“Nano removed Ceka and me as conspirators” Page 2 America, the KLA for Rugova BY ANDI BETJA The State Department spokesperson said yesterday that the United States would welcome the KLA being brought under the control of Kosovo Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova. The statement comes one day after U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Holbrook met with representatives of the KLA’s armed units. While the State Department is careful to portray the aforementioned meeting as accidental, it acknowledges that, at an appropriate moment, the United States may establish genuine political contacts with all elements of Kosovo’s political life. Among other things, this time the Americans have stated quite openly that the State Department does not consider the KLA a terrorist organization at all, which means, among other things, that fundraising for this organization is not prohibited in America. There is a strong possibility that these statements will be misinterpreted and regarded by Kosovo Albanians as support for the KLA, which is fighting for Kosovo’s independence, or even for something more—the union of Kosovo with Albania. The Americans are obliged to give the KLA official status and bring it closer to Rugova, not only because the KLA is a reality that can no longer be denied, but also because this is the only way to make the Albanian-Serbian talks effective—talks initiated and conducted under the American shadow—and, at the same time, the best way for the Americans, through Rugova, their pampered “little boy,” to maintain at least some degree of control over the KLA units. Rugova’s going to the talks without a mandate from the armed Albanians, who control 30% of Kosovo’s territory, would be quixotic—not only for him, but also for the international community, which hopes to resolve the situation through dialogue. This American move is also a last-ditch attempt to save Rugova’s declining reputation and prevent him from disappearing entirely from the political scene. They have left the door open for future contacts with “other elements” as well, which implies that if Rugova is unable to bring the KLA under his control, he may be replaced by another Albanian, even one carrying a Kalashnikov and bearing the KLA’s name on his shoulder. The Albanian government appears to be taking a similar position. A few days ago, Prime Minister Nano and the government declared ... Albanian Fatos Nano stated that the Albanian government agrees that the KLA should be brought under Rugova’s control. Bringing Rugova and the KLA to an agreement would create genuine harmony, first among the KLA ranks themselves, which lack a genuine national strategy, and among all Albanians in Kosovo in general; it would also create complete harmony between the American position and the Albanian government, a harmony that could be very important for Kosovo’s future. U.S. government: “The KLA is not terrorist” An elderly Albanian yesterday, after crossing the Serbian-Albanian border Photo: REUTERS An elderly Albanian yesterday, after crossing the Serbian-Albanian border. Photo: REUTERS

Dozens of judges will be dismissed on charges of illegally appropriating money The Government Anti-Corruption Committee warns of a storm in the justice system Yesterday, Islami convened the anti-corruption commission and declared that its principal objective was to complete as quickly as possible a comprehensive project providing for the removal of corrupt elements from the state administration. The justice system, the judiciary and the legislature, as well as civil service reform, are among the institutions that will be most affected by the “administrative broom” wielded by each department head. P. 3

Ambush on the representative of the Kosovo government P. 11

The chrome-mine mafia P. 9

The co-chairs of the constitutional commission ask La Pergola to invite DBSH P. 2

Prostitution run by Albanian women P. 7

DAILY FOR “FRANCE ’98”