Ministry: They also find alpine cannons Tropojë, a tunnel with weapons discovered On page 7

Vllaznia On page 23

Arian Çani These words by the Greek prime minister Kosta Simitis showed better than many Albanian government officials the essence of the Kosovo issue. After the world interview, after the signs of a thaw yesterday toward the threats against Albania, we have seen visible changes, though still very modest. Simitis's words about a greater Albania are the perennial cliché for our neighbors. Who has ever linked the idea of ethnic Albania with Albanians in Albania? It is clear that there are plenty of officials and all kinds of deaf ears with regard to our Euro-Atlantic orientation. The problem is that they are not in government and there is the need of other political circles to give the country a different agenda. For them, Albania is acceptable only within its borders. As for the Albanians of Kosovo, they truly imagine them free, but not as a nation. Kosovars are not that, but they are our brothers. They do not want Kosovo under Serbia. No one can forgive that to free Albanians and to the Albanians of Kosovo. This is one of the permanent thoughts of our politics and perhaps the most natural one. It is the current position of the Greeks and of stability in the region. The old vocabulary of middle-of-the-road politics can no longer be used. And in Albania there are still people from the old establishment who think they can speak as they did yesterday. Of course there are outspoken Greeks with an ever-growing understanding for Albanians and Kosovo. The hopes lie with them, not with the noise-makers, nor with the old Albanians who, under the alibi of the national question, have always seen Kosovo as an inspiration. * * * And what about the voices in the coalition? Is there one that hides the new relations with Athens? No. And here indirectly emerges their concern over the government's initiatives. The violent, careless way in which several buildings in Himarë were demolished seems to have sent the wrong signals. True, many people considered them necessary. But to tell a neighboring country that a minister in our government is engaging in nationalism is an exaggeration. When was the last time a Greek minister went down to a village in the south to campaign in front of television cameras? Yet we have not had the same concern about such a style. These double standards do not serve anyone. It is enough to recall the offices that still use threatening tones when it comes to Kosovo. If we want good relations with our neighbors, we must be clearer about ourselves and our interests. Albania has no reason to fear the truth. It must speak clearly about Kosovo and about relations with Greece, without complexes and without servility. Only then does the realization of the concept of a peaceful Balkans become possible. Otherwise, we will continue to live amid old clichés and excuses.

Former director: "AMC is being sold for 6 million dollars" On page 5

Simitis: Kosovo under Serbia Majko: It will be independent On page 3

29 August 1999 Follow the draw 50,000 lekë (new) Tele-Bingo 7,000,000 lekë (new)