Behind the scenes at midnight on Saturday in the Presidency, the Government and the Socialist Party. Ambassador Lino saves the government from crisis After the Interior Minister accused him of saying that “Majko is governed by the guards,” Petro Koçi withdraws his resignation. The prime minister’s guards are back on duty P 2–3, 5 Minister of Order KOFI Prime Minister MANKO

Diplomaticus Unfortunately, Milošević’s recent tricks—which began with sending Rugova to the West and culminated in the “withdrawal” of some of his forces from Kosovo—have not gone without affecting various circles. Among the countries where the eagerness of some of the Italian political establishment is especially noticeable is Italy: not only to ... echo Milošević’s “steps toward peace,” but also to commit itself fully to ensuring the success of the Belgrade dictator. In this respect, it is highly significant that Italy was chosen as the landing place for Dr. Ibrahim Rugova and, moreover, that all this resulted from Milošević’s telephone call to his friend, Lamberto Dini. Such positions in Italian politics stand out even more because they contrast sharply with the uncompromising positions of NATO’s major countries, first and foremost the USA and Great Britain. Thus, while US Secretary of State Albright yesterday denounced Milošević’s cynical maneuver as a “half-measure” that failed to meet NATO’s conditions, Italian President Scalfaro was sounding the horns from Skopje, calling for the bombing of Belgrade to stop. Meanwhile, the previous day in Tirana, Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini used his diplomatic skills to put pressure on Albanian political circles, drawing them into a game aimed at saving Milošević. There is no need to comment on Minister Dini, given his friendship with the Belgrade dictator and his economic and financial ties in Serbia. President Scalfaro, however, may have planned to be re-elected for a second term with the votes of the pro-Serb lobby in Italian politics. But such statements by the Italian president from Skopje serve above all the pro-Serb current in Macedonia, thereby placing the interethnic coalition governing that country in a difficult position. Perhaps Scalfaro was calling for NATO’s bombing to stop in Skopje at precisely the moment when pro-Serb circles were demanding a referendum on whether NATO troops should remain in Macedonia. It is unclear whether representatives of the pro-Serb lobby in Italy realize that with similar positions they could meet the fate of Craxi, Andreotti and their associates.

COME ON, BOYS! GOVERNMENT LEADERS, MAKE PEACE!

Rugova tours the West; the KLA responds: We don’t have time to deal with him; he is nobody now P 6

Southeast European leaders gather in Thessaloniki: 500 businesspeople to rebuild the Balkans P 8 Lawyers petition the court: Vehbi Alimuçaj is dying in his cell; release him from prison P 13 The Hague chief prosecutor soon in Tirana: “What have you done with the evidence against Milošević?” P 13 Health Minister Solis issues anti-epidemic orders: “Here is what we must do to make it through this summer alive” P 21

The lawyers’ petition

Today: The eighth anniversary of the publication of the newspaper’s first issue Eight years ago today, the first issue of the independent newspaper “Koha Jonë” was published in the city of Lezhë as a local newspaper, and it later became the largest national newspaper in Albania. Today, therefore, at 19:00, a cocktail reception will be held at the “Berlin” bar-restaurant in Tirana. All journalists who have worked at “KJ” during these eight years are invited, along with journalists from the branches of the “Koha Jonë” media company, the editors-in-chief of all the daily newspapers, and the directors of private radio and television stations. No politicians are invited.

Satirical illustration of two men wearing football jerseys.

The anxiety of Albanian football over our team’s next match in EURO 2000 has finally been put to rest F 23

F 30-31