-President Berisha pardons the sentences of journalists Martin Leka, Aleksander Frangaj, Ilirian Zhupa and Shyqyri Meka- On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, President Berisha sends his sincere greetings to Albania’s journalists and invites them to use freedom of expression to publish and affirm the truth, develop the values of democracy, respect people and their dignity, and build a society based on the rule of law and free enterprise. Also, as a mark of respect for the work of the 80 journalists who were killed in the past year in the name of freedom of expression and truth in all four corners of the globe, he decided to pardon the prison sentences of journalists Martin Leka and Aleksander Frangaj, the suspended prison sentence of journalist Ilirian Zhupa, and the fine imposed on journalist Shyqyri Meka. The aforementioned journalists were sentenced by the courts for disclosing state secrets, defamation, and violating provisions of the Press Law, etc.

In recent days, the opposition press, with incomprehensible insistence and disregarding reality and political logic, has sought to sow discord in the agreement between PD, PSD and PR, the parties victorious in Albania’s first pluralist elections. Despite attacks by PS, PK, PUK, etc., these three parties succeeded in taking the first steps and then building the institutions of honor of a nation. With courage and complete understanding, the coalition of the three parties passed the human rights law in parliament and government. F. Nano, an act that marks an event in the struggle for dignity and respect for democratic institutions. The governing coalition calmed the troubled spirits of the transition and gave them hope and confidence. With a profoundly national policy, this coalition gave Albania a dignified presentation to the world, enhancing its prestige and respect. The attacks on the coalition have been directed particularly at PSD. This party of intellectuals, at key moments in Albania’s political developments, stood alongside PD in the great historic mission for which history will honor and remember it. The governing coalition is itself a significant indicator of civilization and culture. With only two years of pluralism, after the fall of four or five single-party governments, March 22 called for an unbreakable political foundation, which was provided by the coalition of the three most democratic forces in Albania at that time. By entering the coalition, the democratic forces in Albania showed civilized Europe that there was a shared desire and will for shared progress. The governing coalition is a guarantee of stability and all-round progress. This was why, within a few years, Albania sought ranking among the most valued European countries for its reforms. Based on a social market economy, the privatization of most of the economy, the introduction of foreign investment, etc., our economy today is an example of evolution. The governing coalition carried out a great mission: the mission of clean government. The former communists of PS, in their interim government, in addition to economic intolerance, became embroiled in corruption scandals, lowering the image of government and seeking to discredit that image. But Albanian justice achieved the opposite of what the former communists intended. It struggle for dignity and respect for democratic institutions. Naturally, not everything was ideal. Along the path of governing, especially in local government, there were undesirable instances that could have been avoided or were resolved through bilateral discussions. The same applies to the government and parliament. If PSD left parliament in the previous summer session, a solution was found within the bounds of dialogue, and it continued its noble parliamentary mission within the halls of justice. Many shortcomings rear their heads because we allow them to grow without noticing. Many others are on the way to being resolved. But, despite this, the political will, mission and ideal that brought PD, PSD and PR together Threatened, March 22 requires an unbreakable political foundation, which is ensured by the coalition of the three most democratic forces of that time in Albania. civilized Europe that there is a shared desire and will for the progress of democracy. The governing coalition constitutes a broad front with a diverse, anti-communist base. Faced with ... of power. The former communists of the PS, in three provisional governments, besides economic intolerance, became mired in corruption scandals, lowering the image of governance and seeking to discredit it. But Albanian justice did the opposite of what the former communists intended. It respected and upheld the law and justice. The three-party coalition unanimously voted to lift the immunity of the corrupt communist and ... the Greek [side] on this marked religious occasion as well. PDSH denounces as baseless and malicious the Greek government's abominations against the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. They constitute another example of Greece’s persistent interference in Albania’s internal affairs. The Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Eminence have striven and even sacrificed their lives for the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The Albanian Democratic Party regards the independence of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church as Tirana, 2.5.1994 A. MORINA

In a telegram he sent to Nelson Mandela, the President of the Republic states that your victory is the triumph of the freedom long awaited by the South African people and by the whole world that believes in freedom and progress. Your wisdom, courage, vision, heroic perseverance and love of humanity have been decisive in this historic victory for freedom and in the decision with which Albania wishes to establish and develop friendly relations, the telegram from President Berisha concludes. Press and Information Office of the President

Zyrin: Serreqi–Papulias meeting Yesterday, on 3 May 1994, an official meeting took place at the Office between the delegation of Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by the Foreign Minister, Mr Alfred Serreqi, and the delegation of Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by the Greek Foreign Minister, Mr Karolos Papulias. The meeting had been scheduled earlier to analyze Albanian-Greek relations following the terrorist act against the conscript servicemen’s center in Peshkepi on 10 April 1994. During the meeting, the Albanian delegation emphasized that the democratic Albanian government considers Albanian-Greek relations very important, not only bilaterally but also for the entire region. It has demonstrated its goodwill toward the normal and beneficial development of these relations on the basis of reciprocity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. Nevertheless, the Albanian delegation pointed out, unfortunately we have recently faced a series of incidents and provocations, of which the terrorist act of 10 April is unprecedented. The incidents have been accompanied by the frenzied and aggressive resurgence of Vorio-Epirote chauvinist circles, irresponsible statements with strongly anti-Albanian content by certain senior Greek state officials, the use of certain elements of the Greek minority in Albania to achieve expansionist ambitions, and provocative conduct by diplomats that is outside all diplomatic etiquette. The Albanian side requested that the Greek government undertake to immediately stop the unrestrained warmongering propaganda of radio stations based in northern Greece, Corfu and Konitsa, and the publications of the Institute of Vorio-Epirote Studies in Ioannina, which call for territorial claims, going so far as military intervention against Albania; it also requested that the necessary measures be taken to prevent terrorist acts from recurring in the future. Greece’s public positions should clearly distance themselves from chauvinist and absurd claims against southern Albania. The Greek Foreign Minister, after describing Albanian-Greek relations as very important, reiterated his goodwill to cooperate toward the swiftest possible normalization of bilateral relations and undertook that the Greek government would fulfill the above request. Regarding the investigation of the incident, the Albanian side insisted that the Greek side accept an investigation by an impartial international commission, judging that both sides should be interested in an objective and impartial assessment of the evidence. Mr Papulias disagreed with the Albanian side’s position and, referring to the meeting in Ioannina between delegations from the public order ministries of the two countries, proposed activating a joint commission between the respective public order ministries. The Albanian side explained that the suspension of implementation of the decision on the reduction of

- Statement of the Albanian Democratic Party In recent days, all Albanian Orthodox Christians, wherever they may be in Albania, freely and festively celebrated Easter, the Day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The democratic Albanian state and all Albanians showed the greatest respect for the religious feelings of Albanian Orthodox Christians. Albanian RTV provided extensive coverage of the Orthodox Easter ceremony. It is regrettable that the Greek government’s manipulations and provocations were not absent even from this important religious occasion. PDSH denounces as unfounded and malicious the Greek government’s dirty attacks against the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. They constitute yet another example of Greece’s continual interference in Albania’s internal affairs. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania is independent in its mission and activities and, as such, has served and continues to serve Albanian Orthodox believers and Albania’s national interests. We take this opportunity to remind His Beatitude Janullatos that dozens and hundreds of Albanian clerics and patriots have striven and even sacrificed their lives for the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. The Albanian Democratic Party considers the independence of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania sacred and condemns any interference with or infringement of it. Tirana, 2.5.1994

-The “mouthless” lawyer decided to speak this time so as not to let the others speak- After the uproar over the Nano-Alia meeting in the prison cell and the bringing of tape recorders and cameras into Nano’s cell, PS felt that it could no longer remain silent. And what was expected happened: instead of a promise to Nano on this issue, they chose the path that seemed easiest to PS’s extremist leaders; they responded through a proxy. In fact, PS as a party has not yet made a statement; only “ZP” (or “ZFN”) has published a statement by lawyer Agim Tirana on Nano’s behalf, in which he denies that the meeting took place. That lawyer Tirana is a loyal soldier of Nano is also borne out in the courtroom, where the few words Nano is allowed to say are accompanied by repeated references to “the chairman of PS”; but for Tirana to agree to turn himself into a kamikaze is strange. This lawyer, who on Nano’s orders kept his mouth shut in court, has now, again on Nano’s orders, decided to sacrifice himself for the party. I say “decided to sacrifice himself” because by having Agim Tirana make a statement, PS stays out of tomorrow’s bluff, declaring that it was not them who denied it, but Nano’s lawyer. Nevertheless, this move is extremely naive and serves only to convince even those who have not yet been convinced that PS is run under the diktat of Nano and his group. Lawyer Tirana falls victim to his own somewhat naive logic: after declaring that it is untrue that the Nano-Alia meetings took place, he cannot resist the temptation to bring out what seems to him a convincing argument. If there had been photographs, “RD” would not have hesitated to publish them, Tirana writes. It is shocking for a lawyer to reason with the naivety of a child. So, according to Tirana, the fact that “RD” did not publish the photo means it does not exist. I can give several good reasons why such a photo might not be published, but... Lawyer Tirana denies that the meeting took place but “forgets” to deny the fact that tape recorders and a camera were brought in. With great “nobility,” lawyer Tirana reminds us of the Press Law, and does very well, since he offers this “reminder” in an article published in a newspaper concerning whether or not a fact is true. In other words, lawyer Tirana would do well to read for himself the law he cites to us. To tell the truth, although comrade Tirana writes that it would be in our honor to deny the fact, I will not only not deny it, but I also look forward to a summons to court over this issue. Tirana writes that the “alibi of the meeting” between Nano and Alia is “a big lie,” but he will soon understand how clumsy the way they found to get out of this problem is. The rampant expansion and unchecked aggression of the chauvinist Northern Epirote circles; the irresponsible statements, brimming with anti-Albanian sentiment, members of the Greek minority in Albania to realize expansionist ambitions; the provocative intervention by Greek diplomats—outside all diplomatic etiquette—in the internal affairs of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and the Albanian state; the Greek government’s lack of serious commitment to shed light on the tragic event in Peshkëpi and to ... On that day, a solution was found through Palace of Justice. Many shortcomings raise their heads because we let them being resolved. Nevertheless, despite this, the political will, mission, and ideal for which the PD, PSD, and PR united remain untarnished and sacred to the three parties. The Albanian side explained that the implementation of the decision to reduce the staff of the Greek embassy did not mean that it would not be implemented, and stressed that it would be carried out within a reasonable time frame. And in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention, the staff ... all the while claiming: “the chairman of the PS”; but for Tirana to agree to turn orders kept his mouth shut in court, now decides, again on Nano’s orders, to sacrifice himself for the party. I say “decides to sacrifice himself” because, by making this statement, Agim Tirana leaves the PS outside tomorrow’s bluff, declaring that it was not they who falsified things, but Nano’s lawyer. Nevertheless, this move is extremely naïve and serves only to convince even those who are not yet convinced that the group. Lawyer Tirana falls victim to his somewhat naïve logic: after declaring that it is untrue that meetings between Nano and Alia took place, he cannot resist the temptation to produce what seems to him a convincing argument. “If there were photographs, RD would not hesitate to publish them,” Tirana writes. It is shameful for a lawyer to reason with the naïveté “RD” did not publish the photo means that why such a photo might not be published, but ... to deny the existence of the tape recorders and the camera. precisely in a newspaper article concerning whether or not a fact is true. So comrade Tirana writes that it would be to our credit to deny the fact, I will not deny it—not even for the sake of a summons to court over this matter. Tirana writes that the “alibi for the Nano–Alia meeting” is “a blatant lie,” but he will soon understand just how blatant the excuse they found to get out of this problem is. EDI PALOKA Lawyer Tirana during Nano’s trial PHOTO: A. BABANI

“THE BETRAYAL OF SMOKE”

-“In the house of a hanged man, don’t mention the rope”- In a Sunday article, “ZP” “ironizes” (as much as “ZP” is capable of) about a fact: the fact that, some time ago, the seal was stolen from the PD office in Durrës. Thieves in the PD offices in Durrës stole the seal, while at the same time, in the PS offices in Korçë, the militants’ raki was stolen... Apparently, raki was the most valuable thing one could find in the PS offices. In any case, what is interesting about “ZP”’s article on this issue is that those who committed the theft are not called thieves but “teenagers driven by curiosity” who wanted “to pay a visit” to the PD offices. Apparently the people did not invent the saying “In the house of a hanged man, don’t mention the rope” for nothing. E. P.