TIRANË - 9 March. The announcement made public by the spokesman of the U.S. Department of State, according to which Moscow is not against the peace agreement in Kosovo and the only issue remaining is its implementation, has been reassuring news for most Albanian politicians. The news is based on the statement by James Rubin, according to whom Russia was informed twice about the draft agreement and did not oppose it in principle. Meanwhile, in Belgrade and Prishtina the wait for developments has remained tense. Diplomatic sources say that Moscow’s reservations are linked to the form of international pressure and not to the basic principles of the agreement. This means that the path toward a solution remains open, but still difficult. In Tirana, reactions have been numerous. Some have seen the statement as a positive signal for avoiding a new clash in the Balkans, while others have stressed the caution that must be shown toward Russia’s role. Analysts have underlined that real support will be measured by concrete behavior at the diplomatic table and not by careful wording for the press. On the other hand, tension in Kosovo continues to remain high. Fear of the failure of the talks and of the return of violence continues to accompany every political move of the last few days. On page 12 The narrated triumph

Et'os Baxhaku Yesterday, at around 7.15 a.m., the official spokesman of the U.S. Department of State, James Rubin, announced that the Russian government had been informed twice about the Rambouillet draft agreement. Twice?! That means that the Albanian politicians' “people” know nothing. Because, if they had been asked, they would not have said twice, but two hundred times. Rubin added that Russia had not opposed this agreement in principle, but had raised some concerns about the process of its implementation. That was all. No more and no less. With this statement, the spokesman of the U.S. State Department has burst the large bubble of hope, which for several days had been inflated with great zeal by some of our politicians, according to whom Russia is the only hope for avoiding another Bosnia in Kosovo. Russia is now showing its true face on the Balkan stage. It is showing that its interests in this region have nothing to do with the fate of peoples, but with the role it wants to play on a new map of influence. Its diplomatic coldness is a way of preserving influence. And this is readable not only in its statements, but also in its silences. Against this background, Albanians must not nourish illusions. Great powers move according to their interests, not according to feelings. Any political calculation based on geopolitical sentimentalism is doomed to fail. For us, it remains important to understand the game, not to believe blindly in one player. Russia may be part of the process, but not the savior. It will negotiate hard, demand a role, and try to influence the pace of decisions. That is its nature as a power. And we must read this nature correctly. If anyone still thinks that Moscow will move out of love for the peoples of the Balkans, then either they do not know history, or they do not want to know it. Our history has enough examples not to forget this. In the end, the white bear does not smile. It shows its teeth. On page 7

The Scottish agency may bring the winner of the 98 contest to Korçë (Helena Elezaj) On page 12 The narrated triumph

THE CLUB PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED On page 11

: For light talks Pitinë-Belgrade, Perindryshë...

/ Mister Shkak FERA The police fight with the gang ELBASAN Farrkrom’s ultimatum NEW INVESTIGATIONS Ngjala takes over Cuda’s case file TIRANE The brother: Why did they attack us On page 7 On page 8

TODAY VISIT Ndno meets Arçifi Garaç Moldovini: autonomy for Kosovo On page 5 On page 9

District Court of Tiranë requests all legal entities and natural persons, persons who are financed by us at the court by 15 March 1998. SL.A.V. KONSTRUKSION SH.P.K Import - Export Limited liability company Tiranë, Durrës Street Tel/fax 223 566 Notice From 1 March, Mobili “AJAX” puts on display in its showroom offers for the block of warehouse units Tel - 042/239 97 - 303 221 264 NICAum Notifies all its consumers of the block of warehouse units in the neighborhood Sells in the showroom its own goods graphic of Mihin fort - 042/239 97 - 303 221 264

Denouncement Language of local examination in Albania Oxford examinations for 2 (Two) levels of OXFORD DIPLOMA in English language. (2a - 24th May 1998), (2b - 24th Sept. 1998) The candidates are advised to have knowledge or our Center to check their level of knowledge. For further information, please contact us in Address: Rr. Islam Alija 6, No. 64