After three returns from Paris, Sali Shakthari decided to take on the defense. He went off for a private meeting at the French embassy, which informed journalists that he had come on a mission. Embassy officials did not go to answer the questions of the outraged journalists, but to clarify the court’s decision and the recent positions of the communist leader regarding the dossier. Isn’t this act unlawful?! Nano File NANO’S LAWYERS BREAK THE LAW -After three returns from Paris, Sali Shakthari decided to take on the defense. -He went off for a private meeting at the French embassy, which informed journalists that he had come on a mission. -Embassy officials did not go to answer the questions of the outraged journalists, but to clarify the court’s decision and the recent positions of the communist leader regarding the dossier. Isn’t this act unlawful?! Nano was advised, the final advice, by his lawyers Although the leader of the Socialist Party was not giving up Nano’s lawyer, Berberi’s lawyer? who had been in Tirana for days, suddenly the second lawyer appeared on the scene and came from Paris. Although the two foreign lawyers presented themselves as the chosen ones for the defense of the communist leader, one of them, Sali Shakthari, decided to continue the defense himself. He was appointed as a foreign lawyer only yesterday afternoon, and immediately after landing in Tirana, he headed to the French embassy, where he held a long meeting. At the same time, the French embassy informed several journalists that the lawyer had come on a mission and that he would give explanations on the matter. But what mission can a private lawyer have in the diplomatic representation of a foreign state? And does this not constitute an impermissible interference in the internal affairs of Albanian justice? The journalists waiting for clarification received no clear answers from the diplomatic representatives. Instead of giving explanations about the lawyer’s status and the limits of his activity, an attempt was made to exert moral pressure on the court’s decision and to create the idea that the Nano case had taken on an international dimension. This sudden move raised many questions. If a foreign lawyer comes for a defense, he must follow the legal procedures of the country in which he operates. Any other route remains suspicious and unacceptable. (to be continued on page 4) Photo by M. Rrumbullaku

The President of the Republic of Albania, Dr. Sali Berisha, and his wife Teuta, arrived yesterday in London on a working visit. They were welcomed at Heathrow Airport by Mike O'Brien, Minister of State at the Foreign Office, and the Mayor of Kensington. The visit of the President of the Republic of Albania to the United Kingdom takes place at the invitation of British Prime Minister John Major. On the second day of the visit, President Berisha had a meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Major, during which he conveyed his best wishes for the recent victory of the Conservatives in the local elections and their successes in governing the country. President Berisha also expressed his satisfaction that in recent years the British government and the English people have stood by the Albanian people and Albania in its most difficult times. He then emphasized the strategic importance of developing relations with Great Britain, and praised the political support that this country has given Albania on the international stage, as well as its willingness to further increase economic cooperation. Prime Minister John Major praised Albania’s achievements in the field of reforms and democratization, and assured President Berisha of continued British support. He expressed interest in the progress of economic reform and in the political climate in Albania. During his stay, President Berisha was also received at Bangkam Palace, where he held a meeting with senior British figures. In the evening, an official dinner was given in his honor.

Tirana Writes and deputies in the town of Erseke STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, A PRIMARY GOAL On Saturday morning, 26 March 1994, in the courtyard of the culture center in Erseke, a rally was held to mark the third anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Party branch of Erseke. In the presence of hundreds of members of the leadership of the entities in the district and with the participation of representatives of the associations of political persecuted persons and former owners, as well as many democrats from the area, Mr. Ali Ruka, secretary of the branch, greeted the gathering on behalf of the leadership of the Democratic Party branch of Erseke. The left-wing extremists! thinking that with bread and yogurt? and paid muscle power, they could dictate to the people of Erseke whom they should trust, did not leave the desired impression. The demonstration failed. Honest police officers and intelligence service employees calmly did their job. On behalf of the central leadership of the PDSH, greetings were extended by the Kolonje deputy and Minister of Environment, Mr. Joli Bufi, who, after wishing the participants a happy holiday, spoke about the major changes Albania has undergone in the last four years, focusing in particular on the efforts of the Albanian government to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, maintain public order and enforce the law. Minister Bufi said that the democrats of Kolonje and Erseke have strongly expressed their determination to continue the reforms in Albania as well as to take part in the upcoming elections. (to be continued on page 4)

Press conference of the Bulgarian Foreign Minister Stanislav Daskalov. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Stanislav Daskalov, is carrying out a visit to Albania. During the meeting with journalists, Mr. Daskalov praised relations between the two countries as a positive example of cooperation in the region. He stressed that Bulgaria supports democratic processes and reforms in Albania and expressed the desire to further expand economic, cultural and political cooperation. The Bulgarian minister underlined that stability in the Balkans requires good neighborly relations and mutual respect. He expressed optimism about the prospects for bilateral ties and emphasized the role of dialogue in solving regional problems. (to be continued on page 4) Photo by M. Rrumbullaku

The victory of Berlusconi-Provera’s center-right in Italy, a novelty in Italian politics. BERLUSCONI: “There will be no compromises with the mafia” After the elections ITALY “SAVES” ITSELF FROM COMMUNISM Victory of the center-right Berlusconi-Provera, a novelty in Italian politics BERLUSCONI: “There will be no compromises with the mafia” The center-right coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi has achieved an important victory in the Italian elections. According to the first reports, this victory was interpreted as a major turning point in Italy’s political life and as a defeat for the left. Berlusconi declared that the new government would not make any compromises with the mafia and would work for economic recovery and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The election result was followed with great interest also in Albania, where the press treated it as a development of importance for the region and for relations with Italy. (to be continued on page 4)

In just the last three weeks, 120 young people have joined the PD branch in Vlore.