Serbs abandon some strategic positions Among the ruins of the General Headquarters of the KLA in Likovac, Shaban Shala, one of the KLA’s senior officers, said that “the troops that launched the offensive last week were then sent to the Deçan region, where the fighting is very intense.” According to some Western estimates, Belgrade has deployed 20,000 members of the special police forces in Kosovo, paramilitary units equipped with vehicles and light artillery. KLA soldiers

At the end of its mandate, the Contact Group put forward a series of ready-made models for resolving the Kosovo question, based on different experiences around the world—models that rule out independence altogether and offer extensive autonomy. These proposals come at a time when the KLA is losing more and more ground, when the civilian population is facing a genuine humanitarian catastrophe, and, worst of all, when the Albanians cannot find common ground with one another. ANDI BEJTJA At the end of its mandate from the Security Council, the Contact Group put forward a series of ready-made models for resolving the Kosovo question, based on different experiences around the world—models that rule out independence altogether and offer extensive autonomy. These proposals come at a time when the KLA is losing more and more ground, when the civilian population is facing a genuine humanitarian catastrophe, and, worst of all, when the Albanians cannot find common ground with one another. The Contact Group’s mandate has ended, and, among other things, it seems that without two sides in the conflict that are roughly equal, it will be technically difficult for it to intervene. NATO Secretary General Solana confirmed that the point at which military intervention could take place has not yet been reached, and that the results of diplomatic efforts are being awaited. But can diplomacy begin to make progress when, in addition to their disagreements with one another, the Albanians are demanding only independence? It seems that the time has come for the Albanians to enter into talks, and for them to receive a serious response from the international community. They need to be more realistic by agreeing, for the time being, to discuss other forms of self-determination or autonomy—forms that, after all, imply independence in the future. Now, in addition to the Balkan Saddam, whose name is Millosheviç, the Kosovo political class and the KLA also have a responsibility toward Kosovo’s citizens, who risk suffering a tragedy similar to that of Bosnia. Responsibility must extend further still: to Tirana. It is absurd that, in such a situation, the two political formations in Albania, PD and PS, should remain in positions resembling those of the Serbs and Albanians in ... Regardless of the Serbian response to these proposals, the Albanian side is not currently prepared even to put them on the table. Rugova has still been unable to form a government that includes everyone and continues to hold out for the highest price, demanding only independence. His close associate and the various factions of the KLA still seem to be far apart. This entire diplomatic situation works in the Serbs’ favor, as they continue their military offensive without worrying too much about the promises they made to the international community to stop it. If the Serbs agree to one of the models while the Albanians are still unable to speak with one voice, that would be catastrophic. Meanwhile, although there is talk of possible NATO intervention, that day still seems far off. NATO is still having difficulty obtaining a ... ... of the Serbs and the Albanians of Kosovo. Both sides must unify their positions on the Kosovo question as soon as possible and put an end to “patriotic” abuses for political gain at Kosovo’s expense. First, the PD, led by former President Sali Berisha, must end its institutional boycott.

Europe promises to attend the Tirana Conference with all its foreign ministers The EU threatens Berisha “If you come to power, we will treat you the same way you treat us today” The Troika calls for the PD to return to Parliament TIRANA - “All the responsibility lies with the PD’s boycott,” the head of the European Troika delegation, Jandl, said yesterday at a press conference. He made no attempt to hide his irony about Berisha, just one day after their meeting. “If I were to repeat all the promises he made at the meeting here, there could be an explosion,” said the representative of the country currently holding the rotating presidency of the European Union. Meanwhile, delegation member Fontekorvo confirmed that Brussels is monitoring every move by Berisha’s party. “If they ever come to power, we will respond in the same way that Berisha responded today to the requests of the international community,” said the Brussels official. Fontekorvo confirmed that all 15 member states of the European Union had expressed their willingness to be represented at foreign-minister level at the donors’ conference to be held in Tirana.

Dear brother-in-law, it is very likely that you know the Spanish proverb that says, “If you don’t want to be treated to vinegar, then don’t try...” Dear brother-in-law, it is very likely that you know the Spanish proverb that says, “If you don’t want to be treated to vinegar, then don’t try ...” Ever since I became a minister, apparently I have started “finding things and bubbling up against the press as if everyone in the world had attacked me.” No won-

Dear Baxhak, vinegar, then don’t try to teach the world to drink sour wine.” I was reminded of this proverb as I read your editorial in Wednesday’s Gazeta Shqiptare, “Edi, don’t forget the tears,” a piece that, in my view, deserves the front page, given all the much more real problems facing the people of our country in general. But anyway. There you set about portraying me as a former “golden boy” who, you suggest, became a minister and then started “digging and rumbling attacked me.” Unsurprisingly, two or three modest reflections of mine, made publicly in an effort to address the problems of a press that has no journalist or someone with some experience—including you yourself—who has not acknowledged or raised them in conversations I have attended, sound like thunderous rumblings to you. The fact that I underline that I am not surprised does not at all mean that I am not ... Continued on page 12

“He has agreed to cooperate with the justice system” TIRANA – “Alimuçaj will cooperate with the justice system to shed light on VEFA’s pyramid schemes,” Finance Minister Arben Malaj said on Wednesday at the Socialist Party conference in Vlora. Speaking before the Socialists of the city of protests, he said that the transparency process would continue with the sale of the assets left by the pyramid schemes, which caused greater damage in Vlora than anywhere else. Meanwhile, delegates at the conference strongly raised concerns about reform of the local administration, opposing PD members who, they said, were sabotaging the work. The city’s mayor spoke more harshly than anyone, setting the end of August as the deadline for removing from the institutions he heads all those who work for the state and then speak ill of the state. “We have our own people who are out of work. But I say that those who are in this hall should be employed in place of those who are there today.” On page 3 Malaj; Alimuçaj

TIRANA – No peace, even in their final resting place. In a few years, the capital’s dead risk being left without a place to be buried. The only area planned by the Municipality for use as cemetery land has been “occupied” by the former owners. More than 7 hectares, after falling into the hands of the former owners, have been turned into plots for new construction. The Funeral Services Enterprise, the only legal administrator of this land, is still powerless to respond. On page 5

DURRËS – Students have no school where they can study. The influx of students expected to take their places this school year in primary and secondary education does not match the current capacity of Durrës’s schools. According to education inspectors at the city’s Education Directorate, 31,475 students are expected to enroll in secondary and eight-year schools for 1998. They are now calling for more schools to be built to help absorb the large influx of those wishing to attend school this year. On page 7

SHKODËR – The city’s businesses are heading toward nothingness. Extreme poverty and widespread unemployment in recent years seem to have made Shkodër one of the poorest Albanian metropolises, to the point that even emigration has no more gains to bring. Shkodër has still not managed to emerge from the state of economic collapse into which it fell over the past two years. The collapse of the pyramid firms last March, as well as the unrest at the beginning of this year, have not encouraged domestic or foreign investment. On page 6

Hafizi disagrees with the way the bonuses set by KE are to be distributed On page 11