The Socialist Party secretary-general comes under attack after accusations that he was implicated in state smuggling . The government threatens Majko. Fino: “He is accusing Nano.” Malaj: “He must bear legal responsibility.” Page 2

BY FATOS LUBONJA Nano has once again surprised public opinion with his statements against Kosovo’s independence, against Rugova, and with his call on the KLA to stop the violence. His bitter opponents rushed to call him a traitor; cynical voices attributed his remarks to his having received an award, while his supporters regarded them as an expression of Western demands on the government. One thing is clear, however: even if Nano’s statements are not “irresponsible,” their inconsistency merits calling them extremely problematic. The demand that the KLA act in a civilian manner is extremely confused, while Serbs are raining bombs and fire on Albanian villages, and until yesterday Nano himself had called its activity self-defense. Nor does it seem logical to say that Rugova is a figure “absolutely without real authority,” when Nano himself speaks in favor of a peaceful path and, the day before, a spokesman for the US government said that the United States would welcome the KLA being brought under Rugova’s control. Nano’s contradictory statements about Kosovo are undoubtedly a reflection of the crisis in Albanian politics concerning this issue, and of the fact that our politicians are not demonstrating the ability and responsibility required to address this crisis. As on other occasions, Albanian politics is failing to acquire the stature that would make it respected both abroad and at home. The fact that Foreign Minister Milo responded with a statement diametrically opposed to Nano’s on an issue of such importance constitutes a new political scandal. It must be said, nevertheless, that these irresponsible statements are not merely a matter of our prime minister occasionally losing his bearings because of his tendency to communicate more with foreigners than with Albanians, or of our foreign minister’s complexes about being called Greek. The problem is that the Kosovo issue increasingly brings to mind a Gordian knot: attempts to resolve it by using the sword seem to do nothing but slash the fingers of those trying to untie it. Meanwhile, the idea of using the sword seems unacceptable not only because of the blood that would be shed, but also because it would very likely create far more problems than it solved. In this context, the Albanian government should keep the avenues of dialogue and peace open, rather than claim that the only way to resolve the Kosovo issue is to escalate the war, as some irresponsible politicians do. One cannot legitimize the movement of “criminal elements” across the border of Kinkel against other “elements” from Kosovo and Albania, nor respond to Nano with a call for restraint. Albanians must carefully safeguard what is precious and has been badly damaged. But, on the other hand, statements such as Nano’s, which through their inconsistency and arrogance provoke reactions from the main actors in this game—Albanians—risk sidelining the government’s policy in the Albanian world, both at home and abroad, altogether irresponsibly.

. Page 4. Photo: REUTERS. An Albanian refugee after crossing the border

They were helping orphans; they were caught with pistols . The CIA arrests two Egyptians. Page 7

Victims on the border with Yugoslavia . The Serbs return the bodies. Page 11

The names of those who had deserted are with the prosecutor’s office . The colonel files charges against the March servicemen. Page 13

Today, the second round of local elections . KOZ, runoff ready. Page 5

The former Socialist deputy chairman renews his call for a meeting of the KPD . Pëllumbi: The PS violated its statute. “You cannot build a party with elitist people who want to monopolize it.” Polemics between former and current PS leaders resumed yesterday. More than a month ago, the former PS deputy chairman, Servet Pëllumbi, sent a letter to the General Steering Committee asking it to review some of the irregularities being observed within the party. “I am not interested in a formal response based on the rules of the statute, but in genuine reflection and concrete measures, which I have requested.” Page 5