MAYBE BARE WILL COME IN YOUR PLACE TIRANA - Will Fatos Klosi be dismissed? The replacements at the Ministry of the Interior have also determined the new duties of those who have been moved. Talk among law-enforcement officials about appointing Bare to head the security department has shaken Klosi’s position. After the DSK, the former SHIK, was placed under the Prime Minister’s authority, the replacement of Meidani’s man surprised no one. On page 3

Two Serbian helicopters in Albanian airspace, army on alert PRISTINA - Blood at the border between Albania and Kosovo. According to Serbian sources reported by ANSA, 22 Albanians were killed at the border yesterday. Meanwhile, in response to this figure, Pristina sources in Tirana say that 16 of them were Serbs and the others Albanians. Meanwhile, the situation is worsening, especially now on the eve of the upcoming meeting of the Contact Group, where the Albanian issue is also expected to be examined, and the presence of helicopters over Kosovo is at the center of attention. According to Ilir Çano, yesterday around midday two Serbian helicopters were seen flying over Albanian airspace. “Everything was at level-one readiness. We tried to act prudently so as not to fall victim to Serbian provocations,” Çano continued, speaking to Gazeta. On page 12 22 killed in a clash that had been forecast for the summer, but should have been anticipated. In Kukës, Serbian guns were heard firing again last night, wreaking havoc on the homes of unprotected Albanians. At almost the same time, Albanian politicians had their minds elsewhere. Would the changes in the government finally be made or not? Who would be the new names in the Nano cabinet, and would President Meidani accept the latest changes? Would the decree be issued? Were the compromises whispered about in the secret meetings of Albanian politicians reached? These questions weary not only Albanian politicians, but also the multitude of people who keep their eyes fixed every day on television screens or the biggest newspapers. The shots at the border have become increasingly insistent, just as if to say: “What’s happening with the Minister?” Albanian politics surely does not know how to answer this question. Extraordinary readiness measures, an extension of the tongue, special command posts—all these things, I suppose, would make sense if Albanians did not know the state their army has been reduced to. The weapons depots…

The veteran writer sides with the President: The Prime Minister is to blame “They are turning into a government of clans; tomorrow it will be too late” Meidani lashes out in Parliament. Brokaj resigns The veteran writer sides with the President: The Prime Minister is to blame Agolli-Nano, the second attack begins “They are turning into a government of clans; tomorrow it will be too late” Meidani lashes out in Parliament. Brokaj resigns TIRANA - Dritëro Agolli attacks Nano: there are tendencies toward an authoritarian political-social state. The well-known writer and rebellious spirit of the SP has commented on Meidani’s message, aligning himself with the President’s statements on the same wavelength. At the same time, however, he has driven the point of his criticism even deeper. Agolli did not hesitate to answer the phone for Gazeta Shqiptare and, without hesitation, began his second duel with Nano. On page 3

Banditry Serbian guns have begun to thunder in Kosovo. Last night, news steeped in the smell of blood arrived on this side of the border line, which is called the state border. Twenty people killed in a clash that was indeed unannounced, but should have been anticipated. In Kukës, Serbian artillery fire was heard again last night, wreaking havoc on the homes of the long-suffering Albanians. At almost the same hour, Albanian politicians had their minds elsewhere; the few soldiers were carrying out their duty more out of fear of the weak law than for any other reason; then there was a ministerial “adventure,” concocted by who knows what political arrangement, and an army without a Minister of Defense. This is the miserable picture that Albanian politicians and those in power present to Albanians, who anxiously hear the justified news coming from beyond the fortified border. Yesterday, at last, Brokaj, in a personal gesture, put an end to the paralysis that had engulfed his ministry, currently the most important one for the entire country: the Ministry of Defense. Now all that remains is the appointment by decree of the new Minister, but there is a strong chance that this, too, will be delayed by the rancor among Albania’s institutions and political forces. Meanwhile, the Serbian guns continue to wreak havoc; according to official sources, their helicopters are even entering Albanian airspace without being challenged by anyone. Both on behalf of those who face the violence every day of one of the most merciless military machines in Europe, and in the name of the most basic logic, the question must be asked: Is a debate worthwhile when, in the end, it will remain unfinished, or changing names at a time when everything in the Balkans has begun to stir again? As always, the leaders must provide the answer. Let us hope they will come to their senses.

Majko replies to the President: He talked a lot but said nothing TIRANA - “I expected a different message from President Meidani.” Pandeli Majko, Secretary-General of the Socialists, appears dissatisfied with the President’s message to parliamentarians. “To tell the truth, I expected a message about the worsening situation in Kosovo.” On page 2

SHKODËR - In June, Shkodër is expected to communicate with its counterparts within the country and abroad using 9,000 telephone numbers. Requests from the people of Shkodër for a “hello” line in their homes are far greater than that. On page 6 GAZETA e Vlorës

TIRANA - MP Fehmi Abdiu at the head of the Constitutional Court. Parliament yesterday approved the candidacies of three new members of the High Court. Abdiu, Sokol Sadushi and Hajredin Fuga will fill the vacancies left after the Constitutional Court's drawing of lots. In this way, all appointments of members to this court have been completed.

TIRANA - M. Leka's creditors will be the lucky victims of the pyramid scheme. The administrator, “Deloitte & Touche”, has found a buyer for the cognac factory ande (?), and the sale price will be very close to the debt M. Leka still owes its creditors. This factory is the largest investment of the “M. Leka” company and has been assessed as profitable by the administration. Thanks to the small number of creditors who paid money to M. Leka, this sale provides a guarantee that nearly all of the capital invested will be repaid.

GJIROKASTËR Anti-illegal immigration operation at the Kakavijë border crossing. Regional police detained 33 Kurds yesterday morning, who had attempted to cross the Albanian border illegally. Along with the foreigners, an Albanian citizen from Fier was also detained; he was helping the Kurds enter Albania. In the early hours of the morning, according to police sources, a group of Kurds attempted to cross the Albanian border illegally, but the guards spotted and detained them.

GAZETA of Vlorë VLORË - An entire neighborhood in Vlorë has suffered from flooding for years. Its residents have spent their lives wearing rubber boots to cross the constant water in front of their homes. The water is now being drained, but the threat of epidemics still remains on their doorstep.

GAZETA of Durrës DURRËS - The “Gjergj Kastrioti” winery is running out of drinks and is consequently laying off its workers. According to management, the justification was that it could not pay them because production at the factory had fallen. Meanwhile, the laid-off workers are protesting, accusing the company's current managers of professional incompetence.

“They profited during last year’s unrest” TIRANA - 300 firms that have not paid customs duties are facing charges. The failure of customs services at the southern border crossings during the first months of last year allowed traders to evade taxation. Nevertheless, every vehicle that crossed was properly documented, and the prosecution has now begun criminal proceedings against these people. If the rebellious traders object, the relevant authorities will take action. General Prosecutor’s Office

Arab Albanian Islamic Bank / Arab Albanian Islamic Bank Arab Albanian Islamic Bank To the respected shareholders of the ARAB ALBANIAN ISLAMIC BANK Dear shareholders, For unavoidable reasons, the Annual General Meeting and the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Arab Albanian Islamic Bank, which were to be held on 28/04/1998 in Tirana, have been postponed. These meetings will now be held on 12/05/1998 in Tirana, at the same place and at the same time. The agendas for these meetings are as follows: Agenda of the Annual General Meeting 1. Report of the Board of Directors for 1997. 2. Approval of the balance sheet and the profit-and-loss account. 3. Appointment of the External Auditor for 1998 and setting their remuneration. 4. Discharge of the members of the Board of Directors from liability for the work they have carried out. 5. Report of the Religious Council. Agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting 1. Reduction of the Bank’s capital from US $20,000,000 to an attainable capital in euros, in accordance with the recommendations of the External Auditor. With sincere regards, Suleiman El-Khorali Chairman of the Board of Directors Arab Albanian Islamic Bank