Italian Parliament approves compensation for the victims’ relatives Three years after the “Sibilla” sank the “Katri i Radës” and around 100 Albanians were left on the seabed Page 7

By ALEKSANDËR ÇIPA As the new American President Xhorxh W. Bush announces the names of his staff, most of Europe, and Balkan politics in particular, is keeping a close eye on what is being described as the “diplomatic baton pass” between American Democrats and Republicans. In the form of a special address, US Secretary of State Madalen Albright, two days ago in Brussels, announced the current and future diplomatic position on Kosovo and the Balkans as a whole. It is no small thing to say that the final speech of her nine-year tenure as head of American diplomacy was directly related to the self-governing and policymaking attributes of Albanians in Kosovo. Through her words, she directly conveyed encouragement to establish Kosovo’s political institutions in a timely manner. This official gesture is the epilogue to the contribution of this American woman, who wore Washington’s diplomatic mantle at the greatest moment in our national history, as well as during the most earth-shattering period in the geopolitics of the new millennium in the Balkans. In this act of passing the governing baton from the American Democrats to the Republicans, it is natural for doubts to arise and changes in political positions to be anticipated. But when diplomacy is understood as a mission in the service of a defined strategy, one must not forget that the Americans are the ones who add “effects” to their diplomacy, first of all, the “side measure” for preserving the whole body of work already created and gathering it together at the same time. It is no coincidence that this continuity has been apparent since the announcement of Colin Powell’s name as Albright’s successor, who is also known as the first diplomatic chief to have held various positions during three Republican administrations. In the expected representation and initial diplomatic rounds of the next Bush administration, a forthcoming visit to Kosovo is generally being put forward. If it is to be a forthcoming visit to Kosovo, then Albanians … should focus on the current strategy and American outlook, as they are themselves one more factor in the course of this diplomacy. “When you’re friends with American diplomats: Where’s the joke…”, this observation can be paraphrased: “Who cares …”

SUNDAY HUMOR By Filip Çakuli Koço Devole returns from America after three years On December 12, the day Bush was declared President of America, the renowned comedian Koço Devole arrived in Tirana. He was immediately welcomed by his fellow comedian Nikollë Lesi, who invited him to see the “Koha Jonë” company building and, on the eighth floor, hosted a cocktail reception in his office, where, among other things, his colleague Lesi told him: “It’s no coincidence that you arrived precisely on December 12, the day Bush becomes President, when the DP celebrates its founding, and one day after the attack on Prime Minister Meta.” Later, Koço was received by the President of the Republic, who spoke about the very good Albanian-American relations. During the reception, Koço Devole asked the President not to interfere so much in Albanian politics. Koço Devole also had a private conversation with Fatos Nano, whom he pleaded with to resign, for the sake of depoliticizing the CEC, and to leave his place to Fatos Nano. In the coming days, Koço Devole is expected to have a packed schedule of meetings with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Order, and the Minister of Agriculture. You will read about his visit to our country and Koço’s views on current Albanian politics on Wednesday, in an exclusive interview with “Koha Jonë”. For more, read the humor pages, as well as a telephone interview with Koço Devole about crime and public order in Albania, given to his colleague Filip Çakuli — Pages 22-23

All employees, journalists, and correspondents of “Koha Jonë” are hereby notified that they are to be at work today to put out the first issue of Monday’s newspaper. All journalists and correspondents are also notified that on Monday they will find the “Koha Jonë” newspaper at the sales outlets as well.

… in … bi it … pages 9 … page 11 … on the day of … page 7 …