Serreqi: “He misused the Kosovo card” Everything about Albanian diplomacy. The former Foreign Minister’s account INTERVIEW / “The President wanted to create political tensions in Kosovo” “How the US and I parted ways with Berisha” Serreqi: “He misused the Kosovo card” Everything about Albanian diplomacy. The account of the former Foreign Minister “The unstable policy toward neighboring countries, especially the Greeks, is another reason that made relations with the State Department more difficult” The Sazan issue? “Military relations did not go through the Foreign Ministry, but the Americans never showed any interest to me” Alfred Serreqi TIRANA - “The US often reacted when the pyramid-scheme crisis tried to turn into a crisis in Kosovo. This was Berisha’s biggest mistake.” Alfred Serreqi, the man who directed Albania’s foreign policy for four years, is now beginning to reveal the secrets of diplomacy during these final years of the Democratic Party government. The former minister accuses the country’s current leader of being authoritarian, explains the reasons for the State Department’s cooling toward Berisha, and also explains why he left the DP, recalling his “adventures” in the party after returning from the US in December ’94, shortly after the referendum on the draft constitution had ended. On page 3: the referendum on the draft constitution.

They are among the few people who have jobs in this time of unemployment. They take notes, read a lot, and sometimes even ask questions that sound irritating to most people. From time to time they are forced to watch their newsrooms being ransacked by “unknown people,” or to hear that one of their colleagues has been badly beaten by equally “unknown people.” Then they rush back to write and do their first duty: informing people, without which normal communication among Albanians would be so difficult. Just a few hours later, the product of their stressful work sets out across Albania, passing through a thousand and one ordeals, which still abound on the roads of this country. When they do not write, people feel an emptiness, as long as they do not have in their hands those thin sheets called newspapers, as happened in March. When their product reaches the market, things are different. Yesterday many people remembered them—not only journalists, but everyone whose names are truly well known, though known for the wrong reasons. Berisha, after all, whose name begins with the letter “B,” is—according to this report, also broadcast by “Voice of America”—among a list of presidents who have become obstacles to the press. It is not pleasant company in which Berisha found himself two days ago. Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein and others like them were our President’s companions, according to this study, of course. Some received the news with delight, since accusations coming from inside the country were now also being endorsed abroad. Someone else was more cautious: “These organizations always write things like this. Berisha has often helped the press, but, in any case, he bears responsibility for the violence that the state under his leadership inflicts on journalists.” Until yesterday Berisha himself had remained silent in response to such accusations. In any case, everyone felt nothing in particular beyond the sadness caused by seeing the leader of one’s country in such a company of dictators, even if this happened on a simple list. While debate continued over the report broadcast from America, news from “Koha Jonë” did not let up at all. Appointments, resignations, dismissals, plans for other publications, often an entire offensive against those who had left—all this concealing something a thousand times bigger than what could appear on the pages of a simple newspaper. The aid promised from abroad seems to have deepened the crisis at “KJ” rather than healing it. A few months ago we tried to imagine what it would be like if “KJ” and our colleagues at “KJ” were to be shut down; the rumor that “Gazeta Shqiptare” was going bankrupt proved untrue. We have felt that same anxiety these days too... p.re. of this country. When they do not write, people do not know what a community feels for as long as they do not hold in their hands that thin sheet bearing the name newspaper, as happened in March. When their product comes onto the market, then things are different... And many people have remembered them—not only the journalists, but everyone who works in this sector, which is different from others. “And International Press Freedom” has reminded us all of this, first and foremost the troubles endured by our fragile press. Often in a difficult position, not only economically; on the one hand respected and read, but in many cases treated as people of a lower category—the illness of political life, of the theatricality of politicians and those in power—or even worse, mistreated and beaten, journalists perhaps remembered yesterday, for the first time, to look at themselves. Two important news stories, belonging precisely to the field of the press, kept “Company” with journalists’ day yesterday. The first: our President Berisha has been placed by an important American journalists’ association among a list that

Vlora surrenders after penalties: Partizani winners for the 14th time After the 2–2 draw, Prenga’s shot hits the post in the penalty shootout, taking the Cup away from Vlora On page 6 Vlora surrenders after penalties: Partizani winners for the 14th time. After the 2–2 draw, Prenga’s shot hits the post in the penalty shootout, taking the Cup away from Vlora

Strong reaction against Naçi VLORA - “We do not recognize this prefect; the Fino Government should appoint someone else in his place. We have been making this request for a long time.” About a thousand citizens gathered in just one day. A. Naçi, the prefect who had gone to the city of protests to take up his post. It was Albert Shtyli himself, speaking on behalf of the Vlora Rescue Committee, who made the request, which was also met with approval by the people who, as every day, had filled “Flag Square.” On page 2

State administrator in the companies Foreign experts will uncover the accounts of VEFA, Kamberi.... TIRANA - The restriction on Albanians’ movement is being tightened further. Starting today, the permitted hours for freedom of movement have been extended by 120 minutes. This means that people may now go out at 5:00 in the morning and must be home by 21:00. This was ordered by Interior Minister Çelo, who is also commander of the State of Emergency Headquarters, and announced the new change yesterday. In fact, this change had been foreshadowed by Prime Minister Fino himself at a meeting he held with press representatives at the beginning of the week. Asked by journalists, he had said that a reduction in the curfew was planned toward the end of the week. So far, this is the fourth change to the movement schedule since the state of emergency was declared. Some of the company presidents On page 2

SHKODËR Ferry to Italy: 4,000 waiting On page 5 BERAT Villagers at war with warehouse robbers On page 5

GJIROKASTËR National road: 30 kg of TNT under a bridge On page 5 VLORË Schools: the rector meets the Italians On page 2

The reasons are still unknown. “An unbalanced assailant” Knife attack puts Dousteblasy’s life at risk TOULOUSE — An Albanian knife put the life of one of the best-known figures in contemporary French politics at risk. Philippe Douste-blasy, Minister of Culture, was stabbed in the back by an Albanian while calmly conducting his election campaign in Lourdes, the famous pilgrimage site very close to Toulouse. The minister miraculously survived, just outside Toulouse. The minister miraculously survived, just outside Toulouse. The minister miraculously survived, just outside Toulouse. The first signs of danger to his life were immediately followed by doctors’ optimistic responses. The Albanian—a 37-year-old who had just been released from a psychiatric hospital—was immediately taken into police custody. It is not yet known what sentence French justice will impose on him. The attack on the French minister made a deep impression in France, perhaps precisely because Albania and Albanians are still at the centre of European public attention. All television news bulletins continue to show the testimony of the white-coated doctor, who was expected to be on duty for three years: “the unbalanced attacker was an Albanian.” The story became even more complicated when the French were reminded that in 1992 the same person had attacked—but this time with a screwdriver—the minister, without managing to seriously injure him. On Friday, while the minister was talking to a bookseller, the unbalanced man approached him and struck him hard in the back with a large knife. Everyone present was alarmed by the unexpected incident, while the Albanian managed to get only 100 metres from the bookshop before fleeing. The police searched until he was captured by French gendarmes. The minister was taken to hospital, where he received intensive treatment. Only after several hours did the doctors’ verdict come: “He is out of danger.” p.re.

PERFORMANCE A classical ballet based on the famous tragedy has been conceived. On page 4

FROM THE WORLD On page 7 None of the changes from the list of expected new ministers.

Strong reaction against Naçi Foreign experts will uncover the accounts of VEFA, Kamberi.... Vlora, the Committee This is how the pyramid schemes will be audited

During May 1997, the MINISTRY OF HEALTH and the INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH are organizing another vaccination campaign against Poliomyelitis. During this campaign, only children born from 1 May 1992 through 1 May 1997 will be vaccinated with one dose. Vaccination begins on 5 May. Taking into account the special conditions in some districts, vaccination may also take place later, but no later than 20 May 1997. In each district, the vaccination campaign will last no more than 5 days. PARENTS! Contact the health authorities and take your children for vaccination to find out the exact vaccination days in your district. Do not forget to vaccinate your children. Vaccination is harmless and is the only highly effective remedy for protection against Poliomyelitis.