—Statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs— Regarding the collective strategy for the crisis in former Yugoslavia, adopted at the joint meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the United States of America, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and Spain, in Washington on 22 May 1993, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the following statement: The Republic of Albania supports every collective initiative that serves to resolve the crisis in former Yugoslavia and implement the Vance-Owen plan, which has been accepted by the two sides in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Muslims and the Croats, while it has been declared dead by the Serbs and their infamous leader Karagjiç, with whom only the International War Crimes Tribunal should now deal. The Republic of Albania welcomes that aspect of the plan which increases pressure from the world community on the Serbian side and the Belgrade regime, and calls for an increased international presence in Kosovo. But, at the same time, we reiterate that, to prevent the conflict from spreading, it is essential to take the following steps: Establish an international presence in Kosovo as soon as possible, in the form of UN and NATO peacekeeping forces; clearly make the issue of sanctions against Belgrade conditional on the end of Serbian repression and terror in Kosovo; and find a political solution to the Kosovo problem that guarantees the human and national rights of the Albanians there, based on the Helsinki Act and respecting the free will of the Albanian people. Only in this way can a solution be ensured that guarantees lasting peace in the region. (ATSH)

The democratic political forces of the district thank the people of Dibër, especially the residents of Peshkopi, who responded to our call not to take part in the shameful rally of the Socialist Party. As was confirmed by the leaflets slipped under citizens’ doors, the scenario prepared and carried out during Sunday was intended to provoke the democratic forces and the law-enforcement forces, so that they would somehow be drawn into the trap of incidents, giving Nano and his associates a pretext to concoct fanciful versions of violence against the socialists, which would serve him to prolong the days before he is handed over to justice. But the people of Dibër and Peshkopi, demonstrating high political maturity and democratic culture, ensured that the nearly month-long and extremely pompous preparations of Nano’s clan in the Socialist Party ended in a micro-rally of 300 participants on the football field, surrounded by 2,000 Democratic spectators. They showed Nano what forces support him in Dibër and what opinion the people have of him. Nano’s arrogance, his insulting language about the people of Dibër, his hooligan-like actions on the city’s main boulevard, throwing metal coins, people and fifty-qindarkë coins onto the ground—how could these things fail to make people despise this “leader,” who had sunk to the position of a capricious child picking a fight by any means? But the people of Dibër, dignified as they are, showed him only contempt; they displayed patience and cool-headedness in the face of the provocations and hooligan acts committed by him and his gang, particularly against the law-enforcement forces, for which they will answer under the law. Noble people of democratic Dibër: you also taught a lesson of equal importance to all the parties, associations, trade unions and especially those in power: that they should better understand your noble spirit, understand and properly address your concerns, and be as fair and honest as you are. Thank you for this lesson you have given us all. DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPUBLICAN PARTY SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY AGRARIAN PARTY LEGALITY MOVEMENT PARTY POLITICAL PRISONERS’ ASSOCIATION B.S.P.SH DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S FORUM DEMOCRATIC YOUTH FORUM

“Finding the fig” Hajdin Sejdia IS NOT

—In 1990–92, crime by foreign nationals in Greece did not exceed 1.1–1.4% of total crime!— The recent visit of Mr. Meksi to Athens and the official talks with Greek Prime Minister Micotakis also focused on the problem of legalizing our economic emigrants in Greece. His and other Greek officials’ attitude toward this problem was positive. But the attitude of certain chauvinist circles and their newspapers and radio stations was not. As their “argument,” they used the accusation that Albanian emigrants in Greece are a factor in and bearers of the rise in crime in the country. Thus, according to “Bi-Bi-Si,” the “Skaj” radio station was attacking the Greek government and police authorities for their “inability” to prevent crime by Albanians, which, according to the competent authorities cited by “Skaj,” accounted for 47% of crimes in Greece during the previous year. Likewise, according to all sources, Albanian emigrants crime in the country. In fact, none of these claims stands up to reality. They are contradicted from the outset by the simple logical argument that people in dire economic need, as Albanians are (and there are not few of them, but around 300,000), cannot survive by turning to crime. Indeed, as people unable to protect themselves, they may be crime’s first victims. Their means of survival in Greece is work, and it is well known what kinds of jobs Albanians do: jobs in some of the toughest sectors. Perhaps the circles talking about “Albanian criminality” are “confusing” it with the increased number of accidents among Albanians doing heavy work, which, not infrequently, are accompanied by deaths. Their number (accidents and deaths) is in the dozens every day. These circles perhaps…

The Council of Europe seminar on Albania held its sessions in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses in Tirana and has concluded its work. Specific issues concerning the Council of Europe’s assistance to Albania were addressed here. Separate working groups discussed various fields, such as healthcare, agriculture, industry, the mass media, human rights, etc. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

“ZP” keeps shouting every day to convince readers that Hajdin Sejdia was not Fatos Nano’s bosom friend. The arguments they put forward are the assistance Hajdin Sejdia supposedly gave the miners. Just like Comrade Nano’s visits, bringing the Valias miners onto the scene is a scenario skilfully prepared by the corrupt head of the Socialists. He knows very well that one of the factors that led to the fall of the communist government led by Nano, no. 2, was also the Valias miners. Nano apparently fears the miners again, so through his spokesperson “ZP” he is trying to shut them up, telling them: Don’t make a sound, because not only I but you too have received something from Hajdin Sejdia. But do you know what the miners received from Hajdin Sejdia? They received only the bones from the big “cake” that Comrade Fatos put in front of him. This is also shown by the official documents, which clearly demonstrate that Comrade Fatos became Hajdin Sejdia’s stepping-stone. In Decision No. 120, dated 28.3.1991, “on determining the amount of rent, taxes and duties for the Iliria Holding company,” Comrade Fatos stipulates that, for one year, Hajdin Sejdia be exempt from profit tax, while for the second and third years of activity the profit tax would be set at 5 percent. Why did he grant all these privileges to Hajdin Sejdia? Fatos Nano should explain that himself before the justice authorities do it for him. The substantial honorarium he received for the major, lucrative favors he granted Hajdin Sejdia should also come to light. DRITAN SHKURTI

—Statement by ISMAIL KADARE about Adem Demaci’s steadfastness— , emphasizes Ismail Kadaraja in the statement he gave to the newspaper “Rilindja” concerning Adem Demaci’s hunger strike. In the statement, Kadaraja says that the attempt to restrict and ultimately, insidiously, extinguish the Albanian press and information media in Kosovo by placing them under the tutelage of the Serbian regime is a grave act, dictated by a barbaric logic at a time considered long gone, not only in Europe but everywhere in the world. The attack on Albanian culture—which unquestionably includes Albanian journalism and the free press—has been, and continues to be, the main objective of all anti-Albanian forces.