Historic and highly successful visit Information previously published. In the talks, Mr. Berisha spoke mainly about his meeting with the President of the Republic of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro. Our President described it as an extremely fruitful meeting in an atmosphere of understanding and mutual trust. According to him, President Scalfaro valued Albanian democracy, which is advancing with steady steps. Particularly significant was his assessment that Albania is playing a visible stabilizing role in the Balkans. President Scalfaro also assured that the Italian government would help Albania with all its means and would support every step toward its integration into European organizations. Mr. Berisha went on to say that during the meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Giuliano Amato, the process of democratic and economic reforms underway in Albania was assessed positively. Mr. Amato expressed readiness to help Albania on the difficult path of economic stabilization and reform. It was agreed that Albanian transport and telecommunications, as well as economic development, would be given priority support. Describing the meeting with the President of the Italian Senate, Mr. Spadolini, as very fruitful, our President underlined that the discussion focused mainly on Albania's role in the Balkans within the framework of democratic developments. President Spadolini expressed the readiness of the Italian Senate to help Albania. Our President said that in the meeting with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro[?], the important role of Albania as a factor of peace and stability was emphasized. President Berisha considered the meeting with the Secretary-General of NATO, Mr. Manfred Wörner, to be the most important, as, according to him, he promised that Albania would be included as quickly as possible in the structures of cooperation with NATO. President Berisha said that during this visit he also met with the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gianni De Michelis, and with other political leaders. In the end, Mr. Sali Berisha stated that this visit was historic for Albania and for its European future. [text partly invisible]

In extremely difficult times and years, the Albanian people, both outside Albanian lands and within them, rose with courage and self-sacrifice to the height of their national dignity, proving themselves before the civilized world as an autochthonous people, unjustly divided into many parts, but determined to win their freedom, democracy, and legitimate rights. When in Kosovo a savage, chauvinist, anti-Albanian regime was writhing like a bloody grave, the Albanians of Albania stood by their brothers. Those impassioned days and nights when we went out into the squares and onto the streets to defend the rights of the Kosovars, no one forgets. In truth, the victory of democracy in Albania was one of the greatest victories for the Albanian cause in the Balkans. On the other hand, the USA and the developed countries of the West not only supported this rightful path of the Albanian people, but encouraged it with statements and concrete positions. In these new developments, Albanian democracy brought an end to a Stalinist regime that had declared as its enemies not only the Albanians inside the country, but also those beyond the political borders of the mother state. It was this regime that separated the Albanians and regarded them as foreigners and enemies. ... [the text continues, but is partly unreadable in the image] ...

Mr. President, Allow me to warmly welcome you to Italy. We hope that our meeting will serve increasingly to consolidate the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries. Relations between our two countries show an increasing dynamism. The Italian people have followed with attention and sympathy the efforts of the Albanian people to free themselves from a totalitarian regime and to build a democratic order. Italy attaches special importance to developments in Albania and is ready to contribute in areas of common interest. We wish that Albania move forward resolutely on the path of democratic and economic reforms. Your visit is a fitting occasion to further strengthen our traditional ties and to identify new areas of cooperation. With high esteem, GIORGIO DIMITRI

Mr. State Counselor[?] Konsidari[?] Mloia[?] sent to Mr. Berisha - Text partly unreadable. It appears to be a diplomatic message/greeting placed in the left column below the main title. Only fragments can be read.

Considering the situation created after the actions of close cooperation with Greek extremist circles on the part of the andartes, who have distributed leaflets and carried out provocations in the territory of our country, the government of the Republic of Albania declares that it condemns these actions and will take all measures to protect the constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the country. The Albanian government calls on all citizens to remain calm and not fall prey to provocations. It asks the relevant authorities of neighboring countries to take measures to stop such activities. Albania remains committed to good-neighborly relations and to the peaceful resolution of any problem.

THE ALBANIAN WORLD