INTERVIEW / “The ‘President’ wanted to create political tensions in Kosovo “How the U.S. Broke with Berisha” Serwerqi: “He misused the Kosovo card” Everything about Albanian diplomacy, the headline of the former Foreign Minister Dita e Shqipit: The shock in Skopje “The irresponsible policy of the government in Tirana, and especially its support for a movement that loudly advocated the unification of Kosovo with Albania, worried me no less. I was fully aware that Skopje and Belgrade would react without exception to such a thing. Such an effort, unsupported by official Tirana in favor of nationalist solutions, created conditions for confrontation and complicated the solution of the Albanian problem in the former Yugoslavia,” says former Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi. For the first time he reveals the behind-the-scenes of the crisis, with a major deterioration in Albanian-American relations during the years 1992-1997. Two exclusive photographs show the presentation of the credentials of the first Albanian ambassador to the U.S. and the meeting with President George Bush. The Berisha issue “Relations with America did not go only through me and had a separate channel in the president’s office. Although for a single moment I had no doubts about our alliance with Washington, matters began to become complicated when Sali Berisha started to publicly articulate the idea of extending the conflict into Kosovo. I could not support this approach. In diplomacy, words carry weight, and in that period any irresponsible statement could have serious consequences for Albanians in the region” Alfred Serreqi Sali Berisha Sali Berisha, together with senior officials, awaiting the presentation of credentials on 20 July 1992 in Washington. In an interview for the newspaper “Shqiptarja”, Alfred Serreqi recalls the most difficult moments in relations with the American administration. According to him, Tirana’s policy regarding Kosovo was viewed with suspicion by the U.S., as it created the impression of unnecessary tensions in the Balkans. Serreqi emphasizes that Albanian diplomacy had to be measured and act in coordination with international partners. He also recalls the meeting with President George Bush as a symbolic moment in Albanian-American relations. George Bush

Cup Final 2:2. The team from the coastal city was beaten from the penalty spot 2. Prenga gives the Cup to Vlorë

The instrument of power - harsh against Naçi VLORË “We do not recognize the government in Tirana.” That is how the Vlorë District Public Salvation Committee decided yesterday at its meeting, also closing every “door” to the newly appointed prefect Namik Dokle. “Prime Minister Fino has no right to appoint the prefect of Vlorë,” said the members of the committee, who see themselves as the highest body of local power in the south of the country. According to them, the newly appointed prefect should resign “as soon as possible.” Describing Dokle’s arrival as a “provocation,” the members of the Public Salvation Committee warned that “they will not be responsible for the consequences that such an action will bring.” Speaking to “Gazeta Shqiptare” in a telephone connection from Vlorë, the head of the committee, Albert Minga, said that “the prefect appointed yesterday by government decision is a blind instrument of the socialist power and Nano’s government.” “We do not recognize the government in Tirana or any of its appointments. We do not accept Dokle. He must resign as soon as possible; otherwise he will be responsible for everything that may happen,” Minga said. “Dokle’s arrival in Vlorë is a political provocation. With this action the government is inciting conflict. Vlorë has its own structures and does not accept impositions from Tirana,” the committee’s representatives declared.

Foreign specialists will uncover the accounts of VEFA, Kamberi This is how the loan-sharks will be controlled The state administrator announces a plan to uncover the accounts of VEFA, Kamberi TIRANË — “So much money cannot be confiscated without first being counted. There were those who dared to take 20 times the capital. They used it to build two-storey houses and premises for their own pleasure. On the other hand, there are also those who invested the money for the first time. So, a fair calculation based on documents is needed,” says the state administrator of the rentier firms. According to him, a group of foreign experts will help identify the liabilities and assets of these firms. He explains that the plan provides for a full check of the balance sheets, contracts, and financial records of the most talked-about companies. “Without this process there can be neither repayment of money nor division of responsibilities,” he said. In focus are VEFA, Kamberi and other companies that collected the savings of thousands of citizens.

Show Hameti will dance in Tirana On the basketball court of the “Asllan Rusi” Sports Palace, a varied evening of entertainment with well-known dancers and singers will take place tonight. At the center of the program is the dancer Hameti, who is expected to perform special artistic numbers for the audience in the capital.

On page 2 On page 3 On page 4 On page 5 On page 6 On page 7 On page 4 FROM THE WORLD London: Blair forms the government SHOW Hameti will dance in Tirana From page 4. On the basketball court of the “Asllan Rusi” Sports Palace, an evening with singers and dancers will take place tonight... SHKODËR Ferry to Italy for thousands of people GJIROKASTËR National road: 30 kg of explosives on a bridge BERA Villagers at war with warehouse looters VLORË School: the rectors meet the Italians EUROPE Seeks to rebel in Tirana[?]

During the month of May 1997, the MINISTRY OF HEALTH and the PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE will carry out the national vaccination program. In fact, this campaign is organized for children aged 0 to 4 years. The low vaccine rate is necessary for the prevention of many diseases. Special conditions apply in several districts for vaccination until 20 May 1997. If they are to go to be injured[?] at health centers and district hospitals, children must be accompanied by their parents and by their vaccination cards. FORINE[?] of the boy[?]. UNDERGROUND ADVERTISEMENT EUROLINE ARE SOUGHT IN ALBANIA MAKERS LIFE MUST HAVE A SUITABLE PREMISES (CAFE) IN TIRANA Monthly reward $400