Construction of apartment buildings at the city entrances toward the north is halted Ministry: Suspend operations, save blood Tirana mobilizes all surgeons from the north, a park from [?] The center of the symposium was brought to life in the emergency room of the new health emergency service and urgently started blood collection in large quantities. Hospitals in five districts are preparing to receive wounded from the war. Hundreds of people with Yugoslavian [or: Yugoslav] vehicles were fired upon yesterday in the Puka area over a mesh-like place, with many killed and wounded. Meanwhile, radio in Kosovo reports 80 killed and wounded, while Albanian officials minimize the number of Kosovo Albanians killed, claiming that on the Albanian side of the border there is not a single Albanian killed. Under conditions of extreme alert, 60 doctors and surgeons from the northern districts arrived urgently at the military hospital. “We will set up a special ward to keep the wounded in case of war,” Dr. Etlen Maho said yesterday. “This is a necessity and not panic,” high-ranking military officials said yesterday. “This is a preparatory measure for any possible complication. Meanwhile, construction of buildings along the city entrances is being halted in order to create protective belts.” Powerful artillery explosions were recorded throughout yesterday on the border between Kosovo and Albania, while in some cases automatic gunfire was heard. In the districts of Tropoja, Has and Kukës, residents spent the day in anxiety. A wave of military vehicles and ambulances moved nonstop toward the north. From the military hospital in Tirana, a group of doctors and nurses was dispatched to help the border hospitals. Faced with this situation, the Albanian authorities also ordered the collection of large amounts of blood. At the military hospital, notice boards for blood groups were put up and citizens were called upon to come forward as donors. The Ministry of Health stated that the measures are preventive and that there is no reason to panic. But testimony from the border, the noise of weapons and the flow of vehicles increase fears of a possible escalation.

Betrayal Here is how to make yourself look like a skeleton made of meat On page 10

IN LEGEND IN GONI Dritan Lulone Perlat Musta is on the brink of death. Yesterday evening he was hit by a burst of bullets, and doctors say the chances of keeping him alive are slim. The 31-year-old from Shkodra, who has been wanted for the murder of his teacher 8 years ago, was shot with automatic gunfire on Tuesday evening in the “Pavarësia” neighborhood of the city of Vlora. One bullet pierced his forehead, while another entered the neck area. According to hospital sources in the coastal city, the bullets severely damaged Musta’s brain. On Tuesday evening doctors did everything possible to save his life. The 31-year-old was immediately taken into the operating room, but he lost a lot of blood and suffered multiple injuries. Perlat Musta is a fairly well-known figure to the police. His name has been mentioned for years in criminal incidents, and he has reportedly been wanted since 1990 for the murder of his teacher. According to the police, Musta had been sheltered for years and moved around several cities in the country. The attack on him is believed to be linked to score-settling. At the scene, police found automatic-shell casings and are investigating the perpetrators. As of last night there was no information about any arrests. Musta remains in critical condition.

REPORT FROM THE AREA On page 3

POLITICS On page 3

FUSHË-KRUJË / After the explosion On page 7

But Tirana responds: No problem ILIRAN - The Serbs are putting pressure on us with anxiety. This statement itself is an alarm signal and a source of concern in Albanian political circles. The fear that the region may be destabilized and the conflict in Kosovo may spread takes an important place in comments and statements. From Tirana come reassuring signals that the situation is under control and that Albania is following developments carefully. According to diplomatic sources, Serbian circles view the movements at the border and the civilian preparations in the north with suspicion. On the other hand, Albanian authorities say these are precautionary measures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that Albania has no interest in escalation and seeks a political solution. There has been an increase in diplomatic contacts in international circles. Solana’s name is mentioned as one of the voices that could play a mediating role. The tension in Kosovo and along the border has revived fears of the conflict spreading in the region.

HEALTH On page 12

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Today TEUTA - Synatf Kosfip Shapiro - Vice-chairman Offering of it now is almost and imported are from Italy. All our products are packaged and carry the TEUTA brand - Durrës Our customers will enjoy, an already magical face, which as a brilliant sign of the European community and in a very luxurious prime. BUY! The goods are stamped and we show, observe the production hosts and in the small. Every beginning has the settling of my product as a local carving that we show Italian. TVKTVL, Logia, “Aleksandër Goga” street, Durrës, Albania. Tel/Fax: +355 52 23044

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