PAD leaders attack the PS from Elbasan ON PAGE 6

On Friday, a large rally in central Tirana On 12. 2. 1999, a grand rally will be held in “Skënderbej” Square to protest against the government, which continues to conceal the killers of Azem Hajdari, the hero of democracy and tribune of Albanian nationalism. On 12 February 1998, five months will have passed since the day the ruling clique killed the hero of December ’90, the hero of Albanian pluralism, Azem Hajdari. Everyone in the square to defend pluralism, everyone in the square to restore democracy to Albania, everyone in the square against the government that protects Azem’s killers, against the government of misery. Brothers and sisters, on 12.2.1999, at 12:00, all together in “Skënderbej” Square.

The Rambouillet Conference, a new challenge for Albanians From Rambouillet Mero BAZE The Serbs are dissatisfied with the plan, the Albanians are upset about their “leader,” and the Americans are pleased with both sides ON PAGE 3

Scandals and theft at the INSIG branch in Tirana How INSIG has been turned into a comfortable nest for all the people and kin of Skënder Gjinushi. Gjinushi’s family ties with Zani Çaushi, and how the Vlora-born parliamentary speaker is repaying the people of Vlora who helped him seize power by force ON PAGE 5

By Bardhyl LONDO As we await the final agreements at Rambouillet, Albanian politics seems to have held its breath and been left in limbo. This is understandable: the difficulty in the medieval castle in France is not confined to Albanian politics, but affects everything called the Albanian world, because the decisions to be signed at Rambouillet will also determine the future of this world. And what is at stake is the very essence that defines this world, its territorial existence and the future definition of its future. Seen from this perspective, this standstill, or this period of political menopause in Albania, is understandable and justified. But in fact, Albanian politics has been left in limbo ever since the opposition proposed the pact for public order, thereby putting its finger on one of the most fundamental wounds in Albanian life and presenting one of the possible alternatives for healing that wound. For some time now, the initiative in Albanian politics has passed into the hands of the opposition. In any case, what matters is not who has the initiative, but which grouping, through its initiatives, presents possible alternatives for getting Albania out of the mire into which the Socialist government has led it over the past year and a half. Above all, the opposition’s initiatives are not ends in themselves and have absolutely no aim of gaining electoral capital. Faced with the united and dangerous front of crime and smuggling, the opposition proposes an anti-crime and anti-mafia front, which is entirely logical and extremely beneficial for Albania. The government’s delay and hesitation in finalizing this agreement (this refers to that part of the government that is not criminally compromised and has not fallen into the clutches of the mafia) are becoming more problematic by the day for finding a way out of Albania’s situation, to the point that one day it may be too late even to sign this agreement. But it seems that this part of the government, which is realistically concerned about the fate of the government and has a clear vision for governing, is still too weak to make decisions and prevail over the other part of the government, which continues doing the same old things as before. Indeed, it is precisely the part of the government that most strongly opposes the anti-crime pact which, unfortunately, has privatized the government’s politics, stifling it. And the reason is very simple: this very part of Albanian politics has also privatized the sources of smuggling, including the speedboat trade. Signing the anti-crime pact would mean the end of this smuggling. That is why the dismissive reaction of some “leaders” to the opposition’s offer is so categorical and so strongly emotional that it brings to mind the melodramas of the period. But what are the reasons, at least so far, for rejecting the pact and keeping the further activity of Albanian politics in limbo? (In fact, it would truly be beyond human logic to come up with reasons for rejecting such a simple agreement to ensure the ability to fight crime and smuggling, when every outstretched hand on this issue ought to be grasped.) Nevertheless, the reasons put forward, especially by the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Public Order and SHIK in several consecutive interviews, are even more absurd than they seem. According to him, and some others, the pact is being proposed to sanctify the post of Minister of the Interior. But the opposition has never asked for this post, nor does it intend to. The only thing it has proposed is consensus on every appointment—something the government camp is making a pretext for in relation to this highly sensitive post—which would be appropriate in a civilized country for key matters requiring a broad response. Moreover, removing people who do not enjoy the support of the overwhelming majority, including opposition voters, would be one way to improve public order considerably. Such consensus would ensure that the sensitive office of the Ministry of the Interior had the support of all Albanians and, consequently, would guarantee its success. In any case, Albanian politics remains in limbo. The opposition’s proposals require a response as soon as possible, because the problems could worsen. The opposition is asking neither for the post of Minister of the Interior nor for shared government in the sense of doing nothing. It is proposing a way out of the problem of the government’s composition. the government’s composition, which could bury its own future. If the privatization of politics by powerful clans, or clans closely tied to the mafia and smuggling, manages to suffocate the healthy part, then a more broadly supported governing majority must present its own alternative way out—an alternative that will move the country forward responsibly and secure its future, because so far the opposition’s alternative alone has remained alive and supported, though left in limbo. And after setting out its own alternative, it must answer the question: why has it failed to do so until now?

Berisha welcomes Ambassador Hill’s plan for Kosovo: A referendum is not stipulated, but it is stipulated that the final status will be decided after three years “As an effort to achieve a solution through justice, there was a commitment to establish an independent investigative group. If

“As an effort to find a solution through justice, the commitment was made to establish an independent investigative group. If there is no willingness, nothing remains but the desire to cover up the hideous crime, the macabre crime of this century” ON PAGE 2

Heavy industry, Ylli Bufi’s hostage The Chromium and Copper Industry, as well as Albpetrol employees, have gone on strike and directly blame Ylli Bufi and his privatization tactics for the dire state of this industry Heavy industry, Ylli Bufi’s hostage Albania’s miners on strike The Chromium and Copper Industry, as well as Albpetrol employees, have gone on strike and directly blame Ylli Bufi and his privatization tactics for the dire state of this industry ON PAGE 5

An expanded delegation of Kurbin Democrats visits the Democratic Party ON PAGE 6

Today, 150 days since the murder of the December Leader Each 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 role in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former prime minister, who easily and without troubling the criminals allowed them to take the life of the December Leader, shows Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the killers, who have names of their own but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and elected Azem Hajdari can in no way tolerate this fact. The government must either bring the criminals to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

ON PAGE 2

RD Photo Rugova, Qosja and Bukoshi during one of the conference’s break sessions RD Photo Jakup Krasniqi, UÇK spokesperson, among the other members of the delegation Rugova, Qosja and Bukoshi during one of the conference’s break sessions; Jakup Krasniqi, UÇK spokesperson, among the other members of the delegation

Members of Parliament of the Democratic Party are hereby notified that on Tuesday, February 9, 1999, the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party will meet in the meeting hall at the DP headquarters. Please make arrangements to ensure your attendance.