Three million dollars intended for the battalion have disappeared, while the Ministry of Defense of the General Staff orders nearly seven volunteers to return to the USA Three million dollars intended for the battalion have disappeared, while the Ministry of Defense of Indaci orders nearly seven volunteers to return to the USA ON PAGE 2 The “positioning” on the Austrian side or in Europe of the Ministry of Defense and of the General Staff has shaken the fighters of the “Atlantiku” battalion considerably, especially after the statements of the Chief of Staff, Colonel Ahmet Krasniqi, regarding the battalion. Above all, an “order” for the battalion to return to the USA, which is declared to be an operational military unit that will fight in Kosovo, has inevitably triggered reactions among Albanian-American soldiers and beyond. The “mystery” for them is not only the battalion’s return, but also the disappearance of the three million dollars that had been put at the service of the “Atlantiku” battalion, money that should have bought modern weapons and other combat equipment. Even more so, and just as “mysterious” and inexplicable, is the fact that for several weeks this battalion has been wandering along the Tirana-Kukës road, unable to reach the Kosovo front. “Atlantiku” is the battalion made up of Albanian volunteers from the USA. Continues on page 2 A group of UÇK volunteers disembarking at Rinas Airport

The population of the border villages of Northern Albania flee the Serbian bombings ON PAGE 3

By Sami Neza International agreements have also resolved the issue of Kosovo through war. Now we cannot think about how major political issues are solved by other means, whether military or diplomatic. Just as the entire history of the conflict in Kosovo, its resolution is also being presented simultaneously as a military issue and as a diplomatic issue. At first glance, the statements made by the leaders of the great powers in Washington and Bonn, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the North Atlantic Alliance, are the conditions under which peace will be achieved in the region. At least in official statements, the conditions for peace are the same as those of Rambouillet, which have not been accepted by Belgrade. If things happen differently, then the whole NATO war would be presented as a political and military absurdity. At the same time, the assertion that there will be no international force in Kosovo led by NATO would take us back almost to square one, at least as far as the issue of a solution is concerned. Second, NATO’s massive bombings have shown that military means alone cannot force Milosevic to comply with the peace plan. However paradoxical it may seem, the diplomatic struggle to pave the way for a solution to the conflict has now become as important as the air strikes against the Serbian army. The latter has not, at any moment, interrupted its operations in Kosovo. Meanwhile, at no point has the Western alliance given up either the bombings or diplomacy. Recent developments have also shown that all those skeptical voices that warned at the start of the war that NATO would not win the war against Serbia were wrong. NATO bombings are having their effect on the Serbian army and are putting the Belgrade authorities in an uncomfortable position. Although Milosevic has still not surrendered, his situation is hopeless. His continued resistance could cost Serbia and himself dearly. This does not mean that the end of the war is near. Perhaps time is still needed. The war will continue until Belgrade withdraws completely from Kosovo and accepts the conditions set by the international community. There can be no lasting peace without a strong international presence in Kosovo and without the return of refugees to their homes. In this sense, the end of Crete and its purchases is also the end of a dangerous illusion that such issues can be closed through political bargaining. What is happening today in the Balkans shows that stability requires clear decisions and no ambiguities.

Socialists are using the situation created in the country for political speculation ON PAGE 3

Interview with the well-known journalist and TVSH director, Andon Mëlçi Interview with the well-known journalist and former director of TVSH, Andon Mëlçi ON PAGE 2

The Serbian minister accuses and denounces the manipulators and disinformers of TVSH, Anton Mëlçi Interview with the well-known journalist and former director of TVSH, Antoneta Mëlçi ON PAGE 4

After visits in Austria, Italy, Germany, Bukoshi ON PAGE 3

Today, 232 days since the murder of the December leader How many months have gone by since the murder of Azem Hajdari today? His trial and the plaintiffs have received more than three extensions from the court. The government of Ilir Meta and the socialist hawks, which began by taking power on the stage for the Kosovo issue and accompanied it with the vengeful madness of Ndreca, continues to protect the murderers of Azem Hajdari. Instead of condemning the criminals of those days, the ministry and its bodies are pursuing the path of hiding evidence, dragging out the proceedings and politically defending the guilty. Continues on page 4

Who said it last night and who gets the “decorations” ON PAGE 8

In times of crisis, he tries on every mask Conversation with the well-known “friend” Kim Ahmeti In times of crisis, he tries on all masks ON PAGE 11

Members of the National Council of the PDSH are hereby informed that the date of the National Council meeting at 10:00 in the central offices of the PDSH has been set for 25 May 1999 and not 27 May as previously announced. The meeting is valid both for members of the National Council of the PDSH and for Congress delegates. The earlier notice for 27 May regarding the National Council meeting was a slip by the secretariat, and for this an apology is offered to the members and delegates of the National Council of the PDSH. Therefore, the National Council meeting will be held on 25 May 1999 at 10:00 in the central offices of the PDSH. The Presidency of the PDSH

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