Written by ANSA Italy ready to help Tirana’s democracy

. Sol, the President of Italy, Oskar Luiхhi Skalfaro, is in Albania. This is an important moment in Albanian-Italian relations, which have so far marked a new reality on the two shores of the Adriatic. His arrival in Albania at the invitation of Albania’s President Sali Berisha expresses the willingness of this friendly country, and likewise of the leading Italian political figure, to support Albania on the path of democracy and reform. For Albanians, the Italian President embodies a friendly country that stood by them in their most difficult moments; a country that ensured cooperation and substantial assistance to overcome the emergency of 1991–92. Skalfaro himself symbolizes the Italian who loves Albania so much and its choice of a truly European democracy. Albania sees in Italy the model of a powerful capitalist country, as well as the hope of having a great friend close at hand. History has recorded events that link key moments in Albanian and Italian history. These span the era of Skënderbeu and continue with Italy’s ongoing support for Albania’s integration into the European mainstream. Italy was the symbolic country for Albanians when they suffered under dictatorship, and Italy was also the country that became a refuge and a source of hope for those who broke through the walls of persecution in July 1990. The Italian mission in neighboring Albania became even more closely identified with the country after that event. Italy also provided material aid, including food for the elderly, while the Italian government mobilized its troops for the peacekeeping mission “Pelikan”. Albanians will always remember the neighboring people’s commitment to helping Albania normalize its life. Italy was ready to provide shelter and protection, and to ensure a normal life and work for thousands of Albanians who crossed over day after day in search of a better life or to escape the suffering into which the dictatorial regime had plunged their country. Today, after a few years, Albania and Italy have established a partnership that has moved beyond the aid phase, but not beyond commitment. Our country has now developed extensive cooperation with Italy, reflected in figures higher than those for any other country. Thus, Italy ranks first in trade, while the flow of investment from Italy into our country is the most significant. As before, Italy serves for Albanians as a model of a developed and democratic country, and as a model of good-neighborly relations. Its presence in Albania is positive, and Albanians themselves have come to trust that aid and sincerity come from Italy, as does the path toward Europe and full integration into the European community. Italy now holds the presidency of the European Union. It would be a logical consequence of Albanian-Italian closeness for Albania, during Italy’s term at the helm of the EU, to sign the association agreement with the United Europe—an agreement that goes beyond economic fields and also integrates Albania politically into its institutions. This would also integrate the aspirations of Albanians to become an integral part of Europe economically and politically, a Europe to which Albania also belongs spiritually and historically. Skalfaro’s arrival in Tirana is a direct expression of Europe’s interest in Albania’s democratization and in its further consolidation in Albanian economic and political life. Our meeting with our friend to discuss economic and political cooperation, as Italy put it, shows that Italy stands alongside Albanian democracy to support it until the obstacles left by dictatorship are removed from this country. and Social Welfare (1954). Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (1954–1955). Undersecretary at the Ministry of Justice (1955–1958). President of the Second Standing Committee in the Chamber of Deputies for Relations with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of the Interior, Religious Affairs and Public Works (1958–1959; 1965–1966). Undersecretary for the Interior (1959–1962). Deputy President of the parliamentary inquiry committee on the phenomenon of the Mafia (1963–1964). Political Undersecretary of the Christian Democracy (1964–1966). Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1966–1968). From 1970 to 1972, Organizational Secretary of the Christian Democracy and subsequently Head of the Legislative Office. Minister of Education (1972–1973). Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies from 1975 until the democratic return in 1983. Minister of the Interior from 1983 to 1987. Following unusual disputes within the government club, in the spring of 1987 OSKAR LUIGJI SKALFARO He was born on September 9, 1918, in Novara. Graduated in Law from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. Judge. He was President of the Catholic Action of the Diocese of Novara. During the period of the underground resistance, he helped imprisoned and persecuted anti-fascists, as well as their families. After 1945, he served as Public Prosecutor at the special Court of Cassation of Novara and Alessandria. Elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1946 as head of the list for the Turin–Novara–Vercelli constituency, he was re-elected as a deputy in every election from 1948 onward, always heading the list. He was Vice-President of the Special Commission for examining the draft law on the functioning of the Constitutional Court (1949–1952). Secretary and subsequently Deputy Chairman of the parliamentary group and member of the National Council of Christian Democracy; he was a member of the Central Directorate of the Christian Democrats during De Gasperi’s presidency (1949–1954). Undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour, later of the Chamber of Deputies from 1975 to July unusual clashes within the governing coalition in the spring of 1987 and the increasingly unmanageable crisis involving Prime Minister Craxi, President Cossiga tasked him with forming a government; however, as the conditions for forming a new coalition government were not met, he gave up. He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies’ Standing Committee on Foreign and Community Affairs (1987–1992). From 19.09.1989 to 27.01.1992, he chaired the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the violence surrounding the reconstruction of the territories of Basilicata and Campania struck by the 1980–1981 earthquake. He was elected President of the Chamber of Deputies on April 24, 1992. He was elected President of the Republic on May 25, 1992. OSKAR LUIXHI SKALFARO He was born on 9 September 1918 in Novara.

Sabato appeals to the Albanians Before I finish, I want to say a few words. I have written them down so I won’t forget. Always fight for democracy. Even if it is fragile and imperfect, it is better than any dictatorship. This is a very difficult time for humanity, but even more difficult for you. But as I said before, remember the words of Herbelin. After a dark night, day comes. You will always have hope, because you are a nation that has endured all kinds of storms. And you are descendants of the Illyrians. You have always fought bravely, just as Skënderbeu fought. So you are a nation with a hero whom I have always admired: Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. These are my words to you.

Albania, which is seeking a place in Europe and preparing for the elections of 26 May—the date of the third parliamentary elections in its short democratic history—is the country that the President of the Republic, Oskar Luigji Skalfaro, will visit tomorrow. Tirana hopes for support from Italy, the current president of the EU, so that ties with Europe can be further strengthened through an association agreement concluded soon. Italy, ready to help Tirana’s new democracy, intends to bring the agreement between Tirana and the Group of Fifteen to a positive conclusion within its term in the EU presidency. Continued on page 2

Now that the truth is shining on the darkest pages in the history of these politicians who are implicated in crimes, the harshness of their reaction, with threats, expresses their deserved final tragedy .

It is vitally important to respect the wishes of the 2 million Kosovars, expressed through the referendum observed by international observers Page 2 Interview with Mr. Ylli Vejsiu, organizational secretary of the DP

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The Democratic Party — over 60 percent; The Democratic Forces — over 75 percent The PS promises political terror to the Albanians The Democratic Party — over 60 percent; The Democratic Forces — over 75 percent Page 3

Farmers: With us, everyone wins Property, support, freedom of movement Read on page 4 by Hasan Halili, Minister of Agriculture

OSKAR LUIXHI SKALFARO He was born on 9 September 1918 in Novara. Graduated in Law from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. Judge. He was President of Catholic Action in the Diocese of Novara. During the period of the underground resistance, he gave ...