F 17 Zhospen: “France is not in favor of dividing Kosovo ... I was misunderstood” The new NATO and its new enemies By Vaclav Havel President of the Czech Republic We are living in an extraordinary time, a time that will test our ability to take part in the challenge of confronting a new and savage threat to humanity, a threat that affects not only our security, but also our environment and, in particular, our civilization. These threats have given rise to a great demand for action, not only from NATO and its newest members, including my country, the Czech Republic, but from all of humankind. Sixty years after the direct invasion of our country by Hitler’s Wehrmacht, and thirty-one years after the armies of the Warsaw Pact destroyed the “Prague Spring,” our security has become an integral component of the entire Euro-Atlantic world. The danger that the Czech people might once again face an aggressor capable of attacking us, certain that the democratic world would not lift a finger to intervene, has now been irrevocably consigned to the past. (continued on page 14) ■ Serbs set fire to our border post F 3 ■ 33 Albanian traffickers before an Italian court F 19 ■ Public-sector salaries increased by 10% F 20

Gavrosh Levonja That is what Belgrade residents said to one another, or to themselves, yesterday in the early hours of the morning, when an earthquake shook the buildings of the Serbian capital, its tremors being felt even in the depths of the basements where they had taken shelter during the night to escape the bombs. Yesterday, the sirens that usually signal the end of the regular bombing session seemed to sound because of the earthquake. In reality, the bombings have only added to the troubles of ordinary Serbs, already bent under the heavy burden of seven years of sanctions. Besides the shortage of oil and some essential products, Belgrade residents are running out of everything. Every day the list of goods missing from the market grows, just as the number of destroyed buildings grows, while the number of concertgoers at the farcical rallies organized in the squares to show NATO “that we are not afraid” dwindles. But yesterday, after the earthquake, most Serbs thought that even “God is not with us.” Kosovo must have come at a very high price. It is not known whether Milošević had foreseen this.

ROGNER RWF TVA DWN ■ Serbs set fire to our border post F 3 ■ 33 Albanian traffickers before an Italian court F 19 ■ Public-sector salaries increased by 10% F 20

Football: The battle to enter the First Division On 5 May, at the Kavajë stadium, a match between Rreshteri Shqiptarë and Futbolli will be held, one of the most important matches for the team fighting to enter the First Division of football. The strongest, as they claim, among the four teams that finished first in the four Second Division groups are “Besëlidhja”, “Lezhës” and “Luftëtari” of Gjirokastër. This match will be played in Kavajë. According to information from within the “Besëlidhja” club, forty cars and buses have been booked, as well as the train on the route, to take over 3,000 people from Lezhë who will follow their team’s match. The team includes quality footballers, some of whom have also been recruited from the First Division. To officiate the match, the Football Federation has taken strict measures, including appointing the trio of referees just one hour before kickoff, so as to eliminate political interference or financial offers. According to football analysts, judging by the team’s preparation, Besëlidhja has a chance of moving up to the First Division, aiming to join the six best teams in that division, since it is already near the top of the standings and the club has now bought several quality footballers from “Tirana”, “Vllaznia”, “Bylis”, “Flamurtari” and “Dinamo”.

The Directorate for the “Fight Against Economic Crime” at the Ministry of Public Order, a refuge for corruption and the economic mafia Traders accuse the heads of the Economic Crime Directorate of taking bribes, and certain employees put pressure on them to demand large sums of money. What is Minister Koçi doing in the face of this pack of thieves? F 5

? If Kosovars had the right to vote in Albania, they would vote for ... F 9

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