Statement by the Ambassador of the United States of America in Tirana, Marisa Lino Our aim and objective in Albania have always been and continue to be as clear as crystal: support for sovereignty and full territorial integrity and a free Albania, with democracy and direct, high-level relations that are easy to understand. As all Albanians know, thousands of Americans, including our military personnel within the framework of “Operation Silver Wake,” have been here in Albania throughout these days to evacuate our citizens as well as many other citizens. We did this because it was the right thing to do and because America wants Albania to get through this difficult period. As was understood a few days ago, this kind of official American statement brought hope. The government of the United States has no special interest in profits or wealth in Albania. We do not want any territory either. We have demonstrated this stance for a century. We support the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Albania. The American government and people want Albania to become a prosperous and peaceful country for its citizens and a friend to its neighbors. We understand the concern and shock that Albanians have experienced during these weeks. We know that many people have lost their security, their relatives, their livelihoods, their self-confidence, and their hopes for a better life. We have also seen the failures and confusion of recent days. We also know that Albanians can rebuild their country, just as they have rebuilt it before in tragic moments and at high cost. Mrs. Lino said that the United States will continue its work to help solve the problems faced by the Albanian people. This includes continuing humanitarian aid, encouraging political dialogue, supporting democratic processes, and maintaining close contact with international partners. She stressed that the road ahead requires calm, self-restraint, respect for the law, and the return of regular state institutions. Only on this basis can Albania secure order, resume economic life, and move toward stability. The United States, the ambassador added, will stand by Albania during this difficult period and will support the Albanian people’s efforts to restore order, confidence, and hope.

TIRANA, 27 March /ATSH/ The chairman of the PDSh, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, has denied such a report, according to which Greek forces and the organization of “Vorio Epirus” had entered the districts of Saranda and Gjirokastër to move south. “Such a thing is absolutely untrue. I have spoken with Greek officials, with the government, and they have denied anything of the sort to me. There is also a need to distinguish between the Greek people and the government of present-day Greece. The Greek people and Greeks are traditionally our friends,” Arbnori said in an interview on the “Shqip” program of the newspaper “SHIJ”.

The delegation will identify the real needs in terms of aid quantities and the way it should be distributed The Italian minister speaks of the need for a multinational peacekeeping force to guarantee public order and peace TIRANA, 27 March /ATSH/- The European Union and the government of Italy yesterday expressed their readiness to come to Albania’s aid in this difficult situation. The EU and the Parliamentary Committee of stabilisation and objectives face escalation. After meeting with the head of the EU diplomatic mission in Tirana, Ambassador Helmuth Lohan, and the organization’s senior representative, Ambassador Klaus Mayer, Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini expressed the EU’s and the Italian government’s commitment to the concrete assistance this body is providing to Albania to overcome the difficult situation. At this meeting it was said that a delegation of the European Commission, headed by its vice-president, Manuel Marin, will visit Tirana next Saturday in order to become closely acquainted with the situation and identify the real needs in terms of aid quantities and how it should be distributed to the areas where it is needed. Italian Minister Lamberto Dini also said that the Italian government is studying ways to help Albania and means to guarantee order, repeating the idea of the need for a multinational peacekeeping force to guarantee public order and peace. Ansa reports that the Italian delegation will consist of representatives of various ministries and departments such as Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Agriculture, etc.

The EU delegation’s meeting with Prime Minister Fino ends PRISTINA, 27 March /ATSH/ - On behalf of two million Albanians of Kosovo and through the delegation of the Albanian movement for the Republic of Kosovo and “Trepça”, I greet the fact that you are people with influence and great international respect both in Europe and in the USA. This is how the “parliamentary council” under the name of the “Committee of the country” considers the discussion about their role in coordinating all constructive efforts to undertake measures and current developments, with the aim of restoring the necessary order and peace. “This stabilization of Kosovo as such brings interest and continuity not only for the Albanians, but for the region itself,” the statement says, among other things. According to this delegation, the Albanian government and Prime Minister Fino have an important role in developments in Albania and in supporting Albanian issues in the region.

Among other commitments, the Albanian Prime Minister has taken on the holding of elections within six months, according to the opinion of the naologa of Saliniti[?] TIRANA, 27 March /ANSA/ - The national reconciliation government policy, presented to senior representatives of the European Union, received the immediate approval of the “troika” represented by Dutch Foreign Minister, current president of the Council of Europe, Hans Van Mierlo, by Commissioner for External Relations Hans Van den Broek, and by the Dutch ambassador in Tirana, Jan Schrama. The meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino, held at the Palace of Brigades, lasted two hours, after which a press conference was held. It emphasized the importance of restoring order and law, resuming normal life, and organizing elections as soon as possible. The European delegation assessed that local governance is experiencing a slow but steady recovery, and that direct contact with the local administration is essential to face the crisis. At the end it was said that the Albanian Prime Minister has taken on the commitment to lead the country toward elections within a six-month period.

Parliament discusses and approves the government’s draft in principle The absolute participants in yesterday’s plenary session discussed and voted on the draft law “On an Amnesty,” presented in the session by the Minister of Justice, Spartak Ngjela. The discussion of the draft law was quite broad. It covered a good part of the sentencing system, aiming to reduce the number of convicts and return to society those who benefit from the pardon measure. Various remarks and suggestions were made in the debate, both about the categories that would be included and about the way the amnesty would be implemented. In the end, the Assembly approved the draft in principle. (continued on page 8)

All those who must defend the sacred integrity of the country, let us support them with our strength and honesty. The government of order, the collection of weapons and ammunition, the punishment of treason, the full, honest delivery of the aid the world is sending us. More than ever, in Albania we need unity, brotherhood, and devotion to Albania!

Continuous communication for every concern and problem is essential “The climate of cooperation at all levels and the commitment of both local and central governments will help in the resumption of all activities in this difficult time,” TIRANA, 27 March /ATSH/- The Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Bashkim Fino, held a meeting yesterday with representatives of local government and the prefectures, during which the need for continuous communication between central and local authorities was reportedly emphasized.

Prime Minister Fino meeting Continuous communication for every concern and problem is essential