Ruçi: “If the problems within the party are not resolved and the parliamentary group splits, new parliamentary elections will be held” P. 3

P. 2

P. 7

Frok Çupi Serbs and Albanians, it seems, when they set off for Rambouillet, thought they had become cosmonauts. Both sides seemed to have promised their relatives that “they would bring them the Moon in their hands from Rambouillet.” The philosophy divorced from reality of the interlocutors in Rambouillet and of their Balkan neighbors in general has brought the negotiations to the point of crisis where they stand today. The Serbs refuse to accept NATO troops on their territories, which have been turned into an arena of war, while the Albanian delegation insists on its final demand: Independence, Referendum. The US representative herself, Ms. Allbright, together with the French and British organizers, have made it clear that there is no talk of either independence or a referendum; just as NATO troops will attack Serbia if it disobeys. This is where the talks had stalled by late last night. Each side has realized that it faces demands that cannot be met, yet neither is backing down. It is as if they had climbed close to the Moon and are now afraid to come back down. This is not merely a figure of speech, but a concrete picture of the talks in Rambouillet. Why is neither side backing down? 1. Before the Balkan representatives set off for the heart of Europe, their domestic politics had, on either side, raised a thick cloud of interethnic hatred and savage nationalism. Now, even if France has influenced the “softening” of their civic attitudes, they have lost touch with the “ground.” They are demanding, of the modern world of the 21st century, changes to borders, the proclamation of national claims against a province, the creation of new states, and so on. The militants “on the ground” will not accept their return without the promises being fulfilled. Ultranationalists in Belgrade curse Columbus for discovering America and shout, “We’ll give our lives, but not Kosovo.” Meanwhile, in Tirana, the country’s former President (now in the opposition) issues this call: “Don’t sign, Albanians, because the great powers have stitched you up!” Just as in the Middle Ages. 2. Neither side is backing down because it is burdened with maximalist attitudes. Politicians and journalists alike are shouting that “Rambouillet has failed.” This means: “It failed because it didn’t do what I wanted.” But in fact, Rambouillet has not failed. Rambouillet—even so far—has been guaranteeing the democratization of Kosovo, state and state-building rights for the people of Kosovo, parliamentary rights and a government, as well as rights in education, healthcare, the press, etc. For Serbia, meanwhile, it is ensuring its democratization and teaching it not to violate another’s civil rights again, because both sides lose. Both sides can be satisfied with the first step achieved; not everything can be accomplished in one day, just as the Moon cannot be reached in one step. The moment may soon come when the “ground” seeks contact with the “cosmonauts” of Rambouillet and tells them: “Come down, because disaster is coming from over there...” What are the dangers? The first danger is a NATO military attack and the start of an unprecedented war that could spread to Europe. Russia and China have just declared that they will stand by Serbia; beyond that, nobody knows. Nevertheless, this is a danger that will not come to pass; the world’s peoples are inclined toward peace. The greatest danger, however, falls on the Albanians: The Albanians of Kosovo are at minute “0,” from which they can move toward a normal, democratic life, or remain there for a long time. A prolonged war would be terrible. Meanwhile, the Albanians of Albania now face this prospect: Either “come to an agreement with your brothers in Rambouillet, or we will find ourselves in difficulty even thinking about your livelihood”... What should be done? The best course is to achieve and value what is good, step by step. The Moon will still be there tomorrow.

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