22 April: The Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, in Albania MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC SALI BERISHA WITH GENSHER 22 April: The Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, in Albania MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC SALI BERISHA WITH GENSCHER At this meeting, Mr. Genscher conveyed to Mr. Berisha the greetings of the chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, Dr. Kohl, and expressed the German country's and government's conviction that the beginning of a new period of economic development and normalization in Albania is moving at a faster pace. We will help Albania in its internal reconstruction and will support it in international forums, Mr. Genscher said. Today it has a legitimate government, emerging from the first free and democratic elections, and with it we will begin to work on the development of its economy and on Albania's European integration. At President Berisha's meeting with Mr. Genscher, the possibility of multilateral cooperation between the countries of Southeastern Europe and Germany was also discussed. It was discussed that an international council similar to the Council of the Baltic States could be established, bringing together many donors who would also make possible the achievement of this council's objectives. Also yesterday, Mr. Berisha had a meeting with the German State Secretary for Finance, Mr. Karl Diller. At this meeting, the possibility of expanding and accelerating German aid to Albania was discussed. In total, German aid to our country has reached 80 million marks. Mr. Berisha expressed to the German Secretary of Finance the gratitude of the Albanians for this aid, which has averted, especially in recent months, a possible catastrophe. In the President of the Republic Sali Berisha's conversation, the implementation of a trilateral agreement between the Albanian Ministries of Agriculture, Industry and Defense, and a joint enterprise for the production of agricultural equipment, was discussed. We greatly value this aid and are confident that it will provide significant support in improving the economic conditions of our country. The day before yesterday evening, Mr. Berisha had a meeting with the German Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hans-Dietrich Genscher, who is on an official visit to Albania. At this meeting, Mr. Genscher conveyed to Mr. Berisha the greetings of the chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, Dr. Kohl, and expressed the German country's and government's conviction that the beginning of a new period of economic development and normalization in Albania is moving at a faster pace. We will help Albania in its internal reconstruction and will support it in international forums, Mr. Genscher said. Today it has a legitimate government, emerging from the first free and democratic elections, and with it we will begin to work on the development of its economy and on Albania's European integration. The day before yesterday Mr. Berisha also held a meeting with the German State Secretary for Finance, Mr. Karl Diller. At this meeting, the possibility of expanding and accelerating German aid to Albania was discussed. In total, German aid to our country has reached 80 million marks. Mr. Berisha expressed to the German Secretary of Finance the gratitude of the Albanians for this aid, which has averted, especially in recent months, a possible catastrophe. The day before yesterday evening, Mr. Genscher took Mr. Berisha to the Dajti Hotel for lunch, where talks continued on the development of bilateral relations and on other matters of mutual interest. (Photo: DITAN HAMA)

Yesterday afternoon, the President of the Republic Sali Berisha sent a message to the People's Assembly for next Sunday, proposing candidates for prime minister and for chair of the Assembly's permanent committee. In accordance with constitutional provisions, the President of the Republic proposes the candidates to be discussed in the first session of the new Assembly. Mr. Berisha has proposed to the People's Assembly the candidacy of Mr. Aleksandër Meksi for prime minister and the candidacy of Mr. Pjetër Arbnori for chair of the People's Assembly. These candidacies will be decided upon in the first session of the new Assembly. At the same time, the president announced that on Sunday, after the election of the Speaker of the Assembly and the prime minister, he will present the list of members of the new government cabinet.

You can read most of this speech and the rest on pages 4-9. Mr. Genscher, deputies of the Albanian Parliament: I wholeheartedly salute the free pluralist elections of 22 March, the victory of the coalition led by the Democratic Party, and this new parliament emerging from those elections. For the first time in their history, Albanians had the opportunity to vote freely and in secret; they were able to decide freely about their future, and I am convinced that this decision is a decision for freedom, for the rule of law, for human rights, for the reform of the market economy. I have followed these developments with great sympathy and attention. The whole world watched with admiration your courage, the measured and responsible restraint with which you achieved the beginning of democratic change. I greatly value the way in which you, as the new parliament, mandated by the country's citizens, have gone into action in the service of governance and reform. These are victories of law and freedom for your country and your people. They may make us optimistic, however the great difficulties that lie ahead must not be underestimated. Albania today suffers the severe consequences of the failures of a ruined system. The economic situation is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, Germany will help Albania on the path of reform and development. We will do this not only for historical and political reasons, but also because we are convinced that free and democratic Albania has its place in Europe. (To be continued on pages 4-9)

German Chancellor's press conference On Saturday morning, after holding fruitful talks with the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, and Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, Mr. Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, gave a press conference. At the beginning of it he declared: My arrival here in Tirana, shortly after the pluralist elections have been held and after the first reforms, serves to express in this country Germany's solidarity with Albania. With this visit we will define the directions of the outlook for how we can cooperate. Albania, Mr. Genscher said, has in this period taken important steps toward establishing the rule of law and democracy. Mr. Genscher expressed his and the German government's sympathy for Albania, praising the moderation with which the country's political forces acted. Albania, he said, has made important decisions and we will have a close relationship with it. Mr. Genscher said that the problem of Kosovo and human rights in the former Yugoslavia were clearly expressed at the London conference, where the violation of those rights was condemned. He was asked about the possibility of abolishing visas for Albanians to travel to Germany, but said that this problem would be resolved within the framework of the rules of the European Community. In response to the question of what he thinks about the creation of a military force in Yugoslavia, Mr. Genscher said that the conflict there can only be resolved by political means. Regarding economic aid to Albania, he said that it would be expanded and made concrete through direct links at different levels. Mr. Genscher expressed the conviction that Albania is part of Europe and will be so. (To be continued on page 2)

Interview with D. Ibrahimi of “Voice of America” given to our Radio K[?]ra?d?ik[?] vora Isaku Question – How much work is involved if we try together with the democratic government? Can this benefit us economically? Answer – The hopes are quite great. It is breathing in the new spirit of democratization and free market. I think the new government will have broad support from international financial institutions and from friendly countries. Question – Is there any special arrangement in these aid efforts? Answer – No. It is important that reforms move quickly and that political stability be created. This will be the best sign for foreign investors. Question – Do you think the aid will come soon? Answer – Generally yes. There is special attention toward Albania and its recent developments. (To be continued on page 2)

Question – What was your message to Albanians who follow these festivities? Answer – My message to Albanians is to preserve peace, tolerance and hope. This period requires unity and understanding. Albania is entering a new stage and everyone must contribute. Question – What role does faith play at this time? Answer – Faith helps people get through difficulties. It brings them closer together and makes them stronger in the face of problems. (To be continued on pages 4-5)

“The Albanian government's program is excellent...?” – States yesterday the Secretary of the International Monetary Fund, Mr. Anoop Singh Inside the issue, under the title, you can read, regarding the data on investments, “Mr. Berisha said that it was Singh's condition, in the meeting with President S. Berisha.”