The Serbian army keeps several border points occupied in the northeast. Sniper killings in Zverkë, bombings in Vlahen and Cahan The government sells the north The opposition will not accept the occupation of territories, Berisha declared. The Democratic Party will not become complicit in handing over territories to Serbian aggressors The leader of the Democratic Party thanks the president Berisha, telephone conversation with Berlusconi The leader of the PDS thanks the president Berisha, telephone conversation with Berlusconi [?] Did the envoy of the Russian Embassy in Belgrade ask to “demine” the borders with Berisha’s hand, on the government’s behalf? [?] The government has no credibility Interview with Engjëll Shkullin, operator of the PD: The left-wing PDSH, Selefari and Ambassador Vrajëra [?] should be excluded ON PAGE 3 Kukës, a village displaced into a camp of residents by the scenes of war

By Sami NEZA It is now clear, not only for propaganda purposes, that the government of the country has lost the war on a very important and sensitive front related to the management of refugees. That is the reason pushing the government to replace the prefect of Kukës, instead of admitting the failure to manage the situation there. So far, as is understandable, the government has systematically accused the press and the Albanian opposition regarding the catastrophe that is unfolding with the refugees. But foreign media have also begun repeatedly to express concern over the treatment of arrivals from Kosovo. According to the English and French press, the situation is quite serious in several refugee centers such as Qafë-Prush or Bajram Curri, where even the most basic conditions are lacking for people who have escaped the war with only their skin intact. Thus a Tuesday report in the British newspaper Independent described a camp in Qafë-Prush, very close to the border with Kosovo, as a huge “prison,” where more than 1,000 refugees gathered there were living in inhumane conditions. The lack of basic infrastructure made it more than difficult to live there. The newspaper’s correspondent wrote that Kosovar Albanians had come out of the hell of war only to be placed in the hell of a refugee center. “These people are sleeping on bare floors and some are lying in water,” wrote Independent. The English press, referring to the administrators of the Qafë-Prush camp, wrote that there is no water there, but if you dig a little you can see the water rising above the ground. According to the French newspaper Liberation, the Qafë-Prush camp looks “more like a stable than a refugee camp.” Perhaps all this would sound like an exaggeration if cases of revolt among the Kosovars sheltered in Albania had not begun to multiply. They speak more clearly than anything else. The testimony of the refugees gathered at the United School in Tirana, published yesterday in RD, was shocking. They accused Albanian officials of misusing the aid they need, leaving some of them hungry. Such testimonies are hard to dismiss, since the first instinct of those who have escaped Serbian bombing is to find a piece of bread for themselves and their children, not political denunciations. The situation becomes even more dramatic if we bear in mind the fact that much of the work for refugees is being done by opposition structures and humanitarian associations, while the government largely confines itself to television statements. All this shows that official Tirana is not only not winning the battle to manage the humanitarian crisis, but in fact has lost it. This failure cannot be hidden by replacing prefects or by propaganda announcements. The refugees and the way they are treated are the greatest proof of the government’s ability, or inability.

The leader of the Democratic Party thanks the Forza Italia president for the generous help he offered The leader of the Democratic Party thanks the Forza Italia president for the generous help Surprise for the leaders, torture of illegal migrants Could there really be in Kosovo and on duty? [?] Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha held a phone conversation yesterday with the President of Forza Italia, Mr. Silvio Berlusconi. Through this phone conversation, Mr. Berisha expressed sincere thanks for the considerable help that Forza Italia has given to the Albanians of Kosovo, who are now in Albania to escape Serbian violence. During the conversation, Mr. Berisha appreciated Mr. Berlusconi’s continued interest in the Albanian question and in the drama the population of Kosovo is going through. ON PAGE 3

Interview with Engjëll Shkulli, PD operator: The ambassador Berisha and the Ambassador Berisha should be excluded [?]. Selefie Porty [?] Interview with Engjëll Shkulli, PD operator. Selefie Porty [?] Surprise for the leaders. Selefie Porty [?] and Ambassador Berisha [?] ON PAGE 2

“We can hardly wait to return to the front” Asimilad? Vesi [?] with the wounded on the war front About 100 disabled people from Kosovo are being treated in Tirana ON PAGE 3

Threat from the Viere Gjeçaj mine? unpaid, unconfirmed [?] with 6.6 yearly in Burrel ON PAGE 5

People from Kosovo sheltered in a school accuse the government ON PAGE 7

The members of the section Kë of the PDSH municipality are informed that on Thursday (29 May 1999 at 11:00 a.m.) a meeting of the Steering Committee will be held at the Tirana International Hotel to analyze the country’s political situation and the political process of the PDSH.

DHL WORLDWIDE EXPRESS TIRANA KOSOVO SHKODER VLORE KORÇE ELBASAN If you want to send important documents or parcels to a specific address anywhere in the world, we can deliver them within 24 hours in Europe and 48 hours in America, Africa, Asia, etc. Tel. 042 27667/39922 Fax 23934

visit: www.albaniaonline.net (advertisement on page 5) visit: www.albaniaonline.net (advertisement on page 5) Notice for distribution from Kosovo For those who want to contact relatives and friends displaced by the conflict, the magazine Online Albania offers space for personal notices and information.

Today, 229 days since the murder of the leader of December Every day of Azem Hajdari’s rule proved that he stood before the nation and on behalf of Kosovo, yet he did not bow his head and did not lose his composure, even before the organized offensive against the opposition. The envoy of the Russian embassy in Tirana stated that the Albanian regime had helped Belgrade. Azem Hajdari was a symbol of democratic resistance and the defense of the national interest.

It thinks of you! Just 20 minutes and you won’t blush It thinks of you! Just 20 minutes and you won’t blush ON PAGE 7