The American president: Until the Serbian forces begin a verifiable withdrawal from Kosovo, we will continue diplomatic efforts, but we will also continue the military effort WASHINGTON - Belgrade's acceptance of the peace plan in Kosovo is an "important" move, but it does not mean the "end of the war," said yesterday in Washington the spokesman for the U.S. State Department, James Rubin. "We had an important move," he said, referring to the 10-point plan that Finnish Foreign Minister Martti Ahtisaari and Russian envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin presented to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević in Belgrade. Kosovo, he said, is in fact at the center of any solution, but not the only issue. "It includes the complete and verifiable withdrawal from Kosovo, the signing of a military-technical agreement, which would set the beginning of the withdrawal. It would indeed include, if implemented, an international peacekeeping force, and would establish a temporary administration in Kosovo." On Wednesday Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari said that the Russians officially ... the NATO condition, which also included the headquarters condition, that the government of Kosovo and the establishment of a NATO-led force to guarantee peace, but with a Serbian delegation this week. Rubin said that American and European officials had also been in Washington yesterday, in talks with the Russians, in the hope that Belgrade would soon accept everything. "To withdraw from Kosovo, including the entry of an international ground force for peace and to protect the return of refugees." VISIT: www.albaniaonline.net (see page 4)

On 29 June it will be discussed in the Council and membership is expected by the end of the year PAGE 7

SUPERLEK 1$=135 LEK The large inflow of foreign currency is strengthening the Albanian currency PAGE 13

Two hours of intense fire by our forces stopped the Serbs in Zhitek of Tropoja PAGE 16

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