Statement by the US State Department on the situation in Albania - According to the Voice of America radio The President of the Republic declared Bashkim Fino prime minister — prime minister of the government of national reconciliation The two presidents, and the Secretary of State, Ms. Albright, discussed the tensions in Vlorë and in southern Albania. Secretary of State Albright emphasized the reasoning and the conclusion that it is now necessary to support the right side and not through war or violence, and that the weapons must be handed over. She stressed the importance of political dialogue among all sides, as well as the need for a government that represents everyone and is committed to elections as soon as possible. In a statement yesterday, State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns emphasized that the US believe this is a critical moment for the Albanian people and that this is a decisive moment in this crisis. There is strong support from the US for the efforts of the President of Albania for national reconciliation. As the President has stressed, the new government must work to calm the situation and disarm the population. The United Nations, the mission of the European Union and OSCE are cooperating with the new government. The European Union called the new government a decisive step toward resolving the conflict and holding democratic elections. Opposition leaders must become part of the dialogue and accept the new government. Page 3

The President of the Republic declared Bashkim Fino prime minister - prime minister of the National Reconciliation Government Bashkim Fino - prime minister of the National Reconciliation Government The People's Assembly approved the amnesty law The People's Assembly, on the part of the majority and the left-wing opposition political group, with the votes of 22 deputies of the Socialist Party and 9 deputies of the PSD, approved on 11 March 1997, at 20:00, the amnesty for the coup plotters who took part in the recent attacks in Vlorë. With the votes of the majority of the deputies of the opposition political SHIK and the new government led by Bashkim Fino, the two candidacies submitted by the president for prime minister of the National Reconciliation Government were rejected. Then, with 61 votes in favor, 6 against and 1 abstention, the People's Assembly appointed Bashkim Fino. In the evening session, the Presidium of the Assembly decided that the session would reopen at 22:00. In this session the new national unity government was approved, composed of representatives of the PS, PSD and 5 ministers of the PBDNJ, who had been proposed by the PBDNJ minister, Fino. This government lacks some important portfolios such as the Ministry of Defense, Education and Foreign Affairs. LAW On amnesty for civilian and military persons who were implicated in the events after the seizure of weapons by military personnel, police officers and the riots after the collapse of fraudulent pyramid schemes ARTICLE 1 Persons implicated in the events of 9 March 1997 are excluded from criminal prosecution, except for: Murder, deliberate destruction of property by arson, Misuse of weapons, ammunition and explosive materials, ARTICLE 2 Persons implicated in the events of 2.3.1997 in Tepelenë are excluded from criminal prosecution, except for: Murder, theft and use of weapons, ARTICLE 3 The provisions of this law extend to the incidents of 4 and 6 March in Lushnjë. In support of Article 16, point 2 of the Constitution and Article 78, points 1 and 2 of the Rules of Procedure of the People's Assembly, 6 were the pressure from LSIKOS in order to prepare the government? The Assembly voted it last night, the President decreed it without having the law before his eyes, he also 6 new deputies of the opposition party without an official authorization. This is the most unbelievable thing on the part of the chairman of the parliamentary committee, who repeatedly requested that the press office near the Presidency of the Republic.

Know about developments in Albania European problems Van Mierlo thunders The Albanian crisis may spread to Kosovo and Macedonia Page 3

Know about developments in Albania Page 2

Paris remains concerned about the situation in Albania Page 2

Law on amnesty for civilian and military persons who were implicated in the riots after the collapse of fraudulent pyramid schemes Sailors from the Pashaliman Naval Base and the police rebelled, set fire to the warships and the Council’s vessels in order to gather people, arm themselves and prevent the occupation of the city and the blocking of the roads. The revolt spread to the city of Vlorë and to public offices in the city. 6 were the pressure from LSIKOS in order to prepare the government? Page 2

The UN refugee agency is closely monitoring the unrest in Albania Kris Janovski, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said that the agency had two delegations at the Italian port of Brindisi, who were monitoring at the border crossing Page 3

Albania: The Committee for Vlorë calls for a meeting in Tirana - According to Francepress - TIRANA, 11 March /NISN / The National Salvation Committee in Vlorë today called for a national mobilization with the aim of overthrowing the coalition government and the new government led by Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. The France Press agency reported that among these committees are forces of various kinds and close to Italian socialism. Some unverified reports suggest that the situation could escalate in other cities in the south. 28 coalition governments include forces 10 Albania