Tirana and Washington share the same position on the Kosovo issue U.S. Undersecretary of State Strobe Talbot in Tirana. Kosovo was the central topic of his talks with Nano and Milo FATOS NANO: “Only a strong Albania with investment will be able to play the role of mediator, not only in the interest of the Albanian nation, but also for the benefit of the Region. The presence of diplomatic and military structures alongside the Albanian ones should not be merely symbolic, but as effective as possible, helping the entire process of strengthening and qualifying Albanian institutions” STROBE TALBOT The United States will work through international organizations, including NATO and the OSCE, to be as close as possible to Albania at this time, contributing to the establishment of military and police structures. Likewise, we will continue bilateral programs aimed at making Albanian institutions more effective. Prime Minister Nano and U.S. Undersecretary of State Talbot yesterday at Rinas (Photo: REUTERS) PAGE 2

Thousands of Albanians are prevented from continuing their protest march Several thousand Albanian women set out from Prishtina for Drenica yesterday at 9 a.m., but after walking 7 kilometers, they were stopped by Serbian police in Fushë-Kosovë. Nevertheless, they did not disperse, but continued their protest for around 5 hours. PAGE 9

Rustem Gjata’s insistence on challenging the decision of the People’s Assembly AN OPERATION PLANNED IN THE DP OFFICES Once again facing the defenders of the law: Azem Hajdari and other DP deputies A spy and proud of it, too. A paradox, but that is how it is. “A man has time to disgrace himself,” they say in northern Albania. Rustem Gjata is proving this better than anyone: an Albanian from Kosovo who spied on Albanians from Kosovo. PAGE 3

Should it crack down on crime or not? PAGE 4 Commentary on a statement by Berisha in the People’s Assembly His only satisfaction: the destruction of Albania PAGE 3

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INSIDE SOCIALISTS TRIUMPH The first round of regional elections in France concludes PAGE 11