Yesterday in Tetovo, 20,000 people responded to the invitation of political parties and Albanian associations in Macedonia to protest against the trial that the Macedonian authorities intend to bring against Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, rector of the University of Tetovo, and Milaim Feziu, chairman of the Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms. The Macedonian authorities were not expected to change their position, given the policy they have pursued so far. But has Albanian diplomacy considered how it will respond to a possible conviction? The Tetovo trial reminds us of the trial against five Greek minority members, whom the Albanian justice system found guilty of espionage and sentenced to suspended terms, primarily because of the political circumstances. We remember the Greek pressure—and not only Greek pressure—brought to bear on the courts and the entire Albanian state to release the accused minority members, regardless of what they might testify in the courtroom. In the end, the Greeks succeeded in getting the minority spies out of the courtroom free, with no shortage of help from others as well. Albania, whatever it did, swallowing perhaps even a blow to its own dignity, accepted the compromise. A compromise that few states would make under circumstances even more complex than those prevailing in the Balkans. A compromise that was strongly criticized by Albanian patriotic public opinion. But do Albanians, I wonder, remember all those sophistries they used to justify retreating in the face of Greek pressure, now that three Albanians must be defended—people who were not involved in espionage, but who only want education for their own people? What sophistries can be used to justify our indifference, when we knew so well how to respond to the Greeks’ banal arguments? Where are all those advocates of human rights who gathered last summer and shook their heads doubtfully at the Albanian justice system? Where are those “Albanians” who showed so much compassion for the old age and illnesses of the five minority spies or terrorists, as a former Greek minister called them? And how will the Albanian Government respond to this trial? Will it remain silent again “for the sake of Macedonia’s stability”? Or... will the recent rapprochement with Greece lead Albanian diplomacy to adopt something from the Greek arsenal used in the case of the five? a. popoci There are several signs that the common political will is taking shape among those with the power to move Kosovo-Serbia relations away from their present state. Whether this movement will be positive or negative depends on many factors, but to a considerable extent also on Albanian foreign policy, and within it, particularly on Albania’s foreign policy... More on p. 2

Meeting of Mr. SABRI GODO with residents of Krahës, in Tepelenë

Meeting of Mr. SABRI GODO with residents of Krahas[?] in Tepelenë At the request of residents of Krahas[?] in the district of Tepelenë, the PR branch in this municipality organized a meeting on April 26 with the chairman of the PRSH, Mr. Sabri Godo. Meeting of Mr. SABRI GODO with residents of Krahas in Tepelenë We have opposing concepts to the socialists At the request of residents of Krahas in the district of Tepelenë, the PR branch in this municipality organized a meeting on April 26 with the chairman of the PRSH, Mr. Sabri Godo. The meeting was opened by the branch chairman, Razi Kapllani, who welcomed Mr. Godo. In his speech, Mr. Sabri Godo described the current political situation in Albania as extremely difficult. In the context of the alignment of forces, the SP is also secretly gathering political parties around itself. We are trying to create a powerful Right Wing in Albania, Mr. Godo went on. The LDSH will create a balance in the next parliament. The monopoly of two parties is harmful, and we believe that after the elections there will be three groupings in parliament, within which the political parties will be aligned. We have concepts that are entirely opposed to those of the socialists, said Mr. Godo. They seek to impose state control over the country’s economy, whereas we want the state to create opportunities for people and leave them free to pursue their private initiatives. For this, and many other reasons that we have stated, the return of the socialists to power must be opposed. The DP can no longer stand up to them; on the contrary, the socialists are heading toward power along the path the DP has strewn with flowers for them. Mr. Godo then explained the current situation in the country, as well as the PR’s positions and objections regarding this situation and the current government in Albania. First, property rights Continued on page 2

John Coles, Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the British Foreign Office, is on an official visit to Tirana. According to official sources, the British Under-Secretary of State is expected to be received in separate meetings by senior Albanian state officials. These meetings are expected to address issues of bilateral cooperation and discuss the tense situation in the Balkans.

Today, Mr. Hans Van Den BROEK, a member of the European Commission responsible for the European Union’s relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, Turkey, Malta and other countries, arrives in Albania on an official visit; he is also responsible for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Human Rights, and external diplomatic missions. During this visit, Mr. Van Den BROEK will meet with the country’s highest political and state officials, including President Berisha. His schedule also includes a meeting with representatives of the main political parties. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Van Den Broek will hold a press conference to give his assessment of the results of the talks with Albanian officials and other dignitaries. Continued on page 2

Page 6

Page 6

Page 7

Telani In Albania there are associations that do the work of political parties and parties that do the work of associations. But don’t worry, this will be sorted out soon, since the Minister of Justice will issue a circular requiring parties to submit their membership lists every year. Long live the Tirana-Durrës Friendship Association. Free and democratic elections must be held in this association, since its chairman was elected by putschist methods. Soon, an association of lowland shepherds will also be established. According to the polls, in the next elections 7 parties will take first place, 6 second place, and 4 will share third place. No party will agree to a coalition after the elections. I am not opposed to some newspapers being published with eight blank pages. It’s better to have a blank page than to blacken it. Greece will mediate so that Kosovo can resolve its problems with Serbia, while Serbia, for its part, will mediate so that Çamëria can resolve its problems with Greece.