Bread and blankets By Sami NEZA Northern Albania is again hit by shells from Serbian artillery. Local authorities are calling for the introduction of a state of emergency in the northeast The war is approaching Kukës The high number of arrivals makes civilian survival and the saving of human lives impossible From our correspondent in Kukës, Shkëlzen PEPOSHI Yesterday, Serbian shells fell several times on populated areas in and around the city of Kukës. In the afternoon, at around 5:30 p.m., grenades fell in the village of Shtiqen, very close to the Albanian-Kosovar border. At 6:40 p.m., according to Kukës police sources, shells exploded near the city, while shortly afterward, at around 7:30 p.m., the shelling began again. Residents of the area and people arriving from Kosovo spent a night of anxiety. The serious situation in Kukës has become even more dramatic because of the extremely large number of people who have fled from Kosovo and reached the city and its surroundings. The number of families from Kosovo, around 70,000 people, settled in the Kukës district, has risen to nearly 12,000. Others continue crossing the border every day, adding to a situation that is becoming increasingly unmanageable. Shelter capacity and aid are at their last limits. Albanians arriving in Kukës report Serbian military forces deployed near the border and artillery fire falling deep inside Albanian territory. Local authorities have strongly demanded emergency measures to cope with the influx and the military danger. Official sources say that a further deterioration of the situation is expected if urgent steps are not taken to provide bread, water, shelter and medical assistance. The humanitarian situation is worsening by the hour. In Kukës, citizens and arrivals spend days and nights in insecurity, amid sirens, shells and a lack of basic living conditions.

Lefterotë went out in shku[p] [?] Rugova’s personal guard. Interview with Adnan Mervovi, head of protocol of the President of the Republic of Kosovo ON PAGE 3 - Mr. Mervov, where is Dr. Ibrahim Rugova and what condition is he in? - President Rugova is in Belgrade in accordance with his clearly stated will. The Serbs are holding him hostage. - How did you leave Prishtina? - The departure of President Rugova’s team from Prishtina began at 4 in the morning. First, his family and inner team left. A little later the rest of the escort left. I left with the second group. [...] - How did you part with President Rugova? - The President asked us to continue on our way. He himself remained there. [...] - Will Rugova abandon Kosovo? - No. President Rugova never abandons Kosovo. That is certain. - Do you think he is under pressure? - Yes, undoubtedly. He is under great pressure. [...] ON PAGE 3

By Sami NEZA Perhaps they did not know that Albania was standing up for Kosovo. Perhaps they imagined that hunger reigned in Albania. In fact, they were expected with tents and quilts. What surprised the refugees in the Kukës camp was that the local Albanians were poor, but willing to give even their last bite of food. In the place where hardship had become a habit, bread and blankets became signs of survival and solidarity. The arrivals found not only a temporary shelter, but also a warm word. On the faces of the tired women, men and children, fear could be read, but also astonishment at the hospitality of people who had little, but gave much. In Kukës, the first help was often a piece of bread and a blanket. That was enough to understand that people were not alone. Bread and blankets became symbols of a great human tragedy.

The coalition sinks over telecoms, while waiting for answers to the opposition’s proposals ON PAGE 3

The government cuts off economic supplies to the poor set up in ferrit. Deputy Prime Minister Meta praises local authorities for lowering the price of gas The government cuts off economic supplies to the poor set up in ferrit. Deputy Prime Minister Meta praises local authorities for lowering the price of gas ON PAGE 5

Deputy Prime Minister Meta promises aid from the government ON PAGE 4

Lawyer for Minister Milo’s cases ON PAGE 2 Smuggling under the veil of aid ON PAGE 5 Notice of announcements from Kosovo ON PAGE 8 Notice sh[p]yl DHL WORLDWIDE EXPRESS TIRANE, DURRES, ELBASAN, SHKODER, VLORE, KORCE, FIER, KAVAJE Tel. 042 276165/83022/24 fax 042 223022 Notice for Albanians from Kosovo For your arrival and settlement from Kosovo you need sponsorship. Family, relatives, friends or companions from Kosovo, please report to the offices of the Emergency штаб in Tirana. EDITORIAL OFFICE Visit: www.albanianonline.net See no.net Alpha online Albania (stin no.net) ADDRESS: Shkoder Durres Tel. & Fax 222 229 Dimex Thinks of you! 20 minutes’ value and your stove shines ADDRESS: Shtator Durres Tel. & Fax 229 229

Yesterday in Kukës, 7 arrived by turning bread The senior leaders of the KLA are reviewing operations and the government in Tirana is responding with delays in carrying out orders. In the background stands the drama of the expelled population and the fear of the war spreading toward northern Albania. [...] ON PAGE 8