The Swiss: We have no intention of leaving our heads in Albania The last investor has also left the city of Pukë. The Swiss government, under a bilateral cooperation agreement with the Albanian government, had for some time been running a project in the district of Pukë, named ... ON PAGE 5

Artists from across the country oppose the government’s blockade of culture ON PAGE 8

By Mero BAZE (Rambuje, 16 February) The delegation’s restraint and its perfect cooperation with the American and Albanian experts have so far remained the Albanian side’s most powerful weapon for preventing a possible split within it if the talks fail. But despite this, during the talks—especially in the constitutional section concerning the establishment of order and security in Kosovo, as well as Kosovo’s relations with the Yugoslav federation and other countries—there may be a danger that peripheral elements will emerge, potentially leading to the dangerous precedent of Kosovo’s partition. At present, the peace plan is not considered independence for Kosovo, but the American side, as well as Western diplomats, consider it a provision of the physical means that would secure independence for the Albanians in the future. For their part, it will not be easy for the Serbs to accept this process. They will either cause the talks to fail and enter into an international conflict, or try during the talks to sow the seed of a precedent for partitioning Kosovo in the future. The Serbs are not expected to raise these issues openly, but the Albanian delegation must be attentive and must put forward all the arguments that could create such a precedent. What might these precedents be? To gain a clear understanding of them, it is necessary to examine more carefully how Kosovo’s relations with the international community and the rest of Yugoslavia will be defined. First of all, the Albanian side must be careful not to refer to other Albanian areas in Eastern Kosovo as a necessity for inclusion in this plan, since this could bring the risk of relativizing Kosovo’s administrative boundary, which is currently the Albanian side’s strongest argument in defending its right to independence. Despite the historically erroneous demarcation of Kosovo’s border and the fact that a large territory inhabited by Albanians remained to its east, it may currently be dangerous to try to make these areas a subject of discussion in Rambuje as well. This is because they themselves are interested in presenting the Albanian side’s vision for its future in Yugoslavia as unclearly as possible. They are interested in portraying the Albanian issue as complicated and fragmented into enclaves, in order to justify the failure of the talks and the creation of an enclave in northern Kosovo, thereby ... en... [?]claving, the creation of an enclave in northern Kosovo, thus beginning the process of partitioning Kosovo. The concern of a number of Albanian intellectuals about the danger of Kosovo’s partition, although now that talks are under way it may seem like a hypothetical risk, is in fact real if mistakes are made in the talks and people fall into the trap of “patriotic” enthusiasm, thinking that although they could not even set an ambush on the Prishtinë-Klinë road, they can unite all Albanian lands. Rambuje is a Conference that will decide on a peace process in Kosovo, a process that the Albanians must, through their skill, turn into a process of Kosovo’s independence. For this reason, the Albanian delegation, as well as the Albanian experts beside them, must focus on these issues—that is, the issues that give Kosovo the prerequisites for independence. On the other hand, one issue under discussion in the coming days will also concern how the movement of Kosovo residents to other countries will be regulated, especially to its Albanian neighbours in Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Eastern Kosovo. The delegation must try to secure as many rights as possible for Kosovo authorities to issue entry visas for Kosovo, thereby creating distance from Belgrade in this respect. Free movement of citizens in the area from Belgrade. Free movement of citizens in the Albanian area may perhaps be a much surer prerequisite for Kosovo’s independence than any other competence. Forms such as the inclusion of many Albanian police officers in customs police or Albanian police institutions. In any case, it must be borne in mind that the Serbs will try to secure “weighty” agreements, which they will then use as a pretext to reopen conflicts. It is not very essential whether a referendum is held in the coming years or after five years, and whether Albanians reconfirm their support for independence; what matters is that the Albanians use these three to five years to give international mediators time to lay the foundations for Kosovo’s independence and ensure its territorial integrity. The Albanian issue in Yugoslavia must once and for all escape globalist assessments that it is an issue spread across several republics and must therefore be resolved immediately in every place where it exists. The Albanian issue will be resolved where there is real potential for it to be resolved. It is desirable that every link in its resolution pave the way for solutions to other problems and not create judicial precedents. For this reason, it is best for Albanian experts, as well as the foreign experts who have been brought in to help, to examine seriously the cases that could set a course, toward Kosovo’s independence and the course of the conflict. Everyone must understand that the Serbs are not interested in a process that makes Kosovo independent, because they are not interested in living together with Albanians and cooperating with them. They are interested in occupation or partition. Since “occupation” is becoming impossible for them, whether because of Albanian resistance or because of the international decision to intervene if the talks fail, one possibility still remains for them: the dangerous path of partitioning Kosovo. It is better to defeat this now, if possible, but it is important to do so, rather than understand it tomorrow as a historical mistake.

Traficant and Dioguardi walk out halfway through their meeting with the Albanian prime minister James Traficant: “When even the prime minister of Albania does not declare himself in favour of Kosovo’s independence, then I do not understand what is expected of the international community. Kosovo’s future is thus completely compromised.” ON PAGE 3 James Traficant Joseph Dioguardi

Kosovo and law and order at the centre of discussions The chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, and its deputy chairman, Genc Pollo, met yesterday with the American ambassador in Tirana, Mariza Lino, at the latter’s residence, the DP press office reports. The meeting included extensive discussion of developments at the Rambuje conference, recent developments in Kosovo, and the views of the Democratic Party and other political forces on these developments. The meeting between the DP’s senior leaders and the American ambassador also addressed the state of security and law and order in the country, the pact proposed by the Democratic Party for restoring law and order in Albania, as well as dialogue between political forces. The two sides also discussed illegal trafficking in Albania and ways and means of combating it. According to the Democratic Party press office, the meeting was characterized by a spirit of understanding and serious concern about the issues discussed.

The press close to the secret service warns of similar scenarios

Press close to the secret service warns of bloody scenarios The SHIK has warned through newspapers under its control that there will be more September 14ths. In other words, there will also be more September 12ths. ON PAGE 3

Berisha and Xhaferi appeal to Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and the diaspora Yesterday at 13:00, the chairman of the PD, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, received at the party’s headquarters in Tirana the chairman of the Democratic Party of Albanians of Macedonia... ON PAGE 3

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 Fatos Nano’s government and its successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former communists, which leaves free and unmolested the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, is showing Albanians that it has been and remains on the side of the murderers, who have names and identities but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who cherish Azem Hajdari and condemned his murder cannot tolerate this fact under any circumstances. The government must either capture the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

Berisha meets internationally renowned analysts and historians Bugajski, Stoun, and Veremis Yesterday, the chairman of the PD, Berisha, held separate meetings with Mr. Janus Bugajski, Director for Eastern Europe at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington; Prof. Norman Stoun, former adviser to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, distinguished scholar and author of a number of important works in the field of history; and Mr. Veremis, Director of the Hellenic Foundation for European Policy. During Berisha’s meeting with Bugajski, the crisis in Albania, the war in Kosovo, and the situation in the region were discussed at length. At the meeting, Berisha emphasized that Albania is characterized by a deep crisis, marked by the absence of public order, violence and terror against the opposition, crime organized by state mafia clans, and growing impoverishment. To overcome this crisis, the PD has recently offered the National Pact for the Restoration of Order and the Clarification of the Population about its absence, which cost the lives of 57 Albanians during the past January alone. Over the last two months, a process of dialogue has begun, which extremist forces have opposed by every means, but which I believe has contributed to bringing political and military actors in Kosovo closer together and fostering cooperation among them. Stoun, former adviser to British Prime Minister Thatcher, said at the meeting that a narrative has now been concocted in the West about who built the pyramid schemes and who manipulated them to the detriment of the PD and democracy in Albania. Regarding the situation in Kosovo, Berisha emphasized that the only way to stop the catastrophe is the presence of NATO there. The best step toward resolving this problem is undoubtedly Kosovo’s independence, expressed as the result of a referendum that should be repeated after three years. Mr. Bugajski conveyed to Berisha the warm regards of the President of the Center for Strategic Studies, Zbignjev Brzhezhinski, and praised the PD chairman’s analysis, as well as the PD’s views and positions regarding the crisis in Albania and the situation in Kosovo. He agreed with Mr. Berisha that the best solution for Kosovo is its independence. Bugajski assured Mr. Berisha that he and his other friends in Washington would support him in all his efforts to resolve the crisis and to establish a middle ground in politics, as well as in his proper positions regarding Kosovo. At Berisha’s meeting with Prof. Norman Stoun, the crisis in Albania and the conflict in Kosovo were discussed at length. Prof. Stoun told Mr. Berisha about the role of the PD and other political forces in the events of ’97. Seen in this light, it is clear the detriment of the PD and democracy in Albania. Berisha and Stoun discussed the situation in Kosovo at length. Present at the meeting with Prof. Stoun were the PD’s secretary for foreign relations, Mr. Leonard Demi, and its secretary for public relations, Mr. Vili Minarolli. At Berisha’s meeting with Veremis, relations between Albania and Greece and the conflict in Kosovo were discussed. Berisha emphasized that the PD has supported and continues to support the development of relations and friendly cooperation with Greece, and believes that this cooperation is important for the entire region. In this context, the PD, having direct ties with Nea Demokracia, has valued democratic developments and the development of relations with Greece as a positive event, regardless of the pan-[?] line.

Mass protests by Kurds after the capture of the PKK leader Turkey captured Kurdish guerrilla leader Abdullah Oçalan in Kenya yesterday and brought him to Turkey, where he is considered a terrorist and traitor and could be sentenced to death. His capture sparked a wave of Kurdish protests across Europe, directed mainly against Greece... ON PAGE 2

The village head of Laprakë in custody, accused of the “armed uprising of September 14” Several plainclothes police officers seized the village head, Dilaver Sejdo, at around 09:00 yesterday while he was at work and took him to his home. After a thorough search, the police officers found nothing compromising. .. ON PAGE 6

Xhejms Trafikant Xhozef Dioguardi Xhejms Trafikant; Xhozef Dioguardi

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