The leader of the Legalists is once again being kept in custody by political judges and prosecutors ON PAGE 7

The arrest of the claimant to the royal throne was a mistake by the South African police authorities ON PAGE 7

Accusatory testimony by a police official ON PAGE 7

Vlorë, creditors’ protests resume. Farudin Arapi of the pyramid schemes is taken hostage Journalist Zenepe Luka is brutally beaten. Blows, curses and serious insults directed at the heads of the Vlorë rescue committee, Albert Syti and Luftar Petroshati. Special forces from Tirana sent to quell the tensions ON PAGE 4

Talks begin in Paris amid an atmosphere of doubt and distrust about their success Albanians are ready to sign, while the Serbs put forward new claims regarding the political section. NATO is the most forceful of all in its threats of intervention, while diplomats feel weary of carrying their threats through to the end... By Mero BAZE Paris, 15 March ON PAGE 2

By Sali BERISHA I have been informed by telephone by leading members of the delegation of Kosovo Albanians in Paris that the Representation of the Kosovo Albanians has, de facto, signed the Interim Agreement. According to this serious information I have received, the signing will take place in accordance with the protocols in the presence of the organizations...

The results of the latest economic assessment place Albanians among the poorest people, left unprotected by their own government The lack of governance, rising unemployment and, alongside it, poverty, and the collapse of the economy itself are more than convincing factors that the left-wing government’s time has come to an end ON PAGE 5

The murder of Azem Hajdari, speedboats, Zani and Aposto-

Eleven parliamentary parties

of the organizers. The Albanian representatives have declared to Secretary of State Ollbrajt, French Foreign Minister Vedrine, and British Foreign Minister Kuk that they accept the agreement and are ready to sign it immediately. I take this opportunity to congratulate the representation of Kosovo Albanians for their courage, the loyalty they have demonstrated, for keeping their word, and for the de facto signing of the Interim Agreement for Kosovo. I believe that this agreement, if implemented, marks the beginning of a major turning point in the history of Kosovo, in the history of the Albanian nation, in the history of the Balkan Peninsula, in relations among the peoples of this peninsula, and in their future. On this day, which I would call historic, not only for Kosovo but for the entire Albanian nation, Albanians surely bow with great respect before the hundreds and thousands of Kosovo Albanians who, during this century, were martyred and sacrificed themselves to redress the great historical injustice inflicted on Kosovo at the beginning of this century: leaving it under Serbian occupation. is undoubtedly also a special tribute from all Albanians to the eminent son of the Albanian nation, the visionary politician Ibrahim Rugova, who for 9 years has politically led the painful Albanian struggle for independence and freedom, and who had envisaged an international protectorate as an intermediate stage before independence for the people of Kosovo. We also offer special thanks today to the UÇK fighters, the martyrs of the UÇK, and those who are fighting today with courage; without their resistance and sacrifice, Rambouillet would not have been possible. The Democratic Party considers this Interim Agreement an agreement that cannot be rejected—not a complete one, and not what the Albanians of Kosovo deserve. In its 1990 program, the DP established the resolution of the Kosovo question as a principle; it initiated the Albanian parliament’s resolution to defend the Republic of Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state and, later, through the government, submitted it in all the fundamental documents of the summits of the heads of state of OSCE member countries—in Helsinki in 1992, in Budapest in 1994, and in Malmö in 1996. Those documents set out a resolution of the Kosovo problem through dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, in the presence of a Third Party (as is happening now), and in accordance with the principle of self-determination. Fully appreciating this agreement, the DP will continue its efforts with all Albanians to bring about Kosovo’s independence, as the most fundamental condition for peace and stability in the Balkans and for a decisive turning point in the future of the Balkan Peninsula. While fully supporting the signed agreement, I thank President Klinton, Secretary of State Madlen Ollbrajt, the US Administration, the US Congress, and the distinguished friend of the Albanian nation Bob Doll for their major commitment in support of Kosovo Albanians and in achieving the agreement. I also thank the two co-chairs of the Contact Group, Vedrine and Kuk, as well as France, the host country of the Kosovo Conference. I hope that the signed agreement will bring peace; otherwise, the Balkans deserve to face the full potential of the North Atlantic Alliance, because the region has created far too many dramas and tragedies.

The position of the left-wing coalition in power will further deepen the economic crisis in the country By Albina KARAMITRO ON PAGE 5

Today, 186 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 government of the former Communists, who have left the criminals who took the life of the December Leader free and unpunished [sic], shows Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the killers, who have names and faces but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari cannot tolerate this fact under any circumstances. The government must either arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

The mayor of Tirana exposes the corruption of Apostoli and Gjinushi The head of the lawmakers, the most zealous violator of the laws ON PAGE 4

Majko signs and stamps the greed of government officials and senior state officials All senior state officials, from ministers to court presidents, have been favored with homes and loans, which they are entitled to request under the decision dated March 5 and signed by Majko. ON PAGE 5

The murder of Azem Hajdari, speedboats, Zani and Apostoli—the crimes Gjinushi has admitted to in his own words Apostoli—the crimes Gjinushi has admitted to in his own words ON PAGE 3

Eleven parliamentary parties commit to new political elections ON PAGE 3

The timing of the elections and other issues related to them are negotiable arrangements between the political forces Only new elections can restore governance to the country ON PAGE 3