The Rectorate: The Ministry of Finance is to blame ON PAGE 5

One year since the ambush at Milot targeting Azem. The eyewitness, Dajçi, speaks ON PAGE 4

A car struck the athlete, leaving her dead at the scene ON PAGE 6

The Minister of Public Order accuses Italian politicians, the Italian mass media and the Albanian opposition of representing mafia interests. Fejzo and Alushi call for the freedom of the speedboat operators Koçi chews over the statements he made a few days ago, when he said that MPs and government officials from Vlora were involved in trafficking clandestine migrants, and in this case too finds culprits within the ranks of the Albanian opposition ON PAGE 3

The US shake up European inertia over the agreement on Kosovo American Albright: No agreement can be guaranteed without NATO in Kosovo. Russian Ivanov: Without Belgrade’s permission, NATO cannot enter Kosovo By Mero BAZE, Rambouillet, 15 February ON PAGE 3

By Edi PALOKA Majko seems not to have learned yet that he is the prime minister of Albania. On several repeated occasions, when speaking about some of Albania’s problems, whether great or small, Majko speaks as if he were the secretary of an opposition party. It is nearly two years since the PS and its satellites came to power. Two years in which there is plenty to criticize and nothing to praise. In fact, Majko was critical of the Nano government even when he himself was merely the PS secretary and chairman of the parliamentary group, but the problem is that Majko continues to maintain that attitude now that he is prime minister. There have been several occasions since Majko became prime minister when he has complained about some of the things that are not working in Albania. Thus it was Majko himself who complained at a televised meeting that 90% of the judiciary was corrupt. Majko’s attacks were so fierce that it seemed he was asking someone to solve this problem, but apparently Majko had forgotten that he was the prime minister, not somebody else. A short time ago, the prime minister visited Albanian hospitals—or rather, those hospitals considered the best in Albania. During that visit too, Majko was often shown with a gloomy expression and making numerous criticisms. Did Majko not know what conditions in Albania’s hospitals were like, even when he sent the Russian woman to Greece for treatment? And, after all, the question must be asked again: “Who was Majko complaining to?” The latest example is the prime minister’s statement concerning the wiretapping of Berisha’s telephone. On this matter too, Majko declared that he was opposed. But then, how can all these things happen in Albania when the prime minister is against them?! Who does Majko complain to about these problems? Majko must finally understand that he is the prime minister, and that all the issues he complains about are precisely in his hands, not those of others. This does not mean that Majko is wrong to point out shortcomings, but he cannot do so in the role of an opposition figure who has no power to act. What is expected of Majko is that he solve problems, not complain to Albanians about them, because in such a case it turns out that Majko is simply putting on a show. If Majko does this to show Albanians how concerned he is about their problems, to show them what a good prime minister he is about matters that are not in his hands, he is making a mistake twice over. He is wrong because, first of all, he comes across as someone who does not know the problems, and secondly, he shows Albanians that he is incapable of solving them, let alone of merely identifying them. Some of the problems that Majko has supposedly “discovered” have been mentioned here, but there are many problems that, like those, are obvious and are made evident every day in the Albanian press. Should we perhaps wait for Majko one day to “discover” those too, all of a sudden, and complain to Albanians again?! and that Albanians expect him to solve their problems. Majko should especially remember the promises he made himself, and about which he has still made no statement. At least he cannot complain to anyone about those. So if he wants the government to [unclear in source], he must take the situation in hand; otherwise, if the situation is as Majko himself describes it, with the prime minister only able to complain without solving anything, it would be better for him to leave that office and move into opposition. Then he will be able to complain as much as he likes, but at least he can be sure that his complaints will be taken into account and the problem will be solved.

ALBANIA ON PAGE 3

Crime does not stop. Alarming scale of murders, injuries and robberies According to sources from the Ministry of the Interior, cited by the day's press, during January 1999, in Albania: - 56 people were killed. - 27 people were injured. - 34 cases of robbery of persons and property. - 10 cases of explosives being planted at homes and private properties. SPECIAL ON PAGE 7 Statements by American congressmen—

Illegal migrants enter Albania through Greece Camps have been set up on Greek soil with Kurds waiting to enter Albanian territory and from there cross to Italy by speedboat ON PAGE 6 Berisha, yesterday, at a press conference with the American congressmen

Today, 157 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 Fat(os) Nanos's government and his successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The governments of the former communists who cherish and have succeeded the criminals who took the life of the December Leader show Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the murderers, who have names and surnames but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari cannot tolerate the criminals this fact. The government must either arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Ballsh - New protest in the oil sector; thousands remain unemployed ON PAGE 5

The chairman of Macedonia's PDSH, Arbër Xhaferi, optimistic about a speedy solution to the national question ON PAGE 3

International conference on “Democratic Security and Regional Stability” begins in Tirana ON PAGE 3

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