Allies are determined: A rain of bombs until Milosheviç is brought to his knees Heavy bombing in Prishtina and Belgrade. More military centers in Serbia are destroyed. Last night, the fiercest and most substantial attacks. Strikes also hit Serbian troops in Kosovo Serbs clearing the rubble of a military center after NATO’s bombing REUTERS ON PAGE 2 Serbs clearing the rubble of a military center after NATO’s bombing. REUTERS

By Sami NEZA After seventy years, it is once again the USA that is seeking to restore the rights of the Albanian nation in the Balkans, institutionalize the Albanian factor in the region, and properly value the Albanian dimensions, which, as such, are functional and bring stability to the region. Without institutionalizing this factor, the Balkans cannot find peace. The Albanian factor as a whole is committed to preserving the region’s balance, while posing no threat to anyone, even in light of the centuries-long history of the Albanians. Ultimately, Balkan peoples too can hope for a good future for everyone, beyond the psychology of primitive nationalism and the possession of others, both in terms of territory and history, culture, economy, and rights. This may be considered one of the most important consequences of NATO’s attacks on the Serbian military machine: a step toward the democratization of the region or, at least, the creation of democratic spaces for those most prepared to cast off a negative history, or who have not experienced assimilation through such a history. Opzioni has described NATO’s attack as a Unisonian act by President Clinton and, although delayed, after seventy years this is also the second phase of American intervention, aimed at historical normality and avoiding medieval mentalities arising from false myths or Eastern religious fundamentalisms. But these developments, too, have demonstrated the possibility of finding an important solution for the Balkans, and specifically for the Albanian factor in the Balkans. More than ever, they identify the Eastern and fundamentalist hostage-takers of the Albanian question and peace in the Balkans. Thus, apart from the communities of Belgrade, [they] have raised their noses against the USA and Europe, and therefore against the Albanians, and now they cheer them on, also against the destruction of those rules. The relics of the Cold War in the USA or among the Greeks, too. These, too, are part of the problems that have held these plans hostage. NATO’s attacks can avert [problems in] the Balkans. NATO’s attacks can avert all such problems, which destroy [unclear] because they are left isolated and the partners in the region are [unclear]. This is the right moment to focus deeply on democratic relations, on the means of cooperation and the integration of Balkan society into European society. Albanians have the opportunity and the strength to build a new future with Europe, in the fastest and most effective way. They also have the full [unclear] to challenge the axes and the threat of a single group of attacks that [unclear] governs for nations [unclear] and everyone. NATO’s attacks: that is their weapon, their generation. They are fighting today with their own weapon. It is [unclear], Western, and they are certain of victory. They are ready wherever [unclear], supporters, the means have come together for the home to [unclear] peace and for Albanians, wherever they are in the Balkans. This makes it all the more essential to articulate clearly the Albanian factor in the [unclear], as support for a solution, democracy, and a society with a Western orientation. Resolving the problems of Kosovo, achieving peace, integrating the Balkans, and removing Milosheviç from Albanian lands are of great importance to everyone. NATO is a great guarantor of these things for Albanians. This time, it is also a guarantor for the European governments.

Former President Berisha calls on the Albanian people to respond to Serbian aggression Despite the instability in the country, nothing will prevent Albanians from giving a fitting response to any aggression against them ON PAGE 3

Today, 194 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 impunity of democracy and the law in our country. Those responsible for his murder have not been convicted, and all Albanians demand that truth and justice prevail. The government responsible for this crime, which took the life of the December Leader, shows Albanians that it has been and remains on the side of the killers, who have specific names but are not acknowledged by those in power. Democracy and all the Albanians who loved and supported Azem Hajdari can under no circumstances tolerate this crime. The government must either capture the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself carried out Azem Hajdari’s murder.

Who took the pyramid-scheme money? Today, a truncated list of names is being published The chief chairman declares that distribution will begin without [unclear]; creditors are entitled to receive only a small percentage of what they deposited in the borrowing firms ON PAGE 3

Desperate Serbian attacks on Tropojë and Has The situation on the northern and northeastern border is becoming tense. Mortars also destroy several other houses. The commander of the Dobrunë border post is wounded. Residents of Dobrunë are evacuated from the village, while the flow of people fleeing Milosheviç’s war and massacres starts up again ON PAGE 5

Serbia paid 30 million dollars to install governments in Albania Albanian diplomats in the Serbian capital would have every reason to leave Belgrade, even if Kosovo were not involved and it were some distant African country instead Two days after NATO’s intensive attacks on Serbia’s military bases, the fact that the Albanian embassy in Belgrade has not been evacuated is becoming increasingly noticeable. At a time when Belgrade has been left not only by diplomats from the countries of the Atlantic Alliance, but also by those of many countries neutral in NATO’s conflict with Milosheviç, the Albanian embassy in the Serbian capital continues its activities calmly. Even if there were no political or diplomatic reason to leave Belgrade, the Albanian embassy should have evacuated its staff for security reasons, since anything could happen at a time when Serbs and residents alike are exposed to the bombings. But there is no need here to list a thousand reasons why the Albanian embassy should leave Belgrade at once. First of all, it should follow the example of the diplomats of NATO countries, which in this case have entered the war on the side of the Albanians, wherever they may be—in Kosovo, Albania, or elsewhere. Even if this were not about the fate of the Albanian nation but about some distant country, Albania should have shared the concern of the countries of the Atlantic Alliance in this case. Albania should have shared the concern of the countries of the Atlantic Alliance in this case. Albania should have shared the concern of the countries of the Atlantic Alliance in this case. On the other hand, a single incident on Albania’s northern and northeastern border, provoked by Serbian military forces, would be enough for Tirana to order the withdrawal of its embassy from Belgrade. The fact that this has not happened means that official Tirana has very strong reasons for keeping its embassy open in the Yugoslav capital. The truth is now fully [unclear], according to which Serbia invested 30 million dollars to install governments in Albania. Several debates in the Serbian parliament made public the fact that Milosheviç’s secret service had poured a large sum of money into [unclear] politics in Albania during the armed rebellion of 1997. According to the information, it is believed that Serbia invested that enormous sum to install in Tirana a compliant government [unclear]. If official Tirana hesitates to withdraw its embassy from Belgrade—a minimal gesture that would show Milosheviç its hostility—this shows that it is also connected [unclear], and this may well have to do with the well-known scandal involving the 30 million dollars. A.Gj.

Where has Rexhep Meidani hidden? Albania, without a president ON PAGE 3 No one takes responsibility for answering questions about the start of flights to China Rinas Airport closed indefinitely ON PAGE 5 The Petro-Serb provocations do not cause panic or division in Albania Minister Petro Koçi declares himself an agent ON PAGE 3

The rally announced by “Union for Democracy” for Sunday, 28 March 1999, will not take place because of the Feast of Kurban Bajram