Interior Minister Koçi against Majko and Nano Kosovo: Milošević’s Vietnam, not NATO’s Vietnam From Washington Andi Bejtja The Albanian delegation in Washington, as well as Albanian public opinion wherever it may be, is increasingly calling for NATO troops to intervene in Kosovo. Meanwhile, in the final declaration on Kosovo issued by the 19 countries of the Alliance, as well as in its officials’ numerous press conferences, not a day goes by without a clear indication that such an intervention could take place in the near future. British Prime Minister Toni Bler’s proposal for a swift intervention by land has been seen more as a threat to Milošević than as something that could actually happen. Nevertheless, this does not mean that NATO has no plan for a ground intervention—a plan that, the more it is mentioned to Milošević, the more real it becomes—because NATO, whatever options it may choose, will never withdraw. But what could happen if NATO really does enter by land? The Alliance has estimated at least 8,000 casualties in its ranks. A well-known American journalist, discussing this issue, said: “Can you imagine what would happen if, after two days of fighting, 20 coffins carrying American soldiers were sent back to America, 20 coffins carrying soldiers to England, 20 to France, and so on? What would public opinion do in, for example, America, where even when one person is killed by two thugs, it goes after Klinton like a madman? What would international public opinion do, when it still doesn’t know where Kosovo is? The good intention of seeing Kosovo occupied by NATO could turn into a bitterness that would not easily pass. Perhaps what is better for the Albanians is what was expressed: Can you imagine what would happen if, after two days of fighting, 20 coffins carrying American soldiers were sent back to America, 20 coffins carrying soldiers to England, 20 to France, and so on? What would public opinion do in, for example, America, where even when one person is killed by two thugs, it goes after Klinton like a madman? What would international public opinion do, when it still doesn’t know where Kosovo is? The good intention of seeing Kosovo occupied by NATO could turn into a bitterness that would not easily pass. Perhaps what is better for the Albanians is what was expressed: Can you imagine what would happen if, after two days of fighting, 20 coffins carrying American soldiers were sent back to America, 20 coffins carrying soldiers to England, 20 to France, and so on? What would public opinion do in, for example, America, where even when one person is killed by two thugs, it goes after Klinton like a madman? What would international public opinion do, when it still doesn’t know where Kosovo is? The good intention of seeing Kosovo occupied by NATO could turn into a bitterness that would not easily pass. Perhaps what is better for the Albanians is what was expressed: The Alliance is now proclaiming relentless air strikes against every target, severing infrastructure links between Albania and Kosovo, and the discreet supply of the UÇK, which is the one that must actually confront the Serbs on the ground. Let us give the bombs another chance. NATO is prepared for a long road. To enter Kosovo with troops means to occupy it; this risks bringing back the Vietnam syndrome, which is especially acute in America. This task belongs to the UÇK. Let Kosovo be Belgrade’s Vietnam, but not the Alliance’s Vietnam. Nano–Majko, the end of a love affair

Ground operations have begun: NATO commandos are operating in Kosovo page 5 Milošević, another game. Power in the hands of Vuk Drashkovicit page 5 The endgame in the Balkans: The Serbian regime in its death throes page 11 Fierë, hydroelectric plant transformer burns; the state loses 200 thousand dollars a day page 18

Humor by Filip Çakuli The vacant positions in Thaçi’s government, left for LDK representatives, will be filled by their counterparts from the PD in Tirana, thereby meeting the demands for a government with a broad base. More humorous snippets on pages 31–32

P. 28–29