Mr. Selami receives the Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary in Tirana, Mr. Ferenc Poka. On Friday, 19 March 1993, the chairman of the DPA, Mr. Eduard Selami, received at the DP headquarters Ferenc Poka. Mr. Selami gave an overview of the political situation in Albania. The call for new early elections, Mr. Selami stressed, proved unfounded. It did not receive the support of Socialist Party activists, despite the fact that the chairman of the SP had openly called on them to support and back the idea of the government’s fall and the holding of new elections. The chairman of the DP then discussed the progress of economic reform, which he considered successful. The implementation of the DP’s economic program is of particular importance in this regard. The Ambassador, for his part, gave his assessment of the development and progress of economic reform in Albania. He drew a parallel between the difficulties and problems facing reforms in the two respective countries. Mr. Poka acquainted the DP chairman with Hungary’s experience in transitioning to a market economy. The analysis of recent political developments in the former Yugoslavia also occupied a special place in the talks. The interlocutors agreed on the danger of the conflict spreading to Kosovo. Emphasis was placed on making the European Community’s political efforts concrete and effective. The DP deputy, Ms. Rushen Golemi, was also present at the meeting. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

—From Mr. Sali Berisha’s address at the dinner— It is a historic day in the history of relations between Albania and NATO: the visit of Secretary General Mr. Manfred Werner. This visit is of particular importance because we have among us a great figure who, through his ideas about the North Atlantic, contributed to the victory of democracy in Eastern Europe. This is a major event because it marks a step toward bringing Albania closer to NATO. Half of this century on the European and world stage has been the realization of the duel between democracy and dictatorship, a duel won by democracy. Without doubt, NATO’s assistance and peaceful presence also played a part. Mr. Secretary General, ... [as printed] on the path of democracy. We are extremely well disposed toward NATO’s presence in Albania, so that Albania may move forward. Albania cannot be compared with the other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It has never been a source of discord in the Balkans. Being geographically contiguous with NATO countries such as Turkey, Greece and Italy, it makes a concrete contribution to overcoming the situation in the region. We are determined to continue along this path. While once again recognizing the importance of the visit by NATO’s Secretary General, President Berisha stressed that only a few years ago the dictator in Albania covered the fields and mountains with bunkers, preparing the people to fight against this Alliance. We now ask and promote that democracy in Albania should ... withdraw them.

SPEECH BY NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MANFRED WERNER TO PARLIAMENT It is an honor for me to be in Tirana today and to address the Albanian parliament. This is the first time that a Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance has visited Albania. Just a few years ago, such a visit would have been impossible, not only because your country was then governed by a political system entirely different from that prevailing in the countries of our Alliance, but also because Albania had forcefully turned its back on the outside world. Today a new Albania is emerging from those long years of self-imposed isolation. It is turning toward cooperation with our Alliance and integration with the new Europe. Thus, what was once impossible is now entirely natural. Why have I come to Tirana? What message have I brought? First, I want to tell you why our Alliance values cooperation with Albania, and to speak about why your country is important for ensuring stability in the Balkans and Europe as a whole. Second, I want to tell you something about the new Atlantic Alliance, about its new roles and missions in projecting security and stability throughout Europe. Third, and finally, I have come to offer Albania the hand of cooperation, and thereby to advance the relations we established when President Berisha addressed the North Atlantic Alliance last December. I particularly want to discuss with you what we can do together to deepen our cooperation and make it as extensive as possible, especially in relation to your problems. Allow me to turn to the first issue. Albania may indeed be a small country, but it has an important role to play. It is at the heart of Europe’s most sensitive region. Thus the success of Albania’s domestic reform program, and the policy it pursues toward ... [source text incomplete] ... responds positively. After many years of isolation, Albania is moving toward becoming an active member of the European Community. You have joined the CSCE and also the North Atlantic Alliance’s Cooperation Council; you have signed a trade cooperation agreement with the EEC. In this way, you have shown that you share our common democratic values and are turning your eyes toward the modern world after so many years of isolation. My Alliance and the other Western institutions will provide Albania with political and material support to continue along this road. This will not be easy, because communism has left behind a spiritual, as well as political and economic, vacuum that cannot be filled overnight. We in the Alliance all admire the courage and determination Albania has shown in overcoming its problems. Given the chaos that accompanied the collapse of communism, the ruined economy and paralyzed institutions, restoring public order, bringing down inflation, privatizing the economy and restarting industrial production truly require effort. Albanians are good at ... [unclear in source] ... determination and resilience (the ability to recover ...); these are qualities that they preserved during the years of confrontation to maintain the country’s independence. I now believe these qualities can be successfully applied to the task of making your country a model and integrating it into the Western world. Thus, despite the difficulties you face, you persevere on the proud path you have designed. The action of the Atlantic Alliance today is based on the premise that security is indivisible. Our Alliance’s responsibility for security does not end at ... [source text incomplete] ... our borders, but encompasses all of Europe. A lack of stability in one region will encourage instability elsewhere. Therefore, we ... [source text incomplete] ... our responsibility to help you preserve your newly won freedoms and make your transition peaceful. Only through cooperation and peace can your determination be transformed into a modern democratic society and achieve genuine success. Allow me to present NATO’s new role in projecting security and stability throughout Europe. The Alliance is a cornerstone of the democratic community of free countries, because NATO links the two largest areas of democracy in the world, free initiative and cooperation on a global scale. We offer cooperation to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, because without an active partnership between the industrialized democracies in the CSCE area, we cannot address the challenges of the present and the future: ethnic conflicts, the proliferation of weapons, debates about sustainable development, environmental problems, drugs and migration. The changes now taking place in Europe allow the Alliance to play a more important and far-sighted political role. The Alliance gains neither from confrontation nor from its external cohesion being dependent on new threats, as some claim. Our strength lies in cooperation, not confrontation. Our aim is to establish a secure and more durable European security system, with political support and the peaceful resolution of disputes. To build a new security system, we have had to transform the Alliance and adapt it to the new tasks of the post-Cold War world. To this end: -We have adapted to the new environment by reducing forces; -We have developed a new strategic concept that is not directed against any particular enemy, emphasizing crisis management; -We have concluded the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the treaty on military personnel. Within the CSCE framework, we have helped establish a series of confidence-building measures concerning military forces. Our aim is to control the offensive capability of all armed forces in Europe and establish confidence and transparency among them; -We have strengthened NATO’s European pillar in order to create genuine and equal support among allied partners, in which North America and Europe share responsibility and leadership; -Above all, we created a wholly new dimension for our Alliance in the form of the “North Atlantic Outreach.” This makes it possible ... [source text incomplete] ... to project security and stability ... [source text incomplete] ... in Central and Eastern Europe. In the four decades of its existence... I am discussing cooperation and make it as extensive as possible, particularly in relation to your problems. Allow me to address at the heart of Europe’s most volatile the policy it pursues toward its neighbors, are important well beyond your borders. Albania’s active participation in seeking to ensure stability in the Balkans and in Southeastern Europe is essential, and something our Alliance very much wants to encourage. —Naturally, your country is in a very difficult and delicate situation. Given the conflict unfolding right outside your borders and your understandable concern for the fate of ethnic Albanians outside your country, I imagine it is not easy to exercise restraint. But the fact that you have exercised this restraint has been a vital factor in preventing the Yugoslav conflict from becoming even more dangerous. So I very much hope that you will continue this policy of restraint, despite the considerable pressures on Albania. We know very well how the Yugoslav conflict in this respect is hindering your efforts at domestic reform. NATO foreign ministers have called for serious talks, the restoration of Kosovo’s autonomy and the full guarantee of human rights, and have supported the idea of a preventive UN presence in Kosovo. The Alliance—the international community—has made clear its deep concern about the possible spread of the conflict and the situation in Kosovo. NATO foreign ministers have stated that an outbreak of violence in Kosovo, which could result from the spread of the conflict, could constitute a serious threat to international peace and security, requiring an appropriate response from the international community. The spread of the conflict to Kosovo and the Republic of Yugoslavia of Macedonia would have terrible consequences. For its part, our Alliance will support international efforts to prevent this from happening, and we in the Alliance are relying heavily on Albania to continue its constructive and reassuring diplomacy. The Alliance is also helping to implement UN decisions in the former Yugoslavia. NATO and WEU ships are reinforcing sanctions in the Adriatic. We are particularly pleased that Albania fully agrees to cooperate with NATO in reinforcing these sanctions. Your assistance has been invaluable in making this enforcement program as effective as possible. It is an example worth highlighting of how the Alliance can work with a cooperation partner such as Albania to carry out the new mission of supporting UN peacekeeping. NATO aircraft are monitoring the no-fly zone over Bosnia. NATO command elements are assisting UN protection forces. We took a further step last December, when we formed UN support for the enforcement of this no-fly zone and the monitoring of heavy weapons. The UN is now trying to reach agreement on a peace plan for the former Yugoslavia. If a peace plan is agreed upon, the UN may turn to NATO to ...

MILITARY AIRCRAFT

—Address by Mr. Manfred Verner at the dinner— It is a special moment for NATO’s Secretary General to be here today. Until now, Albania has been separated from the world. As you stated, Mr. President, it belongs to Europe. There is a historical logic that makes it feel part of Europe. I began the first talks today and learned about your difficulties. It is not easy to move from dictatorship to democracy, from ... [source text incomplete] ... it is the only path for a country seeking to integrate into the international community. Before coming here, I had only an outside impression. Now I am observing that this nation is famous for its pride (Continued on page 4)

—From Mr. Meksi’s meeting with Mr. Verner— At the Palace of Brigades, Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi received NATO Secretary General Manfred Verner. At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Meksi presented the grave situation in the Balkans, the region’s security problems, and Albania’s position in the event of conflict. He emphasized the dangers that could arise if the conflict engulfed Kosovo and other Albanian-inhabited areas in the former Yugoslavia—a danger that is current given the tendency of the conflict to spread south. The Prime Minister then expressed Albania’s desire to join NATO, as well as the commitment of the Albanian army to integrate into the structures of this Alliance. NATO Secretary General Manfred Verner (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday morning, NATO Secretary General Manfred Verner went to the People’s Assembly. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, [was] received with applause and honors by the standing deputies. The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, Mrs. Verner and Mrs. Berisha, ambassadors and foreign diplomatic representatives, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana, journalists, guests, etc., had also taken their places in the hall’s galleries. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

—Welcome address by Mr. Pjeter Arbnori— Honorable deputies, Honored guests, This is the second time in a few years that the Secretary General of NATO Honorable deputies, Honored guests, This is the second time in a few years that the Secretary General of NATO, “the most aggressive imperialist bloc known to history,” according to Marxist-Leninist science, would be in Tirana speaking. According to Enver Hoxha, he could speak only about him and in connection with a trial. You know that communist Albania claimed it could measure itself against the Atlantic Pact or with (Continued on page 4)

On Friday at 9 o’clock, Mr. Manfr(ed) Verner was received by the Minister of National Defense, Mr. Safet Zhulali, the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Ilia Vasho, and Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova. Mr. Verner paid tribute to our national flag and reviewed the honor guard. (Continued on page 4)

I am discussing with you what we can do together to deepen our cooperation and make it as extensive as possible, particularly in relation to your problems.