Berisha meets UÇK political leader Adem Demaçi The chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, received the UÇK political representative, Mr. Adem Demaçi, for a meeting yesterday. Berisha emphasized at the meeting: “First, I would like to take this opportunity, through you, to express my sympathy to all the families of the fighters who have fallen in Kosovo and to the families of the victims of the barbaric Serbian aggression,... ON PAGE 2

After being assaulted by the police, Kastriot Saliu dies in Elbasan hospital ON PAGE 5

Three of those accused of “crimes against humanity” appeal to the authorities to drop the political charges Shamata, Çela and Zhulali support the Berisha-Majko dialogue, but are also skeptical about its results Three of those accused of “crimes against humanity” appeal to the authorities to drop the political charges “Give us back the freedom that was snatched away!” Shamata, Çela and Zhulali support the Berisha-Majko dialogue, but are also skeptical about its results ON PAGE 4

This is how groups prepare for the disembarkation of undocumented migrants A few months ago, undocumented migrants were housed in shacks near the port. Exposure of the trafficking in the Albanian press and then police intervention pushed the mafia to create a system of prison-houses. A few months ago, undocumented migrants were housed in shacks near the port. Exposure of the trafficking in the Albanian press, followed by police intervention, pushed the mafia to create a system of prison-houses. With this new move, it seems that the police and the traffickers have reached an agreement to continue the smuggling ON PAGE 5

By Ferdinand XHAFERRI A look back at the year we have left behind, with the aim of healing the future, could define it as a good year, since the revival of hope, despite a deepening multifaceted crisis, with the dialogue that has begun, we can say, that [text continues beyond the image]

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MPs from the Pole of Freedoms in Tirana to strengthen ties with their Democratic colleagues ON PAGE 2

A look back at the year we have left behind, with the aim of serving the future, might define it as a good year, since “although in the majority, [it] was dominated by a deepening, multi[?]-faceted crisis; with the dialogue that has begun, we can say that it was a start that kindled hope.” The main of serving the future, might define it as a good year, since “although in the majority, [it] was dominated by we can say that it was a start that kindled hope. Restoring trust, or rekindling hope among Albanians, I believe, is the main issue that politics must begin to address for ’99. One of the main priorities that must necessarily be fulfilled as part of the project to build the infrastructure for restoring trust is keeping the dialogue between the government and the opposition alive and taking it further. Political developments in recent days have clearly demonstrated the superiority of both sides in fulfilling the commitments made at the first meeting and, most importantly, even in the left-wing camp, where there were problems, it seems that by now, with the direct sponsorship of the international community, Mr. Majko feels fully able to move forward with confidence. At the current stage of relations between the government and the opposition, it would be shameful and fatal for those with considerable power and very little opposition to misuse the dialogue to create the appearance of a power-sharing arrangement that could be called a station of stagnation. For dialogue to effectively serve the purpose of emerging from the crisis and restoring trust, the past must be studied and the ability to read the future expanded. Studying the past requires, among other things, that the parties’ pragmatic interests take second place and that steps be taken solely to help overcome the crisis. This may be difficult to accept, but as long as the psychology of mutual gain remains active on both sides and the country continues along this course, nobody is a winner. To put it more plainly, if in ’98 the left-wing coalition only deepened crime, devastation, and impoverishment, and naturally fostered, to our shared misfortune, the loss of hope, the opposition has no right to boast about its results while Albania is in crisis. Ultimately, although the state bears the primary responsibility for the situation in the country, the opposition should not consider itself blameless either. Reading the future with a view to overcoming the crisis should convince Mr. Majko and those moderate figures close to him, who are thought to differ from the right within the Socialist Party, that the current formula of government will find it very difficult to make progress because it operates under the following conditions: - A lack of experience - Powerful clans within and around the Socialist Party - The decay of moral standards in the administration - The severely deteriorated situation along the northern state border - An electorate now swayed by the presence of blue and pink, respectively in the north and south (and both sides must contribute to blurring these divisions). - A lack of broad consensus, which would be needed to restore public order and implement several joint programs addressing the long-term problem of disarmament, etc. On the other hand, for the opposition to read the future means being clear-eyed about the fact that without dialogue between the sides, even when it is in power, it will be unable to lead the country out of the crisis. In this spirit, the precedent of boycotting parliament—regardless of the causes and reasons, which may be considered very compelling—must be brought to an end by the Democratic Party and Berisha, given the values they represent. In conclusion, I would say that fostering a spirit of cooperation among political forces in Albania also directly contributes, I believe, to creating a positive climate in which the political class of the mother country can unify the position of the Albanian political factor in Kosovo and elsewhere. Concrete signs of progress in these areas are already becoming apparent.

For two years now, Albania has continued to be a state without a state. During the 50 years of communism, the existence of a state in some respects cannot be denied, but it was a state established to oppress its citizens. The existence of order was nothing more than a consequence of dictatorship and repression. Apart from this “good,” that state had no other good qualities. The overthrow of the communist dictatorship created the possibility that, at last, Albanians too could have a state of their own that would protect not only national interests. ON PAGE 3

Otranto: boat loaded with hashish intercepted after it put 27 people into the water ON PAGE 5

The Mayor of Tirana concerned about the grave situation in the capital “I expect Majko to invite me this year to announce the funds it will provide for the thousands of homeless people in the capital, and for thousands of kilometres of unpaved roads and hundreds of kilometres of pavements...” ON PAGE 2

Today, 121 days since the murder of the December Leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, proves the involvement of Fatos Nano’s government and his successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The former-communist government leaves the criminals who took the life of the December Leader at large and unaccountable; it shows us that they have been free, but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honoured Azem Hajdari can in no way tolerate this captivity. The government must either arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Heavy water flows destroy the old pipelines The municipal enterprise does not have the funds needed to repair the pipelines, while the Ministry of Public Works has neglected to approve funding for the repair of the worn-out pipelines, even after repeated notifications from the enterprise. ON PAGE 7

The government: laughable New Year’s bonuses ON PAGE 7

Law enforcement forces uprooted [15?] kiosks in the center of Tirana The operation resumes, but not all kiosks have yet reached the time for removal ON PAGE 7

ON PAGE 3 Yesterday, on the eighth anniversary of ”Rilindjes Demokratike” Photo: Albes FUSHA Yesterday, on the eighth anniversary of ”Rilindjes Demokratike”. Photo: Albes FUSHA

On 8.1.1999 at 11.15, the Democratic Party will erect the Pine of Democracy, Avdyl Matoshi, on the occasion of the first anniversary of his murder. Departure for the Shish-Tufinë cemetery will be at 11.30. The family will receive visitors from 8.00 to 11.00 and in the afternoon after 16.00. The family’s address: Agricultural University, building no. 2, second floor.