250 MILLION LEK IN LOANS COLLECTED

Interest increases: Let us not owe the state . 250 MILLION LEK IN LOANS COLLECTED. Another 150 people are ready to repay their loans. PAGE 5

THE DIARY

. Pay the profit tax. Every day after March 15, 0.5% more interest. PAGE 5

Transformer: the road to Fierzë opens

SHKODËR—As of yesterday, the road for transporting the transformer to the Fierzë hydroelectric power plant is ready. This was made possible by the construction company TRIS. The tunnel through which the road to the Koman dam passes, as well as the reconstruction of the Gomsigë Bridge, were two of the main obstacles to taking the transformer up to Fierzë. PAGE 9

Heavy snowfall, roads blocked

WAR WITH THE SERBS IS IMMINENT

Albanians, four signatures for peace

The Serbs’ signature is missing; NATO aircraft have bombs ready NATO commander in Europe, General Wesley Clark WASHINGTON — NATO aircraft and fighters equipped with missiles are “ready” to intervene if a decision is made to launch air strikes against Serbia, should Belgrade fail to sign the peace agreement for Kosovo, the Pentagon announced yesterday. “These forces are ready” to intervene, Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon said, adding that “this is a strong force, and if it receives an order to act from NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, it will act very quickly.” The U.S. official emphasized that, before the air strikes are carried out, international observers in Kosovo will be given some time to leave the province. In the photo: Veton Surroi, Ibrahim Rugova, Hashim Thaçi and Rexhep Qose yesterday after signing the peace agreement (REUTERS) PAGE 3

Snow and engin... roads blocked

Electricity supply cut off PAGE 10

Children quarrel, adults are killed

VLORA — This is what happened on Wednesday night at 20:00 in the Pavarësia neighborhood in Vlora. The children’s quarrels drew adults into the “game” too; they took up arms, and in the exchange of gunfire Neshi Mustafai, 20, was killed. PAGE 7

12 smugglers jailed indefinitely

Eight-hour closed-door trial for the 13 Albanian coffee smugglers PAGE 2

For medicines and medical visits, pay less

ALBANIANS, PAY SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS, BENEFIT WHEN YOU ARE SICK . For medicines and medical visits, pay less. PAGE 11

CURRENCY

London 1600 GMT S.U.S. 1.6996 $1.7031 Dollar 142.20 Euro 155.50