HISTORY “THE CODE OF SKANDERBEG” HELD HOSTAGE BY RAMIZ ALIA On pages 12–13

Testimony from refugees at the border

THE EDITORIAL Fatos ÇOÇOLI The historic moment for the Albanian issue, NATO’s attack on Serbia, also has repercussions for the country’s economy. The most acute crisis and the war in the Balkans came at a time when the Albanian economy is more open than ever and interconnected through communications with the outside world. It cannot help but be harmed by the shutdown of air routes and the deeply uncertain situation in the region. The immediate costs are borne by the country’s revived exports. Exports had been heavily constrained in the final months of 1998 and the beginning of 1999. With the crisis, they are once again expected to fall to zero. At the same time, many projects by international donors and neighboring states will slow down; some may even enter a state of hibernation, as in the spring of 1997. Macroeconomic indicators are holding up, despite the escalation of the intervention and the resistance of the Serbian regime. Thus, the lek has depre- Continued on page 2

New massacre in Suharekë: 200 Kosovars executed CIA reveals document: Milošević is mentally ill NATO: Total targets hit: 50 in three days Serbian army attacks again at the Albanian border OSCE: Chaos in Macedonia is a scenario devised by Belgrade On pages 2–3–4–5–6–7

On page 19

On page 9