This afternoon the Albanian Helsinki Committee and the Kosovo Youth Forum issued a statement. It calls on Albanians not to fall prey to provocations and to remain calm. The statement of the PD Youth Forum says that the recent incidents should not be used for narrow political purposes nor to incite ideological hatred. Democratic youth clearly distances itself from both the left-wing and the right-wing extremes. According to the statement, dealing with the situation requires political maturity, civic unity, and wholehearted support for democratic institutions. Young people are called upon to be a factor of stability and not an instrument of political adventures. In conclusion, the PD Youth Forum calls on all youth organizations and honest citizens to support the democratic order and not fall prey to destabilizing appeals. (Continued on page 4)

After returning from the embassies, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Sali Berisha, said yesterday that "the Democratic Party declares to all Albanian parties everywhere that it has no tactics to subdue them, nor any tactic to keep them as a façade." Mr. Berisha's loud and sharp voice seemed to have split the journalists' room in two, where I found it impossible not to intervene once again, as I have done many times before. I interrupted the chairman of the Democratic Party, asking him again about Greece, since it continues to be our dear partner. This time too, Mr. Berisha did not turn his nose fully away from his own citizens, as he had to show his people that this had been a bilateral meeting and not a one-sided, ceremonial one. I asked him, since his answer was also a kind of "diplomatic language," as they called it, about the Democratic Party's decision on the border issue. I asked whether it should be stated clearly that our country cannot continue to give land to Greece. Mr. Berisha mentioned only other events and said that "we will respect the agreements." It was clear that something was happening in the room that explained the essence of part of our policy toward Greece. Some people cheered whenever Europe was mentioned, but for them Europe ended at the Greek border. So my question was neither excessive nor a personal obsession. Many Albanian parties, in the name of European integration, are satisfied with approval that comes to them from Athens. This is tragicomic and dangerous. Europe does not end in Greece, just as democracy does not begin and end with the approval of the southern neighbor. If we truly want to be European, we must have national and institutional dignity. This does not exclude good neighborly relations, but neither does it imply submission. On the contrary, only on the basis of mutual respect can a stable relationship be built. (Continued on page 4)

Despite [?] the difficulties, we will always be radical and objective - FROM YLJETI NAKO - THE LEADERSHIP MEETS TODAY The Serbian government exploited destructive and responsibility-shifting pretexts for all the recent ominous incidents in the north and at the interstate border. Our conversations with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece consider the position of our non-aligned forces, and according to him only the Serbian government bears responsibility for these senseless actions and for the military terror against Kosovo. The response of the top leaders of the Albanian opposition must not be delayed. It must be clear in defense of the national interest and the rights of Albanians in Kosovo. (Continued on page 4)

The statement by the Presidency spokesman says that the actions in the north and at the interstate border once again show the provocative nature of the Serbian regime. Reacting to the latest events, representatives of the Albanian political forces stress that peace and stability in the region cannot be ensured through violence and military pressure. The Presidency meets today to review the situation and determine the next political steps. (Continued on page 4)

STATEMENT of the Albanian Helsinki Committee The recent Serbo-Croatian conflict has thrown the rights of human beings and minorities into a grave situation, but it has also become a pretext for a new wave of repression against Albanians. On 5 September 1993, in the municipality of Presheva, the Serbian police killed Qazim Misini, near the village of Miratoc, and injured several others. According to initial reports, the victim had not taken part in any armed action. The Albanian Helsinki Committee condemns this serious act and calls for an independent investigation. Likewise, the forced mobilization of Albanians for the needs of the Serbian army is of great concern. This constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental human rights. The Albanian Helsinki Committee calls on international bodies and democratic governments to intervene in order to halt the escalation of violence and to guarantee the protection of the Albanian civilian population. (Continued on page 4)

5,200 families receive economic assistance 5,200 families receive [?] economic assistance Opening 10 percent of the production capacity of the public and private sectors is necessary to minimize losses. December will also provide the first figures. According to the data, the families receiving economic assistance in Tirana are still numerous, while the relevant structures are trying to improve the administration of the scheme and its distribution. (Continued on page 4)

Temporary interruptions to the capital's drinking water supply will be carried out as a result of the work and the state of reserves. According to the notice, citizens are advised to take measures to use water sparingly. (Continued on page 4)