The Democratic Party has assessed that the foremost priority at this historic moment, through which our entire nation is passing, is the spirit of civic, human and party cooperation—the spirit of reconciliation. Guided by these democratic principles, which have also been welcomed by domestic and international public opinion, the DP has given its full support to the National Reconciliation Government headed by Mr. Fino, as a good way to overcome the domestic crisis in the country and prepare for general elections at the appropriate time. In a statement published yesterday in “RD”, the Democratic Party, with particular political emphasis, once again reaffirmed its “support for the new government”, while also appreciating its efforts to restore order and calm and to enable local government to function normally. Domestic and foreign public opinion alike have deemed the DP’s announced warning about the possibility of a government crisis caused by certain political forces to be justified and constructive. Various analysts have assessed that the tendency to exceed the purposes for which this government was established is in open conflict with the joint formula agreed by the country’s political forces with President Berisha. Unfortunately, these tendencies are also entirely at odds with Prime Minister Fino’s public statements, as well as with the aspirations of every Albanian, who, at this moment, hoping for peace and understanding, wishes to be Albanian before being a party member. Albanian. Our public opinion has also considered that the SP’s statement concerning parliament, and its rigid stance toward the international community’s calls to participate in the work of this parliament, are questionable and contrary to the desire to stabilize the situation in the country and proceed peacefully to the upcoming elections. Indeed, these uncompromising positions are undoubtedly also completely contrary to the will of the absolute majority of Albanian socialists, who love their Homeland, freedom, peace and development. It is imperative that Albanians finally rise above the pursuit of personal or party gain, in order to put an end to anarchy, lawlessness and the further endangerment of the Homeland. Sincerity and transparency in implementing the national reconciliation formula are essential to inspire mutual trust, without which the process of national reconciliation cannot begin.

The European Fifteen move toward humanitarian aid, accompanied by “security forces”, in Albania BRUSSELS, 24 March /AFP/ — The foreign ministers of the Fifteen, meeting on Monday, are agreeing to arrange the delivery of humanitarian aid to Albania, which could be accompanied by a limited force to guarantee the safety of aid convoys. “We want to provide humanitarian assistance,” German Minister Klaus Kinkel stressed at the Brussels meeting. “Some countries will undoubtedly declare themselves ready to make a military protection unit available for the aid convoys,” Kinkel added. Germany, however, will not take part, he indicated to reporters. According to De Charette, this European force, if it is decided to deploy it on Monday, “will not have the mission of going to restore order in Albania, which is up to the Albanians themselves.” “The point,” he stressed, “is to go and help the Albanian army and police, so that it [—] experts,” he added. “If a number of countries are ready to take part in the European force in Albania, then we will ask the UN Security Council to vote on a mandate for such a mission,” he said, emphasizing that this step could be taken very soon. Furthermore, the French foreign minister expressed the wish that responsibility for organizing the solutions in Albania be entrusted to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), “which already has some experience in this area.” His counterpart, Germany’s Klaus Kinkel, preferred instead that it be entrusted to it Klaus Kinkel, during to provide a military protection component for the aid convoys,” Kinkel added. However, Germany will not take part in it, he hinted, emphasizing that Bonn would not oppose such a limited initiative by its partners. Italy and Austria asked their officials and colleagues to decide on sending such a protection force. “France,” insisted Minister Hervé de Charette, “is ready to take part in such a protection force, as long as it is not alone.” However, Paris “does not envisage an intervention that would not take place within the framework of a clear mandate from the United Nations Security Council,” the French minister stressed. Charette said that this European force, if it is decided that it should be deployed the Albanian army and police so that they can organize themselves and recover; then the aim is to guarantee the delivery of food aid, at the port of Durrës, for example, or to send a mission of European advisers to Tirana.” “It may also be a matter of protecting Tirana airport, if necessary,” the French minister hinted. The possible European force, which ministers are expected to discuss officially in the afternoon, will have a “limited form,” Charette also said, without giving exact figures. “The responsibility for organizing elections in Albania is counterpart, Germany’s Klaus Kinkel, preferred to entrust the OSCE with the entire coordination of assistance in the country. According to him, the civilian component of reconstruction assistance falls under the responsibility of the European Union. De Charette noted that “the 350 million wealthy Europeans should willingly help the 3 million poor Albanians.” “If the European Union is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, it would be very regrettable if the Fifteen’s agreement, which enables the European Union to fully assume its responsibilities, were not taken into consideration,” De Charette also said.

President Berisha received Mr. George Micu, special envoy of the President and Government of Romania Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the special envoy of the President and Government of Romania, Ambassador George Micu, accompanied by the chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Romanian Embassy in Tirana, Bucura Gheorge. Ambassador Micu conveyed to President Berisha the full support and solidarity of President Konstantinesku and the Romanian Government, emphasizing that Romania respects Albania’s legal institutions as a necessity for implementing the parties’ platform to overcome the dramatic situation in which Albania finds itself. President Berisha thanked President Konstantinesku for the lengthy telephone call he made to him during the most dramatic moments Albania was going through, and for the support of the Romanian Government and its engagement in missions to overcome this crisis. This once again proves that Albania and the Albanians have an unwavering friend in the Romanian nation.

On Monday, at the Presidency, Messrs. Halil Kopani and Kristofor Peçi, pursuant to Article 73 of Law No. 7491, dated 29.04.1991, “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” took the oath before the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, following their election by the People’s Assembly to serve as members of the Constitutional Court. “I wish,” President Berisha said, “to congratulate you and express my confidence that you will fully justify the confidence of the Albanian Parliament, which elected you as members of the Constitutional Court. Respect for institutions and their functioning,” President Berisha continued, “are fundamental to the functioning of a society. This is more relevant today than ever, when attempts to trample on them are not lacking. The Constitutional Court has had and continues to have an essential role in a democratic society, and I am convinced that it will fulfil this role in accordance with its constitutional prerogatives.”

TIRANA, 25 March /AFP/ — A plane carrying 40 tons of French humanitarian aid arrived in Tirana today, AFP reports from the scene. This is the first French aid to Albania since the outbreak of the crisis in the country, which has caused 160 deaths and left more than 700 people wounded. The “Ilyushin” aircraft brought flour, sugar, powdered milk, gauze and vitamin-enriched biscuits, as well as medicines.

Interview with the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Albert Brojka Page 3

Interview with Ylli Vejsiu, Organizational Secretary of the DP

An EU delegation will set out for Albania to pave the way for the assistance mission, whose work will be guaranteed by an international protection force The European mission is ready to begin, Dini says Page 3

Prodi and Fino sign: ROME, 25 March/ANSA/ - An agreement between the Italian and Albanian governments for comprehensive patrols of the Adriatic was reached last night during a meeting between Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. Prodi himself announced this at a joint press conference with Fino at Palazzo Chigi. “Monitoring the Adriatic means,” Prodi stressed, “stopping the flow.” Prime Minister Fino, for his part, confirming Prodi’s words, added that “the two governments will cooperate on the problem of emigration.” “The time has come for this problem to be tackled more firmly,” Fino pointed out.

14 days after the agreement on the reconciliation platform Page 3

TIRANA, 25 March/ATA/-. On the proposal of the Ministry of Finance, the Council of Ministers has taken measures for the administration of financial donations from natural and legal persons residing or based inside and outside the territory of the Republic of Albania. “Financial donations from natural and legal persons residing will be deposited in two special bank accounts, respectively in lek and in foreign currency,” states Decision No. 138, dated 20.3.1997, of the Council of Ministers. According to this decision, the deposited donations are used by the Ministry of Finance with the authorization of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers or the Minister of Finance, or, in their absence, by a person authorized by them. Authorization will also be issued for donations made for a specific purpose, in accordance with the purpose specified in the deed of donation. This decision, which enters into force immediately, states that “the Ministry of Finance shall make public, through the public information media, the account numbers provided for in point 1 of this decision.”