We want to organize joint support in Europe and elsewhere so that we can extend a helping hand to President Berisha. Former Austrian Chancellor Franc Vranicki says: Former Austrian Chancellor Vranicki said in an interview with the Voice of America that first of all, one must bear in mind the fact that many citizens have lost their money in pyramid schemes. Therefore, we must be very careful: on the one hand, take a firm position on the crisis, and on the other, make it clear that cooperation between other countries and Albania must continue. According to Vranicki, the first important and constructive step concerns cooperation, so that industry, crafts and tourism, which have begun to develop, can continue. People must return to work. “We want to organize joint support in Europe and elsewhere,” Vranacki said, among other things, “so that we can extend a helping hand to President Berisha.” Today Vranicki is arriving in Albania to meet with the President of the Republic and the political parties.

President Berisha received the Dutch Foreign Minister and the incumbent President of the Council of Ministers of the European Union, Mr. Hans Van Mierlo The Council of Europe presents a resolution on Albania. Albania should use all means under international law to restore order. “I have come here on behalf of the European Union and want to express our support for you,” Minister Mierlo told President Berisha. President Berisha expressed his gratitude for the European Union’s interest in and significant contribution to Albania, and assured him of his determination to lead the country out of the current crisis, restore constitutional order and guarantee public order. President Berisha expressed his determination to continue dialogue with the parties to select the new Prime Minister. Minister Mierlo expressed concern about the situation that had arisen in several cities in southern Albania and supported the President’s efforts to initiate dialogue with the political parties. The European Union recognizes the need for political and social stability in the country, as well as the need to restore order and the rule of law. Condemning all attempts that, through criminal acts or the use of weapons, seek to undermine stability and seize power, the European Union calls on all political forces to condemn and prevent these activities. He emphasized that the European Union supports the Council of Europe’s recommendation that the opposition, in respect for democratic principles, should enter parliament and take part in its work, and believes that a process of national reconciliation is necessary in order to open up the prospect of adopting a constitution and holding new elections. He said that the European Union was willing to continue its current assistance and include specific measures for the present situation in the PHARE programme.

The Council of Europe presents a resolution on Albania Albania should use all means under international law to restore order The declaration of a state of emergency was unavoidable “The Socialist Party must return to parliament and end its boycott

Council of Europe

Press Conference by Mr. Hans Van Mierlo, incumbent President of the EU the EU EU condemns the use of weapons to seize power The opposition should, out of respect for democratic principles, take its seats and participate in the work of parliament The EU is ready to provide humanitarian aid if the need arises Page 3

Council of Europe press statement concerning the investigations into the state of emergency in Albania All political parties must condemn acts of criminal violence and the rebellion in southern Albania, so that these may continue even after the March 6 amnesty offer. Page 3

The IMF Managing Director, “Michel Camdessus and I, we are ready” to provide financial assistance to Albania, Wolfensohn said during a press conference held with Spanish Economy Minister Rodrigo Rato. Page 6

Arbnori received the Council of Europe delegation The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, received yesterday the delegation of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, headed by Rene van der Linden. Considering the meeting very important, Mr. Arbnori, while reviewing the situation created by the violence perpetrated openly by communist rebel gangs in several cities of southern Albania, asked the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to clearly condemn the dangerous violence of the rebel gangs against people defending the constitutional order and democratic institutions under the laws in force. “If we treat the parties all alike,” Arbnori said, “then democracy will remain only a theory.” Arbnori went on to say that the fact that, despite the declaration of a state of emergency, no member of the rebel gangs had been killed or executed by government forces should be regarded positively. They have continually been called upon to surrender their weapons without bloodshed. Meanwhile, he said, efforts had consistently been made to establish dialogue and a round table among the political parties. “We have supported and continue to support dialogue,” Arbnori said. However, without ruling out the round table, the Albanian parliament, elected by the free vote of the electorate, must be respected to the end. A three-way combination of parliamentary dialogue and taking up arms is neither democratic nor right. If there were goodwill between the political parties, the round table would work. Otherwise, it would turn into a deaf dialogue table, Arbnori said. To call for parliamentary elections under these circumstances would be devastating for the Albanian electorate and Albania. Mr. Arbnori praised the Council of Europe’s assistance to Albania in this situation, expressing hope that it would continue in the future. For his part, Van der Linden said that the Council of Europe could play a major role in supporting Albania’s continuation of democratic reforms. He expressed his appreciation for the recent establishment of dialogue between the political parties on the initiative of President Berisha. “We,” he said, also expressing the conviction of the delegation’s many members, “support dialogue and the use of political means to calm the situation.”

end its boycott After the amnesty expires, support for restoring constitutional order in Albania will be necessary Page 3