Recent events in Albania have, for some time now, attracted the attention of European and American governments and institutions. European forums judged that the Albanian crisis should be resolved as quickly as possible and by peaceful means. The Western community, warning of the consequences of the spread of the Albanian crisis across the region, has intensified its diplomatic presence in Albania in order to gain a better understanding of the situation and find the necessary solutions. Several delegations from the OSCE and the EU, as well as from friendly countries in the region, visited Tirana, standing alongside the Albanian people and Government during these difficult times. Their support for the country’s democratic institutions has helped calm the situation, restore constitutional order and return life to normal. By recognizing Albania as part of its own continent, Europe is demonstrating that it will protect and support Western civilization in Albania, its democracy and its institutions. In many European capitals, a long-term development plan for Albania is being discussed, without reducing the matter to humanitarian issues. Yesterday’s meeting of EU foreign ministers in Strasbourg and today’s meeting in Rome have emphasized… today’s meeting in Rome, attended by Albanian Prime Minister Fino, is further proof of the EU’s serious commitment to a long-term resolution of the Albanian crisis. We thank all these high-level forums, while also asking that the economic aid to be granted to Albania be provided as soon as possible, given the difficult transition with which democracy and capitalism in Albania are grappling. We hope that the current crisis has not betrayed Albanians’ faith in freedom, the free-market economy and the Western-style capitalism that we are trying to build; therefore, we hope that with your help Albania will recover very soon. The Government and the democratic forces in the country are determined to respect the agreements reached with the EU and the OSCE, and also to respect the formula agreed upon by the country’s political forces with President Berisha, which produced a broad platform for national reconciliation. No one has the right to disrupt or ignore this platform, since that would have consequences. We are fully aware that European assistance is linked to restoring order and calm, which is entirely our responsibility, and that the Albanian side is making a full commitment to domestic stabilization. Democratic Albania, expressing its gratitude to the EU, the OSCE and the friendly countries contributing to overcoming the situation in Albania, assures them that the assistance given today is a major investment in safeguarding the freedom, democracy and integrity of a people as ancient and European as the Albanians. These ties with Europe and the West have deep historical roots, and no force can sever them.

President Berisha received the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mr. Onur Oymen President Berisha thanked President Demirel, the Prime Minister and the Turkish Government for their comprehensive support during this difficult period for Albania, and emphasized that, as before, we are committed to strengthening friendship and cooperation with friendly Turkey in every field. At present, he said, alongside the urgently needed humanitarian aid and assistance in rebuilding the institutions that have been destroyed, financing the agencies to cover the losses suffered by their investors in Albania, as well as creating financial resources to provide credit to Albanian investors, would be of exceptional importance for Albania’s rapid recovery. We, President Berisha emphasized, addressed the European Union with… Mr. Oymen, President Berisha, and conveyed President Demirel and the Turkish Government’s full readiness to help Albania in… … and has received broad support. Turkey does not interfere in Albania’s internal affairs and insists that no one has the right to…

PDSH press statement The Democratic Party considers the latest statement by the leadership of the Socialist Party dangerous because of the insinuations it makes against the Albanian Parliament, a parliament that has clearly demonstrated its values in defending democracy and Albania’s territorial integrity. The Albanian Democratic Party, a signatory to the political agreement of 9 March 1997 on the platform for national reconciliation, has supported the new government and encouraged the implementation of its program. This government won a vote of confidence in the Albanian Parliament, even though the votes of the Socialist deputies were absent from that vote. Regarding the amendments requested by the government, we stress that the law on RTSH was passed in October 1991, and no government—whether the stability, technical or Democratic Party government—has requested its amendment. This is a constitutional law that makes way for free operation in radio and television, without domination by political forces or the executive, and as such it cannot be amended at this time. Furthermore, the rejection of this amendment has nothing to do with the support that Parliament is giving to the national reconciliation government. makes against Parliament…

Following the amnesty enacted by the People’s Assembly The Prosecutor’s Office proposes a broader amnesty After the draft is reviewed by the heads of the justice system and the Parliamentary Committee on Laws, it is expected to be finalized and approved in a plenary session Page 2

BRUSSELS, ANSA/- Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini received Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino and Foreign Minister Arjan Starova yesterday at around 7:30 p.m. at the Farnesina. They had met in Rome yesterday with the foreign ministers of the 15, diplomatic sources in Brussels reported. According to sources, contrary to expectations, Starova will not be in Brussels, where the EU foreign ministers have gathered. A new EU mission, consisting of about 10 people, will arrive in Albania in the coming hours to accurately assess the country’s needs and prepare a possible future European mission, Brussels sources report.

On this occasion, the Minister of the Interior says that fabricating such falsehoods does not serve the mission of National Reconciliation in any way The Prime Minister’s press office misinformed the public about the meeting with representatives of the local government of Vlora The President’s resignation was not discussed On this occasion, the Minister of the Interior said that fabricating such falsehoods does not serve the mission of National Reconciliation in any way “The spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior clarifies that the Minister of the Interior, Belul Çelo, was invited to lunch on Saturday for a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, where Prime Minister Bashkim Fino informed him about a meeting with representatives of the local government of Vlora, representatives of Vlora, and representatives of several political parties, concerning the problems of Vlora. In this connection, at the meeting, no party raised the issue, nor was there any discussion whatsoever, of the resignation of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. He therefore emphasizes that the announcement by the Press and Information Office at the Prime Minister’s Office, which claims that the President’s resignation was requested at this meeting, is entirely untrue. On this occasion, the Minister of the Interior says National Reconciliation in any way, and expresses the hope that such incidents will not happen again in the work and activities of

[The visible part of the article begins mid-sentence] ... the constitutional law that paves the way for freedom of operation at RTV, without being dominated by political forces or the executive, and as such cannot be amended at this time. On the other hand, government. of the PS dangerous because of the insinuations it makes about values in defending democracy and the territorial integrity of Albania. Such statements are completely contrary to the spirit of the National Reconciliation platform, and we consider them provocations by those who seek, at any cost, to deepen the crisis without limit. The Democratic Party considers the work carried out by the government so far encouraging and deserving of further support from all political parties. Reiterating once again its support for the new government and its efforts to establish order and calm, as well as to ensure the normal functioning throughout the territory of the legitimate local government, the Democratic Party calls on political forces not to provoke a new crisis for the government, which would come at the expense of the people’s peace and their fate.

Mr. Arbnori received the Ambassador of Great Britain in Tirana Page 3

From an interview with Servet Pëllumbi, former deputy chairman of the PS, given to the “Voice of America” radio service With its (PS) members of parliament going to Parliament, it could moderate matters, as far as they can be moderated, during this period leading up to the elections (the country’s legislative body), when it is necessary to approve a package of laws essential for the elections and when it is necessary to address the people from the parliamentary platform, giving them the messages they need Page 3

The world is supporting and helping us in every field. Now it is our duty to help ourselves by turning away from weapons and destruction, violence and chaos, restoring order, calm and security, and returning to work and study, and to cultural and sporting activities.