— Declares the Director of the International Monetary Fund, Mr. Anoop Singh “Within May, with intensive work, an agreement with the IMF can be reached, which is a condition for aid, loans and investments,” Mr. Singh said at the meeting with President S. Berisha.

22 April: The Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany in Albania MEETING BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, SALI BERISHA, AND GENSHER At this meeting, Mr. Gensher conveyed to Mr. Berisha the greetings of President Vajszeker, Federal Chancellor Kohl and all the German people to him, and to the Albanian people. He stressed that your election as President is a victory for democracy in Albania. Mr. Gensher also expressed his wishes that Democratic Albania take its place in the community of European democracies and, for this purpose, he stressed, you will have Germany’s support so that the path to European institutions may be opened to your country. We will help Albania solve its problems and strengthen democracy. For his part, Mr. Berisha expressed to Mr. Gensher his exceptionally high regard for his personal role, for the role of Chancellor Kohl and President Vajszeker, and for the German state in European developments. He then turned to the most troubling problems our country is currently experiencing. The main problem, President Berisha stressed, is the building of a democratic state in Albania that can be integrated into Europe. Among our main problems here is the establishment of public order. President Berisha asked Mr. Gensher for Germany’s support for Albania on the path to membership in European institutions, such as the Parlia- [continues outside the image] — we will strive, the President assured him, to meet all the conditions and requirements so that we may deserve this mem- [text cut off/unclear] … Albania’s place is in Europe, Mr. Gensher stressed. the European Parliament, the European Community, the Group of 24 and the IMF. We will endeav- (Photo: DRITAN KABA)

On Wednesday, President of the Republic Sali Berisha sent a message to the People’s Assembly, which reads: First, I wish to express my deep respect and esteem for the new democratic Albanian Parliament, which, although in the first days of its work, is showing that it is capable of working effectively to produce the legislation so necessary for the life of Albanian society and the establishment of a state governed by the rule of law. But, while expressing the right granted to me by this Parliament, I feel it is my duty, without wishing to interfere in its work, to address this message to it, with the aim of helping the democratic Parliament and the new Albanian Government identify certain necessary priorities to accelerate the country’s political, economic and social reform. In this context, establishing the judicial power is of primary importance. Only an independent judicial power will be able to meet the difficult responsibilities associated with protecting the rights and freedoms of the individual, implementing and safeguarding legality in Albania, and preventing crime and corruption. Reform of the judicial power is an essential condition for establishing order and tranquillity in our country. Reform of local government is equally important. In this regard, the preparation and adoption as soon as possible of the law on the organization and powers of local government, in order to ensure its right to self-government, as well as the law on the election of local government bodies, are a necessity of twofold importance: on the one hand, being closer to the people, local bodies will be able to resolve their concerns and problems more quickly and effectively; on the other hand, the government will find in local bodies the much-needed support for implementing its economic and social program. Other important areas on which legislative activity should focus are: — The law on disarming the civilian population. — Revising the law on enterprises and adopting it with the relevant amendments and additions that would enable Albanian enterprises to apply the principles of a market economy. — The law on verification of the property accumulated to date by Albanian citizens. These are several priority areas for the legislature which, I believe, should be kept in mind in the work of both the Government and Parliament. I have emphasized these areas not only because of their great importance in themselves, but especially to point out that accelerated work at a very rapid pace is required in order to establish as soon as possible modern democratic institutions and the necessary legal foundation for the continued progress, at the required pace, of economic reform in particular and of our entire society in general. With my highest respect and consideration, SALI BERISHA

— Press conference of President Sali Berisha and Mr. Gensher — On Wednesday morning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hans Ditrih Gensher, accompanied by the President of the Republic of Albania, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, and our Foreign Minister, Mr. Alfred Sereqi, held a press conference in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses in the capital. Albanian and foreign journalists, diplomats from diplomatic missions accredited in Tirana, and others were in attendance. The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana, Dr. Klaus Fohlers, was also present. The conference was opened by the spokesperson for the President of the Republic’s cabinet, Mr. Genc Pollo. Then Mr. Sali Berisha took the floor. At the outset, he thanked Mr. Gensher for his third visit to our country and described it as a historic event, a great message of friendship and hope from the German people and government. This visit, Mr. Berisha went on to stress, also expresses the deep and sincere feelings of respect, friendship and affection that Mr. Gensher himself has for our country and people, as well as his desire to stand by us during this extremely difficult period we are going through. He then informed the journalists about his conversation with Mr. Gensher. During this conversation, President Berisha stressed, I informed Mr. Gensher about our objectives in the political and economic spheres, the restoration of order and the establishment of the rule of law, and our great need for support in integrating into Europe. Albania’s place is in Europe, Mr. Gensher stressed. At the meeting with the Director of the International Monetary Fund responsible for Albania, Mr. Berisha stressed, I was immensely pleased by the assessment he gave of the entire program presented by Mr. Meksi’s government, describing it as excellent. This fact pleases me especially with regard to agriculture, mining, industry and transport, the need for loans to resume production activities, the removal of the 80 percent [levy], etc. We also discussed the situation in Yugoslavia, in the Balkans, in Yugoslavia, and Serbian genocide against the Albanians. Mr. Gensher and the state he represents, which has played a leading role in the fundamental democratic developments in Europe, stressed that he and Germany recognize the right of all peoples to self-determination and democratic self-government. Finally, Mr. Berisha informed those present that, through Mr. Gensher, he had invited the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Vajtecker, and Chancellor Kohl to visit Albania. At the beginning of his speech, Mr. Gensher congratulated Mr. Berisha on his election as President of Albania and congratulated the democratic government that emerged from the free elections of 22 March. We, he went on to stress, have come today to assure you that we will make every effort to help Albania as much as possible. We have always supported, and continue to support, Albania becoming as soon as possible a full member of the European Community and of all international political, economic and financial organizations, including the Group of 24. From the government of the former German Democratic Republic, we know that the high capacity and effectiveness of an administration are decisive for the implemen- (Continued on page 2)

Interview with Dr. IBRAHIM RUGOVË, given to our editor Vera Isaku Question — First of all, welcome to Democratic Albania. You have surely followed developments here closely. Do you think that with the Democratic Party’s victory, the national question will be raised to a new level? Answer: — Yes, I think so, and I am convinced of it, because the democratic system itself places the national question at a very high level; the national question is also an economic question, a social question and a question of modernizing the people. The Albanian nation will keep pace with the times. The question of contact is also important. Now (Continued on page 4)

Mr. Chairman. I greet the members of the Parliament of Albania, elected by free vote. I greet the freedom-loving men and women of Albania, who declared themselves for freedom, democracy and human dignity. I greet the distinguished personalities who, through their courage and determination, showed the way to democracy. I thank you for welcoming me and allowing me to speak today before you, the freely elected representatives of your people. I bring with me the greetings and best wishes of the German people, who, less than two years ago, regained their freedom and unity. We, like you, know very well what it means when democracy is undermined and freedom trampled underfoot. What Albania has now achieved is once again connected with the democratic traditions of which you may rightly be proud. Under centuries of foreign rule, the Albanian people always preserved their free will. The Albanians’ irrepressible desire for freedom has become legendary throughout Europe. Your people have continually had to fight for their independence against threats from abroad. Nearly 100 years ago, the great son of this people, Sami Frashëri, in his book “Albania: What It Was, What It Is, and What It Will Become,” after having drawn up the framework of an independent Albanian state modeled on Western countries. In 1924, under the leadership of the President, of the writer and bishop Fan Noli, the first attempt was made to lead Albania under democratic conditions, but that attempt ended in a new subjugation, which ultimately, after the horrors of the Second World War, ended in communist dictatorship and the country’s complete isolation. The transformative revolutionary process, which radically changed the whole of the eastern half of Europe, found well-prepared ground in the Albanians’ love of freedom. Now democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law are being established once again. The elections of March 22 for deputies to the People’s Assembly mark a profound turning point in Albania’s history. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the deputies who won a mandate in these elections. A great responsibility now rests on their shoulders. The Albanian people have entrusted them with the country’s destiny at a decisive stage of historical transition. The transition from a failed dictatorship is a heavy burden. But the chances for a more attentive new beginning are greater, and they must now be seized with courage. Among the countries now standing by Albania and helping it with advice and practical assistance, the Federal Republic of Germany is at the forefront. Germany provides almost one third of the assistance made available by the European Community. We are ready to share our experience (Continued on page 4-1)

The Easter holiday gives me the opportunity and pleasure to wish all Albanian Orthodox believers, wherever they may be, in the homeland and in the diaspora: “Many happy returns and a Happy Easter!” May the free practice of religions and religious holidays, once denied under communism, help us draw closer to and respect one another more, and may we use the long-awaited time of democracy that has come to our country by working together to build and enrich our homeland, and to bring prosperity and general happiness to the people. EDUARD SELAMI Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania