Ruçi as “reserve” Prime Minister. The list of ministers is finalized Urgent meeting reorganizes the Socialists’ structures: The government is separating from the party New names challenge the old ones. As of yesterday, they are called board directors [Photo: Nano] [Photo: Ruçi] TIRANA - Once again, the SP is against the government. “We do not want to be the executive’s shadow.” The Socialists, who hold government seats, met yesterday at the pink headquarters under the chairmanship of Gramoz Ruçi to coordinate their tasks for a shadow government of the Socialists. Criticism of the ministers was also voiced. “We will show very soon that we really are a party in power,” Gramoz Ruçi, the Socialists’ organizational secretary, told Gazeta Shqiptare. According to him, clear political lines for governing will now be developed within the SP by the commissions appointed by the Presidium, and proposed to the executive. With this move, the Socialists at the pink headquarters are trying to be the voice of the electorate and oppose ministers’ detachment from the electoral contract of June 29. On page 2 On page 7 Nano Ruçi

Kosovo dissatisfied with official Tirana Arrows between the two Albanian diplomacies after the Contact Group Skitteri The government should bring the truth to light TIRANA - Bujar Bukoshi spells things out and attacks Nano. “Declarations made unilaterally with the [unclear] have value for us.” The Kosovar Prime Minister did not hold back yesterday in an interview with the BBC, reminding Tirana to be more careful in the positions it is taking on the Kosovo issue. “Kosovo does not welcome declarations of a ‘fait accompli’,” says Bukoshi, according to whom only statements made by the legitimate representatives of the people of Kosovo and the political parties in the country [text garbled: “elected by the Presidium would produce clear political lines of governance to be proposed to the executive. With this act, the voice of the electorate and oppose the ministers’ detachment from the electoral contract of June 29.”] According to the BBC interview on March 25, 1998, the Prime Minister’s adviser, Mr. V. Prela, said that the proposal was for Kosovo to receive the status of Montenegro, without the right to self-determination. This means that Serbia [text unclear] the self-determination that the Albanian people of Kosovo demanded on March 19, 1998. It now appears that this is a retreat from statements made by senior officials of the country that “Kosovo has gone through its stages.” On the contrary, a change in Kosovo’s legal status could be acceptable. But the Kosovar politician goes further, recalling that, given the situation Albania is in, its role on the international stage is questionable and has not produced the expected results. The government should bring the truth to light “As for the claims about Albanian ‘terrorist’ groups in Kosovo, these have been [text unclear] in Serbia’s poisonous propaganda statements. On the contrary, legitimate resistance to Slobodan Milosheviç’s gangs is a clear example, known throughout the world. The [unclear] carrying out armed self-defense is not something that can be called ‘terrorism’. Since Serbia has no moral right to administer Kosovo, colonialism is out of date, all the more so in Europe. Our country’s positions must be clearly defined in support of our brothers in Kosovo, as must the dignified means we use. In the case of the massacres in Drenica and Kosovo, today this is not about human rights, but about opposing genocide—that is, saving innocent Albanians in Kosovo from violent abuse. The USA, with its great democratic example, must consider the positions of the people of Kosovo themselves. The time has come for Europe to become aware of the Kosovo settlement, and to take responsibility for it, all of us together. No agreement was reached at the Contact Group meeting, which is telling for Albania, which remained silent on adopting sanctions against Serbian aggression: it is not known why, whether because of party interests or other interests in Serbia. The Serbs lose in both cases what they [text unclear] in defense of the people’s rights and their equality with Albania. Greece, the other neighbor, too, at a time when Albanians need the support of the entire democratic world against ... with Serbia, Yugoslav... [text cut off at the top edge] Serbia has not aspired to... [partly illegible text] ... Kosovo, both on the part of the government... [text cut off] ... Sheshelit, but it sees that, for the crimes committed, it is being protected and left unpunished from the great democratic culpability, lies in... [text cut off] ... The Contact Group at its meeting of March 25, 1998, specifically led, as is done to Nano, in order to make... [partly illegible text] ... In politics you have to ask for two things, gives... [text cut off] ... Serbia has disregarded the position... [partly illegible text] ... they are for... [text cut off] ... Sheshelit and the criminals of... [partly illegible text] ... This force... [text cut off] ... Kosovo, are put... [partly illegible text] ... What forces... [text cut off] ... the situation... [illegible text] ... to receive nothing. As for the claims of an Albanian “terrorist strike” in Kosovo, they are fabricated as part of Serbia’s poisonous propaganda. On the contrary, legitimate resistance to Sheshelit’s gangs and the crimes of the Serbian army should not be swallowed by anyone as “terrorist.” When entire villages in Drenica are burned and people are displaced under pressure from Serbian tanks, resistance to this force that sows violence everywhere in Kosovo is branded “terrorist.” How is it possible to put the aggressor on an equal footing in attacks that threaten the institutions of defense? ... [the rest is cut off]

GAZETA E TIRANËS TIRANA - The Municipality’s troubles never end. The capital’s “gangrene”—illegal construction—continues its march without stopping and, at the same time, without making a stir. Brojka said yesterday that no fewer than 1,100 construction permits had been approved during the period. On page 5

GAZETA E DURRËSIT DURRËS - The Ministry of Economy will put the last two ships of the Merchant Fleet up for sale. But the unions strongly oppose this decision. They are the “Tirana” and the “Saranda”. The first is being held as collateral at a port in Greece. Meanwhile, the “Saranda” is still burned out in the port of Durrës. On page 7

Two days of waiting among journalists at the national station

Employees’ files under the scrutiny of the “figures” Two days of waiting among the journalists at the national station ÇOBA’S EYES DELIGHT THE GREEKS Valbona Çoba On page 8

LEZHË — A storm hits Lezhë and 19 surrounding villages. The latter have been left without electricity. Winds exceeding 120 kilometres per hour have struck the village homes and livestock barns as well. Many roofs have been blown away, leaving families exposed. The electricity company has inspected the surrounding areas, but no official damage assessment has yet been made. According to meteorologists, the weather will remain like this until the end of the month. On page 7

TIRANA — After Meidani, Fino too convenes the Government over smuggling. In Nano’s absence, yesterday’s Government meeting, which is usually held on Fridays, was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. At the beginning of the meeting, ministers Malaj, Kondi and Ceka, who, like Fino, are members of the Anti-Smuggling Committee, reported on the activities of the departments they head. Yesterday’s report by Ceka was his second: yesterday before Fino, he said what he had said the day before yesterday before Meidani. Fino said that the fight against smuggling is an issue that concerns everyone—the President, the Government and the citizens. On page 9

TIRANA — Six new articles of the Constitution are approved. The Parliamentary Commission continued its regular procedure yesterday despite the announced absence of the Democratic Union. But there was once again a row over Janullatos’s presence. Hysen Selfo of Balli has warned that he will leave the Constitutional Commission if the constitutional provisions do not explicitly state: “The heads of religious communities must be of Albanian nationality and citizenship and speak the Albanian language fluently.” On page 9

VLORË — The committees of Vlorë have reappeared. Once again, the issue at the centre of attention is the pyramid schemes which last spring sparked revolt in the southern cities. The Vlorë Committee is now called the Committee for the Defence of the People’s Interests. The committee’s representatives have also met President Meidani. According to ATSH, they asked the President to find a solution to the pyramid-scheme problem and to hold those responsible for last year’s tragedy accountable. The representatives of the Committee for the Defence of the People’s Interests also called for an urgent solution to the problems of homelessness and employment. On page 9

Agreement with the Turks On page 6 The abandoned submarines at Pasha Liman

The ministries will be left without electricity TIRANA — KESH issues an ultimatum to state institutions and households. “If the electricity bills are not paid within 10 days, we will cut off your power.” The list of those who do not pay for electricity also includes 6 ministries, Radio Television, and the Municipalities and Communes. This time KESH is determined to take serious retaliatory action. Ceka, Brokaj, Xhuveli, Rukaj, Solis and Ruka will be left without electricity if they do not pay the million-lek bills owed to KESH by the departments they head. On page 9