The Albanian Prime Minister and PS leader Nano held talks in Athens on relations between the two countries and thawed the ice that had formed after the local elections of 1 October Hundreds of thousands of Albanian emigrants in Greece are enthusiastic about the diplomatic meetings held by Meta and Nano, as official Athens has begun their mass legalization

Albanian diplomacy, through a political gesture—the presence in Athens of Prime Minister Meta and Nano, head of the majority—has restored normal communication in bilateral relations. The visit to Athens at the beginning of this week by representatives of the heads of the Executive and of the majority’s main party took place after all the tension stirred up for electoral reasons during this year’s 1 October election campaign. This visit by a delegation with serious representation (which also included the Foreign Minister), officially motivated by a conference on the subject of “Minorities and the majority in the Balkan region,” embodies an elegant diplomatic move. It is one of the rare occasions when the Albanian Executive, through such delegations, conveys to relations with its neighbors the courage to overcome the climate created by incidents. More than that, in these diplomatic gestures, unlike ever before, silence has been ruled out, conveying an acknowledgment of regret for what happened. During his latest official visit to Greece, the Albanian Prime Minister and the head of diplomacy demonstrated an openness to discussing the truth about what caused “the tension of a month ago in relations between the two capitals.” In all of Prime Minister Meta’s statements yesterday, it was made clear that the reality of what the Albanian side communicated regarding the “electoral issue of 1 October” would not be altered to suit circumstances. Indeed, by taking this issue off the discussion agenda, Prime Minister Meta found room, in his lengthy meeting with his Greek counterpart Simitis, to address outstanding matters, but above all to discuss perspectives on the new climate being sought in the upper part of the Balkans. Yesterday evening and at various times the day before, the two prime ministers held talks and exchanged highly specific views. At the center of the prime ministers’ discussions, besides immediate issues relating to the Albanian emigrants present in Greece, they are understood to have focused mainly on a new diplomatic response between the two countries concerning the major issue of Albanian-Serbian relations and relations between Albania and neighboring Balkan capitals. In this context, the two prime ministers exchanged views on the changing situation and new trends across the whole of Balkan geopolitics. Sources close to these discussions, which were included in the official agenda, say that in his views Prime Minister Meta identified the institutionalization of regional diplomatic roundtables, within the framework of the strategy recognized and confirmed by the international community, as an issue of fundamental importance. Meanwhile, some Greek political analysts have hastened to say that “... Tirana knows how to embrace the diplomacy of initiative.”

Page 2 Interparty meeting on Albania’s electoral division fails

Interparty meeting on Albania’s electoral division fails page 4

Police Director Ilirjan Dida reveals the insurgents’ plan. “After Tropoja fell, the Kukës police station was to be attacked, and so on” “With the protection given to the police station, a new page was written in the history of the police: that the law is enforced to the letter” Pages 8–9

Tirana District