Ceka terrorizes the DP deputy ON PAGE 6

The Albanian government is creating fertile ground for terrorism ON PAGE 6

35,000 firms do not recognize Deloitte & Touche ON PAGE 5

Houses destroyed in Drenica. Albright and Cook (above)

Leaders of the Union for Democracy meet the US ambassador The chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, and the other leaders of the Union for Democracy met yesterday afternoon at the US Embassy with the ambassador, Mariza Lino, at the latter’s request. The meeting included an extensive discussion of the tense situation in Kosovo, where the leaders of the Union for Democracy stressed that Albanians there are facing unbelievable massacres by Slobodan Milošević’s machinery of violence, which is sparing neither women nor children. Meanwhile, Mr. Berisha and the other leaders of the Union for Democracy highly praised the direct engagement of the head of US diplomacy, Madelen Ollbrajt, who has made it clearly and unequivocally known to Belgrade that it must stop the savage violence against Kosovo Albanians. The red line would be the only way to resolve the grave situation in Kosovo and prevent a possible conflict that threatens the entire region. The Kosovo issue took a prominent place at the meeting, where the US diplomatic position of compelling Belgrade to abandon violence against Albanians was praised, the leaders of the Union for Democracy said at the meeting. Berisha and the others called for Belgrade’s immediate cessation of military operations, the holding of elections in Kosovo, and the restoration of its legitimate institutions as the only means of ending the conflict, whose danger extends beyond the dimensions of the Balkan region. US Ambassador Mariza Lino said that the United States remains concerned about the grave situation in Kosovo and is determined not to allow the conflict to escalate in the region, which could have extremely serious consequences. She said that Ms. Ollbrajt’s diplomatic tour of Western European capitals was also part of this policy. The meeting included an extensive discussion of the grave situation in the country. The leaders of the Union for Democracy stressed that their political grouping was ready to assume all the responsibilities incumbent on it as a constructive opposition, but Albania’s emergence from the crisis depended greatly on the government’s position, especially on fulfilling the conditions of the European troika. Ms. Lino welcomed the Democratic Party National Council’s decision to return to the country’s parliamentary life, expressing her appreciation for this act, while stressing that the United States of America and the international community remain determined to demand that the Albanian government fulfill all the points of the European troika’s package.

The Contact Group meeting signaled an unusual resolve on the part of the international community regarding the unrest in Kosovo. Although, in essence, the Contact Group’s conclusions are suggestions, they give no indication that further, even more severe lightning bolts will not be unleashed against Belgrade and Milošević if the decisions made at yesterday’s meeting in London are not heeded. The most important of all is the ultimatum by the six major powers to establish a military formation and, within ten days, begin a dialogue between Milošević and Rugova on granting Kosovo the status of expanded autonomy. The Contact Group’s declaration also lists a series of sanctions that constitute a warning of Belgrade’s further isolation from the international community. Despite the fact that Russia did not sign them, ignoring the above demands will lead to these measures being signed by Serbia’s great ally as well. In general, the Contact Group’s declaration represents a major achievement in setting out conclusions and also lays down the tracks along which the Kosovo issue should proceed. The Contact Group has identified the terrorists in Belgrade, while also suggesting how Belgrade should punish the Albanians. To this end, it calls for Kosovo Albanians to be offered the possibility of a credible political process and for the idea of genuine self-administration to be fostered among Albanians. This very part constitutes the prelude to a solution of the Kosovo issue; such a conclusion by the great powers of diplomacy means that, for Albanians, the issue has been completed and, internationally too, the demand and possibility of self-government—which is also the seed of independence—have been fulfilled. As diplomatic sources report, the distance between the members of the Contact Group was considerable because of the insistence of Russia’s representative, which is also apparent in the text of the declaration, where some other demands seem to have been included as a compromise. These include part of point 2, which speaks of an immediate moratorium on terrorism by the other side, even though no terrorist act committed by Albanians has yet been identified. Those killed in Drenica are children, women and elderly people, who could not possibly have committed any terrorism, just as the shattered [text unclear]. The military summit’s division over the attack on Drenica was ugly and stood in stark contrast to the peaceful protest chosen by the Albanians and the weapons and massacres chosen by the Serbs. The ten-day deadline stated in the Contact Group’s Declaration is a line marking a military ultimatum to Milošević. It is not credible that Milošević will respond fully within ten days. This period for reflection is still based on a great willingness to believe that Milošević and his terrorist state can change their character. The reality of the Balkans since 1989 has shown that Belgrade has never once withdrawn from violence and war, while moments of occupation have continually been followed by new massacres. The diplomacy of powerful countries often has moments of hesitation. This is also the case here, despite the large number of demands and conditions addressed to Belgrade. In ten days, the waiting period will be over too. What remains is for the hesitation to end—that chronic evasion by the diplomacy of the powerful. Sami NEZA

The strikers: Politicians and the government have stolen our money “We have evidence,” the creditors said. “The computers of the VEFA company contain records of all the names of politicians and government officials, along with their cousins, nieces and nephews, who registered [the assets] in their own names,” the creditors said. ON PAGE 5

Peaceful protests throughout Kosovo ON PAGE 2

Venice calls the suspension of the Constitutional Court unacceptable. Pollo speaks about the meeting of the important commission ON PAGE 2

Massacred in Drenica by the Serbian occupiers ON PAGE 2

Albanians protest in London, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Oslo, etc. ON PAGE 2

The National Council of the DP decides: “The national question and international guarantees that the government will fulfill the conditions of the European troika bring Democratic deputies back to parliament”

In support of the McCarthy Commission ON PAGE 3