Law and illegal trafficking threaten Albania’s future P. 3 CHAIRMAN PRIME MINISTER ALBANIA

The letter of the great writer Ismail Kadare sent to the Albanian delegation in Rambouillet, shortly before agreement in principle on the accord was blocked In no position to give a full account, here are some of my thoughts for the delegates, or to convey in writing to the Albanian delegation, with whom I have unfortunately had the misfortune of a necessary unfamiliarity. I have great hope that the initiative, my voice, however weak, will influence the outcome of the last few days’ meeting. Kosovo, at this unprecedented moment, I am fully and firmly convinced, will have its problem and its solution depend on what is actually written, truthfully written, in what is called the agreement. First of all, what is most important, what is happening and being decided in Rambouillet is only a short time away from becoming the most painful event in the recent history of the Albanians. If it is accepted as such, it will no longer be the last act of a drama, but the cause of a bitter epilogue. The Albanian people of Kosovo, with rare awareness and wonderful culture, have known how to maintain their harsh resistance at the gates of hell. Albania is still not in a position to help, but it animates and lives through this resistance. If that people falls under the mercy of conditions and demands that clearly run counter to freedom, then this will be unsustainable and unacceptable for all Albanians. Rambouillet cannot be that tragically final grave. Let us remember that, although it is supported by the whole Albanian world, will it continue to grow ever more faint? In such moments, when the fate of a nation seems to be closed within a political and diplomatic circle, then the voice of culture and civilization must be heard. A people that has suffered so much for freedom cannot be pushed into an agreement that cancels it out. If there is to be another conference after this one, then let it serve as an opportunity for the gate of freedom to remain open, not as a seal shutting it closed. (Continues on page 7)

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