Two meetings of Ferdinant Xhaferi in Rome Today Mr. Xhaferi will address the Congress of the Italian People’s Party Page 3

Yesterday at the round table Urgent solutions for students’ demands Yesterday, at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, on the initiative of the Youth Forum of the Democratic Party (FRPD), a round-table discussion was held between student representatives active in university cities and representatives of government departments dealing with students’ demands, which had been made public through a petition sent to the Government some time ago. As is known, the demands concerned improving economic and living conditions in student centers, and had been the subject of a meeting initiated several days earlier by the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, the Minister of Higher Education Gjoncaj, the Mayor Brojka, the heads of student centers, specialists, etc. Following that meeting, the relevant departments issued an important decision to improve economic and living conditions in university cities. Yesterday, the organization led by FRPD Chairman Mr. Krasniqi also held an extensive and concrete debate on students’ principal demands. Government representatives committed to urgently implementing the decisions that had been made, while the students expressed their gratitude for the understanding, seriousness and willingness shown by the Government, Tirana Municipality and other democratic institutions, particularly the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. At the end of the round table, both sides agreed on a joint statement concerning the results of the meeting. Page 2

By decision of the Council of Ministers Yesterday the Council of Ministers decided to replace several prefects. Pursuant to the law “On Prefectures,” the Council of Ministers has decided: -Mr. Rexhep Karapici is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Tirana, having been elected a member of the People’s Assembly. -Mr. Agron Milaj is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Berat Prefecture, having been elected Mayor of Fier. Mr. Kamber Elezi is appointed in his place. -Mr. Afrim Haci is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Dibër Prefecture, and Mr. Vasillaq Papaj is appointed in his place. -Mr. Bahri Shanaj is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Vlorë Prefecture and will be assigned another post. Mr. Afrim Haci is appointed in his place. -Mr. Thanas Merkuri is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Elbasan Prefecture, and Mr. Tonin Alimehilli is appointed in his place. -Mr. Fatos Gjyrezi is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Gjirokastër Prefecture and will be assigned another post. Mr. Thanas Merkuri is appointed in his place. -Mr. Iliaz Vrioni is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Shkodër Prefecture, Elban Shabani is appointed in his place. -Mr. Esat Hasani is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Lezhë Prefecture, Saadin Balla is appointed in his place. -Mr. Selman Agolli is relieved of his duties as Prefect of Kukës Prefecture and will be assigned another post. Mr. Gjovalin Bzheta is appointed in his place. The prefects Pjertrin Kiri and Haki Mustafa of Korçë and Fier Prefectures will remain in their posts. Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi thanks the prefects relieved of their duties for their contribution to the democratic processes and wishes success in their duties to the newly appointed prefects. […] at the last meeting of the Council of Ministers, and extends [..] to the prefects, from

Interview with the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Halit Shamata The year 1996 witnessed some of the most shocking events in the life of the country, and particularly in the life of the police , such as the placing of a car bomb at the “VEFA” supermarket, the robbery of several banks, the successive murders of several senior officers and police officers, etc. Nevertheless, in the year that has just ended, the citizens of Albania gradually experienced the promise of an exceptional year in terms of restoring public and private peace, confidence in the law-enforcement forces, and, generally, consolidating their confidence in the DP, President Berisha, and the issue of democracy. For the police structures, meanwhile, 1996 was a year of difficult confrontations, which demanded greater, genuine, modern professionalism and encouraged and strengthened awareness of the police’s humanitarian mission. […] and strengthened awareness of the police’s humanitarian mission. The balance between the severity of crime and the police’s striking force has tipped positively in favor of the latter. Compared with last year, the rate at which crime is being combated has increased; consequently, the imposition of arrest measures on perpetrators of criminal offenses has also increased by 17%. Compared with 1995, the number of crimes committed during 1996 fell by 1,026 crimes, or 16%, which is related to the preventive aspect

For seven years, the autonomous provinces of the former Yugoslavia have been transformed into a Balkan powder keg, but it is to the Albanians’ credit that matters have not escalated into civil war In recent days, the German press has devoted particular attention to the latest developments in Kosovo. The newspaper “Stuttgarter Zeitung” writes that for seven years the autonomous province of the former Yugoslavia has been transformed into a powder keg in the Balkans, but that it is to the Albanians’ credit that matters have not escalated into civil war. The article goes on to say that an apartheid system currently prevails in Kosovo, established by the Serbian occupiers against the Albanian majority. Dismissals from jobs, house searches and arrests are part of everyday life in Kosovo. Page 4

Our country, on the path to democracy, with lasting stability and a favorable geostrategic position, seeks integration into the Euro-Atlantic security structures, said the Albanian Minister of Defense Minister Zhulali meets senior American NATO official Bethurem: Albania is moving rapidly forward “Our country, on the path to democracy, with lasting stability and a favorable geostrategic position, seeks integration into the Euro-Atlantic security structures,” said the Albanian Minister of Defense Page 2

According to the chairman of the Montenegrin parliament While the court recognizes the opposition’s victory in the town of Lapovo, Western diplomats fear the use of force by Millosheviç — “There is a limit to how far Millosheviç can go without making himself ridiculous in Belgrade,” Reuters quotes a senior Western envoy as saying The chairman of the Montenegrin parliament, cited by the AFP news agency, said on Tuesday that deputies from this republic—which together with Serbia forms the FRY—would boycott the Yugoslav parliament if Serbian President Slobodan Millosheviç did not recognize the opposition’s victory in the municipal elections of 17 November. According to Setozar Maroviç, in this way his republic would demonstrate “its lack of confidence in those who do not respect the democratic will expressed by the people, the election results, and who ignore democratic principles.” Meanwhile, today the Supreme Court of Serbia recognized the opposition’s victory in the town of Lapovo (120 km south of Serbia). In view of the OSCE recommendations, following the mission the organization carried out in the country several days ago, during which it confirmed the opposition’s victory in 14 Serbian towns, such an action could be considered implementation of those recommendations. Nevertheless, a Reuters dispatch from Belgrade reflects the fears of Western diplomats in the country that Millosheviç may resort to violence after the holiday break. “There is a limit to how far Millosheviç can go without making himself ridiculous in Belgrade,” Reuters quoted a senior Western envoy as saying. “His authority is eroding even as we speak, in the army, the police, his own Socialist Party and even among the nonpolitical public. His credibility in the West has almost vanished. He must put an end to this one way or another,” he said. Diplomats believe that if Millosheviç does not crack down on yesterday’s opposition gathering, which was held under the guise of a Christmas celebration, he may find it easier to do so on an ordinary day. In this regard, one of the three leaders of the opposition coalition Zajedno (Together), Zoran Gjingjiç, cited government informants, who had said that gatherings in squares would be banned on 12 January. Such a measure would also prevent opposition gatherings on pedestrian promenades, but Gjingjiç, speaking to Reuters, said that the protest movement would find other ways to proceed. Zajedno, for its part, is facing a test concerning its peaceful image. The bomb that exploded last night outside the headquarters of the left-wing party JUL, led by Millosheviç’s wife, Mirjana, has put Zajedno in a difficult position as it seeks to preserve its peaceful and democratic image. Meanwhile, Millosheviç has yet to choose between the two options left to him: full recognition of the election results or the use of force. The latter would be fatal not only for Millosheviç, but for Serbia itself, which would find itself isolated from the international community.

Press conference by German Foreign Minister Kinkel Kosovo—a priority of German diplomacy this year as well Mr. Kinkel stressed that “the situation in Kosovo is also a matter of considerable importance for Germany. The number of asylum seekers heading to Germany from there increases every day; they are fleeing because of the oppression by the Belgrade government.” Page 4

Next week