Today in Tirana The Austrian Foreign Minister, Wolfgang Schussel, arrives in Tirana today for an official ministerial visit. Schussel, currently also Austria’s Vice Chancellor, is expected to meet his Albanian counterpart Alfred Serreqi, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, and President Berisha. Minister Schussel is accompanied by the chairman of the parliamentary group of the Austrian People’s Party, Andreas Kohl. During his visit, the Tirana Municipality will award Minister Schussel the title of Honorary Citizen of Tirana. This is Minister Schussel’s first visit to Albania and the second visit by an Austrian foreign minister. Albanian-Austrian cooperation began two centuries ago; as early as the 18th century, Austria had consulates in Albania’s main cities. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1956. In 1992, a representative office opened in Tirana, and in 1995, with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries, diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level were established. In 1992, Austria granted Albania most-favored-nation status in trade. Albania and Austria currently have two bilateral agreements: an agreement on the protection and promotion of investments and an agreement on economic cooperation. In recent years, cooperation between the two countries has covered the fields of defense, education, and culture. The aid Austria provided to Albania during 1993–1995 amounted to 16 million dollars. Three Austrian companies operate in Albania: the oil concern OMV, the Rogner company, and the cleaning company Saubermachen.

Serreqi met with the U.S. Secretary of State Kristofer: “We hope and believe in the victory of the democratic forces” Serreqi met with the U.S. Secretary of State USA wish the Democratic Party victory Christopher: “We hope and believe in the victory of the democratic forces” Following the U.S. government’s statement in support of the Democratic Government and the democratic forces for the May 26 elections, we have another confirmation of American support for the Democratic Party. On May 8, 1996, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Kristofer received the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Albania, Alfred Serreqi, for an official meeting. At this meeting, which both sides considered important, Secretary Kristofer highly praised the accomplishments and achievements made over these four years by the Albanian Government and President Berisha in building and consolidating democracy and the market economy, and in establishing a state governed by the rule of law and democratic institutions. Albania, the ugliest example of communist dictatorship, was described as the country where reforms had achieved surprising success and brought major economic growth. Secretary of State Kristofer emphasized that the U.S. administration is convinced that the legislative elections of May 26 will be free, fair, and democratic, and praised the commitment and measures taken by the Albanian government in this regard. He expressed his belief that the democratic forces will win these very important elections. In the Kristofer–Serreqi meeting, bilateral relations took an important place. The two interlocutors, expressing their high regard for these relations, discussed their future development in areas of mutual interest, particularly the possibilities for increasing American investment in Albania. Minister Serreqi, after thanking the U.S. government for its significant assistance and comprehensive support for the process of democratic reforms in Albania, emphasized the Democratic Government’s full commitment to intensifying relations with the USA as one of the main priorities of Albanian policy. The two interlocutors discussed at length the serious situation that has arisen in Kosovo. Secretary of State Kristofer emphasized that the USA highly values the policy and position of President Berisha and the Albanian government as a factor for stability and peace in the region, and congratulated the Albanian government on its efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kosovo issue. Minister Serreqi once again praised American commitment to resolving the Kosovo problem, the most sensitive issue for peace and stability in our region. He stressed that this problem necessarily requires a solution through negotiations in the presence of a third party. Secretary of State Kristofer assured Minister Serreqi that the Kosovo issue would be treated very seriously by the U.S. administration, also emphasizing the USA’s commitment to a just resolution of the issue. Warren Kristofer. REUTERS

The victims of the Prespa lake tragedy were buried Thousands and thousands of people from Pogradec accompanied the bodies of the students and their teacher, who lost their lives two days earlier during an outing on Lake Prespa, to their final resting place, in profound grief and with tears in their eyes. A tribute and homage to these innocent children who passed away and to their teacher. Flowers and tears. The long procession accompanying their bodies seemed endless. The weight of grief was far heavier than the weight of their lifeless bodies. All of Albania also felt the pain of their loss. Flags at half-mast and funeral music. Grief and tears. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, and the chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Mr. Tritan Shehu, also attended their funeral. Wreaths of flowers, like their dreams. Wreaths from family members, relatives, parties, associations, the People’s Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the President of the Republic. Many wreaths of flowers as a sign of tribute and respect for these lives cut short through no fault of their own. President Berisha sent a message of condolence to the families of those who drowned. And so the tearful day came to an end, laden with grief. Yesterday, the 11 victims who had been found were buried, while special forces continued their intensive efforts to find the other three victims.

Condolence message from the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, sent a message of condolence to the families over the loss of their children in Lake Prespa. Dear parents, sisters and brothers, relatives, teachers, fellow students and peers of the 13 students and the teacher of the Starovë secondary school, who lost their lives in Lake Prespa on May 7. On this day of pain, sorrow, and mourning for all of you, Starovë, Pogradec, and all of Albania, I extend to you my deepest condolences, and those of the entire Albanian people, for the irreplaceable loss of your beloved children, sisters, brothers, relatives, friends, and companions. I want to assure you that I and my entire family, every Albanian and every Albanian family, are with you today in spirit and in heart; we share with you the sorrow, pain, and mourning that have descended upon your hearts and homes, and together we pray today for your loved ones, who lost their lives, that their noble and pure souls may rest in peace and tranquility. We all pray for you, with the hope and belief that, through your spiritual strength, with God’s help and our fraternal solidarity, you will endure and overcome this pain. May God bless the souls of your loved ones! May God bless your families, Starovë, Pogradec, and Albania!

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- The chairman of the PS in Berat clashes with law enforcement officers because he refuses to lower the flag to half-mast - Durrës woke up yesterday to red Socialist slogans Yesterday, the chairman of the PS in Berat refused to lower the flag at the PS headquarters to half-mast. The Socialists’ absurdity knows no limits: just because the national mourning decree was signed by the President of the Republic, the chairman of the PS in Berat refused to implement it, showing contempt for the innocent victims of the tragedy in Pogradec. Nevertheless, regardless of whether or not the Socialists wish to pay tribute by observing mourning for the 14 victims, 14 Albanians who died tragically, the President’s decree is a legal act that must be implemented. Thus, when law enforcement officers asked the Socialist chairman to comply with the decree, he not only refused but clashed with them. Meanwhile, in Durrës, on the very day of national mourning, local Socialists had spent the entire night writing their red slogans on walls. In addition to the graffiti they had scrawled on private businesses, PS activists also failed to respect the national mourning; for this reason, Aljosha Qama, Iljaz Labi, a former police employee, and Alfred Dhuli were detained at the police station. The inhuman behavior of these PS activists shows just how far Socialist madness can go. The actions of the PS chairman in Berat and of the Socialists in Durrës are not an insult to President Berisha; on the contrary, the insult is directed at all Albanians. In times of grief, Albanians have always stood together, but those who for 50 years have been accustomed to dividing people according to their political beliefs, both in celebration and in mourning, continue their tradition. E.P.

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The Albanian government extends its condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of the terrible tragedy at Lake Prespa , where 14 people lost their lives. The government shares in their profound sorrow and stands by them in meeting the expenses and addressing the concerns arising from this tragedy. The government commends the special reconnaissance units, the law enforcement forces, and everyone who, under very difficult conditions, worked and is still working to recover the bodies of those who drowned. The Albanian government also thanks the Greek and Macedonian governments for their readiness and immediate assistance.