Reportage. The Mitrovica Bridge: the war is not over yet. The problems caused by the institutional vacuum and signs that the crisis in Kosovo is being overcome By Astrit PATOZI (To be read in the next issue) The LDK, Kosovo’s largest political force, under pressure to be forcibly removed from its offices. Bukoshi’s hold on the party headquarters that made him prime minister, after eight years. The void created by Rugova’s absence. An extravagant woman in the Thaçi government and “temporary” ministers who prefer to become deputy ministers. The Albanian-Serbian conflict, symbolized by ethnic identity. The alliance between Pristina’s “independents” and their counterparts in Tirana....etc. ON PAGE 6

The DP is determined to turn Albania from a gateway for crime into a gateway to the West Berisha: With its program, the DP pledges to provide the best response and the best alternatives to the Pact’s objectives: building democracy and the rule of law and ensuring they function, as well as developing a market economy and integrating Albania into the region and Europe ON PAGE 3

The former chairman of the DP, Tritan Shehu, discusses developments within the party and the September congress “The past year has been more positive for the DP, with a different spirit of debate and thought evident both in its structures and in the press and among the public—something that had not been practiced before, even when I was party chairman.” ON PAGE 3

The British prime minister calls on Rugova and Thaçi to cooperate British Prime Minister Tony Blair called on Kosovo’s largest political blocs to cooperate with the UN in the international community’s efforts to restore their country. Mr. Blair asked the KLA’s political director, Hashim Thaçi, to respect the authority of the United Nations in Kosovo, implying that the so-called provisional government he heads has so far been far from doing so. At a meeting with Kosovo Albanian political leaders, the British prime minister urged the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, to take part in the Transitional Council, which would support Mr. Kushner’s administration in Pristina. The Democratic League of Kosovo, headed by Rugova, has so far refused to take its seats on the Transitional Council because of dissatisfaction with the allocation of seats. The LDK has expressed opposition both to the ethnic composition of this body, in which Albanians make up only half the members and the other ethnic groups make up the rest, and to the share allocated to it among the Albanian political actors. The British prime minister’s appeal comes as the international community is stepping up its efforts to secure the full support of Kosovo’s political actors. United Nations Administrator Kushner has called for cooperation between Kosovo’s two main political actors, the Democratic League and the KLA, at a time when neither Rugova’s side views the Transitional Council formula favorably, while Thaçi’s government is using every means to establish an administration parallel to that of the international community. A.GJ.

Politicians are behind the smuggling, but who are they? No answers after statements by prosecutor Tirana and anti-smuggling chief Meta The routes, types, where and how smuggling is carried out – Corruption in the testing of judges – Government vehicles unload cigarettes – 20 ships smuggle goods along the coasts of Saranda and Vlora – The port authorities of Durrës, Vlora and Saranda allow smuggling – One ship has changed its name 23 times and made 30 smuggling runs – Police station chiefs in Saranda, Vlora, Pogradec and Durrës run the trafficking; the politicians who appointed them are the kingpins of the business – A police station chief in the south earns 1.5 million dollars in three months – In 1998, 400 trucks carrying smuggled cigarettes entered from Macedonia – Police commissioners involved in falsifying car license plates – The smuggling of radioactive iron from Ukraine and Russia; the criminal police themselves run the smuggling – The coffee scandal: five customs officers escape with the help of the Pogradec police – 15 million dollars is made from fake car license plates – The Territorial Planning Council sells forged documents

Berisha meets one of the leading representatives of the KLA, Azem Syla Cooperation between political and military representatives is essential secure on the road to Kosovo’s independence ON PAGE 3 Announcement All chairmen and secretaries of PD branches in the districts are hereby notified that a meeting will be held on Monday, 2 August 1999, at 11:00, to provide instructions for the party election campaign. Berisha meets one of the leading representatives of the KLA, Azem Syla PD remains unwavering on Kosovo’s independence Cooperation between political and military representatives is essential The chairman of the PD, Sali Berisha, yesterday received one of the leading representatives of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Mr. Azem Syla. He conveyed to Berisha the greetings of the KLA’s political leadership. At the meeting, Berisha stressed the need for cooperation between Kosovo’s political and military representatives in building a state governed by the rule of law and a market economy. He also emphasized that the PD, while fully supporting the civil struggle of the West, remains unwavering in its view that Kosovo’s independence is a fundamental condition for peace and stability in the region, and is committed to making its contribution in this regard.

Tragic incident in a Berat family. Father throws a grenade into his son’s home over a property dispute The serious incident took place in the village of Karkanjoz, when 76-year-old Hasan Seiti, during an argument with his son Xhafer over property issues, threw a grenade into his house. The serious incident took place in the village of Karkanjoz, when 76-year-old Hasan Seiti, during an argument with his son Xhafer over property issues, threw a grenade into the house below. Xhafer’s wife and daughter were killed, namely 45-year-old Emineja and 8-year-old Anjeza, while Xhafer himself and his 6-year-old son, Glinka, were seriously injured. ON PAGE 4

The chairman of the PD welcomes the British Prime Minister’s visit to Kosovo ON PAGE 3

The wartime refugee crisis: how all laws and the Constitution were violated by a decision of the Council of Ministers Chairman of the Kukës District Council Shefqet BRUKA ON PAGE 4

The PD loses its first Democrat, a well-known nationalist in Vlorë Hamzaraj, a symbol of resistance Berisha offers condolences to the Hamzaraj family Yesterday in Vlorë, a serious illness took from his family and loved ones the distinguished Democrat, 75-year-old Venjamin Hamzaraj. Hamzaraj was well known in Vlorë as a representative of one of the families with distinguished patriotic and anti-communist traditions. Hamzaraj’s death is a great loss for the Democratic Party branch in Vlorë. ON PAGE 3

Today marks 322 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 its successor in the crime that shook the entire Albanian world. The government of the former Communists, who are free and have not been brought to justice ... [partly illegible]

A conversation with the famous tenor, “Grand Master of Labor”, Kristaq Paspali ON PAGE 10

PD denounces the Constitutional Court’s decision in the Shehu case PD denounces the Constitutional Court’s rejection of the request by former Chief Justice Avni Shehu to review President Meidani’s decision, by which Mr. Shehu was arbitrarily dismissed. He was dismissed by a decree of President Meidani even though his seven-year term had not ended. For PD, this act is a continuation of the unconstitutional political stances of President Meidani and other officials. This is another attack on the independence of the courts and justice in general. The Chief Justice is the latest in a series of judges who were dismissed simply for political reasons, starting with the Chief Judge of the Tirana Court of First Instance, Qazim Gjoni, and ending with the President of the Constitutional Court, Rrustem Gjata. At a time when the international community is insisting on the independence of justice in Albania, the officials of Tirana are responding by carrying out further unconstitutional acts.

Statement by the chairman of the DP, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, on the Sarajevo Summit ON PAGE 3

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