CIA CONFIRMS: ALBANIA IS ONE OF 7 COUNTRIES WHERE THE US EMBASSY WILL BE BLOWN UP On page 7

The new government of Kosovo UÇK’s Krasniqi as Prime Minister On page 5

Arian ÇANI The Socialists are finally shaking off the lethargy that had gripped them for several months. “Who will lead the party, why, and Fatos Nano’s resignation—was it right that he left, would it have been better for him to stay...” The comments went on endlessly like this until a few days ago, when the purpose of two or three main factions within the PS became almost openly apparent—it is a little early to call them “clans”: the PS will be led by the faction that wins the hearts of the grassroots, that is, the votes of those hundreds of people Fatos Nano referred to when he left the Chairman’s chair. Unlike the UÇK soldiers, who wear military clothes and have an entirely different objective, the two rival factions in the PS will seek to create as many foot soldiers as possible, as quickly as possible—in other words, future delegates to the Socialist Congress. A Congress whose importance has already begun to mobilize the party’s top leaders, several months before it is due to take place. Ruci, one of Nano’s most trusted men, has already sent a clear signal that, before the Congress, local party chair elections in the districts will have to be held once again. This initiative was immediately opposed by Lgjsi, Majko’s man, who implied that no division within the party through its grassroots would be allowed to take place. Of course, both sides invoke the party’s statutes, although this very important document for the life of any political force clearly states that new local chair elections are held once every two years. In this case, they were held only 8 months ago, which could seriously jeopardize Nano’s group in this battle. Nano’s group will certainly seek to regain the PS leadership. But its first challenge, and the victory it is seeking to achieve, is precisely to change the current local leaders and replace them with players of its own choosing. Because eight months ago, when the PS conferences were held in all the country’s districts, Nano was Prime Minister and party Chairman, but in fact the latter was being run by Pandeli Majko. And, as commonly happens in the political life of a party—and not only in Albania—most of these local leaders were elected and voted in under the influence and with the endorsement of the current Prime Minister. As the two rival factions within the PS are taking clear shape in the struggle to win its leadership, Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta, one of the people with considerable influence among the grassroots, seems genuinely more removed from this affair. So far, Meta has not been mentioned as the certain candidate for the post of future Chairman, although June 29, ’99 is still a long way off. The game has only just begun; it is expected to be fierce, but this time the odds are not equal for everyone.

The Newspaper’s draw The winner speaks On page 20

FROM MALARIA If you ask the people of Shkodër whether anyone knows of a promenade called “Shpella e Mushkës”, many of them cannot give an accurate answer. But it would never have occurred to them that “Shpëtia e Mushkës” was built with Rokfeler’s money. On page 15

The rules 1. Keep this copy of the newspaper with your competition number 2. The game numbers are published every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 3. On Monday, March 8, the third draw will be held on TV KLAN for a trip for 2 people to ITALY and 2 SCHENGEN visas • More information on the inside pages of the newspaper. Albanian Newspaper gives you ITALY Your competition number for today SERIES EF 15261

“Klan” magazine informs its readers that today, Thursday, at 2030 on TV Klan, the draw for the gifts offered by this magazine will take place.