Yugoslavs seek an embargo against Albania over arms trafficking Prime Minister to Europe: Immediate air strikes Massacre at the border, 110 KLA fighters killed Yugoslavs seek an embargo against Albania over arms trafficking Nano: Bomb Serbia Prime Minister to Europe: Immediate air strikes Massacre at the border, 110 KLA fighters killed Nano calls on the European Community to launch an air strike against Serbia. “In today’s situation, no time should be wasted in stopping the Serbian war machine through air-strike operations, while also ensuring a secure negotiation process,” the head of the Albanian government said at yesterday’s meeting with representatives of the EU. Meanwhile, during the fighting over the last two days near the Albanian border, around 110 UÇK fighters have lost their lives. The bloodiest clashes on Sunday also claimed 20 more victims among the Kosovar guerrillas. Fighting is reportedly still fierce in the small town of Rahovec, where the number of dead on both sides is still unknown. On page 3 (Photo: ANSA) Serbs gather weapons of war at the border

ALFRED MOISIU The recent events in Kosovo, on the Albanian-Serbian border, are increasingly alarming. They are loud warning bells for Albanians as a whole, and especially for the Albanian Government and the UÇK. The closure of the Albanian-Serbian state border by Yugoslav military forces appears to have been completed, and mass crossings from one side to the other have now become extremely difficult, if not impossible. Under the current circumstances, such crossings must be organized better and be preceded by accurate intelligence on the opposing forces’ deployment. The loss of around 100 fighters within 24 hours is unforgivable for those responsible for organizing the operation. This is a lesson paid for with much blood and loss of human life. Apparently, intelligence and counterintelligence, Yesterday our Ministry of Defence denied the report that 300 Albanian officers had been sent to assist the UÇK. This is not only a fabrication by the Yugoslav side, but a deliberate addition to the Albanian government’s list of sins. It is known that over the last 4-5 years, around 10,000 trained officers in Albania have been discharged as a result of reductions in the army. Without going into the reasons and mistakes made, I want to say that quite a few of them are of Kosovar origin or come from regions bordering Kosovo, and have family ties to the settlements along our border. So it is no wonder, and I would not be surprised if patriotic former officers went voluntarily to Kosovo to fight. Albanians are known for such sacrifices. Former officers of the arm- accurate information about the opponent’s dispositions. human life. It seems that Yugoslav intelligence and counterintelligence had full knowledge of the activities. This is a fact that the KLA leadership must take into account in order to properly screen those who are informed about such activities. Wars involve situations in which a front must be breached at any cost, but in such cases frontal attacks are combined with simultaneous actions from the rear. The facts surrounding the shelling of areas inside the territory of the Republic of Albania are shocking. Whether there were two or thirty shells is of little importance. Shelling on this side of the border shows that the Yugoslav army’s artillery and mortar firing positions, and their targets, have been aligned not only to close the border with Albania, but also to operate within its territory. This is truly alarming, especially if we add the reports that large concentrations of infantry, artillery and armored vehicles have been observed near the border. We may conclude that, after the shells, Yugoslav army troops and heavy equipment could also pour into our territory. It is no coincidence that for some time Serbian propaganda and political and military leaders have been making claims about Albania’s support for the KLA and the KLA’s actions. At first there was talk of training fighters, which is supposedly happening; this is not true, and under our circumstances it would be impossible, all the more so since 20–30 people could not have any significant effect on an army numbering several thousand. Much has been said, and continues to be said, about arms smuggling, although it is well known that, given the widespread distribution of weapons among the Albanian population and the mountainous nature of our territory, it would have been impossible to keep the situation under control—not only now, but even during the dictatorship. In a conflict, in a history involving local people who guard the border. So it is neither surprising nor astonishing if patriots among former officers were to go sacrifices. Former officers of the royal army took part as volunteers in the Spanish War; some fell heroically in the ranks of the International Brigades, including Asim Vokshi, Xhemal Kada, and others. So no one should be surprised if an Albanian patriot decides to sacrifice himself to help his brothers. This is the undeniable right of every Albanian citizen. All these are warnings that the Albanian Government must assess properly and seriously, and especially the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Army. I would not be surprised if, after some time, Yugoslav army forces attempted to enter our territory under the pretext of destroying KLA bases. Millosheviçi has now let loose. Nothing can stop him; as I said in an earlier article, such “pre-emptive” strikes are already known from past history. Our side must respond energetically to these actions and positions, not only through diplomatic channels, but also with strong and swift military measures. The border must be closed by every means, starting with machine guns. The Army must get ready to respond to any aggression or provocation. Albania must be put on a war footing. The people’s forces and [unclear: “organuzar”], intelligence and counterintelligence must increase their activity. I hope these measures have been taken. Let Millosheviçi’s generals not imagine that they can catch us by surprise. Even on its deathbed, Albania rises from its bed when it comes to defending freedom and dignity. We do not want war, but if it is imposed on us, we cannot and will not avoid it. Albanian patriotism, shaken in recent years, will spring from our age-old freedom-loving spirit.

Serbs gather weapons of war at the border (Photo: ANSA)

“Mediation with Belgrade” Many promises, with one condition... “Mediation with Belgrade” Pangallos came to Tirana for the Dalmatian Corridor Many promises, with one condition... TIRANA - Pangallos came to Tirana accompanied by a large number of Greek businesspeople and, above all, with a series of plans and projects for Albania. At the meeting held with Albania’s Foreign Minister, Milo, Pangallos put forward an idea that he had also presented to several of his other counterparts: the creation of a Dalmatian corridor that would connect Igoumenitsa with Trieste, passing along the entire Balkan coastline. On page 2

Just a few days after Demirel’s departure, Greek Foreign Minister Pangallos rushed to Tirana to restore the balance. His entire agenda boils down to a proposal to build the Dalmatian Corridor, which would connect Igoumenitsa with Trieste. Pangallos came to Tirana to obtain an O.K. from the Albanian authorities. The people of the Balkans have now understood that the region’s priorities are not determined through wars, but through markets. And markets are connected by roads. The map of the Balkans has begun to grow dense with many projects for possible road corridors that could cross it. The corridor proposed by Pangallos is one of them. ...the Albanian authorities another corridor. This would be another port, but this time one belonging to Greece: Igoumenitsa. Tirana has the chance to choose between being a continuation of territory and being a determining geopolitical force in the region. Its geographical position seems to have remained Albania’s only chance for economic recovery. Its good fortune is that all possible corridors in the region pass through the territory of the poorest country in the Balkans. The construction of Corridor 8 is an initiative of U.S. President Clinton. With the idea that integration through infrastructure resolves regional conflicts, he appointed his adviser Shifter to engage in resolving the diplomatic problems caused through words that have reached the counters. Balkans has begun to grow denser with numerous proposals proposed by Pangalos is one of them. Meanwhile, Demirel discussed another corridor with the Albanian authorities: the East–West one. The so-called Corridor 8 is a revival of the former “Via Egnatia.” Tirana, Shkupi, Sofja and Stambolli are the four main stations of this corridor, which is expected to be traversed by all goods coming from the East and crossing over to the other side of the Adriatic. Implementing this project would make the port of Durrës one of the most important in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, the value of the port of Selanik would decline considerably. The route offered by the construction of Corridor 8 is about 20 hours shorter than the current freight route connecting East and West. Under these circumstances, reviving “Via Egnatia” would put all of northern Greece’s infrastructure out of operation. This is the main reason for Pangalos’s visit. He also put forward an initiative by in resolving the diplomatic problems caused by the construction of the corridor that will integrate the Balkans with the West. The cost of this infrastructure seems to be the best solution for cutting the fuse of the “Powder Keg.” The parties in the region have become embroiled in a fierce race to define the new geopolitical map. Pangalos’s visit was intended to preserve Greece’s current leading role. But in geopolitics, a few years are of negligible importance. Everyone now knows that Albania a few years from now will not be what it is today, turning to its neighbors for everything. Albania has the chance to choose between the role of vassal and that of partner. And vassalage is no longer defined as in the time of Byzantium. It is now the markets that define it. Official Tirana has the chance to choose between the two corridors: the one proposed by Clinton and the one Pangalos brought with him.

A package of reforms is being prepared to clean up the administration TIRANA - The Albanian Government is consulting the World Bank on institutional reform to fight corruption. Re-

TIRANA - The Albanian Government is consulting the World Bank on institutional reform to fight corruption. TIRANA - reform to fight corruption. The resident representative in Tirana, Karlos Elbirt, met separately yesterday with Nano, Islami and Malaj to fine-tune the initiatives that the Albanian authorities are expected to undertake. The creation of oversight units in every administrative structure is expected to be one of the measures the Government will use to fight corruption.

DURRES Gazette Buses, the millionaire business DURRES - Durrës buses are a genuine source of millions. The operators of the vehicles used on the Durrës route, according to what some of them themselves say, earn thousands of lekë a day. According to the ticket inspectors, this is perfectly in order, since all those who work with buses now meet the quota set by the state passenger agency.

GAZETA e Shkodrës The lake puts 50 traders at risk SHKODER - As they crossed by boat to the other shore, they came close to tragedy, risking sinking in the middle of the lake. On Saturday, a group of traders from Shkodër, carrying their usual bags, tried to cross into Montenegro so as not to let market day slip from their grasp.

GAZETA e Vlorës The lights threaten darkness once again VLORE - The efforts of the Electric Utility to survive and collect the overdue debts owed by residents, institutions and other enterprises appear to be in vain. So far, none of the major debtors—including the Municipality and the Water Supply Utility—has paid the money they owe for the electricity they have consumed.

Godo: We can do without the PD TIRANE - The Constitution passes its test at the Venice Commission. “All that remains is for the draft to be discussed in Parliament and for it to be put to a referendum,” Sabri Godo, one of the co-chairs of the Constitutional Commission, said yesterday. Godo is certain that the Constitution has now received the full backing of the international community.