The Managing Director of the IMF writes to the Albanian Prime Minister: “I warmly congratulate you on the progress achieved” The Albanian government’s request for the ESAF arrangement is supported “We, the IMF, are very impressed by the progress achieved by your government in stabilizing the country and the structural reforms begun since last year. We sincerely admire you for your tireless commitment to implementing the program laid down. You should build on these merits; the movement in Albania’s economic indicators has been quite satisfactory. However, the foundations of these indicators are still fragile, especially because of declining exports, the difficulty of reviving the economy, and the gap in budget revenues. Further efforts to keep the budget under tight control and measures to increase revenues must be at the center of attention, also in order to ensure sufficient financing for basic social and infrastructure services. For these reasons, the IMF Executive Board approved the Albanian government’s request for the ESAF arrangement.” The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus (Photo: Reuters) PAGE 3 The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus (Photo: Reuters)

The Minister of Construction and Transport, Gaqo Apostoli, warns the company “Sarrandopulos” Although the European Union has allocated funds, although nearly two months ago an inauguration ceremony was also held, at which the first stone was laid by the EU commissioner van den Brok himself in the presence of several Albanian ministers, nothing has moved PAGE 5

The commander of the multinational central-west division, David H. Wilby, said yesterday that the military mission to escort the Rugova delegation to Pristina was carried out on the orders of Admiral Piero de Argostini, commander-in-chief of the multinational forces in Albania and NATO representative. David H. Wilby told journalists that there had been a breach of the mandate in that operation and foreign personnel had been ordered not to get involved in such cases anymore. Nevertheless, Mr. Wilby stated that “we will continue supporting the prosecutor in his activity. There will be no breach of the mandate, neither in northern Albania nor in helping with criminal files. It is thought that there are criminal files in northern Kosovo”. In addition to the admiral’s clear statement, the newspaper “Washington Post” wrote in an analysis that the control pyramid is rapidly spreading across the world of events and the American administration believes that foreign anti-terrorist representatives are being escorted? At the beginning of the week, NATO-Macedonia announced that an escort of Albanians had been fired upon by Serbian soldiers. The US, for its part, warned Belgrade to withdraw its military forces and expressed readiness to strike Yugoslavia by means of air attacks, in connection with the outbreak of unrest in Kosovo. Security is mentioned 5

IN THE GERMAN BUNDESTAG Among the blows, the German Bundestag has approved a special resolution on Kosovo, which has been strongly supported by the Contact Group and the election of the new president of Yugoslavia emphasize and we accept that the situation in Kosovo is blocked, calling for it to be resolved by peaceful means. In the plan, the implied obligations of the Serbian government are to recognize the rights of the Kosovo Albanians to use the Albanian language, their culture and their media and to allow, in accordance with international standards, the restoration of Kosovo’s autonomy with the reorganization of the forest [?], the introduction of international administration in dialogues, and with its acceptance by the Albanian people. These rights also include an appeal to Belgrade for the release of professor Albin Kurti and other imprisoned activists so that repression in the province does not continue. Page 7

Gusmari with 300 thousand tons of phosphate threatens the village The Institute of Kërkoflogji, Climbing and Mineral Enrichment informs the chairmen of the districts of Vlorë, Gjirokastër and Përmet, the phosphorite study director and the district of Gusmar and Topolë, Gjirokastër that the billiska will be carried out often PAGE 7

Did the government change, did things move? A massacre that is not being punished SKOPI PULLS FOR THE CONSUL FOR THE LOCAL BY-ELECTIONS local elections strengthen the coalition GJINUSHI DECLARES Berisha has given illegal orders “We, the IMF, are very impressed by the progress achieved by your government in stabilizing the country and the structural reforms begun since last year”