SMUGGLING / Agim Tirana accuses him: “He abused his office” Gëzim Bleta in the hands of the Prosecutor’s Office Investigations into the head of Customs after the Meidani file TIRANA - The Prosecutor’s Office is launching an investigation into Gëzim Bleta. It was first reported by police sources and later confirmed by the head of investigations at the prosecution, Agim Tirana. The Director General of Customs faces charges of abuse of office, and preliminary evidence has been obtained to enable the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office to open a criminal case. In addition to information from the Presidency about the incident and other documentary evidence, the most important materials from the Presidency concerning the penalties and the documents it indicates, according to Tirana, have been collected continuously at the center. At midday in Parliament, a phone call received on the mobile phone of one of the Socialist Party MPs delivered the sensational news that a file had been opened at the Prosecutor’s Office on the Director General of Customs, which meant that investigations into him had begun.

Investigations into the head of Customs after the Meidani file Nano in Parliament: The KLA is a popular movement Serbian soldiers enter Tropojë A group of 35 Yugoslav Army troops in combat position 100 meters inside the border TROPOJË - Serbs advance deep into Albanian territory. A commando unit crossed the dividing line on Sunday, demonstrating its strength in front of our border guards. After a few minutes, the Yugoslav soldiers were called back in the direction from which they had come, meeting no resistance. The Yugoslavs are once again demonstrating their audacity. After several weeks of incidents on the northern border, the Serbs carried out another serious provocation deep inside Albanian territory on Sunday. The personnel of the Cënaj observation post were put to the test by the Serbs two days ago. According to the Ministry of Public Order, a group of Yugoslav Army commandos crossed the dividing line at midday in the foothills of Tropojë. Border observers signaled that around 35 Serbian soldiers had taken up combat positions, apparently preparing to advance rapidly into Albanian territory. The three KLA forces NEXHMEDIN SPAHIU The American ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke, in his efforts to convince the Albanians of Kosovo that they must either be their slaves or, if they want freedom, must form a nation—that is, organize themselves as a society with institutions and a citizenry that respects institutions—is confronting the narrowing labyrinths that have surrounded Kosovo for centuries, and others, in the absence of institutions. Kosovo’s leaders are trying to create institutions merely by declaring them, which would assure them that what they want to be in their own country is not slavery. Nearly a century ago, Faik Konica, in an account about Kosovo, addressed the Zulu people: You Zulus want freedom while remaining Zulus (uncivilized), but you will have freedom in your hearts, because when you gain freedom, civilization will leave you. In fact, all the Albanians of Kosovo, despite their circumstances there, have shown that beyond freedom, civilization and the institutions that sustain it are important. Most of us refused to pay the occupier’s taxes and ignored the occupier’s institutions; and when the moment for armed struggle came, there was no lack of readiness to fight, even though their elected representatives had continually promised freedom without war. Indeed, this readiness to fight would be envied by many more developed nations. Only in the case of the war in Kosovo is it happening that the KLA fighters have quietly “taken” arms only after their own people had been killed. What the Albanians of Kosovo take pride in is also a victory for us Albanians and for everyone in Kosovo; perhaps this can be generalized to a people so noble. The problem is that the Kosovo Liberation Army has split into three parts—that is, into three KLAs. The Drenica KLA, led by former KLA commanders; Bujar Bukoshi’s KLA; and Fatmir Xhafa’s KLA. Today, one KLA is independent of the government in exile, while the Drenica KLA is led by its own leaders. The Drenica KLA is led by its own leaders, whereas Bujar Bukoshi’s KLA and Fatmir Xhafa’s KLA are led by Kosovo political groups. According to them, the independent KLA has no good relations with Bukoshi’s KLA, which is linked to the government in exile established by Ibrahim Rugova. Bukoshi’s KLA has been taking part more in its own political struggle than in actually directing the war. As for the KLA supported by Fatos Nano, its commanders and the people who have pledged allegiance to it are mainly Kosovo political prisoners. This KLA has the advantage of being supported by Tirana, which is normal, lawful and moral. Another advantage is that it has access to the “Vendlindja thërret” funds and enjoys support in electronic and print media, both inside and outside Albania. Moreover, support for this KLA has also been initiated in many European countries. Xhafer Shatri, for example, was asked to get involved with the KLA, with the aim of securing freedom for his people and so that he would be free rather than a political prisoner. The shortcomings of this KLA include its political positioning in the war, since its leaders on the ground themselves terrorize the military, who have been having a difficult time, and most of those in other prisons are held by the Yugoslav KLA. The shortcomings of this KLA include its political positioning in the war, since its leaders on the ground themselves terrorize the military, who have been having a difficult time, and most of those in other prisons are held by the Yugoslav KLA. Chief administrator denounces schemes by foreign swindlers Arapi sounds the alarm: They are reviving the pyramid schemes Letter to Meidani: We must stop them TIRANA - Swindlers from neighboring countries are seeking to revive the pyramid schemes. The alarm has been raised by the head of the Monitoring Group, Farudin Arapi. In a letter addressed to Meidani, Nano and the Prosecutor General, Arapi warns of the danger. He has also asked the highest Albanian authorities to identify “people” from other countries who are connected financially with the bosses of the usury schemes. VEFA’s assets will begin to be sold in the second half of this month. Serbian soldiers in Kosovo

After a six-hour debate, the “Ngjela” report is approved Socialists in Parliament incriminate the former President Fino: He has no place in this chamber TIRANA - Parliament refers Berisha to justice. On Monday, Parliament approved the investigation report of the Ngjela Commission, which found Berisha and several of his associates responsible for the tragedy that took place in Albania last year. The Socialists used harsh words during the session, but the stance of former Prime Minister Bashkim Fino stood out: he declared that “Berisha should no longer have a place in this chamber.” Many of the leading figures of the Socialist Party agreed with Fino’s statement, but Dokle and Majko later accused him, calling for concrete steps by the justice system to hold those responsible accountable. Fino then also accused the leader of the Democratic Party of being the architect and strategist behind Albania’s destruction.

TRITAN SHEHU Albania is perhaps going through its most difficult moments. The economic crisis, the trade unions, the crisis of authority—all are at a critical point. Albania is also perhaps going through one of the most important moments in the history of its century. The national question, and its final resolution by us, by the United States and the EU, is generally moving into a new phase. On the one hand, the consequences may be decisive and may accelerate events. What matters is its future. A government led by the prime minister—someone must regard this as a duty, and some of us, together with everyone connected to it, must deal with this issue. Unfortunately, everything has been decided far from Albania, in Paris, London or elsewhere, etc. We have been active participants in these circumstances. This is connected with our dimensions, but above all with our duties and our relations; we have distinguished ourselves, and we know that the government is more important internationally, and that all our aims are desired. We know this is a game with others. This is not how things should be done, as we would unfortunately prefer, but this will be the future. Albania is strong.

Special forces tackle anti-smuggling DURRËS - Special forces troops are being deployed from Tirana to the port of Durrës. DURRËS - Special forces troops are being deployed from Tirana to the port of Durrës to fight smuggling. Since Saturday, a company of special forces from the state security service “Briskut” has been working alongside the Durrës police, border guards, Albanian customs officers, as well as their European counterparts. On page 8

Battle within the Socialist Party; the chairman is elected SHKODËR - “Long live Shkodër!” Apparently, this was the rallying cry that secured the Socialist chairman of the Shkodër branch his victory once and for all. Dashamiq, the chairman elected a month ago by the district assembly in another branch, finally held on last Sunday, at a different time, after another stormy vote at the district conference. On page 6

Kidnapped police commissioner escapes VLORË - The kidnapped police commissioner is free again. The police inspector of the commune of Novoselë, in Vlorë, managed to escape from the ropes used by his kidnappers to tie him up; he had been held since the previous night. Police officer Yzedin Çuçe is reported to have been rescued from the place where he was being held hostage during Sunday morning. On page 7