Artists on the verge of a national strike against the minister Artists at the Opera and Ballet Theatre protest against the director, while the minister is on her side page 27

ALEKSANDËR ÇIPA A “island of war” still remains in the Balkans. This is how the most perceptive observers describe the inflamed situation gripping Montenegro, which is deftly struggling to break away from the clutches of what remains of Yugoslavia, or, more precisely, from the clutches of Belgrade’s blue regime. Yet the nervousness of the authorities in these final hours is always dangerous, because those who are “witnessing” the last act of their departure feel no remorse and cling to their seats of power, even at the cost of destroying much in the process. Serbia’s official political leader, Milosheviçi, cannot be excluded from this situation. At his presidential residence, it seems that the papers bearing the final perversity repeatedly mention Montenegro, this republic which, according to the people serving him, he described during this political epilogue, even at the “last moment,” as “the weak point that makes us suffer the most.” However, this “separatism” in Podgorica, carefully attempted by the country’s new leadership and by the international community, coincides with a more delicate opportunity and situation for this country, which is nonetheless fueling the situation and resistance until change is carried out. The “teeth” of Milosheviçi’s heavy, oppressive machine have been sharpened for one final bite. And in this closing act of his dictatorial life, the tragic figure of Balkan politics has no qualms about once again managing even the guilty parties. Western diplomacy has officially warned Balkan capitals of “taking measures and assuming possible responsibility.” Alongside this advisory notice, preparations for a humanitarian emergency also appear to be under way. Several consignments of aid and equipment reminiscent of the warning episodes involving the expulsion of Albanians from Kosovo last year have arrived at the Port of Durrës. Meanwhile, as far as military measures are concerned, they have been and remain irrevocably put in place. Nevertheless, in NATO’s chanceries and according to American diplomacy, concern is growing by the hour, along with a more intensive commitment. The arrival in Tirana of US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Slocombe (the first American visit not to be cancelled in the past six months) not only marks the resumption of direct communications between Washington and our official capital, but, according to the official himself, “...will be accompanied by many other visits...” “Meanwhile, President Meidani’s announcement of an increase in the American and NATO presence in Albania can easily be understood in the text as a clear sign at this Balkan edge. The recent meetings of Albanian Deputy Foreign Minister Bushidha and Secretary-General of the Alliance Robertson’s announcement of an imminent visit to Tirana also belong within this context. Everything takes the form of warning signs that the wind of Serbian gunfire and turmoil remains a threat to our diminished northern neighbour, which is trying to free itself from the clutches of the peninsula’s latest evil. In any case, the humanitarian measures and those of the recognized organizations mostly point to the avoidance of gunfire and bombing raids. But the remaining evil, as it departs, remains just that until its fatal defeat.

State Audit Office at the Ministry of Defense Page 4

“People in the police tip him off about the traps being set for him” With two grenades on his belt, the killer of the five most recent victims in the capital moves freely, even though he is currently the person most wanted by police agents. Secret information has reached the Police Directorate in recent days from agents who have been tracking him, concerning the whereabouts and movements of the perpetrator of the two tragic incidents of recent days in Tirana, near the Presidency and behind Hotel “Diplomati”. An official source at the Police Directorate in the Prefecture of Tirana says it has been fully established that the five most recent murders were committed by one and the same person. The “monster” who beheads those entangled in trafficking is now in the capital. Page 10

Turkey, one of Albania’s strategic allies