The story of the disappearance of companies’ money from BKT deposits is coming to light. Malaj withdrew money from Cenaj & Co in the name of Bledar Shamo Successful mediation by Ricard Hollbruk. Albanians and Serbs at the negotiating table The money that has disappeared from the companies is many times greater than all the uproar being made about getting it back. From February 1997 until today, the companies’ money deposited in second-tier banks has dissolved like salt in water. Of the 107 million deposited in BKT, today only 7 million dollars remain Successful mediation by Ricard Hollbruk. Albanians and Serbs at the negotiating table

Statement by the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha Despite the Contact Group’s major weaknesses in taking the stance that Millosheviçi deserved, and despite the violence, massacres and terror that the latter is exercising throughout Kosovo, and particularly along the Deçan-Skënderaj-Klinë-Mitrovicë line, to divide Kosovo and once again displace Albanians from their lands, the new initiative of the United States of America stood out; it could also be the first step toward a new Dayton. While welcoming this initiative, as well as the clear tone of the Clinton-Prodi talks, as evidence of the United States’ great commitment and determination to resolve the Kosovo problem, I believe that the involvement of Richard Hollbruk, this architect of Dayton, a determined negotiator with extensive knowledge of Balkan scenarios, is very promising for a new Dayton. Hollbruk’s involvement in a new Dayton—this negotiator who has not only determination and clear-sightedness, but also the modesty to choose, given that he achieved in the North a model that did not exist, but which was able to defeat war—could achieve the same in the southern Balkans. I also welcome the statement by Germany’s Minister of Defense on NATO’s involvement in securing the zone of …ban on flights over Kosovo. The Albanian government must stop playing word games and immediately offer NATO its ports and airports, to protect and save the lives of the defenseless Albanians in Kosovo. Asked about the possible Rugova-Millosheviç meeting, Berisha replied that he did not have detailed information about it, but that PD maintained the same position. PD supports Rugova and the Democratic League, while considering every step that could lead toward a new Dayton to be positive.

On Thursday, the French foreign minister in Tirana During this visit, Vedrine will ratify a treaty of friendship

The agreement for a meeting between Rugova and Millosheviç is a key step toward a peaceful resolution of the grave crisis in Kosovo. After a major procession of American envoys, Hollbruk and Gelbart, along the Prishtinë-Belgrade route, the way seems to have been opened for the start of negotiations that will inevitably lead to an agreement. In other words, the first outlines of a new Dayton are becoming visible, this time with Kosovo as the subject. With his decision to meet his opponent Millosheviç, Rugova is opening up a new possibility that until yesterday seemed impossible. Having adhered to his pacifist position even more than necessary, it seems entirely natural that a man who has preached a peaceful solution for years should begin at a negotiating table. Now, the presence of a third party is more important than it is for Rugova—for Millosheviç. Serbian President Millosheviç has sent military troops and tanks to Kosovo and is firing rockets at Kosovo’s villages every day, while Kosovo is sending people to Belgrade for peace. Such a difference is fundamental and places responsibility on the Serbian leader, while the grave situation in Kosovo will also leave its mark on the negotiating table. Rugova himself knows that he must withstand the political frustrations coming from the political camp in Prishtina and elsewhere, and that its influence and Rugova’s flexibility are not easy matters. His aim and the national agenda of peace in Kosovo, as seen by his Albanian colleagues, are also shaped by tradition; they likewise share the goal of finding a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Kosovo problem. Kosovo’s prime minister, Bujar Bukoshi, called it a major step, while the leader of the Kosovo Parliamentary Party, Adem Demaçi, condemned Rugova’s decision to meet with Belgrade without a third party present. It seems that both Albanian political leaders are entitled to their views on how they think the Kosovo problem should be resolved, and they are equally entitled to their views on who bears responsibility. Rugova has shown restraint; but he believes in a peaceful solution and received a strong mandate for this for the second time, on 22 March. He is going no further than what he has advocated, and is not turning back from the trust placed in him. It seems the third-party question has emerged a little earlier than it should have among some Kosovo politicians; nevertheless, the history of agreements with Millosheviç has accumulated a heavy negative burden over many years. He is neither a man of peace nor, much less, a man who keeps agreements. But if Rugova has accepted the moment, Millosheviç has yet to decide whether to put the same Serbian leadership at the table. The formula he presented was to begin with me. Naturally, such a thing could not have gone unconsidered by the mediator Hollbruk. Procedural concessions have been made by both sides, and it is unreasonable to prejudge such talks in their entirety even before they begin. One can make procedural statements about procedural concessions. We still do not know the political factors involved in such a meeting; we know the political language of such a meeting. It took an American initiative, this time a fairly swift one, to make progress, although the picture is still that of a negotiator who may avert a war whose end is unknown. Clinton’s statement yesterday welcoming such a meeting is a reassuring signal that this is the way a solution will be pursued. We must trust that the results of the talks just begun will not remain at the level of the force keeping Millosheviç in power, but will reach the level of peace that sustains Rugova. Sami NEZA

Parliament undermines the pluralism of the Central Election Commission. The Socialists approve the government’s version The opposition calls for equal legal standing for the chairs and deputy chairs of election commissions at all levels Parliament undermines the pluralism of the Central Election Commission. The Socialists approve the government’s version The left-wing majority rejects the recommendations of the Council of Europe and OSCE The opposition calls for equal legal standing for the chairs and deputy chairs of election commissions at all levels ON PAGE 3

Former Parliament Speaker, MP Abnori, calls on the government not to exclude the opposition from drafting the country’s Constitution I do not deny that even an unrepresentative commission could produce a Constitution that appears to use good and beautiful words. ON PAGE 2

The chairman’s meeting with Shkodra’s persecuted people ends in a fiasco After remaining with fewer than 10 people, “to see the meeting through to the end,” Kurt Kola asked the police to bring his car right up to the University entrance so he could avoid the sight of the crowd waiting outside, which described him as one of the main contributors to the return of communism ON PAGE 2

Berisha: The government did not respond to the compromise offered by PD ON PAGE 3

The governing coalition selects 11 of the 16 candidates for the local by-elections None of the governing parties was willing to put forward its own people to lose in the most humiliating way The governing coalition selects 11 of the 16 candidates for the local by-elections Kavaja and Shijaku without candidates None of the governing parties was willing to put forward its own people to lose in the most humiliating way ON PAGE 3

ROJTER

Socialists are trying to usurp even the only independent court in Albania / Police beat creditors outside the Court of Appeal / Mysterious murder in the middle of Tirana Socialists are trying to usurp even the only independent court in Albania Political attack on the Court of Cassation begins ON PAGE 4 Police beat creditors outside the Court of Appeal Appeal Court: Indefinite imprisonment for Alimuçaj ON PAGE 4 Mysterious murder in the middle of Tirana Bullets take Basha’s life ON PAGE 4

Members of the National Council of PDSH, deputy chairs and branch secretaries are hereby notified that on Sunday, 17 May 1998, at 11:00, a meeting of the National Council will be held in Tirana, with the following agenda: 1. Organizational functioning of PDSH structures and their program for improving and revitalizing their political activity (Report by the Organizational Secretary: 2. Fatos Beja, on behalf of the Presidium’s control group, and discussion thereof) 2. Discussion and approval of the draft resolution concerning the situation created and the consequences of the unconstitutional decisions regarding the Constitutional Court. 3. Discussion and approval of the draft regulation on the functioning of the Party’s central forums. (Note: Copies of the materials to be discussed are available from the Organization Secretary)