—Statement by Greek Prime Minister Mr. Kostandin Micotaqis concerning his meeting with President Berisha— Journalist: What did you discuss with the President of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha? Prime Minister: I had a long conversation with President Berisha, a very long and interesting conversation. We talked about all the issues in Greek-Albanian relations; about the Albanians who work in Greece, the Greek minority in Albania, the Orthodox Church of Albania; we talked about Kosovo, about Shkup, we talked about everything. Journalist: In other words, you reached agreement on everything? Prime Minister: The fact that we discussed it means that we reached agreement on everything. Our relations with Albania will develop well. I am satisfied. There is an improvement, but we still have a way to go. (A

In defense of the law “On compensation in value to former owners of agricultural land” The Albanian democratic movement of ’90 was based on a revolution (not a communist one) of pan-Albanian interests, not of particular groups or strata. The specific and universal character of these interests was one and the same—the overthrow of that system which had become a noose around everyone’s neck. This is a characteristic of all the “old regimes” of totalitarianism, as they give way to their opposite—the democratic system. The systematic violation of freedoms and fundamental rights could not identify particular groups or social strata among whom one person’s rights had been trampled in one way and another’s in a different way. Regardless of their particular circumstances, in this respect all of us were, in principle, equal before this violation. This happened only in Albania. This is why the PD became a home for the pan-Albanian interests of Albanians. Its program was, in principle, a constitution of what had been denied to all Albanians for half a century. After this preamble, we must say that the PD came into being as a historical necessity, not specifically as a party of former owners alone. In the interest of truth, we must say again that the PD would never have come into being through the contribution of former owners alone. Fifty years ago, former owners submitted (albeit under duress) to the historical misfortune of losing their property (or, it could be said, their inability to defend it). Why do they now want to keep for themselves all the fruits of a historic good fortune, an achievement belonging to everyone—the recognition of property rights?! To demand today that land be returned to former owners would mean: 1. Some calculate their idea of land in physical terms based on the official area of agricultural land, that is, around 700,000 ha. If we know that over 70,000 ha are highland land, created by converting pastures into arable land, which the peasantry is unwilling to take into ownership, and that a further 100,000 ha are land with very limited productive capacity, it follows that there are around 530,000 ha of agricultural land capable of producing at economically viable levels. If we subtract from this remaining area full compensation in land (what should be returned to former owners), around 160,000 ha, it follows that the peasantry would have to be given an average of 0.176 ha of land per person; or, more precisely, the entire peasantry would have to go on social assistance. 2. Calculations show that there are around 27,000 families claiming compensation, of whom around 22,000 are disputing 1.3–1.7 ha of land. Thus, especially for the main group, if compensation is made in land, 22,000 peasant families who received land under Law 7501, “On Land,” would have to be left landless. Will the state feed more than 100,000 people left without any means of livelihood? 3. Some former owners claim that, by taking the land, they will establish stable relations. This would lead to the medieval feudal system. Thus, to satisfy the interests of a narrow group of former owners—or 3% of the former owners of agricultural land—the interests of ... would have to be minimized [continues beyond the image] of former owners. the PD would not recognition of property rights?! To demand today the return of land to former owners means immorality and denial of the historic contribution; it means squandering the freedoms won. To demand a return to the pre-’45 boundaries today would mean a return to feudalism ... otherwise, another black-and-white post-communist revolution (of the communist type) would be necessary. With its own colors (white—the former owners, and black—the peasant slaves), it would forcibly polarize Albanian society on a hyperbolic scale like that of ’45, into socially unacceptable categories. Whatever the historical period of the 50-year communist era was, no one can deny it as such; no one can simply erase it from memory, let alone wipe out the reality in a single day. Meanwhile, since former owners claim a classical right of theirs, then, in the name of that right, they would have to go far back into prehistory, because no one can guarantee that there were no injustices before ’45. But it is known that history, however bitter, cannot be erased. In a democracy, history is made by compromise and the majority. And it was the majority that trusted the PD program... The above was an argument of principle for the amendment “On compensation in value for former owners of agricultural land.” Based on the Government’s material accompanying this draft law, we are also presenting some technical arguments which show that returning agricultural land to former owners would have serious social consequences for Albania and for the continuation of the reform. These arguments are: ... “privileged,” the Albanian people faced the challenge bravely. Çarçani, Nano, Bufri and Ahmeti (Continued on page 2) The following continuation is also visible on the other side of the text: “... under Law 7501, ‘On Land,’ would people who would be claim that, by taking the land, they will establish landlord-tenant owners, or 3% of the former owners of agricultural land, at least 47,000 peasant families would have to be returned to the land under a coefficient-based compensation system. In other words, around 16% of today’s peasant families would risk losing their future, not to mention that even under the current land law around 10 percent of the rural population does not earn enough to meet the minimum cost of living. 4. The agricultural sector would never have any stability, since verifying ownership is not a matter of months but of years; thus, compensation in land would depend on the verification of boundaries, including through court proceedings. Finally, we wish to stress that the bonds (securities) for compensating former owners will have their own market, where they will have the right of pre-emption. They will be used to buy everything from the simplest properties at future privatization auctions in Albania to factories and land. The land could include land that remains state-owned, but also land that those who were incapable, yet acquired it under the law, will now sell for money if there is a land market. The laws of capitalism will take their course. Meanwhile, with this law, the PD gives both the 65% of the most suffering part of the population living in the countryside and former owners (who have been no less discriminated against) a chance to start on relatively equal terms. Their finesse will have no end, but there will be strong and weak... RAKIP SULÇE

The extraordinary and plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Holy See, Vili Kamsi, presented his credentials to the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. At the meeting, the Holy Father said: “I am pleased to welcome the first ambassador of the noble Albanian people to the Apostolic See. This meeting precedes and in a way prepares for the eagerly awaited meeting of next 25 April, when I shall have the joy of visiting Albania for the first time and meeting that nation, so richly endowed. Even now, however, through you, I wish to stress that I shall come not only for my brothers and sisters in the faith, but to the entire people, with its different religious communities, and to the authorities who govern it, and I express my highest esteem for them.” Relations between Albania and China, Pope John Paul II stressed, have known very different moments throughout history: at times constructive cooperation—as we should remember ‘Christ’s athlete’ Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu, who maintained close and fruitful relations with the Roman Popes—and at other times painful tension. Our thoughts turn in particular to the grave political situation in which the nation has been victimized over the last half-century by the actions of a regime inspired by a totalitarian and anti-religious ideology. The Pope then said that Albania is now going through a difficult period of transition. Solving its problems requires not only the commitment of all the components of the nation, but also more generous attention from the international community. To the latter, the Church makes a strong appeal not to abandon Albania at this moment of historic transition. Nevertheless, the Pope stressed, with God’s help—who never abandons his children—the realization of a better future lies in the hands of the Albanian people, in the strength of their inner motivations, and in their ability to hope and not give up in the face of processes and obstacles. The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, asked the ambassador to convey his greetings to President Sali Berisha and to reaffirm the esteem and affection that bind him to the Albanian people, as he looks forward to coming to meet them in Albania. (ATSH)

By now, the Italian socialist world has quickly fulfilled its task in Albania: to honor the “generals of communist corruption.” The possible lists of those who dipped their hands into the great troughs of corruption ... (the following text is partly illegible) ... panoramic, now the epaulettes of the glory of the transition have fallen from them. Nano and his companions, sensing public condemnation before the Albanian people, hurried to attack the government, Meksi, Parliament, the President, the entire democratic world. The Italian earthquake of gambling and mafia exposed the ferocity of the “survival of the privileged strata,” their tears in speeches about poverty, about purchasing power, about assistance as a phenomenon accompanying the economic reform with which the Albanian people faced the challenge bravely. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, the International Press Center was inaugurated in one of the venues of the Palace of Congresses. This Center will serve as a meeting point for the exchange of information among various Albanian and foreign journalists. On this occasion, Mero Baze, chairman of the Journalists’ Association, also delivered a brief speech, in which, among other things, he thanked Albanian Telecom for equipping the Center with telephones and fax machines in a short time. Journalists from various media organizations, government spokespersons, representatives of international organizations, etc., took part in the inauguration. Foreign Minister Mr. Alfred Serreqi also attended and gave the first press conference at the Center. Mr. Serreqi’s press conference focused on the visit that Pope John Paul II will make to our country on Sunday. At the outset, Mr. Serreqi pointed out that it was no coincidence that this much-needed Center was being inaugurated before the visit of Pope John Paul II. This is also a sign of Albanian hospitality for the visit of His Holiness. Mr. Serreqi then spoke about the longstanding ties between Albanians and Christianity, mentioning interesting historical facts such as the participation of the Illyrians in the First Vatican Council, and the fact that, among emperors and other distinguished figures, the Albanians also had a Pope, Pope Clement XI. Mr. Serreqi also spoke about the longstanding ties between Albanians and Christianity and their mutual contribution to the nation, especially in the Middle Ages, when the national Hero became a shield for Christianity. Referring to the dictatorship and state relations with the Vatican, Mr. Serreqi said that what matters is that the faith of the Albanian people overcame the dictatorship. In his speech, Mr. Serreqi also devoted particular attention to Mother Teresa, the illustrious figure of our nation and of Christianity. Speaking about Pope Wojtyla, who was enthroned in ’78, Mr. Serreqi stressed that, after 150 years in the history of the Papacy, a foreign Pope was elected from a country where communism was still flourishing. “Pope Wojtyla is not only a missionary who carries out his pastoral mission passionately, but also an innovative Pope.” “Pope John Paul II conveys a twofold message to people,” Mr. Serreqi continued, explaining that His messages are not simply passive Christian prayers but constant, realistic charters in which ‘not only the sufferer but also the actor causing the suffering’ is identified. Mr. Serreqi also stressed the role Pope Wojtyla has played through his messages and visits to many hotspots around the globe, as well as the strong defense he offers to Fundamental Rights. Referring to the Pope’s past under the communist regime, Mr. Serreqi stressed that this past influenced the positive role Pope Wojtyla would play in overthrowing communism and establishing democracy in Albania and other Eastern countries. In his speech, Mr. Serreqi also mentioned the repeated messages Pope Wojtyla sent to Albania and the Albanians during the dictatorship, and especially one of His speeches in Pulia in 1980, where He spoke of the martyred Albanian people. Speaking about the new relations between Albania and the Vatican, Mr. Serreqi said that “it is no coincidence that President Berisha made his first visit to the Vatican.” In response to journalists’ questions about the impact the Pope’s visit would have on Albania’s relations with the Vatican, Mr. Serreqi said that he considers the Pope’s arrival in Albania highly significant given the situation in our region and the fact that half of the Albanian people in the former Yugoslavia are threatened by bloodshed. Regarding the position of Serbian chauvinist circles and the Serbian Orthodox Church on the Pope’s visit to Albania, Mr. Serreqi said that they do not welcome this visit, also because the Pope has made clear in his words who is responsible for the tragedy in the former Yugoslavia. RD CORRESPONDENT