanks in part to Serbian stubbornness and intrigues, it can be said that the world’s sympathy and support for Kosovo have grown. I believe it would be all the more inescapable for the Albanian political class not to let this historic opportunity slip from its grasp. At a time when a mature pan-Albanian position is needed to match the pro-Albanian direction of the Euro-Atlantic and world community, I believe there should be no effort to find the “culprits” for the prolongation of the peaceful path. This is not about a Rugova or a Kosovar political leadership group, who, above all, have an almost plebiscitary mandate. In pursuing the very peaceful path, the aim was to proceed in the democratic, peaceful and dialoguing spirit of Helsinki and Europe. It was hoped that the bloodshed of mothers’ sons could be spared. After the catastrophe in Bosnia and Croatia, few wanted a repeat in Kosovo. As an eyewitness to the catastrophic spiritual and material wounds of the war in Bosnia and Croatia, the writer of these lines would never have wished for blood, destruction and tears in Kosovo. The wise, patient and civilized Kosovar thought long and hard before deciding to take up the rifle. Now that he has taken it up, it is difficult to imagine that he will lay it down without achieving his rightful demands, which accord with the most basic norms of international law. The resistance in Kosovo, first and foremost, wants an independent Albania and has given rise to all the resistance movements: an Albania where order, peace and prosperity reign, lending weight to its voice. An Albania that will take a united position on the great issue.

With his goal, Vieri is so far the tournament’s top scorer, with 5 goals. Sampaio and Ronaldo, Chile’s decisive destroyers WORLD CUP SPECIAL FRANCE ’98 Sampaio triumphant over Chile (Photo: ANSA) On pages 13–15

HISTORY Testimony after 87 years: “Toptani did not kill Avni Rustemi” Esat Pashë Toptani Tërshana, the 93-year-old witness, reconstructs the story of the sensational assassination: the perpetrators were the French and the Serbs On page 16

TIRANA - Tirana Lake claimed three female lives…

WORLD CUP SPECIAL FRANCE ’98 ITALY NARROWLY AVOIDS NORWAY BRAZIL DESTROYS CHILE

“We Want a Catholic University” DURRËS - Intellectuals from Durrës appeal to the Albanian parliament to open a Catholic University. Following the Vatican’s approval for the establishment of this university in Durrës… On page 8

Taxis, the history of kidnappings SHKODËR - All roads lead to “Pesë heronjtë”. Within a 100-meter radius, all the options available to travelers for communicating with other parts of the country are located close to one another. On page 6

Sewage, a battle with the Municipality VLORË - An open “battle” between the Municipality and the people of Vlorë over the sewage channels. Following a Municipality order, under the municipal regulations, to open the wastewater channels. On page 7