—Meetings held by the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha— During the Conference, President Berisha held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Mr. Berisha briefed the UN Secretary-General on developments in Albania in the areas of institutional reform, the enactment and guarantee of human rights, and economic reform. He said that Albania respects the embargo imposed by the UN along its northern borders as no other neighboring country does, and this has also been acknowledged by SAM—the official UN commission for monitoring compliance with sanctions. However, the blockade of trade and exchanges has dealt a very severe blow to Albania’s impoverished economy, especially to the northern border areas. Therefore, Mr. Berisha said, since Albania has been compelled by the UN Charter to bear the consequences of the embargo more than any other country, it has the right to request financial compensation from the UN for the losses it has suffered. Mr. Butros Ghali responded positively to this request and said that the Secretariat would promptly examine a study officially submitted by the Albanian side concerning the losses incurred. President Berisha raised the need to place the lifting of the blockade of Kosovo under UN control, as a measure that would prevent the conflict from spreading in the South. Mr. Ghali stated that, despite the border [text unclear], at the end of April Serbian police officers had been killed by Šešelj’s men in order to incite violence against Albanians. If Belgrade begins a massacre in Kosovo, Albanians will respond as one nation. To prevent conflict, however, Albania is calling for the embargo against Serbia to be made conditional on the deployment of UN troops and an agreement on Kosovo’s political status. Such a decision must be clearly stated in a United Nations resolution. President Klestil said that Austria’s views on the region were the same as Albania’s and that Austria’s political position on this point was quite clear. “After our meeting in November 1992,” he told President Berisha, “I visited 14 world capitals as President, where I raised the problems of the region, as we had discussed together.” He assured him of Austria’s continued support for Albania. At President Berisha’s meeting with Austrian Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky, he thanked the Austrian government for its support to Albania, and they discussed ways to increase cooperation between the two countries. “It is very encouraging that reputable companies such as Swarovski and Rogner are involved in Albania,” said Mr. Berisha, “but others should help improve the business climate.” At his meeting with the President of Greater Serbia [sic], it was said that what was happening was not merely the planned destabilization of the Balkans; Milosevic and, unfortunately, some of his friends were also spreading the idea of a “Greater Albania” and the danger it supposedly posed, in order to justify Belgrade’s aggression and expansionism. President Berisha said that Albanians, wherever they are, are trying to create a democratic society in which their rights are respected. He informed Mr. Mock about incidents of provocation by Serbs in Kosovo and asked for Austria’s support in making the embargo against Serbia conditional on the deployment of UN troops and the resolution of Kosovo’s political status, which Mr. Mock agreed to do. Mr. Berisha also explained Albania’s position on Macedonia, focusing on the measures the government in Skopje must take to guarantee the rights of Albanians in this neighboring country. Mr. Berisha said that Albania’s vote against accepting Macedonia as a member of the CSCE was not intended to prevent that state’s integration into Europe, but to ensure compliance with CSCE standards. At the UN headquarters in Vienna, a meeting was also held between President Berisha and President Johannes Kiro Gligorov. It took place in a spirit of understanding and focused on continuing comprehensive cooperation between the two neighboring countries. President Berisha reaffirmed Albania’s position that ensuring Macedonia’s stability is very important for the Balkans. But he stressed that meeting the legitimate demands of Albanians would be a prerequisite for very good bilateral relations. He explained that Albania seeks not to block but to unblock relations with Macedonia, and that it was among the first to recognize it, naturally on the basis of all international principles. Albania is obliged to show concern for Albanian communities wherever they live. In this context, President Berisha called on Macedonia to take measures to ensure the rights of Albanians in the country. President Berisha expressed to Slovak President Mihal Kovac his wish to strengthen political and economic relations between the two countries, a proposal that was received with great interest by his Slovak counterpart. After being briefed on Albania’s position and the situation in the region, Mr. Kovac said that, in recognizing what Greater Serbia is, the world must find effective means to ... (Continued on page 4) Mr. Kiro of the ... [text from the previous column cut off] President Berisha raised the issue of the need to place relations with that, despite the difficulties that exist, we are working on this problem. Mr. Berisha also presented Albania’s position regarding the situation of the Albanians in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: the rejection of the name Slavo-Macedonia, the regulation of education in Albanian, and proportional participation in the state apparatus. Particular emphasis was placed on proclaiming Macedonia a state of free citizens, making the corresponding amendments to the constitution, as well as the necessity of registering them. Mr. Ghali committed himself to a fair resolution of these problems. President Berisha was received for a visit by the President of Austria, Mr. Th. Klestil, at the presidential residence, Hofburg. They discussed Albania’s domestic situation, the state of economic relations between the two countries, and ways to develop them further. President Berisha told his Austrian counterpart that the creation, by force, of a Greater Serbia would be a destabilizing factor in the Balkans. In this context, resolving the Kosovo issue is a key factor. The situation there is becoming increasingly tense. This is also shown by the Serbs’ open provocations, such as the restriction on the movement of Albanian citizens in ... officially by the Albanian side regarding the losses incurred. relations with the restriction on the movement of Albanian citizens in ...

President of the Republic Sali Berisha had a friendly and very cordial meeting at midday on Wednesday with Mrs. Erika Camaj, wife of the distinguished figure in Albanian culture, Martin Camaj. “Your distinguished husband is one of the giants of Albanian culture,” the President told Mrs. Camaj. “He is taking the place that belongs to him in the landscape of our culture. His work is being received with very great interest, especially by young people. I regret that he did not live to see Albania free and democratic, but your arrival here is a consolation.” Mrs. Camaj thanked the President for the welcome he had given her and wished the Albanian people, with all her heart, the greatest possible speed on the path to democracy that they have only just begun. (ATSH) the support it has given Albania, and Rogner are engaged in Albania. Mr. Berisha said that they and others should be assisted through the opening of a line of credit by the East-West State Fund for investments in Albania, as well as by having them guaranteed by the Control Bank, the relevant institution in Austria. Among other things, President Berisha raised the issue of the foreign debt incurred by the communist government, 10 percent of which is owed to Austrian banks. This has now caused foreign banks to freeze their operations in the country and their dealings with Albania, thereby obstructing the country’s economic development. Mr. Vranizky promised his support on this issue. President Berisha also spoke about the situation in the region, the precarious condition of the Albanians, and their democratic aspirations. He informed the Austrian prime minister of Albania’s request that the United Nations place Kosovo under its control. President Berisha particularly thanked Foreign Minister Alois Mock for his personal contribution to bringing the two countries closer, as well as for the continued support he has given Albania. As is known, Mr. Mock has stated that “Albania must set, and is setting, an example for the region.” President Berisha emphasized the support he has given as Swarovski and Rogner are engaged in Albania. Mr. Berisha ...

On Wednesday, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, held a warm, fraternal conversation with the editorial staff of the newspaper “Rilindja”. “The banning of ‘Rilindja’ in Prishtina,” said Mr. Arbnor, “was a severe blow by the Belgrade authorities against the Albanian press and freedom of expression. But the continuation of its publication outside Kosovo, and now in Tirana, shows that no force can deny people the right to information in their own language or the right to freedom of thought. Rilindja,” he stressed, “is a serious newspaper and is playing an important role in making the national question known and in the spiritual and cultural integration of our nation.” “We are trying to publish a newspaper that is truly both national and democratic,” said Mr. Mehmet Ermallahu during the conversation. “Naturally, we face difficulties in publishing and distributing the newspaper, but we are confident that we will overcome them.”

—The “Europa” café premises were sold illegally— In former Tirana District No. 1, the financial impact of applying higher depreciation rates to privatized properties is estimated to be a loss of 6.8 million lekë. In former Tirana District No. 1, the financial impact of applying higher depreciation rates to privatized properties is estimated to be a loss of 6.8 million lekë, a spokesperson for the State Control Service told ATSH. At several enterprises in this former district, properties were sold while the goods and machinery held there were excluded from the sale, causing the state damage amounting to 6.1 million lekë. Such cases were confirmed at the industrial-commercial enterprise, the repair-services enterprise No. 1, and others. When the industrial-commercial complex of the NTI behind the National Historical Museum was assessed, it had previously been leased to the “Liria Holding” company. At the time of privatization, it was sold to employees without including in the property’s value the costs of investments, equipment, and so on, which amounted to more than 600,000 lekë. In violation of privatization regulations, six enterprises had not paid into the budget the proceeds from the sale of state property, amounting to 3 million lekë. In several enterprises, properties that are not included in the privatization plan were privatized by being sold to employees. In some cases, properties were appraised and leased even though they were not owned by the selling enterprise. A typical case is the sale of the artistic-goods unit and its warehouses on the second floor—today the “Europa” café—to the private company “Eurokol” (Interalbania), represented by Natasha Moisiu, Pandi Canguli, Luan Shahu, Petrit Mersini and Robert Kasneci. Since this property was administered by Agroeksport, the buyers (four of them former managerial staff of this enterprise, as well as of foreign-trade enterprises) were not eligible under the privatization plan. The law was circumvented here by preparing the sale documentation through the Social Food Enterprise No. 1, which had never administered this property. In the privatization process in former District No. 1, no consideration was given to the employment and placement of employees of the units being privatized. In six commercial-services and municipal-services enterprises in this district, of the 2,500 employees working in the units that were privatized, only 1,245 became owners, or 49.8%; 433 people found employment, and 426 of them became unemployed and received assistance. (ATSH)

—The joint declaration of the SP and PASOK indirectly opens the way for Serbia —Not a word about Kosovo and Cameria, while the protection of the Greek minority in Albania is emphasized. The SP leaders cannot break away from the anti-national traditions of the PK and PP. The joint declaration of the PSSH and PASOK (the Greek left-wing party) is published at the top of ZP dated 17 June. The beginning of this declaration gives the impression of a document filled with routine diplomatic expressions such as “the peoples of the Balkans living together” in “peace and democracy,” etc. But the concrete position of the leaders of the two parties soon becomes clear regarding Macedonia and the Albanians of Macedonia, the democratic government, and many political forces and figures around the world. All the facts show that, seeing the “helplessness” of the international community in stopping it militarily, Milosevic is intensifying his crimes in Kosovo as well, even along the border with Albania. The facts have also shown that Nano’s [position] can be nothing other than a declaration of shame in the history of our country. More clearly than ever, his politics have come to light. Just as E. Hoxha made concessions to the Serbs in order to seize his throne, and just as the PK and PP did, so too is Nano doing. It is evident that Serbia and the Greek PASOK would much prefer the SP to be in power rather than a party that defends national interests, such as the DP. Finding himself without any support from abroad, Nano is selling off whatever he can of Albania. De Mikeli forgives the sins, while now he is selling national interests. Nano’s close ties to PASOK seem particularly interesting, especially when, in the same issue of “ZP” but on page four, one reads “Only the Greeks and God help the Serbs”—Karadžić’s statement in Greece. Apparently, Karadžić does not know that Nano helps them too. Indeed, it would not be surprising if Nano, in order to come to power—which would also mean escaping the cell where his predecessors await him—were to stay put and, why not, help (the help is reciprocal) the Serbs enter Albania as well. It is therefore right to take a position against such a declaration, as socialists, honest people, and patriots. As for Nano and his associates, whatever they do, they will not escape justice. EDI PALOKA

At the top of ZP dated 17 June, left-wing party) is published. pan-national founding document, full of diplomatic phrases about the two parties on key issues in the Balkans and bilateral relations soon becomes apparent. On resolving the “Yugoslav crisis” (note the name Yugoslavia, not former Yugoslavia), “efforts should continue through peaceful political and diplomatic means.” And further: “They express their opposition to any military intervention of any kind in the region.” These are Milosevic’s arguments for “not interfering in Bosnia.” After kissing hands with Kraksin, the SP leader surrenders to Milosevic’s friends. This is also the position of Drashkovic and other “Vichevë,” but never of Albanian socialists. Mr. Nano once again demonstrates on this occasion that he does not represent Albanian socialists in any way, but only a corrupt group that has usurped this party’s leadership and is ready for any bargain, even at the expense of national interests, for the sake of the interests of the red mafia clan. He supports Drashkovic and Karaxhiq by sitting at the same table with him and aligning himself with their chauvinist platforms. The democratic government and the Albanian President have also declared that they support a peaceful resolution of the crisis in former Yugoslavia, but events show that diplomacy has not produced the right solutions. Therefore, only the intervention of UN forces and the elimination of Serbia’s military potential would stop this bloody war for ...