VATICAN CITY, 16 March/Reuters/- Pope John Paul II today called on Albanians to put an end to “destructive violence” and lay down their arms, and stressed that all of Europe has a duty to help rebuild the devastated Balkan country. “For the good of Albania, I call on all those who take up arms to lay them down. Destructive violence is definitely not the right way to resolve social problems,” the Pope said in his weekly address to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. “These tragic events are a call to all of Europe—it must help the leaders and people of Albania build their country on the basis of democracy and political and social dialogue,” said the Polish Pope. The Pope stressed that faith in authority must be restored. “This cannot be achieved without public order.” He called on pilgrims to pray for peace in Albania, stressing that the latest crisis to strike Europe’s poorest country, which recently emerged from “a long period of human dictatorship,” has plunged its people into a total lack of security.

Joint statement by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Bashkim Fino Hope and confidence in the future Dear readers, the newspaper “RD” is being published again after several days without publication. “RD,” just as in 1991 it understood its mission to be conveying the messages of freedom and democracy, now in 1997 feels a responsibility to bring you messages of national reconciliation, fraternal tolerance, understanding, and unwavering hope in freedom and democracy, in the Homeland and in one another. It is true that during this past winter the ties that build our democratic, social, and national spirit suffered a great shock, but now, after the passing of the unrelenting storm, most Albanians can see calmly that what unites us is absolutely greater than what we thought, or still think, divides us. We are all Albanians, and when it comes to Albania, national integrity, and the values that safeguard our moral and spiritual constitution, we know how to rise above party, regional, and religious prejudices. Every Albanian now understands that in such madness as Albania has experienced recently, there are never winners and losers—only those who lose forever. We are fully convinced that only through the democratic contribution of every Albanian, through the goodwill to rekindle hope and confidence in democracy, and by judging all our actions with restraint, can we overcome the consequences of this great upheaval. Only a constructive spirit, dialogue, and persuasive argument can enable us to reflect on our mistakes and rekindle hope and confidence in peace, the Homeland and freedom, and in one another. “RD” sees its future, and the future of all Albanians, in this spirit. Therefore, it invites all intellectuals, journalists, politicians, ordinary citizens, economic experts, etc., regardless of their political affiliation or ideological beliefs, to bring to the pages of “RD” an open debate on how we can overcome the current national tragedy more quickly and restore Albania’s standing in the world. At the same time, let us discuss how we can quickly establish confidence in the law, public order, and democratic institutions. “RD” will be a newspaper open to everyone, placing its hope in the democratic, fraternal, and patriotic spirit of every Albanian, and in citizens’ courage to overcome difficulties and build great hope in freedom, democracy, and a better Albania. TIRANA, 16 March/ATA/.- Today, at 14:00, of the Council of Ministers, Bashkim Fino, held a meeting at which they discussed at length the situation in the country and measures to improve it. President Berisha and Prime Minister Fino agreed to cooperate intensively to overcome the difficulties, in accordance with and in full respect of all the constitutional prerogatives of the institutions they lead. They believe that the National Reconciliation Platform, put into concrete form by the agreement between the political forces and the President of the Republic on 9 March, is the only and best path to overcoming the crisis. President Berisha and Prime Minister Fino support today’s statement by the EU Foreign Ministers on Albania and express their gratitude to the EU and its member states for their commitment to helping Albania.

The European Union remains

On March 9, the President of the Republic presented to the political parties’ table the national reconciliation platform, on which a full agreement was reached and which was praised in Albania by Albanians, as well as by the European Union, neighboring countries, the OSCE—

BRUSSELS, March 17/ANSA/ - “The coordinated plan presented by the German government is convincing, but presents all the difficulties that Germany and others may face,” Luxembourg Prime Minister Zhan-Klod Zhynker said today in Brussels. BRUSSELS, March 17/ANSA/ - “The coordinated plan presented by the German government is convincing, but presents all the difficulties that Germany and others may face,” Luxembourg Prime Minister Zhan-Klod Zhynker said today in Brussels, while responsible for finance, before taking part in the annual meeting of the EU’s 15 economy and finance ministers. Zhynker clearly stated that both Germany and France would manage to meet the Maastricht criteria this year. Among the issues the ministers will discuss today is the financial aid plan for Albania, added to the agenda outside the programme at the initiative of the Minister of the Treasury and Budget, Karlo Azelio Çampi.

President Berisha received the European Union delegation headed by Ambassador d’Asembourg I wish to thank you and express my gratitude for the EU’s commitment at this difficult moment for Albania, President Berisha said, noting that the EU’s assistance and commitment are vital to overcoming the great difficulties that have arisen. The swiftest possible start to humanitarian aid consisting of basic food products and medicines is very important to prevent further deterioration. I think, President Berisha said, that European police units are essential and, in cooperation with our service units, this assistance will contribute to restoring order and rebuilding our police force. Another area of your assistance would be the rebuilding of the public and financial institutions that have been destroyed. Without these institutions functioning, President Berisha emphasized, the normal situation cannot be restored, while the Government does not have the budget to rebuild them. Also very important are the creation of macroeconomic stability, the creation of jobs and the rebuilding of infrastructure. On the political front, President Berisha emphasized, support for the National Reconciliation Platform, which enjoys broad support in Albania, is, I think, the only way to overcome the crisis. In this context, it is essential to begin as soon as possible, and also in cooperation with the OSCE and the Council of Europe, to prepare the conditions for free and fair elections, as the most sustainable political solution to the situation. Ambassador d’Asembourg confirmed to President Berisha the EU’s prompt and full commitment to helping Albania overcome the situation that has arisen. We have come here, he stressed, to study the conditions and ways to begin humanitarian aid to Albania as soon as possible, as well as to help restore stability. Once again, I want to emphasize, he said, that the European Union remains firmly committed to helping Albania and the Albanian authorities emerge from the crisis as soon as possible and restore peace and security. Ambassador d’Asembourg also stressed the EU’s support for the National Reconciliation Platform presented by the President and agreed upon by consensus among all political forces, noting that the platform has received broad support in Albania and is in line with the EU’s position on ways to resolve the situation in Albania.

The EU delegation headed by Ambassador d’Asembourg met last night, upon arriving in Albania, with Bashkim Fino, Prime Minister of the National Reconciliation Government. The meeting discussed the current situation in Albania and the emergency measures taken by the Government to stabilize it. Prime Minister Fino requested emergency economic and financial assistance to deal with the critical situation facing our country. According to an official source, the EU delegation headed by Ambassador d’Asembourg promised swift assistance and said that the EU is fully committed to resolving the crisis in Albania.

On March 9, the President of the Republic presented to the political parties’ table the national reconciliation platform, on which a full agreement was reached and which was praised in Albania by Albanians, as well as by the European Union, neighboring countries, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the US. The President has contributed, and continues to contribute, to the rigorous implementation of this agreement TIRANA, March 16/ATSH/.- Regarding certain calls for President Berisha’s resignation, the President’s spokesperson announces that on March 9 the President of the Republic presented to the political parties’ table the national reconciliation platform, on which a full agreement was reached and which was praised in Albania by Albanians, as well as by the European Union, neighboring countries, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the US. TIRANA, March 16/ATSH/.- Regarding certain calls for President Berisha’s resignation, the President’s spokesperson announces that neighboring countries, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the US. The President has contributed, and continues to contribute, to the rigorous implementation of this agreement, which provides for a political solution through a National Reconciliation Government and parliamentary elections, as the quickest and fairest way to resolve this crisis. To this end, he has sought the assistance of the European Union, the Western European Union and the OSCE for its successful implementation. Any departure from the national reconciliation agreement would constitute a division and would have unforeseen consequences, deepening the existing destabilization. It is true that in some areas there are armed individuals and groups demanding the President’s resignation. On the other hand, however, there is a silent majority, unfortunately subjected to violence by these individuals and groups, which supports him. The President himself declared before the May elections, as well as in recent weeks, that if his party loses these elections, he will resign immediately. On March 1, 1997, President Berisha offered the leaders of the Socialist Party not to run for office if this would serve a political resolution of the crisis. He confirms once again that the general elections to be held by the deadline set in the parties’ agreement will be accompanied by the election of a President by the winning political force or forces. Furthermore, at the round-table meetings held so far, all the parties have maintained that the upcoming elections should provide the framework for other decisions. I believe that it is not the fulfilment of the demands of armed groups, but the proposed solution that is the legitimate way to restore the country’s stability.

TIRANA, March 17/ATSH/ According to a source close to the family, Bashkim Driza, president of the former “Populli” foundation, left aboard an American helicopter, along with several dozen other citizens, as part of the American operations to evacuate their nationals.

No violence, no weapons, but love and peace

Not bullets, but doves!

Reconciliation and cooperation to rebuild the state and Albania, to save the nation