Interview given by Prime Minister Bashkim Fino to BBC Radio Parliamentarians support the Ministry of the Interior’s platform for restoring public and constitutional order The Ministry of the Interior’s platform for restoring public and constitutional order TIRANA. In a discussion with his Albanian defense counterpart Sabit Brokaj, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, assured Albania that the United States is interested in stability in the region and will do everything to help Albanians overcome the difficulties. Democratic unity and the preservation of constitutional order are no longer just an option, but a necessity for all Albanians. Only in this way can the country emerge from its troubled state and regain institutional normality. This is also the main message of the interview given yesterday by Prime Minister Fino on BBC Radio’s general program, during which he stressed the need for calm and cooperation among all political and social forces.

The leaders of the command-party structures orchestrating demonstrations and the most criminal actions against local government in Albania. Circulars and also secret orders signed by the heads of the branches and of local government, the prefectures and the secret political organizations, ensured criminal participation in the erupted revolt. The fact that state administration and educational institutions were used to organize the demonstrations clearly shows that these events were organized and not spontaneous. The preparation of violent protest scenarios against the local government of the Democratic Party of Albania was done by the leaders of the local and central administration, but with the mechanisms of local government commanded by the command-parties established in the cities. These are the reasons why the work of restoring order and disarming is not only a duty of the central and local administration, but an imperative norm for the local structures of the parties and local government.

The Ministry of the Interior’s platform for restoring public and constitutional order Pollo called on the Albanian party to condemn and stop the military junta, which aims to send the army toward Vlora, at a time when unrest and looting show that the calming of the country will come only from political forces that use the language of reason. The four center-right parliamentary forces announced yesterday that they would take part in political activity to restore order and normalize life in the country. At a press conference, their leaders declared that Albania’s integrity must be defended at all costs.

Speech by the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Belul Çelo, at the parliamentary interpellation of 21.03.1997 Albanians! We all love our homeland, we cherish our family and democratic values. Therefore today is a historic hour for each of us. I want to make an appeal to you for a sense of responsibility, resilience and moderation. Today, in these difficult days, our country needs calm, order, and the functioning of law and institutions. Only in this way can we put an end to the anxiety, insecurity and fear that have overwhelmed the lives of Albanians. This state and this society can be saved only if each of us assumes our share of responsibility. No one can remain indifferent in the face of this dramatic situation. Political forces, local government, the administration and citizens must come together. In these conditions, the Ministry of the Interior has prepared and is implementing a platform for restoring public and constitutional order. This platform aims to reestablish state control, disarm armed elements and ensure the lives and property of citizens. Calm does not come from violence, but from law. Security is not established through chaos, but through institutions. Albania is not saved through adventures, but through civic and political responsibility. I call on all Albanians, regardless of political beliefs, to contribute to the stability of the country and not to fall victim to provocations that incite fratricide and fragmentation.

The Albanian Prime Minister, Fino, will also take part ROME, 21 MARCH /ANSA/ - The Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, will report to the North Atlantic Council on Monday on the European Union’s observer mission regarding the situation in Albania. According to information obtained in Italian military circles, the Monday meeting is expected to include the Albanian Foreign Minister, Pëllumb Xhufi, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Belul Çelo. The meeting was arranged after consultations held in recent days with the defense ministers of the Atlantic Alliance. The meeting will take place in Brussels. [ continues on page 3 ]

This is only part of the concern expressed in the political reactions of the day. In many cities of the country, armed groups continue to challenge state authority, while moderate forces are calling for the return of dialogue and order. [ continues on page 3 ]