Entrance to Lazarat blocked, special forces arrive from Tirana Page 2

BY SPARTAK NGJELA The Yeltsin-Milošević meeting seemed to pass as a simple meeting between allies, and the media even reported it as if Milošević had received guarantees that he could stay in his position. But in reality, the politics surrounding this event certainly presents a different picture. First came the 30 percent fall in the Moscow stock exchange immediately after the two-day meeting of the Contact Group; then Yeltsin’s unexpected visit to Bonn, Bonn’s lack of financial commitment to help with the fall in the Moscow stock exchange, and finally the coolness of all Western financial circles on this matter. In this light, it is clear that Milošević’s position has been unfavorable. There is, however, another reason that may have worked in Milošević’s favor: the question of the new precedent set by other allies’ departure from Moscow’s orbit. So far Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Macedonia have left, having joined the Partnership for Peace. A few days ago Bulgaria also asked to do the same, while the war in Yugoslavia is clearly a point of comparison, since Moscow’s greatest fear concerns the Baltic countries: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In view of all this, the Moscow-Belgrade relationship is likely to become strained, as is, naturally, the Moscow-West relationship. Such is the situation at a time when, a few days ago, NATO staged an aerial demonstration along the Albanian-Macedonian border. But the statements made on Thursday by Andreas, the Italian Minister of Defence, about forming two Italian brigades of paid (professional) soldiers—given that this military force is being formed specifically for war in the Balkans—make it clear that the West, through NATO, considers the risk of a conflict on an all-Balkan scale to be serious, a conflict that would be caused by the situation in Kosovo. It is understandable that Albanian politics, or the Albanian state itself, and the entire Albanian population living in the Balkans are necessarily part of this course of conflict and interests. Yet, as always, we appear to be lagging behind once again, since it is well known that this moment should have found us in a unique position regarding the stance, demands and social stability of the Albanian state. Nevertheless, everything will be decided by a theatre of arms whose nature is still unknown—or, rather, whose trigger cannot be predicted. Meanwhile, especially since the latest developments, it is clear that after the United States and Britain, Italy too is seeking to become involved in the matter. Albanian politics is obliged to focus on finding its own way within this whirlwind, which is essentially the main source of the sacred politics, but within limits favorable to Milošević.

Page 5 Nano yesterday on a fighter aircraft during aerial maneuvers at Rinas. Photo: ARMANDO BABANI

The two-month review of the cabinet’s work begins P. 3

Ibrahim Rugova, alongside the resistance P. 4

Police: We were sidelined from the operation at the port P. 7

The policemen’s killers: the Court of Appeal shows no mercy P. 11

After the Netherlands-South Korea match, tonight Albanian TV will broadcast the show by Albanian artists for Albanian emigrants in Greece. Viewers will have the chance to see the enthusiasm that filled Athens’s “AEK” stadium, where hundreds of Albanians sang and danced along with the show organized by “Koha Jonë”. So tonight you can watch the artists: Manjola Nallbani, Aurela Gaçe, Aleksandër Gjoka, Redon Makashi, Dashnor Diko, Bleona Qerreti, Françesk Radi, Ludmilla Babal(l)eku, Sejfulla Myftari (Cekja), Mirush Kabashi, Irini Qirjako, the Vlorë comedians and Agron Llaka! All under the presentation of Kastriot Çaus(h)i and Bleona Qerreti, not forgetting the direction by Mevlan Shanaj. So tonight, at 22:45, right after the Netherlands-South Korea football match, you can watch our artists, who thrilled Albanian emigrants in Greece.

EKSPRES SPORT A DAILY PAPER FOR “FRANCE ’98”