50 people from Shkodër register with the illegal organization. Pages 4–5 Rugova’s newspaper: With the Albanian army, we will decide the fate of the Balkans 50 people from Shkodër register with the illegal organization Pages 4–5

BY ARBAN HASANI Branko Cervenovski, prime minister of the little-known Republic of Macedonia, just two hours before flying to Tirana yesterday, gave permission for NATO fighter aircraft to conduct military exercises in FYROM’s airspace. The head of government of the former Yugoslav republic had waited for his meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Fatos Nano, to resolve in some way a small crisis that arose two days earlier, when Macedonia blocked the Atlantic Alliance as it threatened Belgrade with military action. This entire move by Cervenovski, at the most critical moment of the Yugoslav crisis, when the number of Kosovar refugees is hovering above 15,000 and the KLA and the Serbian army clash hour after hour, has been just a new [a?] move in the small Macedonian diplomacy’s dealings with the international community. A bid to draw attention at a critical juncture for the neighboring republic, whose name in capital letters, FYROM, is wearing it out more than the noise of the military aircraft that will fly over Skopje. In this sense, seeing the moment as an opportunity to be a protagonist in the major events surrounding Kosovo, Cërvenkovski used his meeting with Fatos Nano, whom shortly before, in Brussels, he had called “the only person who can bring peace to the Balkans.” The frequent meetings and lengthy discussions between Nano and Cërvenkovski may by now have convinced Western diplomacy that the endless, pointless quarrels between the two small Balkan countries—which serve neither side—are over. It seems that the Crete meeting, above all, convinced the two heads of government that only together can they shape another policy and diplomatic course in the Balkans, distinct from Milošević’s communist rigidity and the nationalist resentments of other counterparts. Kosovo and resolving its crisis may be the great opportunity for the small countries to make their voices heard at the big table—a moment that Nano and Cërvenkovski, the new leftists of the Balkans, have no intention of letting slip away. Nano, to put an end once and for all to the practice whereby everyone in the world except Albania could speak about Kosovo, never hesitates to do anything. Meanwhile, Cërvenkovski wants to show the international community that, beyond a name without capital letters, Macedonia can be an important factor for stability in the region. Nevertheless, what is happening between Albania and Macedonia is not merely a simple matter of pragmatic affection. More precisely, it looks like a calculated rapprochement, which is a path left by Milošević, the terror inflicted in Bosnia, and the Balkan nationalist leaders.

Wanted by justice, but ends up across the Ocean P. 7

After the local elections, the coalition is on the verge of divorce P. 3

The army opens fire to protect them

Kosovar refugees in Tropojë, bread and Kalashnikovs — Photo REUTERS

NATIONAL LIBRARY

army opens fire to protect the tunnels with weapons Attack on the Berat depots P. 11 Half the newspaper is to be privatized ZP will sell its shares P. 3 Lawsuit against Milarolli, accused of publicly insulting the minister Malaj, PD in court P. 21