Nine months after the regime’s execution of the December leader, Hero of Pluralism and Tribune of Albanian Nationalism, Azem Hajdari To commemorate the ninth month since the regime’s execution of the Leader of the December ’90 Student Movement, Hero of Pluralism and Tribune of Albanian Nationalism, MP Azem Hajdari, on 12.06.1999 at 20:00, PD branches will organize the lighting of hundreds of thousands of candles in the main squares of every municipality. Albanian Democrats and nationalists, the PD invites you each to place a candle in the lighting ceremony in your municipality’s main square, to honor the immortal hero of Albanian democracy and nation, Azem Hajdari, and to demand that the organizers and perpetrators of the ugliest political crime of this century against Albanians be brought to justice.

By Arben ÇEJKU The agreement signed on the withdrawal of Serbian military troops from Kosovo, the cessation of the bombing, the return of refugees to Kosovo, and the deployment of allied troops in Kosovo marks the end of a long and difficult process: the Peacemaking Process. It took 80 days of allied bombing of the former Yugoslavia for Millosheviçi and his military machine to capitulate. The success of this process is attributable to the efforts and intensive diplomatic “war” led by the USA. The combination of the allies’ air war with their diplomatic efforts hastened Millosheviçi’s capitulation, after which his final removal from power now awaits him. Millosheviçi’s military machine has promised to withdraw from Kosovo, while the entry of NATO troops into Kosovo is expected from hour to hour. But it would not be surprising if Millosheviçi directed the Serbian military troops to the border with Montenegro, from where developments contrary to Millosheviçi’s policy are expected. The process of war—in other words, the Peacemaking Process in Kosovo—based on the agreement reached and the guarantees given by the parties to the conflict regarding its implementation, is considered closed, opening a process just as difficult: the Peacekeeping Process. The allies’ victory in the bombing campaign against Millosheviçi’s army could be considered only half a victory if the other part of the “war”—peacekeeping—were not equally successful. Peacekeeping initially involves deploying NATO peacekeeping troops in Kosovo and returning Kosovo Albanians to their homes. They still need a little more time, however, in connection with the departure of Serbian soldiers from Kosovo and the restoration of lasting peace there. Despite the agreement, Kosovo Albanians do not want to accept the deployment of Russian troops in Kosovo, even though they are presented as serving under NATO’s peacekeeping mandate. The positions taken by Russian diplomacy in support of Millosheviçi, as well as the participation of the Russian officer corps and Russian army alongside Serbian soldiers in carrying out massacres and ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, give Kosovo Albanians the right to protest against the presence of Russian troops in Kosovo. Yesterday, in central Tirana, thousands of refugees left the camps and private homes where they had found shelter to thank NATO and the United States for what they did against Millosheviçi; at the same time, however, they clearly expressed their opposition to the possible presence of Russian troops in Kosovo. The question arises: will Albanians accept the presence of Russian troops in the area where they may be deployed? The answer relates precisely to the new difficulties that will accompany the Peacekeeping Process in Kosovo. If Millosheviçi’s army was brought to surrender after 80 days of intense bombing by NATO military forces, consolidating peace in Kosovo will take longer. In addition to protecting the territory, the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, aims to create a secure infrastructure of trust and conditions for the return of Albanians. The allies have now waged a historic war against Millosheviçi’s dictatorship. They will take the second step—consolidating and safeguarding this victory—which involves deploying peacekeeping troops in Kosovo. The return of those displaced from Kosovo to their homes, carried out with the peacekeeping troops, is an essential step in this new phase of the peaceful and stabilizing development of the Kosovo issue. At this time, the climate and stance of the international actors—the USA, NATO, the EU, etc.—have the support of all Albanians. Kosovo belongs to them; its future and prosperity belong to them. They have now understood that Kosovo’s future is their shared future, the future of the entire region, and thus of the free world.

American marines on the border with Kosovo. The defeated Serbian army begins its withdrawal. The Atlantic Alliance takes charge of peace The UN Security Council adopts the resolution on Kosovo. China abstains ON PAGE 2 Last night, American marines in Macedonia, just a few meters from Kosovo

Two OSCE office employees killed; a third wounded Two Albanian OSCE employees were killed yesterday near Qafa e Luzhës, about 15 km southeast of Bajram Curri, when the vehicle they were traveling in was attacked with firearms by unidentified persons, the OSCE Office in Tirana announced. The Mitsubishi vehicle carrying five OSCE employees was attacked near Qafa e Luzhës, on the road to Krumë. A group of Albanians was there, along with the driver and a technician from Bajram Curri, and a communications technician was seriously wounded; he was urgently transported to Tirana’s military hospital by a KFOR helicopter. The other people traveling in the vehicle were a technician from the Tirana Office and a police officer from Bajram Curri, the OSCE said. OSCE Ambassador Dan Everts protested this merciless act and called on the official authorities to find those responsible as soon as possible and bring them to justice.

Tax evasion has caused the budget losses of 3 billion lekë ON PAGE 5

The PD chairman comments on the decisions of the latest meeting of the PD parliamentary group: Changes to pave the way for the PD’s return to parliament “We are proud of the principles we proclaimed in 1990; we are very determined, in the new era that is beginning, to make all the decisions necessary to review our programs and to be the hope of the era that is beginning.” ON PAGE 3 Resolution of the Democratic Party parliamentary group For Kosovo, a protectorate until self-determination The return of those expelled from Kosovo to their lands will mark the final proof not only of the “Pact” Plan, devised and implemented by the Dictator of Belgrade, but also the final defeat of the platform of Čubrillović

Radioactive iron smuggling is being carried out by the chairman of the PS parliamentary group Gramoz Ruçi has been involved in the smuggling of iron and cigarettes, which accompanied his return to power through an armed uprising; he is even protected by the prosecution in this matter. Even after the major uproar, Ruçi said he would give up smuggling when all government officials give it up. ON PAGE 4

Serbian artillery shells set dozens of houses on fire in the villages of Cahan, Vlah an, Kolaj and Zogaj ON PAGE 2 The Government of the Republic of Kosovo guarantees that Albanians will not take revenge on Serbs Bukoshi: Kosovo needs a temporary international administration ON PAGE 2

Albania risks losing investment even after the war By Marielle EUDES ON PAGE 5 Thousands of Kosovars gather in “Skënderbej” Square “For Kosovo, it’s now or never” ON PAGE 2

Today, 274 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 Fatos Nano’s government and his successor in the crime that weighs upon the entire Albanian world. The government of the former communists, who leave them on the list, and of the successors of the criminals who took the December Leader’s life show Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the killers, who have names but are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honored Azem Hajdari can in no way tolerate this. The government must either catch the criminals and bring them to justice, or publicly declare that it itself carried out the murder of Azem Hajdari.