THE SOCIALIST PARTY CELEBRATES ITS 8TH ANNIVERSARY; THE US AMBASSADOR DOES NOT COME

WITH FIREWORKS On page 2

THE LARGEST CIGARETTE COMPANY UNDER INVESTIGATION

SMUGGLING On page 9

The Russians fire at NATO’s wheels

THEY SEIZE PRISTINA AIRPORT. CLARK: THEY’RE WASTING THEIR TIME Herald Tribune THEY’RE SERIOUS ABOUT IT On page 5

Meidani: The conflict is not over

On page 4

Kukës, British plane crashes

On page 7

Gjirokastër,

ARE THE RUSSIANS SERIOUS?

William DROZDIAK NATO military commanders were taken by surprise, at least, when Russia sent its first foreign peacekeeping troops into Yugoslavia, a move that calls into question Moscow’s good intentions in wanting to play its part in the international security presence in Kosovo. The Russian forces consisted of around 50,000 mobile troops and more than 200 soldiers who appeared across the Yugoslav border from Bosnia with the clear aim of taking up positions and rapidly entering Kosovo. The battalion was made up of 1,300 Russian soldiers stationed in the northern Bosnian town of Ugljevik, about 15 miles from the Yugoslav border, as part of a stabilizing force under NATO leadership in the country. The Russian action marked the first serious breach of the authority of Lieutenant General Continued on page 8

Buses, another madhouse

Reportage Urban buses compete with one another every day. The prize is a few more passengers at every stop. In other words, a few more 15-lek coins. To arrive on time and keep passengers from being taken by the bus behind, drivers are forced to increase their speed. Heavy traffic and traffic lights delay them, so they speed up again. When they arrive at a stop, they find a crowd of people waiting to get on, but where can they stop? The space is taken up by the line of vans. As soon as the doors open, passengers rush to get on, while others get off. The driver sets off. Better to leave a few passengers behind here than lose customers at the next stop, where even more people are waiting to board. The doors have not yet closed, and others are still pushing to get on. On page 11

A Serbian policeman meeting Russian forces (Photo: ANSA) A Serbian policeman meeting Russian forces (Photo: ANSA)

British

On page 7 ▶ Gjirokastër, the District Council rebels [?] On page 16 ▶ Zani’s brother wounds his rival On page 17