- The President of the Republic, Sali BERISHA, also takes part. - Tirana. On Monday morning at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, the Albanian joint group together with the American organization "Center for Democracy and the Parliament" organized a seminar for the members of the Albanian Parliament. At the opening of the seminar, the chairman of the joint group, Mr. Maksim Cikuli, said that today's activity was being held within the framework of efforts being made to raise the professional and cultural level of parliamentary work, as one of the urgent requirements for creating a new parliamentary tradition. The chairman of the parliamentary group of the PD, Mr. Tritan Shehu, greeted this seminar on behalf of the parliamentary majority group. He said that with this activity we continue to move forward with our experience and our pluralist parliament, which up to now has made serious steps forward. Further, Mr. Tritan Shehu said that it is necessary to improve our rules and procedures, which cannot be ready-made like those of countries with a long parliamentary tradition. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, greeted the seminar and wished the participants success in their work. President Berisha said that this seminar constitutes an important event in our parliamentary life and makes a valuable contribution to enriching experience and qualifying Albanian deputies. He said that what matters is reflection in every session and in the activity of every day, concerning the procedures of parliament. "We are making efforts to establish parliamentary procedures suited to our time, to our mentality, to our culture, in full accordance with international standards," said the head of state. The American president of the organization "Center for Democracy and the Parliament", Mr. Donald Robinson, called the seminar an important event for improving the work of the Albanian Parliament and training deputies. He said that such seminars are now held in almost all countries of Eastern Europe. Then Mr. Donald Robinson said that our country has made visible progress toward establishing democracy. Speaking about American parliamentary procedures, he said that the President is the head of the executive and that the lack of legislative oversight over the executive can lead to abuse of power. Likewise, he said that a strong judiciary is the guarantor of constitutional protection. The President of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, said that seminars and such training courses are very worthwhile. Making a retrospective of parliamentary culture in our country, Mr. Arbnori said that Albania did not have an authentic parliament, parliamentarianism developed in a stunted way, and for almost fifty years Albania had no parliament. He added that after the pluralist elections in 1991 we created a one-party parliament, while now we are trying to create a pluralist parliament. Addressing the problems of the functioning of this parliament, Mr. Arbnori expressed the view that the way our parliament functions must be improved. Among other things, Mr. Arbnori said that Albanian politics needs very little sentimentalism. ATSH

Mr. Eduard Selami received Mr. Vladimir Nikolloviç Podgoricën On Monday evening, Mr. Eduard Selami, chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, received at the PD headquarters Mr. Vladimir Nikolloviç Podgoricën, member of the European Parliament and adviser to the parliamentary group of Christian Democrats in that parliament. Mr. Selami acquainted the guest with the progress of democratic processes in Albania, as well as with the country's political developments, dwelling in particular on the successes of the right wing as a governing force. During the conversation, special emphasis was placed on the role played and being played by the right-wing forces for a constructive opposition, for the democratic development of the country, as well as on the importance of creating a climate of understanding and cooperation among Albanian political forces and especially for strengthening relations with neighboring countries and beyond. In this respect, the interlocutors underlined the need to strengthen and establish broader contacts among center-right forces, whether in power or in opposition. Emphasis was placed on the need for Europe to turn toward the Balkans and to avoid indifference in this regard. Mr. Podgorica praised the positive developments in Albania and in particular the successes of this party, valuing them as very important throughout the Balkans, as the first former communist country to choose the road of democracy by free democratic vote. Mr. Selami and Mr. Podgorica expressed the view that in many cases Albania and its role still do not occupy the place they deserve in Western opinion and institutions. Both sides expressed the desire to expand and strengthen bilateral relations. ATSH

At a press conference on Monday, UNHCR spokesperson Ms. Vivian Tan announced that the return of refugees to Vukovar is continuing, but the number of repatriates has decreased. The spokesperson cited official figures for 660,000 refugees returned so far to Bosnia, 500,000 of whom have found permanent shelter within the country. Although with the repatriation to Vukovar last week UNHCR has in theory begun the program for the return of refugees to Croatia, the agency remains concerned that conditions are not yet ripe for them to return. The resumed repatriation program in Bosnia will have to speed up the return of refugees to the regions controlled by Croats and Muslims over the next five months. In the January-April 1993 period, UNHCR helped return 42,216 refugees to Bosnia. SHP

Official talks began between the delegations of the high state and administrative institutions of Albania and Austria Tirana. Mr. Franz Vranitzky, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, has assessed relations between Albania and Austria as very good. He made these assessments at the Palace of Brigades, at the beginning of the official talks between the high state and administrative delegations of Albania and Austria. Referring to these relations, Mr. Vranitzky said that exchanges at different levels have been accompanied by the signing of a number of important agreements and that Austria is Albania's most important partner in trade exchanges with European countries. "The stabilization program has a special merit," said Mr. Vranitzky. He described the state of political calm as very important and expressed the view that the Kosovo problem and the Bosnian one should not remain only internal political problems of the former Yugoslavia, but that Europe must be present in solving them. "During the talks with President Berisha we will pay special attention to strengthening economic and trade cooperation, aiming at the signing of an agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments, as well as another agreement on the avoidance of double taxation," said the Austrian chancellor. The head of the Albanian delegation, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, said that Chancellor Vranitzky's visit is a continuation of the excellent relations between our two countries and that Austria was among the first countries to provide its assistance to Albania. "Thanks to mutual efforts, from year to year contacts and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries have expanded. Especially for the Albanian economy, Austrian capital and experience constitute a valuable contribution to the reform process," said Prime Minister Meksi. He stressed that our country has paid and continues to pay attention to relations with Austria also because of its active role in Europe's integration processes and in particular in developments in Central and Eastern Europe. Expressing Albania's interest in active participation in the European integration process, Prime Minister Meksi pointed out that, unfortunately, our country has still not been valued enough in European structures. Speaking about the situation in Kosovo, Prime Minister Meksi said that, although there is now a rise in international pressure on Serbia, we express our concern regarding the failure to use this pressure to achieve a peaceful solution to the problem. Likewise, Prime Minister Meksi said that the intensification of fighting in Bosnia is troubling. In a short interview with journalists, Chancellor Vranitzky described this visit as very successful. He said he was very pleased to visit Albania and especially Tirana, stressing that he was surprised by the positive changes he had seen in our country. ATSH

FROM THE MEETING OF ALEKSANDËR Meksi WITH THE ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, TEODOR VIOREL MELESCANU Tirana. Mr. Aleksandër Meksi assessed the meeting with Romania's foreign minister, Mr. Teodor Viorel Melescanu, as very important for further concretizing the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Making an assessment of Albanian-Romanian relations, Prime Minister Meksi said that there is now a legal basis and an appropriate framework for economic, political and cultural cooperation. He said that the Albanian side has done its utmost to favor comprehensive relations between our two countries, creating a favorable ground for Romanian entrepreneurs and businessmen in Albania. Prime Minister Meksi also valued the assistance that the Romanian authorities have provided in solving the problems of Albanian emigration in Romania. In his speech, the Romanian foreign minister, Mr. Teodor Viorel Melescanu, said that the Romanian government attaches special importance to the development of relations with Albania, as a country with an important role in the Balkans. While valuing the deep democratic and economic reforms undertaken by the Albanian side, Mr. Melescanu said that the reforms are moving in the right direction. He stressed that Romania is interested in expanding economic and trade cooperation with Albania and that there are now many opportunities in this direction. Prime Minister Meksi and the Romanian foreign minister expressed themselves in favor of closer cooperation between our two countries within international organizations. They were interested in the exchange of experience between the two countries in the field of privatization, public administration and decentralization of local government. The Romanian minister also praised Albania's peaceful policy in the Balkans and its constructive role in solving the region's problems. ATSH

Mustersti does not play the Kosovo card; he only serves Albania's economic damage It has been a long time since, apart from the press, Albanian television, public opinion and the parliament itself, no one was given the explanation that should have been given and could not explain why a leader was appointed to such an important post, such as head of the Albanian diplomatic mission at the United Nations, who with one line in his CV does not justify such a position. We are referring to Mr. Dini Sejdiu, whose name has not been absent from the Albanian press of the time for a year. Yet deliberately, since he is linked to several important centers and powerful people in Washington, no one until today has dared publicly to ask him what he represents and whom he really serves. Today it is increasingly openly said that Dini Sejdiu does not represent the Albanian state, but some other interests and ties, and that he uses his duty to build a personal image and maintain connections that have nothing to do with the Albanian national interest. It is enough to remember his zeal to take part in every activity in which Kosovo is mentioned, to understand that he is trying to create a dual, unclear and dangerous role. Kosovo is a national issue for Albanians and cannot be used as an individual card for political career. It requires serious institutions, state diplomacy and clean representation. In Mr. Sejdiu's case it seems that we are dealing with a mix of personal, emotional and political interests, which does more harm than help. ATSH Albanians in the USA, in order to raise serious questions about the way this man has climbed so high. Does he have political support? Does he have sponsorship? Does he have unexplained ties with certain American circles? And why is the Albanian government silent? If he was sent there to defend Albania, let him do so with dignity and professionalism. If he is there to play another role, then the Albanian institutions should clarify this without delay. Otherwise, the damage he can do to the interests of Albania and Kosovo is incalculable. (continues on page 2)

In a joint press conference that the two foreign ministers held yesterday morning, Mr. Teodor Viorel Melescanu stated that this was a very fruitful meeting. "We have agreed on the further development of Albanian-Romanian relations. Albania has made important progress in the field of reform and political stability." Minister Melescanu praised Albania's positive role for peace and stability in the Balkans. The Albanian foreign minister Alfred Serreqi emphasized that during the bilateral meeting the economic, political and cultural relations between the two countries were discussed extensively. Minister Serreqi said that the Albanian side values Romania's stance of supporting the Albanian cause in Kosovo. ATSH