A new, unbelievable decision following the closure of the embassy. Is there reason to fear? ANDI BEJTJA The NATO representation in Tirana was closed for an indefinite period, just three weeks after the departure of the US embassy staff, making Albanians, like those across the border, feel even more abandoned by the West and America. Now Albania’s government officials feel entirely uncertain about their country’s future, as it edges toward being struck by organized crime, the struggle for a normal life, and the state’s lack of authority to respond. “The departure of NATO personnel in Tirana is typical ‘Americanism,’ which means leaving on account of calculations of temporariness,” for reasons that are thought to be explainable only by the Americans and an Italian staff that has left for “vacation.” Not only that. The American police have also taken over NATO’s own squares, Solana’s specialty, who experienced what he called the Albanian Prime Minister to convey his personal and the alliance’s disappointment with the results achieved so far through cooperation with Albania under the Partnership for Peace. Also, on the day the office arrived in Tirana, Solana did not forget to remind NATO that he supports the efforts of the Albanians and the Albanian Government against organized crime. The departure at this time, when Albania, once again as last year, is on the brink of destabilization, even if it is being explained away with technical and security reasons, is nothing other than abandonment. And, unfortunately, the Americans’ abandonment of us at every level has occurred with bitter frequency around the world. All the worse for Albania, so soon after the Peacekeeping forces, made possible and taken up by NATO, left. The abandonment is also an indirect one of Kosovo, which has long dreamed of NATO extending its presence to its territory. The foreboding is also badly betrayed and ugly. It is so not only because of the abandonment, but also because Albanian politics, both in Albania and in Kosovo, remain primitive. The Democratic Party appears in the streets every day, demanding the overthrow of the Government and making clear that it never intends to open up to the Constitution. One of its leaders openly applauds the blockade of the national road at Lazarat by gangs. President Krenar Mjaft? Calls for NATO changes in preparation for the Albanian border. The Albanian Prime Minister appears before Albanians and says that justice is independent and that the arrested PD officials will be released? The President says he will ask the latter to declare an amnesty, including for crimes against humanity, so that the six detainees can leave their cells. In Kosovo, the UÇK continues to have 7,000 men and blindness. The political factor still cannot come to an understanding with itself, nor can they manage to speak in union. Milosheviç has mounted propaganda accusing the Kosovo autonomy game of being a ploy, comparing President Rugova to someone who is red? in Kosovo? The Albanian representatives continue to be divided. There is also a rapid possibility: American or NATO intervention. The time has come for Albanian politicians, Albanians in a time of calm, to think and work seriously for peace, because the signs are not good at all. Another article on page 3

Battle among the houses. Hajdari: They were right to block the road Lazarat, a trap for the Special Forces They cleared the road, but 8 police officers were wounded in an ambush The village in the hands of armed protesters GIROKASTER - Fighting with the police in Lazarat. Public Order Ministry forces entering the village, a few kilometres south of Gjirokastër, in the morning were ambushed and surrounded by armed men, who attacked them together with heavy weapons from all sides. Eight members of the security forces were wounded and several police vehicles were set on fire one after another. The situation remained serious even after police vehicles from the capital arrived. In an appeal broadcast on Albanian TV, Public Order Minister Lata asks the residents of Lazarat to remain calm and cooperate with the security forces. On page 3 One of the trucks seized by the protesters (Photo: Hektor Pustina) One of the trucks seized by the protesters (Photo: Hektor Pustina)

Godo “The Government must intervene or step down” TIRANA - “If it is not capable of unblocking the national roads, this Government must resign.” Sabri Godo, chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee, yesterday called on the Government to intervene firmly to unblock the roads in Lazarat and Mamurras. “Any political force that supports this act is incriminating itself,” the veteran Republican leader said bluntly. On page 2

The chairman from Rrëshen: Some colleagues have villas; we have no homes “Judges conceal their assets” Heated meeting at the Ministry with judges from the districts TIRANA - Among the judges present yesterday, some say they have luxury villas and expensive cars, while others have no roof over their heads and wait until the end of the month to collect their salaries. The chairman of the district court in Rrëshen rose voluntarily at a meeting where they declared that they had no assets, and said that money had been found on some of them, who live in villas and drive luxury cars, while the rest of us have no homes. On page 4

INTERVIEW EC representative: “We will monitor the trial of the six” EC representative Papaconstantinou sounds the alarm: “Albanian democracy increasingly bears the features of a crisis.” In an interview with the Gazette, he calls for personal politics to be abandoned. “Albania is neither Nanonland nor Berishaland,” he says. On page 9

The Special Forces help one of their wounded comrades (Photo: Hektor Pustina) The Special Forces help one of their wounded comrades (Photo: Hektor Pustina)

Following Milošević’s promises, the way is open for dialogue “Albanian-Serbian agreement” A diplomat: Kosovo is moving toward a solution From the previous Rugova-Milošević meeting PRISHTINA - According to several Western diplomatic sources, some confidence-building understandings for dialogue between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians have been reached in Prishtina. According to REUTER, they are intended to pave the way for peace talks between the two sides to end the war, which has been going on for six months. According to the sources, only a procedural obstacle remains, and both sides have agreed that an agreement on the province’s autonomy must be reached within three years. On page 8

Tirana GAZETTE The school year begins; 7 schools close On page 5

Durrës GAZETTE Port: truck drivers protest On page 7

Shkodër GAZETTE Ndreu leaves, Police Chief On page 6

Following the journalist from “Albanian Gazette” and “Koha Jonë” being asked to leave the PD press conference, yesterday Azem Hajdari’s men also mistreated one of the journalists in a very aggressive manner, namely the “Shekulli” journalist Armand? do Meta. The staff of the “Albanian Gazette” express their indignation at this unheard-of act. On page 8