Fear of terror / This is what life is like at the residence of the world’s superpower U.S. Marines: We are in Tirana to avert the danger Page 3

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA As soon as news was published that NATO maneuvers would take place in Albania, a certain euphoria was noticeable in the official propaganda, and it continued until the first days of the maneuvers, which officially ended yesterday. Such publicity was fully justified for several reasons. First of all, judging by the statements of the leaders of the Atlantic Alliance themselves, these maneuvers would constitute a threat to Belgrade, causing it to abandon its military operations against the Albanians or at least significantly limit them. Secondly, the maneuvers would also provide a kind of support for Albania, at least by showing that it would be spared the possibility of the conflict spreading to its territory. Since Albanian political circles had long been calling for NATO involvement with an anti-Serb orientation, urging the deployment of its troops in Kosovo or at least on Albania’s northeastern border, the decision to hold these maneuvers was also considered a success for Albanian policy. In addition, it was natural for the governing coalition to use the maneuvers as a sign of support for the government from outside forces, minimizing the effect of the opposition’s speculation. But the maneuvers did not unfold as might have been expected, particularly given the circumstances in which they ended: first and foremost, without the Americans present. Fortunately, “Cooperative Assembly” coincided with several other developments in Albania. The closure of the U.S. Embassy and the departure of the Americans, tensions caused by the possibility of an Islamist terrorist regime, the worsening situation on the northeastern border, especially after Serbian shells fell on this side of the border—an act that was once described as a challenge to NATO itself—all these things pushed the much-anticipated maneuvers into the background. On the other hand, now that the Serbian operation in Kosovo appears to have relatively come to an end and efforts are being made to resume dialogue between Serbs and Albanians, the idea of military pressure on Millosheviç moved into the background. This could not but have a somewhat demotivating effect on the maneuvers at Biza. Thus, on the day they ended, there was none of the enthusiasm that had characterized their beginning. The only truly positive thing in this respect was Prime Minister Nano’s speech, which highlighted the importance of these maneuvers for Albania.

A U.S. Marine guarding the U.S. residence in Tirana Photo: REUTERS A U.S. Marine guarding the U.S. residence in Tirana. Photo: REUTERS

Along with those suspected of terrorism and arms trafficking, the police have also detained Kosovars In custody, one of the most wanted men of “Jihad” A wave of antiterrorism activity in the Albanian capital. It seems that, in step with American actions against Islamic terrorism, the Albanian police launched an operation several days ago to check on dangerous foreigners in Albania. On Friday night, it culminated in the capture of at least 10 people who were working here “in the name of Allah.” Meanwhile, it has emerged that the person arrested in Tirana as one of the most dangerous members of the Jihad organization is still in custody at one of Tirana’s police stations. P. 2

The Prime Minister in Macedonia for swimming races and speedboats Nano, on holiday again P. 5 Police officers and dogs in the Foreign Ministry offices Bomb scare at the ministry P. 2 Four bullets on “Kadafin”; he was on the police lists One of the bosses is killed P. 9 They had put her on a serum drip and left her alone Mother dies after giving birth P. 8 Berat: a brothel is found A traffickers’ base uncovered P. 10