The leader of the Socialist Party travelled to France to avoid the Donors’ Conference Page 3

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA Although his departure was carried out quietly, the departure of the Socialist Party leader from Albania on the day representatives of donor countries arrived in Tirana to take part in the conference on Albania could hardly fail to give rise to discussion. Speculation intensified after it became known that almost all the conference participants wanted to contact the former Albanian prime minister, to whom they had promised millions of dollars a year earlier. In fact, throughout the period that began with his victory in the 29 June elections, Socialist leader Fatos Nano has repeatedly attracted public attention by overturning one after another various taboos beyond which Albanian politics could not be understood. Thus Nano, unlike other Albanian politicians, had not been characterized by a “thirst” for holding spectacular meetings with foreign dignitaries, especially with the “VIPs” of international politics. However, bearing in mind the position in which the Socialist leader currently finds himself, the decision to avoid possible contacts with the conference participants may be explained in various ways. Being in a delicate position within his own party as well, Nano may have thought that achieving a victory on behalf of the party—such as holding bilateral talks with European counterparts—would be more valuable to him than discussions about the problems preoccupying Albania and his relations with the rest of the Albanian political scene, when it comes to facing the challenges within the party. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that his departure from Tirana, avoiding contact with representatives of donor countries, was also a kind of protest against the international community itself. This is because Nano could hardly fail to feel disappointed by the failure to appreciate the steps I took during his government, the new standards of modernisation he tried to introduce into Albanian politics, and, above all, the ease with which they “sold him out.” Moreover, when faced with other interlocutors, Western representatives would have had the opportunity to get to know the former Albanian prime minister’s qualities better. And, being clearer about matters, the Socialist leader may feel the need for a pause as he prepares for a “grand” return to climb back up the ladder he lost a month ago.

Pierre Bunel, infiltrated into NATO, gave Belgrade the list of targets to be hit BRUSSELS—A French officer serving with NATO was placed under arrest yesterday on suspicion of spying for Yugoslavia, the French Ministry of Defence announced. French army officer Pierre Bunel is suspected of having provided Belgrade with secret documents concerning NATO’s planned attacks in the event that a diplomatic solution was not reached, a French Ministry of Defence official said. “The Minister of Defence himself, Alain Richard, has brought this case to the attention of the judicial authorities,” the official said. Bunel had previously been an air force officer in the French military, as the French defence department later clarified. Judicial sources noted that Bunel had passed through NATO at precisely the time the secret documents were handed over to Belgrade. It is also reported that he admitted providing the documents in question, but denies receiving payment. The secret documents provided by Bunel contained lists of Serbian military targets that would be hit by NATO aircraft. Bunel is formally under investigation and will remain in custody until Saturday, suspected of “spying on behalf of a foreign power.”

Italians in Tirana Anti-Mafia investigates baby trafficking Prosecutors have carried out searches in Puglia, Milan and Turin page 2

Macedonian elections Albanians in the Skopje government The winners predict an alliance with an Albanian party page 7

DP Prosecutor Berisha refuses to shed light on the assassination attempt The investigation gives up on summoning Democrats as witnesses

Meeting with the Pope Topalli, audience at the Holy See How the Albanian deputy speaker was received in the Italian parliament page 32

A Palestinian woman detained at the Israeli border by armed soldiers. Photo REUTERS