The Morina border post is also hit Ramiz Alia: The Contact Group stifled the KLA At midnight on Saturday, two Serbian commando groups attacked the Morina customs post. Shots were fired from two different directions, about 1 kilometer apart. In addition to the customs building, 15 houses in two other villages near the border were also badly damaged. After moving the women and children away, the attacked villagers returned fire against the Serbs. The exchange of fire continued until 3:00, when the commandos withdrew. At the bilateral meeting about the incident, the Serbs admitted that their forces had advanced up to 75 meters beyond the neutral line, but said this had happened because they were unfamiliar with the territory. The Saturday incident was described by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a serious act of aggression against Albania. On page 3 KLA soldier in a combat position (Photo: ANSA)

ALFRED MOISIU What should not have happened has happened, but now it must be expected. At midnight on Saturday, the Morina border post near Kukës was attacked by Serbian forces. This is a very serious violation of the sovereignty of a neighboring country, a free country, a member of the UN, the OSCE and the European Parliament. This best demonstrates the aggressive face of Millosheviç and his military officers. The threatening situation has been growing more tense and dramatic with each passing day. First, Serbian propaganda accused us of training cadres and fighters for the KLA, then of organizing the supply of weapons; later it slandered us, saying that Albania had sent 300 soldiers to fight the Serbs in Kosovo; then it carried out armed provocations, sending military patrols into our territory; without any regard, Serbian artillery indiscriminately struck Albanian soil near Padesh and elsewhere; and now we have a real attack on a border facility where the Albanian flag flies day and night. All these actions are intended to make us get used to the violation of our rights, to make us see them through the eyes of the guilty, or of someone who endures forever, regardless of the brutality accompanying these actions, which are neither neighborly nor peace-loving. It is clear that the Albanians of the Balkans, Malësia, have let their guard down, but should we just stand by and watch? Despite the dictatorial system in Albania at that time, none of our neighbors dared to attempt even the slightest provocation, for the sole reason that they were certain the state would give them the response they deserved. This tradition, in the good sense of the word, certainly must not be lost. It is true that circumstances have changed considerably, but the Albanian’s desire and feeling for defending his dignity and independence have not changed. The state, the propaganda, the press and the various political structures must not allow a position that is neither one thing nor the other. If the law-enforcement structures this time managed to persuade the armed soldiers, equipped not only with weapons but also with dignity, not to respond with gunfire to provocations that could have had the most varied consequences, that may prove difficult to do another time. It would become even more difficult if there were victims among our citizens’ families. But situations must be taken seriously in hand. It must be made clear to the Serbs that this country has someone in charge. A line must be drawn here. It is in the honor of the state institutions, beginning with Parliament, the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, to make their position clear on this matter. It should serve to make those who have come from Belgrade understand, and to encourage Albanians in the border areas and our entire people, so that they know they must not be left to the mercy of fate. ... [Continued in the adjoining column] ... The interests of the Nation must rise above party interests. I think that at this moment it matters little who loses and who gains more points; what matters most is that Albania wins. Strangely, Europe, which was seriously concerned in the past, now watches, with or without concern, as peaceful people are killed, entire villages are burned and destroyed, and human rights—written and inscribed in many charters supported by countless governmental and nongovernmental organizations with the strangest and most varied names—are openly violated, while it merely looks on. If the real defense of the great humanitarian principles and human rights is so tightly and bureaucratically bound to diplomatic rules that putting them into practice in particular situations seems virtually impossible without catastrophic events first occurring, the question arises: Should they be proclaimed and advertised so much? If even a citizen of a major European country were to reflect a little, he would rightly ask questions about the diplomacy, politics and power of these states. While dozens of Albanians are killed and massacred every day, and the sovereign rights of a state and a people are trampled and spread out, the problems must be addressed—and are addressed—in many ways, with many voices, but only with equal justice. In this case, we are certainly being asked to heed the Bible’s recommendation: “Turn the other cheek.” Ah, no, not like this. I have not been, and am not, in favor of resolving problems by armed means, but when they are imposed on you, there is no way to avoid them, even if you want to. The words of the great Fishta sound very timely. We must learn from them and see things through that lens. Although times have changed, the Albanian question is still viewed through the lens of 1913. Thus, the observations and words of that time remain just as relevant today. Respect is not demanded; it is earned. Freedom is not given; it is won. Justice is not begged for; it is defended. May God help Albania, but if we do not help ourselves, even God can do nothing.

INTERVIEW Meidani: This is how I would like Albania to be One year after being appointed head of the Albanian State, Meidani speaks about the problems. From Kosovo to... On page 2 Meidani

Water utility: Electricity is hindering us. KESH: That is not true Yesterday in Tirana the temperature reached 42 degrees. Drinking-water alert in the capital and in the districts TIRANA - Summer is “threatening” Albanians. The scorching summer temperatures have recently been compounded by a lack of drinking water. Unlike on previous occasions, “the geography of the state…”

TIRANA - Thirst is “threatening” Albanians. TIRANA - Thirst compounded by a shortage of drinking water. Unlike in previous years, its “wandering geography” has taken on new dimensions. The number of “seasonal workers” transporting drinking water is experiencing its most exhausting days, while Elbasan, Kavaja and Vlora are competing with Tirana on the list of affected cities. In one of the neighborhoods of the latter, residents have been buying water for years. In Kavaja and Durrës, it comes only once a day. The same situation exists in many cities across the country. So far, nobody has heard the residents’ pleas. The Energy Corporation and the Tirana water utility continue their long-running “ping-pong,” leaving hundreds of residents with their eyes turned toward the sky. On page 6

Without warning, the PS changes its mind: No to the Council On page 4

GAZETA e Durrësit DURRËS - Sukth’s leading Socialist, in Durrës, has been massacred by bullets. A burst of automatic gunfire killed Qerim Maloku, 51, chairman of the Socialist Party branch in this village, at daybreak yesterday. He was found lifeless very close to his home and, according to the police, he fell into an armed ambush set by people who had followed him and then shot him. On page 8

GAZETA e Shkodrës SHKODËR - Customs receives 1.1 million ECU from the PHARE program to renovate the building, which was looted and destroyed during the recent unrest. According to the head of this branch, Helidon Bushati, the unrest not only caused damage to the office premises, but also drove away Shkodër traders, who moved their business activities to other customs checkpoints. On page 6

GAZETA e Vlorës VLORË - Minister Angjeli counts the unemployed residents of Vlora. The head of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Anastas Angjeli, arrived in Vlora yesterday for a meeting with local government representatives on employment and public works projects. On page 7

Socialist leader brutally beaten