TIRANA, 27 March /ATA/- “Albania’s good relations with the Greek people are unshakeable,” said Albanian parliamentary speaker Pjetër Arbnori during Wednesday’s int[?] with the Secretary of the National Intelligence Service (SHIK). “The Greek minority and the Greek state must in no way be confused with particular individuals and particular organizations, with particular circles that infringe upon Albania’s integrity and sovereignty,” said Arbnori, supported by other deputies who spoke after him.

Foreign Minister Mr. Arjan Starova received the EU delegation headed by Ambassador d’Ansembourg -The delegation will identify the actual needs regarding the quantity of aid and how it should be distributed

Statement by the United States Ambassador to Tirana, Marisa Lino Our aims and objectives in Albania have always been, and continue to be, crystal clear. We support the sovereignty and integrity of this country. We want to help develop democracy and a free-market economy. These goals are simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. As all Albanians know, Albanian-American friendship has a long tradition. It is a special relationship, built on shared ideals and goals, including a shared commitment to freedom and democracy. Perhaps the best-known example of America’s support is the actions of President Woodrow Wilson. However, many others have contributed positively to the cause of Albanian-American relations. People like Harry Fultz, founder of the Fulci School. A short while ago, [?] understood. Even a child in the cradle can understand the difference between the opportunity to vote for a representative in free and fair elections and anarchy, terror, and rule at gunpoint. When we have criticized the Government of Albania in the past, we have done so openly. The Albanian government has also made its positions known. We have always worked together constructively, with suggestions for repairing the damage caused to institutions, with understanding and goodwill. Some choose to interpret these criticisms as a hidden plan aimed at destroying the country. They are wrong—and I believe ordinary Albanians who have been in contact with Americans and American programs here have a much clearer idea of what the United States is doing in Albania than some irresponsible politicians who want to inflame the situation for their own purposes. I will continue to call for an end to violence. The United States Government will continue to support the Government of National Reconciliation as the means by which Albania’s main political forces can return the country to stability and democracy. I call on all citizens of Albania to lay down their arms and embrace democratic means of expressing their political wishes. America stands ready to help. goals, and a shared thirst for freedom and democracy. Perhaps the best-known example of American People like Harry Fultz, founder of the Fultz School. Until recently, we had more than eighty Peace Corps volunteers who worked side by side with Albanians in cities and small villages. Our United States assistance program (USAID) has touched Albanian lives from Gjirokastra to Shkodër, from Pogradec to Vlorë, and in all the places in between. We have worked with students, farmers, lawyers, people who want to start small businesses, judges, doctors, teachers, and many, many others from every walk of life. As I said recently in a statement on “Voice of America,” continue to be, crystal clear. We support this country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These goals are simple, straightforward and easy to understand. Even the reform and yesterday we destruction worked together constructively, are wrong—and I think the United States is doing in Albania than certain to the Government of National Reconciliation as the means through expressing their political wishes. America stands ready to help.

Prime Minister Fino meets district heads “The spirit of cooperation among all local and central structures, and the contribution of all devoted and patriotic people who serve in this difficult time, are vital necessities.” TIRANA, 26 March /ATA/.- The Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Bashkim Fino, together with part of his cabinet, held a meeting at noon today with district heads to discuss the situation and the measures that need to be taken to improve it, the Council’s Press and Information Office reports. Prime Minister Fino said that “district councils, municipalities and communes, as legitimate local-government structures, are today faced with difficult tasks as a result of the situation created throughout the country.” After conveying to local officials the message of national reconciliation, a message so necessary for the entire population, he stressed that “the situation calls for total commitment from employees to make all local administration structures fully operational, and especially the public-order structures. Normalization and calm require support for the work of the police and the army in fighting crime and criminals who are terrorizing people’s lives in some areas of the country.” The government, Mr. Fino continued, is making efforts to provide law-enforcement personnel as soon as possible with the necessary protective equipment, and he called on citizens to cooperate with these bodies to safeguard values and restore calm. The Prime Minister added that everyone must be made aware that establishing order and calm is the main factor in normalizing life and bringing in emergency, humanitarian and economic aid from abroad. Key sectors of life, such as water supply, energy and transport, must be able to function. In conclusion, Prime Minister Fino said that serve in this difficult time, are vital necessities.” For their part, the district heads, after emphasizing the people’s support for the Government of National Reconciliation, expressed their concerns and noted that the situation [?] is being dealt with at a round table in cooperation with the political forces. Among other things, they highlighted economic problems, the particular challenges of maintaining order, and important objectives such as repairs and infrastructure [?], which require great attention; the need for greater civic engagement was also emphasized. Ministers responded to requests and concerns from the local level, calling for continuous communication on every significant concern and problem, according to a report from the Government’s Press and Information Office.

-The delegation will identify the actual needs regarding the quantity of aid and how it should be distributed -Minister Starova confirmed the Government of National Reconciliation’s appreciation of the EU’s readiness and the concrete assistance that this organization is providing to Albania in this difficult situation distributed -Minister Starova confirmed the Government of National Reconciliation’s appreciation of the EU’s readiness and the concrete assistance that this organization is providing to Albania in this difficult situation TIRANA, 27 March /ATA-The European Union today confirmed its readiness and commitment to provide comprehensive assistance to Albania, during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Minister Arian Starova and the EU delegation headed by the Dutchman D’Ansemburg. For his part, is providing to Albania during the difficult situation it is going through. The EU delegation, which includes 13 experts from various fields, will hold meetings and familiarize itself with the situation in order to address certain technical aspects and ensure the swiftest possible arrival and distribution of the aid allocated to Albania. At the beginning of the meeting, D’Ansemburg, head of the delegation, said that the purpose of this approximately 10-day working visit would be to identify the actual needs regarding the quantity of aid, how it should be distributed, and so on. After its meeting with Prime Minister Bashkim Fino and further meetings with his cabinet ministers, the EU delegation is expected to meet with the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha.

PRISTINA, 27 March /ATA/- Eight years ago, more than two million Kosovo Albanians took to mass demonstrations, following the hunger strike declared by the miners of “Trepça,” to oppose the Serbian constitution of tanks. On 28 March 1989, while Albanian blood was being shed in Kosovo in defense of national identity and Kosovo, Serbia’s Assembly in Belgrade approved the constitution that abolished Kosovo’s autonomy—its constitutional status as a constituent entity in the former Yugoslav federation—and celebrated. That day, 22 people were killed and more than 100 wounded among the Albanian demonstrators by Serbian and former Yugoslav forces, which sought to crush the revolt in blood. The great hunger strike and the demonstrations by Albanians everywhere were a powerful message to the whole world that Kosovo and the Albanians would never, at any price, accept remaining a colony under Serbian occupation, and that they were determined to achieve self-determination and independence. The society and independent state of Kosovo, which are being built with great effort and sacrifice, are a reality and are gaining increasing recognition in the international arena every day, despite the brutal Serbian occupation. The freedom and independence of Kosovo are a major concern for all Albanians and, at all times, also an international issue.

Meeting of the EU delegation with Prime Minister Fino concludes Among other things, the Albanian Prime Minister affirmed his commitment to holding elections by June, because “the country needs stability” Meeting of the EU delegation with Prime Minister Fino concludes Slow but steady recovery in local governance Among other things, the Albanian Prime Minister affirmed his commitment to holding elections by June, because “the country needs stability” TIRANA, March 27 /ANSA/ — The European delegation tasked with preparing the humanitarian intervention in Albania met today in Tirana with Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. Sources from the delegation, made up of experts from the EU, OSCE, WEU and Council of Europe, said that Fino had reiterated to the international community his requests for humanitarian assistance, insisting on the need to establish an international protection force to ensure the distribution of aid. In this context, the sources stressed, Fino had requested special security for Tirana airport and the ports of Durrës and Vlorë. As regards security, Fino expressed cautious optimism, declaring that he had observed “a slow but steady recovery of local government centers” and announcing that he would meet today with the mayors of the rebel cities. “There is a tendency among the committees to engage in dialogue with the local authorities,” Fino said.

Parliament discusses and approves the government’s bill in principle Yesterday, the Albanian Parliament discussed in plenary session the National Reconciliation Government’s draft law “On Amnesty.” Justice Minister Spartak Ngjela, defending the bill before members of parliament, said that it was intended to create a humane tolerance, in order subsequently to establish total intolerance toward criminality, which had been greatly encouraged by the anarchic situation engulfing Albania. In Ngjela’s view, the bill establishes an institution aimed at national reconciliation and, from a legal standpoint, is considered a test of the rehabilitation process that may have taken place among the categories of people receiving amnesty. In presenting the figure of 700 people who would benefit from the amnesty, the Justice Minister explained that it was for Parliament to examine this large number, since granting a pardon through the institution of the president could set a constitutional precedent. There is no legal logic, Ngjela said, in having the president pardon such a large number of people. After receiving Ngjela’s answers to a host of questions about the bill, the parliamentarians decided that yesterday’s session would be devoted only to discussion and approval of the bill in principle. The discussion and final approval of the bill in its entirety were left for today’s session, since many members of parliament were unclear about some of its provisions. Under this amnesty, all civilian and military prisoners will be released, with the exception of those who have committed serious crimes. Even among this category, which includes 665 people convicted of murder alone, all citizens under the age of 18, men over 60 and women over 45 will be released. All those with five years or less remaining on their sentences will be pardoned; those who return voluntarily and accept the berikulë will also receive a reduction in their sentences, and the sentences of those serving life imprisonment who accept the execution date will be reduced to 20 years in prison. Under this amnesty, people who have committed criminal offenses constituting state corruption will not benefit. A.K

It is incumbent on all of us to defend the sacred integrity of our country and honestly support the Government of National Reconciliation, the rule of law, help restore order, collect weapons and ammunition, and ensure the full and fair distribution of the aid being sent to us by the world. More than ever, we Albanians need unity, brotherhood, and devotion to Albania!