The government is missing the deadlines for implementing the students’ demands . ON PAGE 3

The mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, began evacuating its materials from Kosovo yesterday and is preparing to evacuate its personnel, according to sources close to ... ON PAGE 2

The leadership of the PD Parliamentary Group denounces the left-wing coalition’s deception over the return of money lost in the pyramid schemes . Two years after the rebellion, pennies for creditors. Millions of dollars belonging to creditors were stolen from the banks; Arben Malaj privatized the Vlora refrigeration plant while managing “Global Foods”. The leaders of the Vlora rescue committee accuse those in power of running the pyramid schemes. Shyti: Those who robbed the money are in power. ON PAGE 5

. On 22 March, a large rally in “Skënderbej” Square. ALBANIAN CITIZENS! “Union for Democracy” invites you to the peaceful protest rally “New elections – Hope for Albanians”, on Monday, 22 March, at 5:00 p.m. in “Skënderbej” Square. After two years of government by the Alliance for the State (Pocket), you who feel deceived by its election promises to create 250,000 new jobs, double pensions and low wages, return 100% of the money, and ensure public order and calm within 100 days. JOIN OUR PROTEST - Against a government that in two years has created half a million unemployed people, doubled prices and taxes, and brought misery and poverty. - Against the government of state-mafia clans (as they themselves planned it), which, through smuggling and control, have appropriated more than 680 million dollars in two years—3.5 times more than all the wages paid over the two years combined. - Against the government of the “public speedboat” crowd, during whose tenure more Albanians have been killed in Albania than in Kosovo, and 90% of foreign entrepreneurs have left. - Against the government that stole 120 million dollars in creditors’ funds and all the assets of the pyramid-scheme companies. - Against the government that executed the Hero of Albanian Pluralism, Azem Hajdari, and his bodyguards; whose promises led to the killing of murderers and criminals, and which truly imprisoned its political enemies. Let us protest together to give the country new elections, the only way to restore hope, order and security to Albanians, and to lift them out of poverty.

120 million dollars from the pyramid schemes were stolen by the thieves in power . The government will keep its promises on April 1. Arapi admits on TVSH: There were 120 million dollars in the bank, but the creditors took them... The sale of assets brought in 7 million dollars, but the foreign transparency firms alone received 6.5 million. After two years in power, it seems that the rulers will finally “keep” some of their promises. Last December they announced that wages and pensions would be increased by 10% at the beginning of ’99. But in January, when the promise was expected to be fulfilled, it was announced that the increase would take place on April 1. A few days ago, following the creditors’ protest in Vlora demanding their money back, another promise was stamped with the date April 1. Arap declared that repayment to creditors would begin, as had been promised during the election campaign, and that the repayment would once again begin on April 1. Could it be a coincidence? All Albanians know that April 1 is April Fools’ Day, so it would be no surprise if, for example, Majko appeared on TV on April 1 and, with his characteristic smile, said: “Oh, how we fooled you.” In fact, every indication is that those in power will not break their tradition—not only of April 1, but also of lying. So far, they have made as many promises as they have deceived people. Where will they find the money this time to keep their promise? It is well known that the state coffers are empty, since all the money has gone into the pockets of those in power, not into the state treasury. So how will they increase pensions? As for repaying creditors, there is no question of the 100% promised at the outset, but not even the 20% being talked about now. Farudin Arapi was forced two days ago to acknowledge some revealing truths on state television. It is true that all the accusations made so far by the opposition about the creditors’ money are valid. Arapi admitted that when the current rulers took charge of the companies’ affairs, the banks really did hold 120 million dollars, which no longer exists after two years. According to Arapi, the creditors supposedly took this money. But which creditors? How could they have taken the money when the companies’ operations had been frozen? Even if Arapi’s statement is true—that the creditors took the money—it still does not explain where it went or what it was used for. Is it really true, then, that the creditors took the money? It still does not explain where this money went or what it was used for. Even if it is true, the 120 million dollars no longer exists after two years. According to Arapi, the creditors supposedly took this money. But which creditors? How could they have taken it when the companies’ operations had been frozen? Even if Arapi’s statement is true—that the creditors took the money—it still does not explain where it went or what it was used for. Another truth acknowledged by Arapi concerns the sale of the companies’ assets. According to Arapi, the sale of these assets brought in only 7 million dollars, while the foreign firms brought in to do the transparency work received 6.5 million dollars alone. Meanwhile, they did their work, but were paid by the state. These acknowledged facts clearly reveal that the government itself is a scandal. From these facts and others that those in power cannot make public, it follows that April 1 will remain what it has always been: April Fools’ Day. There is no hope that it will become a day when those in power keep their promises. Edi PALOКА

The family of “Murati do Brazil” denounces the big fish in corruption “Our company is not involved in either importing or exporting goods. The factory produces coffee—that is, it roasts, grinds and packages it. Our company has no connection whatsoever with the company “OJAL”, which imports coffee. Only government officials know the name of this company’s president; they have direct connections with the company. The government officials are hiding behind this company, and they themselves are the ones smuggling coffee” . “The government officials are the ones smuggling coffee”. “Our company is not involved in either importing or exporting goods. The factory produces coffee—that is, it roasts, grinds and packages it. Our company has no connection whatsoever with the company “OJAL”, which imports coffee. Only government officials know the name of this company’s president; they have direct connections with the company. The government officials are hiding behind this company, and they themselves are the ones smuggling coffee.” ON PAGE 5

Berisha: The agreement signed in Paris deserves the support of all Albanians . This time the Serbs are dealing with the North Atlantic Alliance, and it will not allow the adventurers in Belgrade to intervene in a war in the Balkans. ON PAGE 3

The chairman of the PD met U.S. Congressman Tom Cobur yesterday morning. Developments in Albania and the situation in the region were discussed in a friendly, understanding atmosphere at the meeting. Cobur is in Albania for a several-day visit, during which he will meet senior politicians in Tirana.

The International Conference on Kosovo is suspended, giving the Serbs time to reflect . Conference suspended. Serbs to blame. Perhaps the Serbs will be given until next Wednesday; after that, the military mechanisms will come into action, a diplomat in Paris said... From Paris, our correspondent Mero BAZE ON PAGE 2

Opposition parliamentarians visit political prisoners at Tirana’s Prison 313 . Spahia: I am proud of what I did on 14 September. It is the duty not only of politicians, not only of society, but of every citizen and every responsible individual to see that justice is done and that these people are no longer in prison. They demanded justice, not forgiveness or mercy, and demanded that the trial be held as soon as possible—not in small rooms, but in large halls filled with the press, Pollo says... ON PAGE 3

The Inter-Parliamentary Union considers monitoring the MPs accused over 13–14 September . Geneva takes aim at the political prosecution. The Inter-Parliamentary Union has decided to investigate with the former communists’ government the political accusations brought against the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha... ON PAGE 3

Today, 190 days since the murder of the December Leader . The government protects Azem Hajdari’s killers. 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 communists’ government leaves free and uninvestigated all those who committed this crime that shook the December Leader. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari 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 carried out the murder of Azem Hajdari.

The Legalists see only one alternative for overcoming the crisis . Laço: Elections are inevitable. ON PAGE 3

. On the road to Korçë, a group of smugglers caught several anti-smuggling police officers in the act. After being ordered to surrender, the latter resisted with weapons, but a password and counter-password shouted from both sides prevented bloodshed. Smugglers and anti-smuggling officers met amicably, like warriors of the cooking pot. The government congratulated both sides on their gestures and on the dereliction of their assigned duties.