Statement by Mr. Ylli Vejsiu, Organizational Secretary of the DPA Information coming from six districts of the country shows that nothing has been put in order and that quite a few national salvation committees are being formed. Inevitably, they have displaced the role of the local authorities, elected by the people on a pluralist basis, and are claiming to take control of economic and political affairs and public order in these districts. Former PPSH figures, Enverists, or former State Security officers have been installed at the head of several districts, setting a dangerous precedent for the constitutional order in Albania and exposing the country to dangerous unknowns. The Democratic Party calls on the Government of National Reconciliation to make every effort to ensure that the activities of these committees are transferred primarily to the lawful activities of local government, the only pluralist bodies elected by popular vote, and that it does not become involved in unlawful activities. Only in this way will this government exercise its [unclear] ... setting a dangerous precedent for the constitutional order in Albania and exposing the country to dangerous unknowns. With a clear platform and the full support of the political forces, this government must do everything possible to ensure the full functioning of local government. The Democratic Party declares, and also calls on the other political forces, that it will make every effort to achieve this goal, which is of the utmost importance for the country’s peace and tranquillity.

We consider your support for the political agreement very important for Albanian democracy TIRANA, 18 March /ATA/.— The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, sent the following letter to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Leni Fisher: The Albanian Parliament, considering it vital that the country emerge from the current crisis as quickly as possible, has welcomed the round table of political parties with the President of the Republic and has committed itself to fulfilling all the points of the political agreement. As you may know, Parliament unanimously gave a vote of confidence to the Government of National Reconciliation. In particular, in implementing the agreement, it approved a general amnesty for civilians and military personnel. [The source text is corrupt here: “Paao përgjithshme për personat civile dhe ushtarake.”] The deadline for the surrender of weapons was extended, and it was agreed that general elections would be held within the month of June. We also support comprehensive and full monitoring of the entire electoral process, including the necessary amendments to the electoral law. Likewise, within a few days, the amendments to the law on the state of emergency will be considered. Despite these constructive and serious commitments, which have received the support and encouragement of the EU and the USA, and although the general public-order situation has improved relatively, unfortunately there are also very negative developments involving an attempt at a coup d’état and threatening the constitutional order. Several military committees, led by former security employees and former senior military officers of the communist regime, are seeking to take control of all legitimate institutions at the central and local levels, issuing ultimatums demanding the President’s resignation by 20 March 1997 and the election of a presidential chief, with them as a third party. This is in complete contradiction with the main constitutional provisions and would bring about a coup d’état. Faced with this situation, despite attempts to bypass and overthrow Parliament, we are determined to stand firm to the end in defence of the constitutional order. We also expect a greater, rather than indifferent, commitment from certain political forces to prevent the agreement from being circumvented. We consider your support for the political agreement among the political parties very important for Albanian democracy, for restoring public order, for defending the constitutional order, and for overcoming the current crisis that threatens our existence as a state and as a nation, the letter from Mr. Arbnori concludes.

Interview with Mr. Tritan Shehu, Chairman of the Democratic Party Mr. Tritan, what message would you send today to Albanians and supporters of the DP—to every Albanian? The message is one of national reconciliation, calm among people, reducing tensions and ensuring the normal functioning of life in the country; respecting order, rules and the law; respecting the Government of National Reconciliation; respecting local government elected by the free vote of the people; and respecting our state institutions. In this way, we value and respect Albania and ourselves. Establishing order, calm and stability is a necessary condition for enabling assistance from our friends, our allies and the international community as a whole. First of all, we must respect our elected, lawful bodies and let them exercise their powers under the law, overcome the difficulties and help the International Community. We also express our conviction that the situation in Albania will stabilize very soon. On this occasion, we once again call on everyone around the world, and our diaspora in Europe and the USA, to help Albania economically overcome the problems that have arisen, ensure that reforms in Albania continue, protect the rule of law and secure the future of democracy in this country. I appeal to all of them, and especially to DP supporters, to mobilize to defend freedom and democracy and to consolidate the party structures—the leadership, groups and sections. The party structures should remain united, striving by every means to convey our messages of national reconciliation, while also defending the democratic values achieved in this country. We ask our people to respect order and the law, basing all their activities on a spirit of national, human and civic unity. It is essential that all DP structures, all DP members and supporters, fulfil the great responsibility they have toward the country, the people and peace. They must become an active force in achieving the noblest goal: [unclear in the source] Albania through clear agendas. I am fully convinced that by mobilizing all our members and supporters, with the commitment of all patriotic, freedom-loving and democratic people, and by providing the necessary assistance, [unclear in the source] the swift and complete restoration of life throughout the country, we will bring peace and improvement to our homeland. How do you view the possibility of further cooperation between the DP and the country’s political forces to stabilize local government as quickly as possible? It is essential to strengthen cooperation between the DP and the other political forces. Our task is to respect the legitimate bodies, from the centre down to the grassroots. I call on DP members and supporters to cooperate with local government bodies, as the only lawful democratic bodies. The organization of local committees runs counter to these principles and [the source is unclear: “luftërat nga të gjitha forcat politike”]. This is our duty, and we have agreed on it for this period. We are seeing many of the initiators of December ’90 at the DP these days. What would you say to these veteran activists? I consider that the DP electorate has not fallen away, nor have its supporters. Our very large electorate has remained united and self-restrained, following our repeated calls to defend peace and the constitutional order and to implement the national reconciliation platform agreed with the country’s main political forces and the President of the Republic. On this occasion, I make an open appeal to all DP supporters and activists, and to the initiators and founders of the DP, who have demonstrated their democratic and patriotic spirit: rise above personal narrowness, the constraints of the moment and narrow individual problems, and think of the good of the country, of peace, freedom and democracy. Think of supporting the DP, further strengthening and consolidating it as a decisive force for the continuation of democracy and the achievement of national reconciliation in Albania. Interviewed by: M. BUÇPAPAJ

In a government announcement, drawn up after a two-hour cabinet meeting on the Albanian crisis, it was stated that the state of emergency would remain in force until 30 June A government announcement, drawn up after a two-hour cabinet meeting on the Albanian crisis, said that the state of emergency would remain in force until 30 June ROME, 19 March /Reuters/— The Italian government on Wednesday declared a state of emergency throughout the country in response to a massive influx of Albanian refugees. The measure, which will allow the government to use emergency funds, was announced by a decree empowering the authorities to return to their country any Albanian who appears to pose a threat to public order in the country. A government announcement, drawn up after a two-hour cabinet meeting on the Albanian crisis, said that the state of emergency would remain in force until 30 June. The decree confirms that Italy will grant temporary residence rights to Albanians who have left the country because of the armed unrest there and arrived in Italy aboard a fleet of old, rusted ships. Nearly 10,000 people have arrived at ports in southeastern Italy since 13 March. At the main port of Brindisi, military sources say that Italy has already begun returning Albanians aboard ships, including other people whose status is unclear. They said that two giant Italian army helicopters, “Cinuc,” carrying military personnel on board, began an operation today to return 290 Albanians to Tirana.

-Brothers who speak only the language of guns and flames, have mercy on yourselves, on your families, on the children of today and of tomorrow.

EU delegation calls for: Improving the situation in the country before sending aid Interview with the OSCE spokesperson, Ms. Melisa Fleming The OSCE is engaged alongside the European Union and the Council of Europe in a long-term mission in Albania Page 3