The day before yesterday, the President of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, set off on a three-day working visit to Europe. The itinerary includes Brussels, Strasbourg and the Holy See in the Vatican. The Preside-nt will be received by Jacques Delors, Catherine Lalumière, and will deliver a speech at the European Parliament. In Rome he is expected as a guest of Pope John Paul II, and will also meet with many prominent Italian figures such as Spadolini, Andreotti, Gianni Micheli, etc. The President of the Republic is accompanied on this working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alfred Serreqi,

COMMUNISM DIVIDED US; NOW WE MUST DRAW CLOSER Much has been said about Greece and Albania as the two oldest peoples of the Balkans. Nevertheless, there have always been problems between our countries. Perhaps this happened because of particular individuals. Perhaps because we are in the Balkans, where problems have gripped us more than anywhere else. Perhaps we are so close to one another and expect of one another - A new era in Albania-Greece relations. - Micotaqis assures that Greece will help Albania. - Of all the others, we will give preference to Albanians for employment in Greece. This is no small matter. Perhaps it was the greatest assistance one country can give another. Nevertheless, there are still misunderstandings stemming from the dictatorship in Albania. This contact was painful. Thousands of Albanians, reduced to desperate straits, crossed the border the differences where they should not be. But, leaving all that aside, I think there were no profound reasons or causes for disagreement. For 50 years Albania was isolated and moved toward ruin. Greece, too, with much effort, took steps toward the world and became a developed member of the European Common Market. We were two countries that shared the same border and knew nothing at all about one another. The first contact came in 1990, after people crossed the barbed wire toward a foreign yet nearby country, not knowing whether it would welcome them or send them back to hell. Greece, the Greek people, welcomed them, helped them, employed them, and eased the suffering of their tormented neighbors. Then began a long odyssey of emigration. The Greek Embassy issued visas every day; others crossed illegally; some came and went... There are now more than 150,000 Albanians in Greece who work and support their families back home.

The chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Mr. Eduard Selami, met with the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Konstantin Micotaqis. On 3. 5. 92, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Konstantin Micotaqis. After thanking his guest for his visit, Mr. Eduard Selami spoke about the good mutual relations that exist between the Democratic Party of Albania and the New Democracy Party. Mr. Eduard Selami informed his guest that the elections in Albania marked the beginning of a new era in the history of Albania and of the Democratic Party, the successful anti-communist party in Eastern Europe, which must face the challenge of changing the former communist system into a modern democratic system. As the party holding a majority in Parliament and governing in coalition with the Social Democratic Party and the Republican Party, the Democratic Party has already begun implementing its programme, which aims at deep and rapid reform. The pace of its implementation is of primary importance to this reform. Mr. Eduard Selami went on to underline the particular importance the Democratic Party attaches to relations with Greece, a neighbouring country and a member of the European Community, and stressed that with the victory of democracy in Albania, all the conditions now exist for expanding relations between Albania and Greece on a basis of mutual reciprocity and in a modern European spirit. For his part, Mr. Micotaqis, congratulating the Democratic Party on its victory of 22 March, emphasized the importance they attach to relations between the two parties as the basis for relations at every level, and expressed the wish for more frequent contacts between party representatives at various levels. Interested in the political situation in Albania, he stressed that Greece wished to help Albania at this important moment. Mr. Micotaqis then put forward the idea of a high-level party meeting in Athens, with the participation of the Democratic Parties of the Balkans and Eastern Europe, to initiate cooperation in the region. Mr. Eduard Selami stressed that the Democratic Party gladly accepts this initiative and is ready to contribute to ensuring that the meeting takes place as soon as possible, for the sake of peace, understanding and cooperation in the region. Information Office of the Democratic Party

Yesterday, at 10:00, tributes were paid and wreaths were laid at the National Martyrs' Cemetery in Tirana on the occasion of 5 May Day. With the victory of Democracy, it finally became possible to pay respect to the martyrs, the daughters and sons of this people, who gave their lives for freedom and democracy. At the grave of the People's Hero, Qemal Stafa, tributes were paid on behalf of the Council of Ministers by the Prime Minister of the Republic, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Rexhep Uka; on behalf of the Presidency, by its Secretary General Kolec Topalli; on behalf of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, by Mr. Tomorr Malasi and Shaqir Vukaj; on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, by Minister Safet Zhulali and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Ilia Vasho; and on behalf of the Tirana Executive Committee, by its chairman Sali Kelmendi and Sh. Rexhvelaj. Tributes were also paid at the graves of the martyrs of freedom and democracy in Shkodër and in other districts of the country.

- Interview with the German ambassador Dr. Claus Vollers, given to our journalist Armand Shkullaku - Question: Albanians have quite a lot of active ties with Germans; what place do you think they will occupy Question: Bearing in mind these good relations that you mentioned above as well, do Question: Germany's interest in Albania has often been noted. We recall here Mr. Strauss's visit during the period of communist rule as well as Mr. Genscher's visits. What place will Albania occupy in the future in German foreign policy? Answer: There is an old connection between Albania and Germany, and many Germans

Interview with the German ambassador Dr. Claus Vollers, given to our journalist Armand Shkullaku - Question: Albanians have many emotional ties with Germans; what place do you think relations in various fields between our two peoples will occupy in the future? Answer: I think our relations are relations between two states in Europe. They should not be linked solely to financial matters. Relations between Albania and Germany go back 200 years. And in the new situation that has emerged in Europe, Germans are interested in shared interests. A small part of these relations at this moment is the German side's assistance to Albania. Our assistance will be financial, partly in the form of technical assistance, as well as general support in various fields, with candidates. Both sides are to blame for this. Perhaps Greek policy toward Albania was not what it should have been, and perhaps an anti-Greek opinion was also created here, unjustly and against all logic. Although these things happened not very long ago, today we would like to say: let them belong to the past. On Sunday at 9, Mr. Ko- (Continued on page 2) Question: Bearing in mind these good relations you mentioned above as well, do you think Mr. Genscher's departure would change anything in the ties between our two countries? Answer: Mr. Genscher did a great deal for relations between Albania and Germany. He himself has been to Albania three times and has continuously taken a personal interest in these relations. In view of the personal interest Genscher has shown toward Albania, a high level of mutual understanding between the two sides was achieved, and I am convinced that even after Mr. Genscher's resignation these relations will remain at the same level. They are relations between two states, between two ...the visit of Mr. Strauss between Albania and Germany, and many Germans have read a great deal about Albania. After 1945 Albania was isolated and no one knew anything about the situation in Albania. We made efforts for a long time and were interested in establishing diplomatic relations. In 1987 we thought that Mr. Strauss had achieved an initial agreement. But this was not possible because the Albanian side did not want such a thing at that time. I also think that the occupation of the German embassy in July '90 caused our relations to cool somewhat. Since last autumn we have been trying to achieve closer cooperation- (Continued on page 2)

These days, during a working visit to Italy, Mr. A. Hajdari met with Mr. Zh. Andreotti and the Minister of Public Order, Mr. Skotti. Mr. A. Hajdari also visited a region of Italy, the city of Ortona. We will inform you of the details in the next issue.

Ismail Kadare was certain to return. He himself was completely convinced that his departure was temporary. This conviction came from his long-held judgment that Albania, with its ancient and rich history and civilization, could not be entirely at fault except for democracy. This conviction also came doubly from the unbreakable ties he had always had with his family, with Albanian history, culture, and psychology. As well as the language, with its great writers, Kadare’s work has become an enduring knowledge of our history and culture, while his powerful personality has had an influence on the creation of a new civic spirit and psychology in Albania. Such a Kadare could not himself have regarded his departure from his homeland as something permanent. And yet, he stayed abroad for about a year and a half; perhaps, at first, his absence was only physical. He has been constantly here through his work. But he has also been constantly and profoundly connected with fellow writers. He has never abandoned... (Continued on page 2)

— STILL UNRESOLVED ON THE EVE OF THE YEAR 2000 — YESTERDAY... What did “our new man” know about our national drama? Perhaps something, in broad strokes. As for the rest, he asked... In the 1960s: “Is Kosovo a large village?” In the 1970s: “What language do the Kosovars speak?” In the 1980s: “Why are the Kosovars rising up; have they grown tired of their cars?” In every decade: “Are there any Cham people of honor?” One is astonished by the orchestration of identical positions, on both sides of the border, regarding the victims of the 1913 London Conference. In Yugoslavia, the most persecuted were the Kosovars. In Greece, the most discriminated against were the Cham. In Albania, the most unwelcome were the Kosovars and the Cham alike. Years ago, the Recruitment offices had a secret instruction: “young Kosovars are to perform military service only in labor units.” Meanwhile, those arriving from Yugoslavia usually ended up in prisons or internment. ...the triumph of democracy has opened the way for a new conception of the national question. The times call for a swift analysis of the current situation. And what facts must be taken into account? First: since 1913, the Albanian national problem has remained at a standstill. For 80 years, there has been no change. Ethnic Albanians live in five states and face great difficulties communicating with one another. Second: we are the most shrunken nation in Europe. In the year 400 AD, we extended over 300,000 square kilometers. Today we cover 28,000. And, unfortunately, the pressure continues. If we do not become aware of its real danger, this shrinking will turn us into an Andorra or San Marino of the Balkans. Third: in Southeastern Europe, in compact ethnic territories situated one after another, live 8 million Serbs, 7 million Albanians, and 9 million Greeks. We must firmly understand that we are fully comparable to our neighbors and are by no means “a small Balkan people.” From a strictly political point of view, this assertion is important. Albania is potentially not a marginal factor, but a fundamental factor in resolving the Balkan problem. The time has now come to formulate a common, unified, pan-national strategy for the Albanians of the Republic of Albania, those of the Republic of Kosovo and of other Albanian territories beyond the borders, as well as Albanians in the Diaspora. Tirana has every opportunity to become the coordinating center for the activities of the national political forces of all Albanians around the world, whose number has reached nearly 12 million. To develop a unified national policy, it is urgent to take carefully considered steps. Our demands can be tactically focused on the familiar objectives: ◉ Kosovo — an independent republic. ◉ Western Macedonia — an autonomous unit, a constituent element of the Republic of Macedonia. ◉ Northwestern territories — full cultural autonomy and equal rights with the Montenegrins. ◉ Çamëria — recognition and return of the properties seized from the Cham population. The return of the Cham to (Continued on page 4)

(Photo: DRIAN KABA)