Interview with Ambassador Foresti

The National Council of the PD is expected to be investigated in an arena of gladiators. 44 deputies and an unspecified number of members of this council voted to oust Berisha. Those dismissed have vowed to protest and to demand by every means that Berisha’s removal was not real. The more days pass after Berisha’s overthrow, the greater the opposition becomes, and as a result the struggle and effort of the PD against the opposition and against itself is becoming more complicated and broader. All the important groups and figures of the PD are either at war or claim to be at war within the PD. The democratic National Council meets at a time when, as was claimed, at the residence of the American ambassador, the adviser to President Berisha and the chairman of the PD, regarding Berisha’s own resignation, 44 Democratic Party deputies and some members of the National Council, such as Sali Berisha, Arben Imami, Gramoz Pashko, Eduard Selami, Genc Pollo, etc., had been represented. According to President Berisha’s instructions, this is to be handled calmly, avoiding escalation of the crisis, which Ambassador Bosch and his adviser say was created by Berisha’s latest move to step down from the presidency, with everything carried out according to the constitution. Two versions are circulating. One says Berisha was toppled and that a group of PD deputies and a large number of National Council members consider this right and necessary, while insisting that it be done through democratic means. The other version is that Berisha remains president despite the vote, because he needs to address the people. But if that were to be sought, then great conflicts are being stirred within the PD, since groups have formed both for and against Berisha in workplaces, on the streets, and everywhere else. In this bloodied situation, blood is expected to flow, say political circles, which said that things would change more or less in the coming hours. On Berisha’s side stands the strong backing of the party and the ministries, while heated debates are being held in the big cities, mainly in Shkodër and Tirana. Just the night before, the Democratic Party had been facing clear and firm positions. But what is worse is that confronting it has worsened the conflict so much that it has also lost the chances to win a majority. In this way the PD is entering a form that will take a long time to resolve. This, despite the major influence of international factors and especially the United States, whose ambassador supports Berisha but at the same time is trying to be careful not to escalate the crisis. In this context, yesterday afternoon at the residence of the American ambassador, the adviser to President Berisha and the chairman of the PD, regarding Berisha’s own resignation, had represented 44 Democratic Party deputies and several members of the National Council, such as Sali Berisha, Arben Imami, Gramoz Pashko, Eduard Selami, Genc Pollo, etc. Prime Minister Sali Berisha made it clear to PD figures that it would be difficult to live with such a position in his presence, even when it comes to complex political processes. Most of his opponents, in a fair and democratic manner, were led by Genc Pollo, who until yesterday had been one of the most important voices strongly opposing Berisha. Meanwhile, in another move, as President Berisha carefully watched what was happening, there was also a meeting with the American ambassador, Mr. Bosch, who had more or less supported the voices calling for changes and rights. Thus, members of the National Council of the Democratic Party, who find themselves facing the party’s freedom, had for several days been questioned about Berisha’s overthrow.

Goodbye, Titan... . The silent killing of the 25-year-old and the journalist in the northern city after the apparently judicial killing of them. At 20:30, on the outskirts, hidden short-range gunshots were heard on Saturday evening, during the final day of security checks that brought many columns of the seventh. In fact, the victims who were killed in the northern city were reportedly protected by at least 5 shots on the street and by automatic weapons, but only 5 were held responsible out of a thousand and more.

NOTICE The Central Office of “TELE-BINGO-S KOMBETARE” announces that the drawing of the day (10) of “TELE-BINGO-S KOMBETARE” for the year 1997 will be opened at the central office on 20/4/1997. Tickets for this drawing will be sold near the company’s authorized sales points throughout the city of Tirana. All tickets for this service, for this drawing, are of equal value. Apologizing for the delay, the company thanks the public for its understanding. Central Office of TELE-BINGO-S KOMBETARE TIRANE "TELE-BINGO-S KOMBETARE"