The court hearing against the opposition begins. Prosecutors have no evidence of a “coup d’état” The chairman of the Legality Movement Party, Eqrem Spahia, described the charge and the proceedings as a shameful moment for the Communists in power, who cannot give up their old methods of persecution. He asked the trial panel to bring Fatos Nano, Rukije Mejdani and Fatos Klosi into the courtroom, since they are the ones implicated in the events of September 14. ON PAGE 4 TIRANA

Armed gangs return to the coastal city of Vlorë ON PAGE 4

By Edi PALOKA The Parliament of Yugoslavia yesterday accepted the agreement offered by Çernomërdin and Ahstinar. It was practically the last chance Serbia and Millosheviçi had to reach a diplomatic solution, and this chance was offered to them by the only ones who could offer it: the Russians. Nevertheless, this fact matters little if an agreement has finally been reached that can bring the war to an end and bring peace. But is that really the case? Many questions still hang in the air. First of all, the agreement offered to Millosheviçi and the Yugoslav Parliament by Çernomërdin and Ahstinar is still not known in detail. So far, the five NATO conditions and the G-8 plan are known, both generally accepted by the international community as well as by the Albanians. But is the plan offered to Millosheviçi in accordance with these conditions? Let us not forget that an agreement was also discussed which would, in practice, put strategic points in Kosovo in Russian hands and relegate NATO to a secondary role. Of course, such an agreement could not be accepted by either NATO or the Albanians. But that is not the only problem. Let us suppose that the agreement offered to and accepted by Millosheviçi meets the conditions set by the international community. But will Millosheviçi implement this agreement? There have been many instances so far in which, to avoid difficult situations, Millosheviçi has played the role of someone ready to negotiate and reach peaceful solutions with the international community. He did this with Bosnia several times and later with Kosovo, but Millosheviçi has never honored the agreements. He has always used these occasions to buy time and then come up with all sorts of excuses for not honoring the agreements. So it would not be surprising if the same thing happened again, should NATO trust the Serbian dictator and halt the bombing. The information available so far indicates that NATO will not halt the bombing until it is sure of the matter’s seriousness, and this is positive, since it shows that the West no longer trusts Millosheviçi’s words. The bombing should in practice continue until the last Serbian soldier has left Kosovo and NATO troops have been deployed there. Only at that point can it finally be said that the war is over, after which we can move on to the post-war problems, which are no smaller than those so far and are complicated by a Millosheviçi still in power in Serbia. This will be precisely one of the biggest problems. The Serbian dictator has now been indicted by the Hague Tribunal for war crimes, and he must answer for them, regardless of the peace agreement for a trial that has been reached. Millosheviçi cannot be considered an equal party to this agreement, first because he is a criminal and second because he is an accused person. Therefore, if any of the negotiators promised the Serbian dictator in exchange for the agreement in advance that he would have one not insignificant problem. Millosheviçi must answer for his crimes regardless of the way he chooses to end the war. This has been made clear several times by one side; this has been made clear by NATO; the victims and rivers of blood shed cannot be passed over with indifference. Millosheviçi cannot now simply say that he surrendered and remain at ease in his palace. That would once again be another mistake for the democratic world.

Yugoslavia accepts the Western peace plan. The entire international community responded to Belgrade’s retreat with cautious, not enthusiastic, comments Millosheviçi surrenders NATO: Let’s verify NATO, now being confirmed as the victor in the battle with Serbia, said that the Atlantic Council would decide the fate of the air campaign after studying the documents authorized by the two peace envoys who negotiated with the Serbs. ON PAGE 6 NATO continues the bombing

Berisha meets the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Ms. Helle Degn: Broad understanding of the issues raised

Berisha: “We assured the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly that the PD is determined to respond positively to every step the government takes to resolve the extremely serious problems raised by this party” ON PAGE 3

Fatos Klosi has turned the agency he heads into an instrument for dirty deals For nearly two years, employees of this agency have been organizing and carrying out such bandit-like acts not only against businesspeople, but generally against people in the opposition ON PAGE 4

Albanian democracy needs institutionalized pluralism within the DP ON PAGE 8

Today, 264 days since the murder of the December Leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, proves the involvement of the government of Fatos Nano and his successor in the crime that shocked the entire Albanian world. The governments of the former communists, which leave free and unpunished the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, show Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the killers, who have names and identities but are not touched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari can in no way tolerate this fact. The government must either capture the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself committed the murder of Azem Hajdari.

OBITUARY The Democratic Party extends its deepest condolences to the family on Agim’s sudden death, as they have lost their dearest loved one. ON PAGE 2

The DP Press Department provides details about the meeting between DP leaders and Ms. Degn A political solution to the crisis The DP will respond to every positive step that the International Community imposes on this government with a political move in the right direction

The rope snaps when the abuse gets thinner and thicker THE PEOPLE