Tomorrow, everyone to “Skënderbej” Square On Wednesday, 4 March 1998, at 4:30 p.m., in “Skënderbej” Square, the Bashkimi për Demokraci grouping, together with the associations and trade unions supporting this political grouping, will organize a peaceful rally to protest: Against the restoration of the clan-based state Against political imprisonment Against government officials’ deception over the return of money deposited in Ponzi schemes Against the absolute poverty being brought about by the coalition government Against those in power deceiving people over the indexation of salaries and pensions Everyone to the square to defend democracy and oppose the restoration of communism. The event is being held with police authorization. BASHKIMI PËR DEMOKRACI

Seventh day of the hunger strike; creditors’ health deteriorates ON PAGE 5

The Democratic Party condemns Serbian terror against the Albanians of Kosovo and calls for an urgent roundtable of political parties in Albania All of Kosovo is engulfed in protests. 300,000 protesters in the streets of Pristina, against Serbian terror. Milošević’s police use tanks, firearms, batons and tear gas. One demonstrator is killed and hundreds of others are wounded. The protests are spreading to other cities in Kosovo as well. The Kosovo government calls on Albanians to defend themselves by all means. The situation remains tense in Drenica and other cities in Kosovo. Rugova declares a day of mourning to honor the victims of Serbian terror. The victims in Drenica will be buried today. Immediate reactions from the EU, EC, USA, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, etc. SPECIAL COVERAGE ON PAGES 2, 3, 4 Photo: Reuters

Massacre in Lushnje, 15 wounded At least 15 people were wounded last night when a considerable quantity of TNT exploded at a bingo hall in the center of Lushnje. The TNT exploded at around 7:00 p.m., when the bingo hall was full of customers. Initial information indicates that one of the wounded is in very serious condition, while the police have not yet identified the perpetrators. Terrified citizens hurried back to their homes. Hospital sources said that several people were being treated for their injuries, some of whom are expected to be transferred to hospitals in the capital. The situation in the country is worsening every day, and explosive blasts are now also striking public venues, seriously endangering the lives of innocent citizens. In most of Albania, the situation is beyond police control, and citizens have to look after their own safety, since the police have yet to show any signs of restoring order. There have been several explosions in the south of the country, and in no case have the police apprehended the perpetrators. The explosions in Gjirokastër have severely damaged the municipal building and several private homes.

Nano, co-author in the killing of Albanians The predictions made by the Albanian opposition after the Nano–Milošević meeting are coming true, point by point. In recent days, the Serbian army has killed dozens of innocent Albanians in Kosovo’s Drenica region and continues to terrorize the Albanian population. You do not have to be a keen observer to see that, since the meeting in Crete between the two socialist leaders of Tirana and Belgrade, repression in Kosovo has increased [?]... The meeting in Crete between Nano and Milošević was strongly criticized not only by the opposition in Albania, but also by Kosovo politicians. The criticism was not simply about an Albanian prime minister meeting a criminal in Kosovo, but also about the fact that the meeting with Milošević had been held before the 27 March meeting. Milošević initially refused to meet Nano, even though, in the week before the meeting, Nano’s diplomacy had made the lowest of concessions to Belgrade. Before going to Crete, Nano had declared that he wanted the Albanian issue to be resolved in Belgrade and that his position differed from that of the democratic government. Citing tolerance, Nano went so far as to promise Belgrade that even in the event of an armed conflict his government would not intervene, considering it an internal matter of Serbia. Meanwhile, Nano’s “diplomats,” and President Meidani himself, were coming out in public to speak of the “Albanian community in Serbia.” Even after these “concessions” by Nano to Belgrade, however, Milošević initially refused to meet him. There were some secret understandings and [?] that were never made public, which “softened” Milošević toward Nano and ultimately led him to agree to meet Nano, apparently only so that he could put those promises from Nano on record. Immediately after Crete, the facts show that Serbian repression in Kosovo intensified. While brutal violence is being inflicted on protesting students and dozens of Albanians are being arrested in Plavë, Shkodër and Nikshiq, the Albanian prime minister makes statements equating Serbian criminals with their Albanian victims. The Nano government’s statement condemning the “Albanian terrorists” in Kosovo can be taken as full advance approval of the Serbian attack on Drenica. The fact is that this attack began precisely after the position taken by the Albanian government toward the UÇK, or toward those whom the government’s leaders called Albanian terrorists. Even now, after the killing of dozens of Albanians in Kosovo, the Albanian government’s position remains that of a vassal. The Albanian government’s tone is that of slaves speaking to their flower-crowned master [?], neither addressing him nor doing anything more. Thus, looking at this series of facts and the way events have unfolded, Nano can rightly be called Milošević’s co-author in the killing of Albanians in Kosovo. E. PALOKA

Berisha received the “Carter” Center team yesterday Yesterday, Democratic Party Chairman Berisha received the “Carter” Center team, headed by Mr. Tom Forbord, director of the project for the Albanian National Development Strategy initiated by the center. Forbord thanked him for the welcome and said that his team was there to learn about and identify the problems facing Albanians, in order to help them overcome the great difficulties of the transition. After handing Mr. Berisha another letter from Jimmy Carter, in which he requested the Democratic Party’s commitment and participation in the project, Mr. Forbord outlined the strategy project in detail. They then discussed recent developments and the crisis Albania as a whole is experiencing. The American interlocutors asked to learn the DP’s views and position on the major issues. Berisha stressed that Albania is facing a crisis that is deepening every day. Regarding the DP’s return to parliament, he replied that we are not in favor of a permanent boycott, because we are a party based on parliamentarism, and a boycott runs counter to the functioning and future of democracy. But the government has fulfilled none of the Troika’s recommendations, made during its first visit to Albania in 1990: political activity [?], the removal of MPs’ mandates for political reasons, violations of the locally elected government, as in the case of the head of the Korçë district. General violence and brutality against the opposition. A massive government-run smuggling operation is taking place at every level in the country. The return of former Sigurimi officers to all structures of the Ministry of Public Order and the police has led to the radicalization of society as a whole. Berisha endorsed the “Carter” Center’s initiative as beneficial to Albania. He thanked him for Mr. Carter’s letter and asked Mr. Forbord to convey his greetings, expressing gratitude for President Carter’s interest in Albania. The American interlocutors praised Mr. Berisha and the DP’s willingness to cooperate with the “Carter” Center in carrying out its project for Albania. Jimmy Carter writes to Berisha Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter sent Mr. Sali Berisha a letter informing him of the “Carter” Center’s commitment to help Albania advance a multi-participant process through which Albania could develop a national development strategy. Carter believes that this process and the resulting strategy will make a positive contribution to economic development, the consolidation of democracy, and the governing capacity of Albanians. In his letter, Carter asks Mr. Berisha to commit the DP to becoming part of a continuing collaboration on this project.

The President visits the deputy prime minister’s factory Albanian President Rexhep Meidani used his visit to Gjirokastër to advertise Deputy Prime Minister Fino’s businesses. During his stay in Gjirokastër, Meidani visited the Glina water factory, putting himself at Fino’s service to promote the deputy prime minister’s business activities across his numerous enterprises. This is not the first time the Albanian President has used his office to advertise government officials’ businesses, since on every visit to different towns he does not hesitate to tour government officials’ enterprises and promote the products of particular clans. It remains to be seen whether he makes these advertisements for free or in exchange for a handsome fee from the deputy prime minister or some other government official.