This is the first visit by a German head of state to Albania, just as it is the first visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Roman Herzog, to the Balkans. The very high level of this visit demonstrates Germany’s great interest in Albania and its current political development, and marks new prospects for bilateral relations. Germany, the most powerful country in Europe, has been and remains Albania’s main ally in international politics. The tragedy Albania experienced under the communist dictatorial regime had among its consequences Albania’s isolation from the world. It was the persistent efforts of German diplomacy that led to the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries in 1987. Albanians remember well a visit from those days that could have totally changed Albania’s situation. The visit by Strauss, the distinguished German figure, would have brought very positive developments had it found even a little goodwill among the leaders of the regime of that time. But R. Alia, F. Çami and the others in the criminal regime were there precisely to eliminate every opportunity for Albania, to extinguish every hope of the Albanians. The year 1991, as in many other respects, would also mark developments in Albania’s relations with the world. Germany would be one of the fundamental supporters on whom further Albanian-German aid and cooperation would be based. After March ’92, relations between our two countries would intensify. Germany would stand alongside Albania, together with Italy and the EC, during the difficult period of transition. Germany’s considerable humanitarian assistance would contribute to Albania’s emergence from the crisis. Even today, Germany remains one of the countries providing the greatest economic assistance to Albania. During President Herzog’s visit, a joint declaration on the fundamental principles that will underpin further Albanian-German aid and cooperation will be signed. Above all, however, the best assistance Germany is giving Albania through its political figures is in the field of international relations. The words of Foreign Minister Mr. Klaus Kinkel, that Germany will be Albania’s advocate, are highly significant and show Germany’s very positive position toward our country. Albania’s role in the Balkans as a factor for stability and peace has been and remains one of the main reasons for Germany’s support for Albania’s integration into Europe. Relations between the two countries also have a positive historical tradition. It can undoubtedly be said that Germany is Albania’s principal supporter with regard to the national question, while respecting the rules of the international community. President Herzog’s visit, at the invitation of President Berisha, is precisely an indication of this support; it is a message. Undoubtedly, this visit, which follows visits by other prominent figures in German politics, such as Mr. Kinkel and Ms. Sysmuth, marks the high point in contacts between the two countries. During his visit and meetings with Albania’s highest-ranking figures, the German President will be accompanied by his wife, Christiane Herzog. We welcome them and wish them a pleasant stay in our country. EDI PALOKA MR. AND MRS. HERZOG

A joint declaration will be signed, having the value of a treaty of friendship and cooperation The visit of the first German head of state will help advance economic, political and institutional reform From the press conference of German Ambassador Klaus Volers DUKAGJIN HATA Today at ten o’clock, the number-one head of state of the Federal Republic of Germany, President Dr. Roman Herzog, arrives at Rinas Airport. Following the presidential protocol ceremony, Dr. Roman Herzog will thus begin his first visit as President outside Germany, and precisely to Albania, the country that endured the harshest isolation under the communist dictatorship, where the legendary Strauss, as the German ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Volers, said at yesterday’s press conference, made his legendary visit—but that visit was a swallow which, unfortunately, could not bring spring. Regarding Dr. Herzog’s visit to Tirana and its significance in the current Albanian political climate, German Ambassador Mr. Volers, accompanied by press attaché Mr. Wolf, considered it appropriate to present his thoughts to journalists yesterday at a press conference. “I am happy,” Mr. Volers began, “that tomorrow a very important visit will take place, not only for our two countries, but also for the old Balkan Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Since Mr. Gensher came to Tirana, Germany has been attaching ever greater importance to relations with Albania. The many visits and exchanges of senior state and political figures, and the series of agreements being signed between the two countries lately, will reach their high point with tomorrow’s visit by (Continued on page 3) Wolf and Wolers at the press conference Photo: G. Xhengo

“Do not forget Albania; the rest will be sorted out.” “Do not forget Albania; the rest will be sorted out,” the patriotic and democratic deputy Sali Ibrahim Karbunara urged! And he was to be shot, because: “This is another attempt to bring about another 4 February,” the frenzied terrorist prosecutor Josif Pashko shouted as he sentenced him to death! 4 February! ... Truly, a horrifying and bloody event for Albania... It left around 80 dead!... But what did Communist February bring afterward? A strangely painful February in Albanian history... The end of February in the first year after liberation—1945! A so-called “Special Court” concludes its proceedings. Sixty Albanians are massacred and 17 of them are shot!... 2 February of the following year—1946. With Prof. Çokën as chairman, a series of arrests begins targeting another group of enemies who had called for democracy and pluralism... Forty Albanians are crippled and 10 of them are shot... That same February, another trial concludes in Shkodër! It massacres 40 citizens and clerics; 7 of them are shot... One massacre brings another February—this is the one in 1951! Hundreds of Albanians are massacred throughout Albania! Twenty-two of them are put in a mass grave in Tirana because a bomb had exploded somewhere, at an embassy!... Murder and blood... the painful road of Albanian Februaries passed through the graves of executions of deputies and intellectuals, politicians and democrats, until the number of those killed and executed, with and without trial, drowned in the rivers and secretly disappeared—as only the communist dictatorship was accustomed to doing—exceeded 5,000. That is why the Albanian conscience still burns when it remembers February... And there is another February! It is 6 February 1967, which brought further shame and blood! It left a bloodstained mark, violated sacred places of worship and temples, set Albania apart from the whole world, and killed and executed many more innocent Albanians. Blood-soaked subjugation! Communism or February! This—and only this—was the sole alternative, to the point that the idea was being fostered that it was not the dictator and the dictatorship, but February, that killed and executed; February brought Albanian bloodshed that will never be forgotten! Even after nearly 40 years, when every normal Albanian thought that Albania had by now had its fill of blood and executions, that Albanians had had enough of communist February, sadly, they were wrong!... Ramiz Alia solemnly opened a Congress that he christened the Continuity Congress!... So once again: Communism or executions and blood! Communism or February! The Central Committee of the P.P.SH. convened to announce cynically: “Albania has not opened up at all” (Continued on page 3)

Suspends the procedure for examining Greek communications concerning Albania Finally convinced of the falsity of the accusations made by the Greek side against the Albanian state over violations of the rights of the Greek minority, the OSCE Commission on Human Rights, as the world’s highest forum on the state of human rights, decided to discontinue the procedure for examining Greek communications concerning Albania. This was the objective of the Albanian delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova, who traveled to Geneva at the end of January to take part in the working session of the OSCE Commission, with the support of the United States, Bulgaria, Egypt, China and Cuba. Deputy Foreign Minister Starova’s arguments, as well as the numerous visits to Tirana by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Maks van Der Shtool, convinced the aforementioned states rejecting as unfounded the Greek diplomacy’s claims about the difficult situation of the Greek minority in Albania. President Berisha and the Albanian government, committed to full respect for the rights of national minorities guaranteed by the Helsinki Charter and other international documents, have shown transparency toward various international organizations, which have been invited to see firsthand the actual situation of the Greek minority in Albania, free from the prejudices of the unhealthy nationalism often encouraged by certain circles in Greece.

Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, received a delegation from the “Durresi” association, headed by Mr. Halil Myrberzi. They raised their concerns about indiscriminate interventions in the city’s tourist and historical-cultural areas, as well as several urban-planning problems. The President considered their concerns justified and supported the resolution of these problems. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC

Deputy Foreign Minister Arian Starova received yesterday the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic in Tirana, Mr. Kristos Caliqis Mr. Starova handed the Greek ambassador a protest note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning recent incidents: the killing of the Albanian citizen Albert Kuka, from Burrelli; the wounding of Ilir Shima, from Rrogozhina; and the mistreatment of another Albanian citizen, Agim Tomori, from the village of Vlemish in Fier, by Greek police and military personnel, emphasizing, among other things, . Mr. Starova handed the Greek ambassador a protest note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning recent incidents: the killing of the Albanian citizen Albert Kuka, from Burrelli; the wounding of Ilir Shima, from Rrogozhina; and the mistreatment of another Albanian citizen, Agim Tomori, from the village of Vlemish in Fier, by Greek police and military personnel. He emphasized, among other things, that such incidents are occurring at a time when both countries are working to prepare Mr. Papulias’s visit, and he is welcome in Tirana. He called on the Greek government to take the necessary measures to put an end to such actions. The Greek ambassador expressed his and the Greek government’s regret over these incidents. ATSH

According to information received from the People’s Assembly, on 27 February the Presidium of the People’s Assembly decided, under Articles 64, 65 and 66 of the Rules of Procedure of the People’s Assembly concerning sections and plenary-session meetings, that Deputy Arben Imami would be excluded from the activities of the People’s Assembly for 15 calendar days, beginning on 27 February 1995. This administrative measure was imposed because, during the plenary session of 17 February, Deputy Arben Imami disrupted the orderly conduct of the meeting by interrupting a deputy in an insulting manner, despite the warnings given to him by the session chair. These actions are punishable because they undermine parliamentary etiquette and the orderly conduct of the People’s Assembly’s work. RD CORRESPONDENT

Albania and Malta have signed an agreement in the field of tourism in Rome. The agreement on cooperation in this field between the government of the Republic of Albania and the government of Malta was signed by the two countries’ ambassadors to Italy, Edmond Dulaj and Carmel J. Aquilina. ATSH

At its regular meeting yesterday, the Council of Ministers approved the draft decision submitted by the Ministry of Finance proposing several amendments to its previous Decision No. 338 of 18.1.1994, “On approval in principle of the draft agreement between the government of the Republic of Albania and the government of the United States of America for the settlement of certain claims,” as well as the draft law ratifying this agreement, which will be sent to the People’s Assembly after it is signed. At its regular meeting yesterday, the Council of Ministers approved the draft decision submitted by the Ministry of Finance proposing several amendments to its previous Decision No. 338 of 18.1.1994, “On approval in principle of the draft agreement government of the United States of America for the settlement of certain claims,” as well as the draft law ratifying this agreement, which will be sent to the People’s Assembly after it is signed. An amendment was also approved to Law No. 7710 of 18.5.1993, “On economic assistance and social care,” clarifying the period for the distribution of block assistance, which is to be determined by the Ministry of Finance. The Council of Ministers also approved several draft decisions amending its previous decisions, including: the draft decision submitted by the Ministry of Finance on amendments to the state budget for January–March 1995; the draft decision on certain amendments to the decision “On the establishment of the regional inspectorate for social assistance and care”; financing price differences for publications”; the draft decision adding a provision to the decision “On payment of bonuses to players of the national football team when they are called up for international matches,” thereby including two national-team coaches in these payments; the draft decision amending the decision “On the establishment of the telephone service” and transferring the Center for Electronic Automation Studies and Design under the Ministry of Finance, under the name “Financial Computerization Center”; the administration of items confiscated for the benefit of the state as a result of administrative violations”; and scientific research enterprises and institutions,” thereby abolishing the Bureau for the Study and Design of Teaching Materials. The Council of Ministers decided to provide economic assistance to the families of people injured in the incident of 13 February 1995 in Tërpan, in the district of Berat, and to the families of people injured in Prezë and Pëllumbas, in the district of Tirana. The protocol of the second session of the Albanian-Romanian Joint Government Commission for Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation was approved in principle. At the end of the meeting, the Council of Ministers agreed to undertake the necessary procedures with the German government to approve a technical or financial cooperation project supporting small and medium-sized private enterprises through the financial sector, initially through a development foundation. The Ministry of Finance was tasked with submitting the application to the German government. S. SH.

The Malaysian government announced approval of a loan of 20 million dollars for Albania. An official statement from the Malaysian Prime Minister’s spokesperson said that the government had granted 20 million dollars for investment in Albania, a loan that will be used for housing construction in our country. ATSH

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