The leader of the DP, Berisha, visits those expelled from Kosovo in Shkodër and takes part in the DP assembly of this district “The sacrifice of the Kosovo people raised the Albanian flag at the head of peoples who sacrifice for freedom and independence. Today Kosovo awaits you, awaits you to rebuild your future. Your battle was a battle of life or death, and you won; together with you, the entire Albanian nation won.” ON PAGE 2

The government ignores representatives of railway workers ON PAGE 5

By Bill KLINTON I wish, on behalf of the American people, to express to the Albanian people our gratitude for the courageous stand you have taken for peace, tolerance and freedom in Southeastern Europe. I also wish to assure you of my support for your efforts to build a strong and prosperous democracy. This spring, when Mr. Millosheviç began his bloody campaign of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, no other country bore a greater burden than Albania. No other country did more to help secure the triumphs of humanity. You opened your skies to NATO aircraft, which brought the nightmare to an end. You opened your ports and airports to the troops and aid workers who came here to help the refugees. Most importantly, you opened your homes and hearts to more than 300,000 victims of ethnic cleansing, giving them shelter, food and hope, even though your own country continues to face major challenges. History will record that one of the greatest acts of barbarity Europe has seen this century was overcome with the help of one of its greatest acts of generosity. The whole world knows what you have done over the last few months. And we know that you did so while fighting to overcome a harsher legacy of isolation and oppression than that of any other former communist country in Europe. We still have a great deal of work to do. We must work together to return the Kosovar refugees safely to their homes. We must continue to assist those who want to continue their efforts in Albania for longer. We will need to deploy more NATO troops in your country in order to support those keeping the peace in Kosovo. This will continue to be a burden for the people of Albania. However, it will also provide an opportunity to deepen your partnership with NATO and your integration into Europe, along with the prosperity these will bring in the future. America will do everything it can to help you overcome the great economic and social shock caused by the war, to help you strengthen your democracy, uphold the rule of law, and attract investment to create new jobs and opportunities. We will also work with you to help build a Southeastern Europe that embraces the promise of freedom and prosperity instead of being torn apart by hatred and bloodshed. We want you to be on the front line of democracy and prosperous development in Southeastern Europe, not on the front line facing aggression and tyranny. During this crisis, we have shown that a country’s place in the world is measured not only by its wealth, power or greatness, but also by the principles it upholds and the responsibilities it is willing to shoulder. Over the last few months, the world’s admiration for Albania has grown immensely. If you stay on the path you have chosen, we will stand by you. I thank you for everything you have done and for everything we will do together in the months and years to come.

Agreement signed on the demilitarization of the UÇK UÇK, transformation has begun ON PAGE 3 The DP obtains assurances that the murder of Azem Hajdari will be solved. Last night’s meeting of the leadership: “We must respond to political changes in the region.” On Monday, the National Council

By Genc POLLO Someone unfamiliar with Albanian political life, but who read the local press in recent weeks, would undoubtedly get the impression that the most immediate and important issue for the Democratic Party is the creation and institutionalization of an intraparty faction ON PAGE 3

A knife fight in the middle of the city. Three other students were also injured A student at the Academy of Public Order was killed inside the Student City, and three others were seriously injured. According to the statement issued at the scene yesterday by the Police, the victim, who had received several knife blows, was in a condition [unclear] following the attack [unclear]. [Unclear] where the female engineering students live, while three other students, whose role in this tragic fight had not yet been clarified, were rushed to one of Tirana’s hospitals. The students who were present were left shaken by the fight involving a number of people in one of the busiest venues in the Student City. This is the second murder in the city within a few months. The perpetrators of the murder of a student from Vlorë have still not been found, although cars full of people who do not belong in the city were seen there until late at night [unclear]. There is also a police post in the Student City. Last night’s murder took place no more than 100 metres from this post. The Police could have reached the scene from the post as well, had it been engaged in maintaining order and protecting the students’ lives. An Italian soldier takes a Serb’s weapons before entering Kosovo

The farcical trial over the “armed uprising” of September 14 continues. The political prosecution’s charges fall apart Witness Neritan Nallbati, deputy director of the Tirana Police Directorate, told the panel of judges that he “did not know and had no knowledge of any armed uprising,” adding that “he could not implicate any of those present in the dock.” ON PAGE 4

The Memaliaj miners’ strike continues Around 500 miners in Memaliaj are continuing their hunger strike, and so far no response has come from Minister Bufli’s offices, while the union representing them has called for a meeting of all the miners in the country’s coal basin. ON PAGE 5

The PD expresses its deepest respect for the struggle, sacrifice and determination for freedom of the families who gave up their sons and daughters for Kosovo’s freedom, and pays tribute to the dignity of the Albanian nation. The PD welcomes the Thaçi - Xhekson agreement as evidence of the determination of the Albanian representatives to respect the agreement signed in Rambuje and to contribute to building a pluralist society in Kosovo.

Today marks 284 days since the murder of the December Leader Every day that passes since the murder of Azem Hajdari, the symbol of democracy and pluralism, provides evidence of the involvement of Fatos Nano’s government and his successor in this grave crime against the entire Albanian world. The government of the former communists, who have been free and have paid the criminals who took the life of the December Leader, are showing Albanians that they have been and remain on the side of the murderers, whose names and identities are known but who are untouched by those in power. Democrats and all Albanians who loved and honoured Azem Hajdari cannot tolerate ... The government must either arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, or immediately state publicly that it itself carried out the murder of Azem Hajdari.

State Reserves Enterprise: Smuggling is taking place here ON PAGE 5

An Italian soldier takes a Serb’s weapons before entering Kosovo