Those in power compete to steal the aid ON PAGE 4

Italian trade unionists bring humanitarian aid to Elbasan ON PAGE 4

Alarming conditions for Kosovars in several major districts ON PAGE 5

The state infrastructure serving arrivals from Kosovo has failed completely. From the distribution of aid to the evacuation of people who have been sleeping on the streets of Kukës for days, the government has shown that it is not capable not only of dealing with the crisis, but even of managing it. The government emergency commission has turned into a non-operational body from ten years ago, with no visible function other than the tasks that are supposed to remain unseen and are connected with the theft of aid. The amount of aid and the method of distribution, the percentages declared in Parliament, show that the government bodies set up not only took part in the theft, but also inspired such theft, which may have roots extending from various associations to prefecture drivers and warehouse keepers. The cycle of thieves is perfect, and the state administration follows the same hierarchy; it is notorious for the extensive corruption it has carried out in the country for three years. In this great tangle of commissions, thieves and associations, only local government has remained at the helm: the municipalities and communes, which have nevertheless taken responsibility and have a vision for the crisis. So far, this tier of power in Albania has shown that it represents the real power, the only one that works in this country and the only one on which one can rely, at least to some extent. While there are around 70,000 arrivals in Tirana, more than 90 percent of them are in a state of [unclear], and it is precisely this number that the Tirana municipality has taken responsibility for and is managing. The same can be said of many other municipalities in the country, where arrivals feel safe only under the care of local government. As soon as this care is absent and the arrivals fall into the hands of the government, they once again become victims of theft, neglect, greed and insecurity. The situation in Kukës, which should have been managed by the government and its phantom commission, is catastrophic. In a city of 20,000 inhabitants, around 130,000 people now live—or, rather, suffer on the brink of death—for whom Prime Minister Majko is unable to order the Ministry of Defence’s vehicles to take some of them in for the cold nights in this place. For several days, they have been forgotten by the state, just as thousands of others across the country have also been forgotten by that same state. Queues for bread and a lack of resources and basic care for children risk creating a precedent in the Balkans, now in a time belonging to no one, but on the territory of Majko’s government. In Kukës, hundreds of people have organized themselves and sell tractors while distributing aid themselves, driven by their urgent concern. The central government, which—as someone has let slip—has done nothing to protect these people, has taken no preventive action on their behalf, leaving them not only at the mercy of the weather or Serbian circumstances, but also at the mercy of profiteers and gangsters, of which Albania has had plenty for three years. Lists showing aid figures and the number of people supplied in Albania have failed to stop the thieves. The time wasted calculating how much each arrival should have received must be made up for by replacing that approach with care for them, and by putting those who have been accused in their hands. [The situation in] Kukës shows what could happen in these days if local government were the offspring of the same breed of thieves as the central government and administration.

The state lacks the political will to protect every inch of Albanian territory The government has abandoned the north. “Union for Democracy,” a broad-based government, could prevent difficulties from spiralling out of control

The chair of the National Alliance delegation in the European Parliament sends a message to PD Chairman Berisha Christiana Muscardini, President of the National Alliance delegation in the European Parliament, yesterday sent PD Chairman Berisha a friendly message expressing solidarity with the entire Albanian people. “The tragic fate that has struck the Kosovars, who have been expelled from their homes and their land of origin, is saddening not only for the Albanian people, but also for all European countries, which at this difficult moment stand with you against ethnic fanaticism, which we will never allow ourselves to see. The current situation urges us, in all European countries, to do everything possible to support you and the Kosovars,” the message states. The message sent by Christiana Muscardini, President of the National Alliance delegation in the Italian Parliament, was addressed to PD Chairman Berisha. Muscardini goes on to write that she supports another political entity and a new status for Kosovo, but that this must not lead to a halt in NATO’s attacks, which should continue until a peace acceptable to the Kosovars is achieved. “Mr Berisha, we stand with you and hope that this tragedy will be resolved in a way that contributes to stability and balance throughout the region,” Muscardini’s message states.

Western diplomats denounce the Tirana government to their respective chancelleries In a state that controls neither the north nor the south, leaving them at the mercy of mafia clans and gangs, “only NATO can manage the situation” ON PAGE 3

The roads in the north are destroyed. The World Bank is not providing a loan The regular water supply is at risk. The Italian loan has still not taken effect ON PAGE 5

The crisis is becoming tangible. Bakers are on the verge of bankruptcy ON PAGE 5

Sources at the Has district police station reported last night that at 20:20 the previous night, Serbian military forces opened fire at Qafa e Prushit. The firing continued for several minutes, while it was reported that there were no casualties or material damage. Our reinforced border forces remained on alert to return fire if Serbian forces attempted to cross the border. Also, on Wednesday morning, there was an exchange of fire in Zogaj, in Tropojë district. Serbian forces used even heavy machine guns and mines. Sources from the border police of Kukës Prefecture report that there have been frequent provocations on the Albanian border in recent days.

By Zbigniew BRZEZINSKI ON PAGE 7

Berisha: Greece must stop expelling Albanian emigrants PD Chairman Berisha meets MEP Schijfone ON PAGE 2

If you wish to contribute money for the expelled children of Kosovo, please send your amount to account number 34220/00/0376 at “Dardania Bank” in the name of the association: “Children of Kosovo, our children”.

To help those expelled from Kosovo, the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” is making its pages available free of charge for various notices, such as requests and offers of accommodation, messages from arrivals from Kosovo to other members of their families. You are welcome to visit our editorial office or contact us using the telephone numbers provided: nos. 303 29 and 323 55. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE