-Letter from Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi to Colin Keating, President of the UN Security Council- Dear Mr. President, I wish to focus your attention and that of the UN Security Council on the deep concern of the Albanian Government regarding the grave incident that occurred on the border between the Republic of Greece and the Republic of Albania, 4 kilometers inside Albanian territory. On April 10, 1994, at around 2:30 a.m., a Greek terrorist commando, consisting of 6–7 people, among whom was a person who spoke Albanian with a Greek accent, armed and dressed in Greek military uniform, penetrated about 4 kilometers into Albanian territory. Near the village of Peshkëpi in the Gjirokastër district, the commando group attacked a training center for Albanian recruits. Two of the commandos took the Albanian guard, Arsen Llazar Gjini, aged 20, from the village of Seman in the Fier district, by surprise and killed him. The other four commandos entered the dormitory and opened fire, killing in their sleep the training officer, First Captain Fatmir Sali Shehu, aged 34, from Gjirokastër, and wounding three soldiers. During this operation, one of the members of the commando shouted “in Greek”: “This is for Vorio Epir; don’t think we have forgotten it.” After this act, the commando group was pursued and the tracks found lead to the Greek border post of Argjirohot. The Albanian Government wishes to draw the Security Council’s attention to the fact that the criminal act of April 10 is a continuation of a series of incidents provoked by the armed forces of Greece, such as the entry of a Greek warship into Albanian territorial waters and its opening fire on January 4 and 10, 1994; the entry of a Greek minesweeper into Albanian territorial waters on March 10, 1994; the killing of Albanian citizen Alfred Muço on March 21 by a patrol of the armed forces near the village of Kostur, after he had been detained; and other incidents that have occurred during this year. All these incidents, and particularly the latest premeditated terrorist-type act, carried out by a commando in Greek military uniform and armed, arriving from Greek territory and returning there after regrouping, are regarded by the Albanian Government as a terrorist act, a massacre of people in their sleep, and a grave violation of Albania’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with clear and premeditated aims. These aims are not simply to worsen relations between the two countries, but, first and foremost, to intensify the situation in the Balkans. It is disturbing that its transformation into an inter-Balkan crisis has long run counter to the positions and efforts of the European Union and the international community to resolve the crisis peacefully. Likewise, Greece’s unilateral embargo and its irresponsible, intolerant and hostile stance toward the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as well as its grave provocations and continuing escalation of tensions in relations with Albania, clearly appear to be coordinated and part of a strategy to spread the conflict to the southern Balkans. I also wish to stress that it seems no coincidence to us that in recent days Belgrade has increased military and police repression in Kosovo and increased its military presence and pressure on Serbia’s borders with Albania and FYROM. The Government of the Republic of Albania, concerned for peace and stability in the region and shaken by the gravity of such warmongering acts, calls on the Security Council, in exercising its authority, the countries that practice state terrorism, and to exert pressure on the Government of Greece, demanding that it shed light on this grave incident and uncover the [Top part cut off] ... entered the sleeping quarters and opened fire, killing in his sleep the head of the mess hall, First Captain Fatmir Sali Shehu, 34, from Gjirokastra, and wounding 3 soldiers. During this action, one of the members of the commando shouted, “We are Greeks”; this is for Vorio Epir, do not think that pursued by Albanian border forces, withdrew in the direction of the Greek border. The route taken ... ... which the Albanian Government regards sleep, clear and ill-considered aims, intended not merely to worsen relations between the two countries but, above all, to inflame the situation in the Balkans. It is troubling that Greece’s official state policy toward the conflict in the former Yugoslavia and the danger ... in the region, reaffirmed by the gravity of such acts of a war-provoking nature, requires the Security Council, in exercising its powers, on the Government of Greece, demanding that it clarify this serious incident and identify and publicly punish its perpetrators.

Bilateral relations, the development of friendship and cooperation between our two countries, and the situation in the region were at the center of the talks held between President Berisha and German Foreign Minister Kinkel. “Albania and the Albanians are very grateful to, and feel friendship toward, the German people,” President Berisha said, “feelings that began with the valuable contribution German scholars made to the study of Albanian culture and continue through the great assistance Germany gave to the democratic processes in our country from their very beginnings. We are grateful to the German Government and Germany for the support they are giving Albania’s efforts to move from dictatorship to the rule of law and a market economy. Our countries enjoy very good political relations, and economic cooperation with Germany is among the most effective.” “Albania was the most isolated communist country,” Mr. Kinkel said, “and as a result the processes of democratization and economic reform would be the most difficult. I can tell you that your efforts, as well as your achievements during the transition, are astonishing. We understand your difficulties very well, because we Germans have faced the difficulties of such a phase twice: in 1945, after the dictatorship, and in recent years in the eastern part of the country, where the pace of transition has not been as fast as yours.” The meeting discussed in detail further assistance Germany could provide in supplying cities with water; in the energy sector and improving the electricity grid; in road infrastructure; in resolving Albania’s external debt problem; and in opening a branch of a German bank. Mr. Kinkel undertook to intervene with the relevant German and EU bodies so that Albania could be helped to meet these needs, which he considers priorities for the country. He will make efforts to encourage his government to encourage private investors as well. “Germany,” he said, “will support Albania’s further integration into the European Union, NATO and the Council of Europe, and I will be your advocate with my European colleagues.” President Berisha expressed his particular gratitude for the valuable assistance Germany has given and continues to give in accommodating refugees, and informed the German minister that these refugees support one or two families with what they earn. Their return would pose a problem for them and for the country, since they would be unemployed and homeless. President Berisha asked that a more tolerant approach be adopted toward them and that they not be returned. Regarding the situation in the region, President Berisha said that maintaining the newly established Croat-Muslim federation was an important factor in achieving peace in the former Yugoslavia. But equally important for lasting peace is resolving the Albanian question, of which the Kosovo issue is the principal component. We believe the most effective means is to link the UN sanctions against Serbia to the achievement of an agreement between Belgrade and Kosovo’s legitimate leaders on the status of the province. Regarding Macedonia, the President once again expressed Albania’s determination to help and cooperate with that Republic and said Albania is deeply interested in stability in Macedonia. However, he stressed, it is necessary for the Macedonian authorities to carry out the population census and fulfill their commitments to guarantee the human and national rights and freedoms of the Albanians living there. President Berisha also expressed regret over the crisis with Greece caused in recent days by the criminal and premeditated act of a terrorist commando that came from Greek territory and returned there. Albania is consistent in its policy of reducing tension and preserving stability in the region, he said. From the first day, we proposed cooperating with the Greek authorities to identify the perpetrators of the crime. Unfortunately, we received an official response from the Greek side only today. We agree to establish dialogue at ministerial level to overcome the crisis and accept the creation of a joint commission to find and punish those responsible for this heinous crime. President Berisha invited President Vacekër and Chancellor Kohl to visit Albania. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY Tirana, 14.04.1994

Tirana: On 13.04.1994, the ambassador of the Hellenic Republic in Tirana, Mr. Kristodulis Caligis, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and handed a note stating that, in the absence of an agreement on the necessary staffing levels for the diplomatic personnel of the Republic of Albania in Athens and the Hellenic Republic in Tirana, the Albanian side considers it sufficient for the staffing to be mutually limited to six diplomats, according to the announcement from the press directorate of this ministry. The Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Tirana is to take the necessary measures to return to their homeland, within 10 days, the diplomatic staff in excess of this number. ATSH

The heinous crime of April 10 in Peshkëpi, which resulted in the killing of two military personnel and the wounding of several others, shows that the organized gangs are supported by ultranationalist political forces. Together with the killings in Bosnia and the other crimes in Kosovo, they openly expose the fantasies of the aggressor states. We strongly denounce these crimes and give our unreserved support to our democratic state. We extend our condolences to the families. We call on the Albanian political forces to unite around the national interest. Albania above all! ON BEHALF OF THE ANTI-COMMUNIST ASSOCIATION “2 PRILLI” THE CHAIRMAN EDUARD PERJAKU

The delegation of the People’s Assembly, headed by the Chairman of the Presidium, Pjetër Arbnori, which is visiting the People’s Republic of China, was received at the guest villas by the Vice Premier of the State Council and Foreign Minister, Qian Qichen. Mr. Qian thanked them for the warm welcome given to the delegation headed in Albania, and expressed the hope that the Albanian delegation’s visit would help further strengthen ties and cooperation between the two countries. “We greatly value our relations with China,” Mr. Arbnori said, “and we wish for cooperation between our two countries to expand further. The 2,000 tractors we bought from China this year were welcomed with satisfaction by the farmers. (Continued on page 2)

Meeting also with President Skalffaro From 10.4.1994 to 13.4.1994, at the invitation of Italy’s Minister of Justice, Mr. Konno, a delegation headed by Albania’s Minister of Justice, Mr. Kudret Çela, paid an official visit to Italy. The delegation included Mr. Zef Brozi, President of the Court of Cassation, and Mr. Paskal Haxhi, an adviser at the Ministry of Justice. The visit was organized in connection with the start of a one-month course for 37 Albanian judges and prosecutors, organized by the Italian High Council of the Judiciary in cooperation with UNICRI (the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute). On Monday, 11.4.1994, the delegation was received by Mr. Galoni, Vice-President of the High Council of the Judiciary, and afterwards the opening ceremony of the course was held. Speeches were given by Mr. Galoni, Ministers Konno and Çela, and the head of UNICRI in Rome, Mr. Herman F. Woltring. On 12.4.1994, at 12:30, the delegation and all the course participants were received at the Quirinale Presidential Palace by the President of the Republic, Skalffaro. After expressing his welcome and best wishes for the course, he emphasized the role of the judge and the difficult and noble nature of the judge’s duty. The President of the Court of Cassation, Mr. Zef Brozi, held a separate meeting with his Italian counterpart, Mr. Brankacion. At the meeting, it was agreed that after this group of (Continued on page 2)

Press conference: Kinkel - Serreqi “ALBANIA CAN ALSO COUNT ON GERMANY IN THE FUTURE” - On the Kosovo issue, we fully support Albania’s interests and demands. - “Several thousand Albanian citizens live in the FRG, and we are very willing to offer them our hospitality.” At the end of his visit, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel gave a press interview together with Mr. Serreqi. In his remarks, the Albanian minister said: “It is a pleasure for me to welcome you to this ministry, and I would like to remind you that, as the first foreign minister of the democratic government, I met his predecessor, the friend of Albania, Mr. Gensher. I consider this visit very important, not only because of the stature of the minister, but also because of the country he represents as a founder of the European Union, and because of Germany’s significance in the historical roots of friendship and its contribution from the very beginnings of the construction of the independent Albanian state, as well as the assistance it has given to Albania’s new democracy and its transition. The importance of this visit is not only bilateral in scope, but also of great importance to the region and has a multilateral dimension. Although the time was short, we hope it will be the prelude to a longer visit and to other, even higher-level visits. But it was short and sufficient to discuss so many issues of interest to us, whether bilateral, political, economic or cultural. I take this opportunity to thank him for the assistance he has given our country in the process of European integration, and I received a promise from Mr. Kinkel that, over the next six months, with Germany holding the Presidency of the European Union, he will be an advocate defending Albania’s interests in the integration process. We conducted a detailed analysis of the crisis in the region and of elements of its current developments; Albania’s foreign policy was presented, and the issue of Albanian refugees from Kosovo and Albanian economic migrants in Germany was raised. Mr. Kinkel then took the floor: First, I would like to thank you for the exceptionally great interest you have shown, and I thank my Albanian colleague for the extraordinary hospitality. He visited me in March last year, and I am returning that visit now. We held talks for four hours in a row with Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister and my colleague. This has been a short but very intensive visit. We spoke about our bilateral relations. Albania is going through a very difficult period of transition, and during this transition Albania needs assistance. The Germans have made sure to provide this assistance. I also told my interlocutors that Albania can count on Germany in the future as well. We see ourselves as advocates for countries in transition and feel friendly toward them. Today I offered the Albanian government a joint declaration to put our good relations in writing as well. I offered assistance in several areas that are important to Albania. This concerns drinking-water problems, energy, infrastructure, and the settlement of debts. I did not agree to provide only one-sided assistance; rather, both sides agreed on bilateral relations. We will make efforts at both bilateral and multilateral levels, including through international organizations that can help in such cases, so that Albania can be assisted in dealing with these difficult issues. Albania should understand that Germany, having gone through reunification, understands the problems of Eastern Europe better, but the consequences of reunification have very significant financial costs. are very willing to offer them our hospitality. Nevertheless, we must all consider a way to return these people to their country. By 1993, the FRG had provided Albania with a total of 175 million German marks in development aid. This aid was provided for the development of Albania’s legal system and in several other areas. We are ready to support Albania in resolving these problems, for example, admission to the Council of Europe, reaching an agreement with the European Union, closer ties with NATO, and support for Albania’s efforts to move toward the Western European Union. We will support Albania with the International Monetary Fund and other international financial institutions. Albania is a member of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. It is known that Albania is also interested in bilateral military cooperation with Germany. The situation in the former Yugoslavia was also a topic of the talks. Before my departure, I made a statement in the German Bundestag, in which I pointed out that certain developments are offering some hope for the situation in Sarajevo and around it, in Mostar. Another new source of hope is the agreement between Muslims and Croats in Bosnia, an initiative I undertook together with the French foreign minister, Zhyper. Germany has done a great deal to help the people in the former Yugoslavia. In terms of humanitarian aid, we rank second after the USA. We spoke intensively about the Kosovo issue. In all the discussions, we have said that the repressive measures by the Serbs must come to an end. The action plan and the efforts for peace are based on including the Kosovo issue. Here we fully support Albania’s interests and demands. We spoke about Macedonia, and I asked the President and the Foreign Minister to withdraw their objections to Macedonia’s admission to the CSCE. We naturally also discussed relations between Macedonia and Greece. Greece’s embargo against Macedonia must be lifted. The European Commission has brought Greece before the European Court. A solution must be reached regarding the Greek-Macedonian issue. I expressed my views to the Albanian government about the aggressors near the Albanian-Greek border. I cannot judge who is responsible for this, and that is not my task, but in any case this issue must be clarified. We signed an agreement that is very important to the German side, an agreement concerning war graves. We are very committed to implementing this agreement. We believe that 3,600 German soldiers killed during the war may be found in Albania. The journalists then asked questions. Immediately after the press conference, German Foreign Minister Dr. Klaus Kinkel left Albania.

“ALBANIA CAN CONTINUE TO COUNT ON GERMANY IN THE FUTURE”