Interview with the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. PJETËR ARBNORI After a year of genuine parliamentary democracy “I AM DETERMINED TO LEAD THE ASSEMBLY WITH CALM...” Interview with the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. PJETËR ARBNORI “...not to have applause, praise, celebrations...” “...I have been, a prisoner, even when I was sentenced to death...” “...poetry and music are the passions that dominate my being...”

THE U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN RESOLVING THE CRISIS IN THE REGION WAS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE - President Berisha summed up the crisis in the region and was addressed by American Ançel - The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, the ambassador of the Albanian state to the United States, Pjetr Arbnori, Chief of Staff Edmond Jani, the President’s secretary and other members of the delegation, took part yesterday in the lunch hosted in honor of President Berisha by the American Committee for the former Radio Free Europe. On behalf of this committee, Mr. Ançel spoke, greeting President Berisha and describing his visit to the U.S. as very important for developments in our country. He said that Albania will continue to move along the path of democratic and economic reforms. Noting President Berisha’s contribution to the democratic processes, he expressed the committee’s gratitude. President Berisha thanked them for the reception and emphasized that the U.S. engagement in resolving the crisis in the region was of particular importance.

Messages of support for President Sali Berisha have come from President Bush, the Senate, the House of Representatives, high-ranking American personalities and the Albanian community. The American press and institutions have valued the visit of the Albanian President as a development of particular importance for Albanian-American relations. They expressed confidence that, through reforms and democratic processes, Albania will strengthen its place in Europe.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, emphasized that the Republic of Albania and its government remain in favor of a peaceful solution to the issues in the region. He said that the Albanian people in Macedonia must enjoy all the rights due to them under international documents. He praised the role of the Albanian-American community in support of democracy and stability. In the continuation of the Albanian delegation’s meetings in New York, concerns were expressed about the situation in Macedonia and about the need to respect the rights of Albanians there.

- In the U.S. they are well aware that there is a tendency toward economic blockade and anti-Albanian events - Yesterday the President of the Republic held a meeting with a delegation of the U.S. Congress led by Congressman Eliot Engel. The discussion covered Albanian-American relations, developments in the region and the situation of Albanians in Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. President Berisha appreciated the interest of American lawmakers in the Albanian issue and said that the Albanian people look hopefully to the support of their American friends. Mr. Eliot Engel said that in the U.S. there is a growing understanding of the legitimate rights of Albanians and that everything must be done to avoid new tensions. Economic assistance and the democratic processes in Albania were also discussed. The American delegation then held other meetings with senior representatives of the Albanian state.

Aksheri. It is completely clear to me,” said yesterday in my own personal name, in the harsh Judeo-Hungarian tone in Parliament, “that with last night’s vote of the unconstitutional opposition in Macedonia they would carry out an adventure over the independences and would reintroduce repression and violence against its Albanian population. This act endangered the lives of those who had respected calm in these moments. Let me emphasize with all my strength that in Albania and in Kosovo no one has had and no one has the intention of infringing the lawful rights of any citizen of Macedonia. All the forces and means of our people will be used to avert any further escalation that does not serve peace. The commitment of the Albanian government and President Berisha is to oppose decisions that violate freedoms and human rights in this country. Through this official declaration, the President of the Republic addresses with respect the Macedonian people and the state authorities to restore calm and normality. All means will be used to stop any new bloodshed.

ENVER HOXHA GUR SHAHU IN THE HANDS OF BIOGRAPHY MINISTERS (According to a letter from Koso Tashko, preserved in the former central archive of the PPSH) The dead dictator’s end

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