They were the first refugees at the Italian embassy; now they are being denied a visa But this time they are “prisoners” of bureaucracy TIRANA - The Popas return to Tirana, once again remaining “prisoners,” but this time at the mercy of bureaucracy. They have come to Albania for a few days, but their documents are not valid for travelling back to Italy. After days of wandering between the Italian embassy and Albanian offices, the two sisters have had their desperate attempts rejected. “We asked to be sent to America, and for 8 years we have done nothing but fill out forms, while now, as soon as we return for a little while, Italy shuts its doors on us and says it does not recognize us and that we are like all other Albanian citizens. We are wandering from one house to another, since we do not have a place of our own to lay our heads. If the Italians do not help us, let the Albanian state take responsibility for us, at least by giving us a home.” The Italian consulate offers no hope regarding their problem. They have obtained new Albanian passports. They can no longer return to Italy. On page 12

Heavy bombardment in Prizren PRISTINA - The residents, engulfed in flames, have fled. Kosovo is being hit by Serbian bombardments. And in Prizren, Gjakovë, Pagarushë, Malishevë, and Deçan, Albanian settlements have been attacked and razed. Smoke and flames have covered everything, while tent cities for refugees are springing up like mushrooms across Kosovo. According to American estimates, 265,000 people have been driven from their homes, around 50,000 are living in forests, and an estimated 15,000 homes have been destroyed. All of Kosovo looks like a ghost land. Cities and villages abandoned, houses in ruins, land left fallow, cradles thrown by the roadside. On page 8

Socialists respond without enthusiasm: we are only in favor of dialogue Hasani: Now let us unite to fight TIRANA - The Communists are reaching out to the Socialists. They should cooperate against their common enemy: Berisha. Maks Hasani, the self-proclaimed Communist member of the Albanian Parliament, yesterday called for an alliance of all left-wing forces against the danger of Sali Berisha returning to power. “All those who support Berisha are traitors to this country,” Hasani told the newspaper yesterday, asking the Socialists to put aside their party divisions with the Communists. According to Hasani, Berisha has considerable support only in Tirana, where the bourgeoisie is also larger, because in the districts, where there is only a petty bourgeoisie and a larger working class, Berisha does not

Warning from 54 countries: enough calls for violence TIRANA - The OSCE has called on the parties to act responsibly, give up the language of violence, and refrain from violent and illegal actions. At yesterday’s meeting of 54 countries, the recent arrests of 6 Democrats were also discussed. The OSCE has

The ruling coalition is organizing a rally on Sunday The PS is taking its supporters into the streets on Sunday, also calling on the spirit of Mother Teresa for help, while the DP, despite the police declaring that it would not grant permission for its rally, has declared through its leader Berisha that it will take to the square regardless to protest against the government. On page 4

LEZHË / PROTEST AFTER THE BOMBING AT THE PS

OPINION Vladimir Belaj After a one-month pause (July-August), justified as a period of silence and holidays, the explosions at the two American embassies in Africa have also led to the closure of the American embassy in Tirana for an indefinite period, “seriously threatened by fundamentalist danger.” The American government is calling on its citizens to leave Albania, since their lives there are unsafe, and they immediately, without a moment’s hesitation, pack their bags and leave us once again bewildered. “NATO is more present than ever in Albania” takes off his shoes when entering the men’s room, as local custom dictates, during completely “chance” meetings with Kosovo fighters. But some voices say he left disappointed by the poor discipline and organization. The distinguished diplomat is also put in a difficult position by the divisions among the leaders of the armed resistance, some of whom raised their fists and had as their objective not only the liberation of Kosovo, but all Albanian territories wherever they might be?! So the American position is nothing other than support and a serious effort to find political and military allies both in Albania and in Kosovo. Albania, since their lives there are not guaranteed, and they leave immediately, without a second thought, with their belongings on their backs, once again leaving us astonished. “NATO is more present in Albania than ever” – declares the Albanian Prime Minister in his greeting to the participants in the recent exercise involving several NATO countries and Partnership for Peace countries, and just a few hours after this statement, Clinton sends two hundred US Marines to Albania to protect the security of the American embassy. Another unit participating in the exercise was tasked with repairing a school. Milosevic understood the true significance of this exercise very well; unlike what happened during the powerful NATO air maneuvers conducted not long ago, he did not back down but instead intensified military operations in Kosovo. He had “finished off” the UÇK, and celebrated his victories over Albanian politics with no fewer than 15 artillery rounds fired inside the Albanian border. Finally, the sudden departure of two American military personnel from the NATO office, which had already been preceded by the indefinite departure of its head, indicates the complete closure of that office. Could these be sufficient signs of a change in America’s attitude toward the Albanian side? Certainly, before being champions of democracy and of safeguarding peace and security throughout the world, Americans are powerful defenders of American interests in every field, interests that are inviolable. The American position on the Kosovo issue has been dignified, highly supportive and active. NATO has made a serious commitment to military intervention there, even without Rugova’s approval from Clinton, although we Albanians recognize him as President of Kosovo. The courageous Holbrooke, not merely bold, lands in areas controlled by the UÇK; was their aim not only to liberate Kosovo but also the entire Albanian territory wherever it might be?! Well, in America’s position I see nothing but support and serious efforts to find political and military allies in both Albania and Kosovo. What could have happened so suddenly? The head of the Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission in the Albanian Parliament, Godo, albeit hesitantly, admitted that over the last 2–3 months there has been a waning of the international position, particularly the American one, toward the Albanian issue. The “fox” of Albanian politics apparently remembered the strong, and often decisive, influence on the politics of today’s Albanian state when his Greek counterpart Papulias said that the American language, as the language of force, is incomprehensible and unacceptable to us Balkan peoples. Immediately after this, the Albanian Prime Minister’s confusing positions poured forth: calls for NATO intervention inside Albanian territory and even for its troops to be stationed on the Albanian-Yugoslav border. On the other hand, Rugova, apparently euphoric after his visit to America, forgot himself and kept the very same smile he had worn at his meeting with the American President when he met his adversary, Milosevic. By standing up, and in the end holding only the “keys of straw” in his hands, he is almost extinguishing American hopes that he can be relied upon to lead Kosovo under the new conditions that have arisen. In this situation, with Albania continuing to be the least economically developed country, and finding it so difficult to establish democratic institutions, the departure of allies, even for reasons of “security,” cannot pass without consequences. Perhaps Albania now has fewer allies than ever.

Republicans on the attack. Majko: Appointments are not made in cafés After the clashes in Lazarat, Teta promises ministerial changes TIRANA - Mediu calls for the Government’s resignation. “Nano is a failure; he has no place at the head of the government,” said the leader of the Republicans yesterday. In his view, the new political solution must be determined at the parties’ negotiating table. The Republican leader said the Socialists cannot evade their responsibility for failing to restore Order and ensure political stability. “Nano has failed as Prime Minister and as leader of the majority,” Mediu said. Special forces during the operation in Lazarat

The PS headquarters in Lezhë after the explosion (Photo: H. Pustina)

Municipality: We will privatize the water supply On page 5 GAZETA e Durrësit School year: Here is how we are preparing for it On page 7 GAZETA e Shkodrës Lami: The city will have no unrest On page 6