German President Roman Herzog confirms that Germany is and will remain Albania’s advocate. He supports Albania’s membership in the Council of Europe and its association agreement with the EU. Berisha: From this friendship, Albanians want only one benefit: the development and consolidation of democracy in Albania and their integration into Europe

Yesterday at 12:00, at the villa in Durrës, the two presidents, Berisha and Herzog, held a press conference for Albanian and foreign journalists. Albanian President Mr. Sali Berisha and German President Mr. Roman Herzog made statements to the press, which we publish in full below. Afterwards, the journalists’ questions began, and were answered by the two presidents, Berisha and Herzog. The “Deutsche Welle” correspondent, to Mr. Berisha: — Can the conditions be created for “Deutsche Welle” to provide information, as does “Voice of America”? President Berisha: — I can confirm that the facilities you refer to were offered to “Deutsche Welle” through the German official authorities two years ago. Those facilities are available if it wishes to use them. I fully agree that much more should be done for mutual recognition. This is also one of the reasons why, yesterday, in the talks with [text ends in the source]. [The source then contains repeated, garbled lines: “I am fully grateful to the Italian government and Italian taxpayers, and to Italian institutions and the Italian people, for the generous assistance they gave us during a very difficult period. I wish to express the same gratitude to Greece, its citizens, the Greek government and institutions that helped Albania. I deeply regret the factors that damaged relations between Albania and Greece. But I appreciate the determination of Albania and the Albanian government to intensify cooperation with our oldest neighbour, considering the recent incidents unacceptable and condemnable. I also appreciate the Greek government’s position towards them. I also appreciate the Greek government’s will and aim towards them.”] I confirm that the books you refer to were offered by “Dojçe Veles” through the official German authorities some time ago. Those books are still available today if it wishes to have to promote mutual understanding. my talks with President Herzog, I raised the matter of the Etoo Institute or something similar, so that the necessary facilities could be created for Albanian youth to become better acquainted with German culture and learn the German language. Newspaper “Noje Veçe”: — Mr. Berisha, you said that Germany, our friend, will open the way for you to Europe. What role should our neighbors have in this process—I mean Italy and Greece? Mr. Berisha: — I view Albania's integration into Europe strictly as the development of the rule of law and the market economy in Albania. Europe was built on these two pillars, and Albania too will rely on them. In this respect, while saying that Germany is a great natural friend of the Albanians and Albania, I can confirm here that friendship and cooperation the books referred if it wishes to have to promote mutual understanding. “Noje Veçe”: — Berisha: — ATSH, to Mr. Herzog and Mr. Berisha: — What can you tell us about the Berlin Wall? And, secondly, for Mr. Herzog: What is your opinion of the effectiveness of German aid and investment in Albania? Mr. Herzog: — As far as the Berlin Wall is concerned, I have nothing new to say. It was a very positive event, a historic event that we had not imagined beforehand. — As for German investment in Albania, this depends, as everywhere in the world, on three issues. No company can invest in a country where political uncertainty exists. The process of establishing stability in Albania has continued over the past year, with certainty and (Continued on page 2) I have also considered the recent incidents unacceptable and condemnable, and I also appreciate the Greek government's position regarding them. I also appreciate its repeatedly expressed willingness and determination to improve relations with Albania, and I assure them that they will find the same readiness in Tirana. Albania needs help from Europe, but must not rely solely on its assistance. It must develop its economy and consolidate its democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law and develop the market economy. And I think that the talks I held with President Herzog were conducted in a spirit of understanding and mutual cooperation, and I am pleased about that. Newspaper “Noje Veçe”: — Mr. Herzog, you said that Germany would open the way process—I mean Italy and Greece? Mr. Berisha: — too will rely on them. ATSH, to Mr. Herzog and Mr. Berisha: — — a historic event that we had not imagined beforehand. — with certainty and

Ladies and gentlemen, I too would like to say a few words about the significance of this visit and what I have gained from it. At present, in Germany we are taking stock of these past years, of what we have done and achieved in the western part of the country—not only our economic success and the prosperity achieved, but also the dismantling of the prejudices and hatred that existed 30 or 40 years ago. I am convinced that the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, liberated from dictatorship, have benefited from our experience and are ready to follow it. It is enough to mention the word “Yugoslavia” to show how difficult this road is and how rugged it is. In this context, Albania’s policy over the past three years should be noted. At present, Albania has half of its population within the borders of its state, but it does not challenge the existence of its borders. It seeks appropriate autonomy and minority status for Albanians living beyond its borders. In light of our experience in Western Europe, this does not seem to be the most reasonable path, and this in fact connects us Central and Eastern Europe face two conflicting economic elements. In Germany and in some European countries, industry destroys jobs; this is not an accusation, it is quite natural, whereas small and medium-sized enterprises create jobs. During the past two days, in my conversations with Mr. Berisha, I learned that Albania has very little heavy industry, but I saw that there is an opportunity here to create an economy from the ground up that can succeed. Everyone acts, works, produces something. So I am convinced that within a short time medium-sized enterprises will be created that will solve your economic problems. I am not a prophet, but I am convinced that this great opportunity exists for Albania; Germany and Europe will continue to support Albania in this direction. My remarks also apply to financial cooperation with Albania. Thus, per capita, our aid to Albania is very substantial compared with that for other Eastern European countries, amounting to 1/4 billion marks over the last six years. In addition, there is aid from the European Union, which we finance at a rate of 28%. The rule of law, the market economy, and the country's integration into Europe. This visit is also a show of support and encouragement for Albania's stabilizing role in the Balkans. It is a major boost to bilateral cooperation in all areas between Albania and the Federal Republic of Germany. We acquainted President Herzog with our efforts and the prospects for our achievements, the profound transformations in the political, legislative, institutional and economic fields, all of which aim to achieve European standards in Albania. We express our deep gratitude to the President, the government, and the German taxpayer institutions for their great and generous assistance during this period of

I would like to emphasize once again that President Herzog’s visit to Albania, the first visit by a German head of state, is a historic visit and a landmark event in the longstanding friendship and close relations between our two countries and our two peoples. This visit is great support for Albania’s efforts on the path to building the state of the [text truncated in source]. Albanian farmers have benefited, Albanian specialists have benefited, and Albanian diplomats have benefited. This has been very valuable assistance for us. In our assessments, we expressed the view that Germany’s role in the Balkans, as well as that of the EU leader, must necessarily increase so that the Balkan crisis can be resolved more quickly. Besides these points, during his visit President Herzog, in addition to the official talks that were held and the meeting he had with the prime minister and the government, [and] his speech in Parliament, had… Photograph of President Roman Herzog and President Sali Berisha at the press conference.

I sincerely wish all Albanian Muslim believers in Albania and wherever they may be: “May you celebrate the day of the Great Bayram for many years to come, the festival of kindness, peace, compassion and humanity.” The month of Ramadan is a month in which those who have and those who do not have become one; it is a month of shared trial in what, for part of the world, is an everyday reality, a month of understanding through the sharing of common suffering and equality. The day of the Great Bayram, as the culmination of all this, is the day of the individual's triumph, of self-restraint and resistance to the temptations and enticements of evil; it is the day of harmony, respect, love and human solidarity. This year we celebrate Bayram better, more united, freer and stronger than ever in our history, and with God's help we will celebrate the next Bayram even better. May God bless Muslim believers and all Albanians wherever they may be. Once again, happy Great Bayram to all of us together.

German President Prof. Dr. Roman Herzog and President Sali Berisha were guests in the city of Kavaja yesterday. The city of Kavaja, one of the first cities where the organized anti-communist movements of 1989–90 took place, leading to the fall of the communist dictatorship in Albania, gave the German president a special welcome. “[?] President Dr. Roman Herzog, welcome to Kavaja,” little Aldi Hysi was the first to greet the German president, while his peers performed the characteristic dance of central Albania. Accompanied by the city mayor, Selim Veizi, and a group of local members of parliament, German President Herzog was awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen” of Kavaja, and was presented with a bust of the great Albanian artist Aleksander Moisiu. Mrs. Herzog, who is accompanying her husband on this visit, told ATSH that her husband was truly deeply moved by the hospitality and the honorary title bestowed on him by this small city. Mr. Watter, deputy president of the German company “Hidroplan,” briefed the President on the company's long-term plan to undertake infrastructure construction in the cities of Kavaje, Kukes, Krumë and Rrogozhine. The President's visit to the city of Kavaja continued with a visit to the city's hospital center, which bears the mark of German investment in Albania. It amounts to 5 million German marks (Continued on page 2) Photo: A. Babani Photo: A. Dhimitri

Foreign Minister Serreqi meets with the State Secretary at the German Foreign Ministry, Kastrup A detailed analysis of the worrying situation in the region was at the center of talks held yesterday morning at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana between Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi and Dieter Kastrup, State Secretary at the German Foreign Ministry. Mr. Kastrup described the foreign policy of the Albanian state as “an important factor for peace and stability in the region,” while expressing the German state's commitment “to [?] Albania.” For his part, Mr. Serreqi insisted on the view that “there can be no solution to the Balkan crisis without resolving the problems of the Albanians living outside Albania.” Regarding Albanian-Greek relations, Mr. Kastrup said, “We consider the goodwill that exists between the two countries to reduce tension to be very important.” Mr. Serreqi emphasized that “the visit of Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papulias is of particular importance and represents a moment that will serve to normalize relations between the two oldest neighbors in the Balkans.”

Photo: P. Omeri

Yesterday, meetings were held by the branches in the districts of Shkodër, Gjirokastër, Kukës, Has, Tepelenë and Mirditë. The meetings supported the National Council on the roads and the adoption of the Constitution, as well as the call for an Extraordinary Conference, disagreeing with the positions taken by the chairman of the PDSH on these issues. Read on page 3 about the meetings in Shkodër, Kukës and Has.

Interview with Mr. Pellumb Malaj — Page 2 Interview with Mr. Pellumb Malaj Page 2

On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the mass exodus — Page 3 On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the mass exodus Page 3

so that the Balkan crisis may be resolved more quickly. In addition to this, during his visit, besides the official talks we held and the meeting President Herzog had with the Prime Minister and the government, as well as his address to Parliament, President Herzog had the opportunity to experience and observe the friendly feelings that Albanians harbor toward Germany and the Germans. Once again, I want to assure President Herzog that the Albanian nation has always naturally regarded the German nation as its great friend. From this friendship, Albanians seek Albania and their integration into Europe. Once again, I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart this distinguished great friend of Albania for his historic visit, the delegation accompanying him, and the citizens of Tirana, Kavaja and Durres for the friendship and hospitality they showed President Herzog, thus honoring their tradition and our distinguished friend. The Great Bayram holiday gives us the opportunity to address all Albanian Muslim believers, wherever they may be, with the wish: May you celebrate this special day for many years; happiness in your families and prosperity for our nation. PDSH Greeting The editorial staff of the newspaper “RD” warmly wishes Albanian Muslim believers wherever they live: “HAPPY CELEBRATION OF THE GREAT BAYRAM!” “RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE”