The People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania, through this declaration, expresses its indignation and the strongest condemnation of the bloody incident that occurred at the border post of Upper Peshkëpi on 10 April 1994, where three soldiers of the Albanian army were killed and two others were seriously wounded. This serious act, an armed attack organized and carried out on the territory of the Republic of Albania, constitutes a flagrant violation of state sovereignty and of international norms. The People’s Assembly considers this action a grave provocation against peace, security, and good-neighbourly relations in the region. At this difficult moment, the People’s Assembly extends its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and its full solidarity with our armed forces. The People’s Assembly calls on the competent bodies to fully clarify the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and take all measures to guarantee the inviolability of the borders and the security of the country. The People’s Assembly calls on national and international public opinion to condemn this criminal act and support Albania’s right to live in peace and security. Tirana, 12.4.1994

PRESIDENT BERISHA ON THE CRIMINAL MASSACRE IN UPPER PESHKËPI The President’s spokesman announced that the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, yesterday sent this message of condolence to the families and relatives of those killed and injured in the Greek terrorist act in Peshkëpi: "Dear Mr. Sako, On behalf of the President of the Republic and the Albanian people, I extend my deepest condolences and our profound solidarity to the families and relatives of those killed and wounded in the tragic incident of 10 April 1994 in Peshkëpi. The President of the Republic, who is on an official visit to Germany, has expressed his deep sorrow over the death of three soldiers and the wounding of two others. This terrorist act, which took place on Albanian territory, causes a serious loss to our army and, at the same time, to the entire Albanian people. The Albanian government and our entire country are deeply outraged by this vile crime. We are convinced that those responsible will be brought before justice and that the perpetrators of this crime will not be able to escape punishment. President Berisha shares your immense sorrow and asks you to convey to the families of the victims and the wounded his sincere feelings of grief and human solidarity. With respect, Shkëlqim Peza Secretary General of the President" (Page 2)

-Criminal act against the sovereignty of the Republic of Albania and stability in the Balkans- The government cabinet of the Republic of Albania held an emergency meeting yesterday, which condemned with the greatest severity the criminal act that took place on Albanian territory on 10 April 1994, at the Peshkëpi border post, where three Albanian soldiers lost their lives and two others were wounded. The Government of the Republic of Albania described this event as a genuine aggression against the country’s territorial sovereignty and an attempt to destabilize the situation in the Balkans. The statement emphasizes that this act is unacceptable and runs counter to the principles of good neighbourliness and the norms of international law. The government expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, with the wounded, and with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania. It also called for a swift and thorough investigation of the incident as well as punishment of the perpetrators. The statement calls on the international community to react firmly to this grave provocation. Tirana, 12.4.1994 (Page 2)

IN TODAY’S EDITION, THE UNKNOWN HAS TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRIME Meanwhile, investigations into the Albanian provocation continue. Greek official spokesmen continue to accuse Tirana of this bloody act, while a group calling itself the “Front for the Liberation of Vorio-Epirus” has claimed responsibility for the attack. Various circles of the Greek press are offering the most contradictory versions about the identity of the perpetrators, trying to avoid the political responsibility for the incident. The Albanian government has described these efforts as part of a provocative strategy. According to AP and other international sources, the group that has claimed the attack was previously unknown. (Page 5)

LETTER TO PRESIDENT BERISHA FROM “OUR FREEDOM” Through an open letter, representatives of the association “Our Freedom” addressed President Berisha, expressing their support for the Albanian state’s stance in the face of the Peshkëpi provocation. The letter says that the Albanian people must remain united in the face of any threat to sovereignty and territorial integrity. The association condemns the criminal act and demands that the perpetrators be brought before justice. (Page 4)

-The terrorist act by the Greek commando is condemned- Yesterday morning the joint commissions of the People’s Assembly held a special meeting devoted to the serious event in Peshkëpi. At its conclusion, a common position was adopted strongly condemning the armed attack on the Albanian border post. Members of the commissions described the incident as an open challenge to the Albanian state and called for strict defensive measures. Tirane, 11.4.1994

Positions of various organizations, parties, and associations in the country strongly condemn the Peshkëpi attack and describe it as a bandit act by Greek chauvinist circles. The statements call for strengthening national unity and vigilance. (Page 5)

Representatives of the Youth Forum of the PDSH, the Independent Student Union and the Albanian Democratic Student Forum have made public a joint statement strongly condemning the bloody attack in Peshkëpi. The statement says that this act is aimed at destabilizing the country and damaging democratic processes. Young people and students express their readiness to defend democratic values and the territorial integrity of Albania. (Page 4)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION RILINDJA DEMOCRATIC YEAR V No. 624 Wednesday, 13 April 1994 Price 5 lek Newspaper of the Albanian Democratic Party 1 DM (Germany) 1 USD (USA) 150 DPK (Greece) PRESIDENT BERISHA ON THE CRIMINAL MASSACRE IN UPPER PESHKËPI The spokesman of the President announced that the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, yesterday sent this message of condolence... PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA CONDEMNS THE CRIMINAL ACT DECLARATION The People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania expresses indignation and the strongest condemnation... STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBANIA The criminal act against the sovereignty of the Republic of Albania and stability in the Balkans... LETTER TO PRESIDENT BERISHA FROM "OUR FREEDOM" Through an open letter, representatives of the association addressed President Berisha... STATEMENT OF THE YOUTH FORUM OF THE ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT UNION AND THE ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC STUDENT FORUM Representatives issued a joint statement condemning the bloody attack in Peshkëpi. ITALIAN TRANSLATION RILINDJA DEMOCRATICA ANNO V N. 624 Mercoledì 13 aprile 1994 Prezzo 5 lek Giornale del Partito Democratico Albanese 1 DM (Germania) 1 USD (USA) 150 DPK (Grecia) IL PRESIDENTE BERISHA SUL MASSACRO CRIMINALE A PESHKËPI SUPERIORE Il portavoce del Presidente ha annunciato che il Presidente della Repubblica, Sali Berisha, ha inviato ieri questo messaggio di cordoglio... L'ASSEMBLEA POPOLARE DELLA REPUBBLICA D'ALBANIA CONDANNA L'ATTO CRIMINALE DICHIARAZIONE L'Assemblea Popolare della Repubblica d'Albania esprime indignazione e la più forte condanna... DICHIARAZIONE DEL GOVERNO DELL'ALBANIA L'atto criminale contro la sovranità della Repubblica d'Albania e la stabilità nei Balcani... LETTERA AL PRESIDENTE BERISHA DA "LA NOSTRA LIBERTÀ" Con una lettera aperta, i rappresentanti dell'associazione si sono rivolti al Presidente Berisha... DICHIARAZIONE DEL FORUM GIOVANILE DEL PARTITO DEMOCRATICO ALBANESE, DELL'UNIONE STUDENTESCA INDIPENDENTE E DEL FORUM DEMOCRATICO STUDENTESCO ALBANESE I rappresentanti hanno reso pubblica una dichiarazione congiunta...