By Karl Bildt The Balkans are once again at the forefront of international politics. Historically, the Balkans, and Bosnia in particular, have been a problem for the great powers, while the Albanian problem has still not fully surfaced. We are now in a period of another major conflict in the Balkans, between the Slavic and Albanian regions. The Kosovo issue has been brought to the negotiating table time and again over the past century. We hope that the agreement now under discussion will be fully accepted by the parties to the conflict. The international community is trying to resolve the conflicts and disputes among the peoples of the region through a peacekeeping force. One such force is now at the difficult crossroads of Serbian and Croatian interests in Bosnia, while another is expected to be sent to Kosovo, where Albanian and Serbian ambitions collide. This way of addressing the problem has its advantages and disadvantages. The peace plan for Kosovo is a temporary agreement that leaves the great powers to resolve, after a few years, not only the Kosovo issue but that of the entire region. And three years is a very short period in the history of the Balkans. The military problems facing the international community in the region are not among the most difficult, but they are fundamental. If we are unable to stop the fighting in the region, and if the parties have their minds set on using foreign military force to resolve the problem, then it will be extremely difficult to get the political process for resolving the crisis back on track. I hope that when the leaders of NATO countries meet in Washington in April, they will have the courage to acknowledge that the Balkans are the new front opening up before NATO, and that there is no other region in Europe where military force will be needed to stop the fighting more than in the Balkans. If an agreement is reached in Kosovo to end the fighting in the region, then the question of establishing and maintaining peace will inevitably arise. And if NATO is to be the main instrument in the first instance, the EU should take the lead as the instrument for maintaining peace. The issue now is not the restoration of Yugoslavia; that is a closed matter that will not surface again. The issue now is bringing the entire region into the process of European integration. Political solutions must now be found for the whole region, in line with a broader model of European integration.

FAUDET—SCENARIOS AND A PLAN FOR MASS PROTESTS TO GET THE MONEY BACK P. 3

“For Rama, the Albanian Parliament is worth less than this bowl of pasta, which he was eating while representing Albanian artists at a cultural event in France” P. 19 Photo caption—Minister of Culture Edi Rama at work ...

Ardian Klosi, who has only a few days left as Director General of RTV, is anxiously rushing around in an effort to be elected director next Monday. Ardian Klosi, who has only a few days left as Director General of RTV, is anxiously rushing around in an effort to be elected director next Monday, when the RTV Governing Council will finally choose the new director, who in any case will not be the gloomy figure of Klosi. Of course, anyone who meets the criteria has the right to compete, but Klosi’s door-knocking and servile grovelling these days—first to Majko, then to Meidani, then to Gjinushi, and later to the RTV Trade Union—make Ardian Klosi look ridiculous and incomprehensible to Albanian public opinion. During the days when Klosi, imported from Germany along with “Dreher” the husband, “reigned,” RTV experienced its deepest crisis. So on Monday the crisis at this institution will come to an end—the institution that Klosi crippled and threw off balance. Here are the candidates for Director General of RTV 1—Frrok Çupi, well-known analyst and publicist 2—Melan Shpataj, well-known director and actor 3—Gëzim Kame, director 4—Gëzim Podgorica, journalist 5—Ardian Klosi, literary scholar 6—Edunart Muzi, journalist 7—Ben Blushi, journalist 8—Armand Shkulaku, journalist 9—Beqir Skëreli, journalist

“Koçi’s order: All Albanian politicians must disarm P. 6

“The hostage price goes up: ‘Now we want 80 million drachmas’ P. 8

“Ashim Thaçi: Milošević wants my head on a platter P. 10

The artists’ protest begins today at 11:00. The artists’ protest against the arbitrary actions of Minister of Culture Edi Rama begins today at 11:00. Their public protest follows the negative responses from President of the Republic Meidani, as well as the arrogant reaction of the Minister of Culture to the legitimate demands of Albanian artists. Thus, today on “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard, a spectacle will erupt for people to witness the most painful scene in Albanian history: dressed in the costumes of their theatrical roles, the artists will begin their protest at 11:00 from the National Theatre and continue along “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard to protest in front of the Ministry of Culture. The artists have invited all the people of Tirana to support them in this protest, the first of its kind in Albania.