Secretary of State Warren Christopher has warned Serbia’s leader, Slobodan Milosevic, against expelling European human-rights observers from the province of Kosovo, where US officials fear that the Serbs may act to expel ethnic Albanian Muslims. Christopher sent Milosevic a letter on Saturday, drawing his attention to the expulsion of the observers. Although the presence of so few observers is widely regarded as merely symbolic, their expulsion would signal that Milosevic—whose Serbian allies in Bosnia managed to prevail only because of the world’s inaction—had shown himself ready to act with the same response in Kosovo. “We do not want anyone to think that, precisely because of what happened in Bosnia, the Serbs can do exactly what they want,” a journalist stated. Christopher spoke briefly about the policy of halting the conflict on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I can tell you that we have a very firm position that the conflict will not spread south, and that it has begun to be contained, despite its tragedy, in the areas where it is currently taking place,” he said.

On the morning of 8 July, President of the Republic Sali Berisha received two groups of American parliamentarians from the House of Representatives and the Senate. At the meeting with Senators Gramm and McCain, after thanking the people, state and organizations of the USA for their support for democracy and reform in Albania, President Berisha spoke about economic reform, emphasizing the need to take rapid steps in carrying it out. Speaking about the situation in the Balkans, President Berisha described the presence of American troops in Macedonia as a clear signal to Milosevic and an important contribution to preserving the integrity of this Republic. “As regards Greece, we are determined to maintain dialogue and establish good relations with our southern neighbour,” he said. “Preserving these relations serves not only our two countries, but is also very important for the situation in the region. We must do everything possible to strengthen stability in the Balkans. Certainly, we will respect the statute of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, but that does not prevent cooperation between our two governments.” The senators expressed their support, and that of their country, for the President, the Democratic Government and the reforms it has undertaken. At the meeting with Congressmen Frost, Solomon, Beruter, Skaggs, Billrakis, Billbray and Derrick, the President discussed the progress of democratic processes in Albania and its relations with its Balkan neighbours. Regarding developments in the Balkans, he stressed that, in addition to the success he is achieving through his aggression, Milosevic is unfortunately succeeding in bringing the psychology of war into the entire region. President Berisha praised the dispatch of the American contingent to Macedonia as a step that directly affects stability in the southern Balkans. Congressman Bilbray, who played a role in sending this contingent, stressed that it would be better if it had 3,000 rather than 300 soldiers, but what matters is its political message: it aims to show everyone in the region that we are here to preserve the stability and integrity of your countries. Regarding recent Albanian-Greek developments, President Berisha stressed that we have worked hard for good relations with Greece. “Relations between Church and State in Albania and Greece are different,” he said. “Here, the Church is separate from the state, and we cannot accept Athens appointing priests to the Albanian Orthodox Church, which functions autocephalously. We did not expel the Greek priest because of his religious activity, and we believe it is not right for religion to be mixed with politics. I am convinced,” the President said, “that with mutual goodwill we will restore good relations with Greece, and I am optimistic about the future of these relations. We have had many good days with Greece.” Congressman Bilirakis, who is of Greek origin, expressed his satisfaction and approval of President Berisha’s assessments and Albania’s desire for dialogue and improved relations with Greece. The American congressmen expressed their conviction and congratulations on the progress democracy has made in Albania. Congressman Solomon expressed his joy and pride, also on behalf of the Albanian friends in New York whom he represents, at these changes in Albania. ATSH

— SAYS CLAUDIA LUCIANI, RESPONSIBLE FOR MINORITIES IN THE POLITICAL DIRECTORATE OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE — “Article 26 of the Albanian Charter of the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of Citizens, concerning the rights of national minorities, reflects the advanced standards of international documents, and this is sufficient to conclude that it constitutes a sound legal basis for taking the work further,” declared the Council of Europe, at a meeting held in Strasbourg in recent days. At this meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the Protection of the Rights of National Minorities, draft proposals for the adoption of a legal instrument in this field were discussed. This will be the first legally binding document, which will continue to be discussed by the political forums of the Council of Europe, especially at the summit meeting of the Council of Europe member states to be held in Vienna in October. (ATSH)

— AS BELGIUM TAKES OVER THE PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, HIS SUCCESSOR WILL BE SENIOR BELGIAN OFFICIAL LEO DEHYDER — The European Community Observer Mission began its activities in Albania in January of this year. During this period, the members of the mission have independently monitored the Albanian border in order to clarify the circumstances of incidents that have occurred in various areas of the border with Kosovo and Macedonia. An official of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, told the Albanian Telegraphic Agency that the head of this mission, Guy Sheridan, during a series of meetings with senior Albanian state authorities held in recent days on the occasion of the end of his mandate and his departure from Albania, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation to date with the Albanian authorities and emphasized the importance of independent information concerning incidents and the prevention of conflict. Mr Sheridan’s successor as head of the EC Observer Mission will be Leo Dehyder, a senior Belgian official.

TIRANA, 8 July During the campaign

Fatos Nano, when accused of corruption, filled his own newspaper with demands for the government’s resignation and tried to blacken democracy by calling it a dictatorship worse than the dictatorships of Enver and Ramiz. In Fatos’s defence, he called on Nano’s lawyer to go to extremes. This very character, who speaks elegantly, dresses elegantly and walks elegantly, but slanders, falsifies and shouts, accused the President of the Republic of killing Albanians while trying to uphold the law. This shows that these two leaders, accused of fraud and slander, are unable to separate themselves from their fellow idealists. Idajet Beqiri, the chairman, secretary and sole member of PUK, formerly convicted of forgery and

TIRANA, 8 July During the disinformation campaign, Greek media reported that President Berisha had intervened and fomented discord in relations between Romania and Greece. Commenting on these statements, the spokesperson of the President of the Republic emphasizes that, in his conversation with Romania’s Foreign Minister, the President of the Republic expressed his desire and determination to develop friendly relations with Romania and stressed that multilateral approaches and multinational efforts to resolve problems are in the interests of peace and stability in the Balkans. Relations between Romania and Greece were not discussed at all during this conversation; it was merely pointed out that these two countries—and, more precisely, the three autocephalous churches—hold different positions regarding the Albanian Autocephalous Church. The Romanian minister was therefore told that Romania had made no attempt to appoint Orthodox priests to the Albanian Autocephalous Church, and that it is absurd to think that, by pointing out and appreciating this reality in Albanian-Romanian relations, the President is fomenting discord in Romanian-Greek relations. ATSH

When Fatos Nano was accused of corruption, he filled his newspaper with calls for the government to resign and sought to blacken democracy, calling it more dictatorial than the dictatorships of Enver and Ramiz. The first to come to Fatos’s aid was an exemplary, likeable pioneer, tastefully dressed, with the bearing of a calm commander of a pioneer squad. He was Idejat Beqiri, whose feelings of brotherhood led him to take Nano’s defense to the extreme. This very character, who speaks well, dresses well and walks well, but only slanders, forges and lies, accused the President of the Republic of putting Albanians in prison for trying to protect the PS from Shkodra’s tomatoes and eggs. Idajet went to trial, and Nano repaid his debt to his demagogic and corrupt friend. “In ZP, Nano defends Idajet more than the PS itself defends Nano, which cannot be separated sole member of PUK, a former convict for forgery and the right-hand man of former PPSH Central Committee secretary Xhelil Gjoni in Krujë, has made only one contribution to Albanian democracy— (Continued on page 4)

On the morning of July 8, Defense Minister Safet Zhulali received a delegation of U.S. senators, led by Mr. Martin Frost, at a special meeting. After expressing his pleasure at the recent visit to the United States and the warm reception he had received, our Defense Minister briefed the American congressmen on the work to reform and restructure the army and to strengthen and develop it according to the most advanced Western model, especially the American one. After highlighting the contribution of the American team at the Ministry of Defense to providing expertise and strengthening cooperation between our two armies, the imminent signing of a memorandum of understanding was also emphasized.

“The Albanian government has been and continues to be convinced that, without the willingness of all countries and without the assistance and participation of the great powers, resolving the crisis in the Balkan region is difficult,” Prime Minister Meksi said at a meeting held with the delegation of American congressmen. Speaking about the crisis in the region, Prime Minister Meksi stressed that we support dialogue, consensus and no change to borders, and peace with our neighbors, but will not allow ethnic cleansing in Kosovo or the division of Albania along religious lines. Regarding relations with Greece, he stressed that the Greek government has helped us during this difficult period, both in attracting foreign investment and in accepting a considerable number of refugees, and that we have received this assistance without creating an unfavorable atmosphere in relations between the two countries. We are in favor of improving relations between Albania and Greece. Greek minorities living in our territories will, within our means, be granted the rights to which they are entitled. We have no intention of denying their existence, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to infringe upon Albania’s interests,” Prime Minister Meksi concluded. (ATSH)

On the morning of July 8, the funeral ceremony for Professor Aleks Buda was held. From 10:30 to 11:00, his coffin was placed in the hall of the Academy of Sciences, where prominent figures from Albanian science and culture, staff of the Academy and other institutions, residents of the capital, and others came to pay their respects. Among those who came to pay their respects were the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi and other members of the Government, Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Tomor Malaj, members of parliament, close representatives of Aleks Buda’s family, the dean of the diplomatic corps accredited in Albania, and others. From there, the coffin containing the body of Prof. Aleks Buda was taken to the cemetery.

Tirana, July 8 — American parliamentarians, continuing their visit to Albania, once again expressed their readiness to help Albania during this difficult period of transition at a meeting held with Prime Minister Meksi. They confirmed their continued support in the political sphere, as well as in ensuring the conditions for and promoting Albania’s economic development. (ATSH)

On June 18, 1993, «ZP» journalist Panajot Zoto published an article entitled “Why did Genc Ruli go to Janina so worried?”, in which this pseudojournalist slandered him in a shameless manner. Outraged by this slander and public insult directed at him with the aim of damaging his moral standing and for political gain, Mr. Genc Ruli, as a citizen (we emphasize: as a citizen), filed a complaint with the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office on June 26, 1993, requesting criminal proceedings against the article’s author. We learned that on July 8, 1993, the case was referred to the Tirana Court for trial. Regardless of whether someone holds journalist status, certain rules of conduct in society are binding on all citizens and are punishable by law. We hope the gentlemen at «ZP» will not call this a violation of freedom of expression in the press, because, unfortunately for them, publicly slandering someone is a flagrant violation of human rights. «RD» correspondent

10,000 apartments will be privatized by July 15 Regarding Sunday’s article, “Unanswered sluggishness in the privatization of housing, the responsibility of the Tirana Municipality,” we explained to the author that: The low figures cited are accurate, but it should be clarified that this municipality has given greater priority to preparatory work, which will soon enable the privatization of housing to proceed at a much faster pace. Thus, the municipality has planned to privatize 10,000 apartments by July 15. «RD» correspondent