There are proposals for a summit at which the partition of Kosovo would be decided, guaranteed by the USA, Europe and Russia F 11 Kosovars at the refugee camp in Kavajë, waiting for breakfast to be distributed photo REUTERS

By Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union Opinion The situation is becoming extremely dangerous. It is essential that Washington and the other Western capitals consider what may happen if the catastrophic course continues. Catastrophic not only for their own fate, but for the fate of the entire world community, and of international institutions such as the United Nations, which were created to help different states resolve their disputes peacefully. We are already on the brink of a new Cold War, which risks rapidly degenerating into a hot war. This is especially so because Russia has very quickly been disregarded in the West as a country without weight, as a former superpower with which one can now do as one pleases, without taking its interests into account. A fatal mistake. This shows that those considered the rulers of the world have no real idea of its complexity. I am absolutely in agreement with my country’s government, which has expressed its willingness not to become involved in a conflict under any pretext. I am convinced that Russia can and must bring its full weight and its negotiating potential to bear in mediation and the pursuit of reason. But it is wrong to expect Russia to do this alone. It is necessary to offer it a clear way forward so that it does not think its efforts are futile. Otherwise, we will face the same things: indignation and the irrationality of having other courses imposed. We are all aware of the danger of catastrophic consequences and of the need to act to prevent them. While there is still time. EDITORIAL NOTE: This opinion by Gorbachev was made public yesterday in all the international media, so “KJ” is publishing it not because it agrees with the former Russian leader’s views, but to show the complexity of Russia’s escalation into the war. The day before yesterday, Russian President Yeltsin ordered the withdrawal of strategic nuclear missiles aimed at NATO countries that had taken part in the attack on Serbia and threatened the outbreak of a Third World War.

- Here is the truth about Rugova. - Kosovars raped in a Serbian camp in Gjakovë F 2 Russia: “If the bombing is halted, Belgrade will accept foreign troops F 3 Majko: “An iron hand to prevent corruption” F 8 British analyst Pettifer to “KJ”: “The West and Albania will block Macedonia” F 9 Customs officers in the smuggling case released F 21

F 30-31