The Minister of Health expresses skepticism about the future of public health ON PAGE 5

Medical care, air conditioners—the most expensive in Europe, where there is hardly a room for less than 100 dollars ON PAGE 5

Dramatic situation among the arrivals in the district of Shkodër ON PAGE 4

By Sami NEZA Hundreds and hundreds of Albanian volunteers from all the countries of the West and the USA must not be used as cannon fodder, sent cheaply to face the predators and bullets of the Serbian terrorist army. Before they set off for Kosovo, they must receive the best training possible, be very well equipped, and be ready both to give their lives and to save them. There are many cases in which the sons and daughters of Kosovo who have decided to defend their land with weapons against the threat, or who gather at recruitment points, are sent immediately to the front. Many of them have no clear tactical idea of what they are going to do, other than being filled with the romanticism of fighting to defend their homeland. It would be an unforgivable abuse by the KLA leadership to let these young recruits fall prey to media-inspired enthusiasm or to manipulate their patriotism. As soon as they are recruited, they must set idealism aside and no longer be treated as an extra number in the ranks of the thousands of KLA soldiers, but as dedicated, trained soldiers capable of fulfilling their combat duties. Every KLA soldier is an asset to Kosovo. He is not a martyr and must not be treated as one. Kosovo needs him alive, because Kosovo will need them after the war too, not only in these days. Military training in some KLA units must be brought to an end as soon as possible. Hundreds and hundreds of Kosovo officers must be incorporated into its units and must not be viewed with envy or as rivals by KLA political figures. In war, what matters is the specialist’s word, military experience and skill in combat—not words and politics. If thousands of young men from Kosovo have left their comfortable lives in the West, they have also taken into account the hardship and sacrifice in the fields and mountains of Kosovo. But that hardship will be eased and success will be greatest if, before being placed face to face with the Serbian military machine, each soldier has reached the highest possible level of preparedness, is well armed, and has capable commanders at the helm. The desire to fight is great on one side, while the ability to fight is another matter. A few months ago, in some of the first clashes with the Serbs, the number of KLA dead was unjustifiable. There have also been cases of mistakes so egregious that one cannot believe an officer, however irresponsible, could have made them. Calling on specialists to lead KLA units is an urgent, first-order task. Those who lead KLA forces successfully are admired even by more experienced and powerful armies. It is possible for different areas of Kosovo to be able to withstand the enemy if there are four or more officers among them, with the assigned units present, who can keep them together, avoid folkloric warfare and achieve success. If this war is waged decisively, there is experience and professionalism that no one can match, unlike what we have in this war. These confrontations with the Serbian army and its warlords are getting worse. Given the difficult circumstances and the ideological divisions among KLA leaders, they must abandon political selection. A few weeks ago, a group of volunteers returned to Durrës because they had been refused; they came back to join their formations, prepare for the war, and gather the necessary resources and equipment. This caused problems with specializations as well. It was a clear signal: cohesion and cooperation with people who know the military in Kosovo are among the principles of success against the Serbian army. Kosovo has no people to spare. The heroes are young, but the strength lies with the living.

Foreign diplomats in Tirana confirm the aid mafia. Prestigious television networks and international news agencies report that millions of dollars’ worth of aid from the international community has been stolen The Prime Minister admits that international community humanitarian aid intended for arrivals from Kosovo has disappeared ON PAGE 3

At least 50,000 deserters have fled the terrorist army Tens of thousands of new deserters are being counted in Yugoslavia, including those who have not ... ON PAGE 6

The government’s attitude toward NGOs is intolerable Democratic leader Sali Berisha yesterday accused the government of stealing aid through “Tenarditë”, a well-known gambling network, he told “Iliria Hoxhit”. ON PAGE 6

Police say they have found the perpetrators and are seeking an order for intervention Kosovo’s former Minister of Defense, Ahmet Krasniqin, was killed by elements of the State Security Service who serve the UDB. They are now in Tirana and all three are in the secret state organs. After an investigation, Tirana police announced that they had identified the killers and were ... According to police, they were paid by someone else. But it is this same police force that knows who gave the order for his assassination and who carried out the search of Krasniqin’s house just two days before the murder. They were all identified left-wing people, and orders came from Tirana. Tirana police should have no difficulty finding those who gave the orders and the perpetrators, who are not far away. ON PAGE 3

Tense situation in northern Albania At around 7:30 yesterday morning, Serbian military forces fired automatic weapons for several minutes toward Albanian territory in the Zogaj area, as well as in several areas of Has ON PAGE 4

The Socialist Party needs Nano’s experience in administering and stealing aid ON PAGE 3

Berisha calls for national unity Berisha expressed his wish that, at the end of this battle, Albania would emerge as a NATO member. ON PAGE 3

Tapes of the battles fought by freedom fighters disappear from Albanian State Television A film tape disappeared from state television two days ago. It showed one of the fiercest battles fought between the freedom fighters and the Serbian occupiers on the outskirts of Junik, where Commander Agim Ramadani and other commanders of the freedom fighters fell in the front ranks. The tape was submitted for broadcast, but it never reached the public because of a terrorist act carried out by a group of people who ordered journalists not to show the footage and then took the tape from them. This group of anti-Albanian terrorists who have issued orders to state television are seeking to impose censorship even on the battles fought by the freedom fighters. These people, supported by several others who wrote about this in Tirana, are trying to monopolize the struggle of an entire people. They want to be the ones who appear in front of the television cameras, first and foremost, even though their actual contribution to the struggle of the freedom fighters has consisted of staying in Tirana’s clubs and luxury hotels throughout the entire period.

Photo of people eating aid?

Berisha offers condolences to the family of Commander Sali Çeku The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, sent a message of condolence to the family of Commander Sali Çeku, in which he wrote, among other things: The death in the line of duty on the Kosovo battlefield of your beloved husband, parent and family man, the brave Commander Sali Çeku, is a great loss for you, for the Brigade he led, for his fellow fighters, and for all Albanians. Sali Çeku represented us on the battlefields of Kosovo, fighting to win independence alongside Adem Jashari and hundreds and hundreds of other freedom fighters, who in this great struggle of the Albanian nation have given their lives to Kosovo. I, and all those who had the opportunity to know him, cherish the memory of Sali, your dearest one, as a politician and a fighter, a determined warrior and an undefeated nationalist, distinguished by the finest virtues of your family and our free nation. In expressing my deepest condolences, and those of the Democratic Party, I hope that you will be strong enough to bear with dignity this great and irreplaceable loss for you and for all Albanians.

If you wish to make a financial contribution to the families of Kosovo’s martyrs, you may deposit your contribution into account number 34200/00/0376 at “Dardania Bank”, in the name of the association: “The 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 for accommodation, messages from arrivals from Kosovo to other members of their families, etc. You are welcome to visit our editorial office or contact us using the telephone numbers provided: 303 29 and 323 55. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE

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