—A vessel carrying more than 100 Albanians who had departed from Vlora sinks —50 missing, most of them children and women —Investigations into the causes of the tragedy have begun

Two statements by the ADSH The Albanian Democratic Party considers the UN Security Council’s decision to restore order and calm in Albania highly positive, as it provides for the prompt dispatch of this force to Albania under a special mandate. It particularly welcomes the countries that will commit their forces and send them to Albania to carry out a major and noble mission in the interests of peace and stability in the country and the region. The DP expresses its conviction that the mandate of this multinational force is an additional guarantee for the smooth and unimpeded distribution of humanitarian aid, as well as for restoring calm in the country and preparing Albania to hold general elections within the deadline approved by the round table of Albanian political parties.

According to news sources arriving from Italy, a great tragedy occurred in the waters off the city of Brindizi on Friday at around 7:00 p.m. Italian television networks report that an Albanian motorboat, carrying around 100 people and travelling toward Italy, sank in Italian waters. Around 50 people are reported missing at sea, many of them children. The Italian Navy managed to rescue only 34 people, while the bodies of four other drowned people have been found. It is reported that the Albanian motorboat collided with the Italian warship “Sivila.” As reported by the Italian television channel RAIDUE, no footage of the tragedy involving the sunken vessel could be shown, nor could any other television channel provide footage, because, according to RAIDUE, the vessel of the Brindizi port carabinieri that went to escort the [unclear] on their way there suffered an engine failure. Meanwhile, RAI broadcast reports throughout yesterday about a tragedy whose causes are still unclear. Dozens of people are said to be missing, including children. In one of RAI’s broadcasts, the words of a rescued man were heard very clearly. Addressing the Italian soldiers, he said: “You are all criminals.” Another rescued citizen said: “You hit us.” This unprecedented tragedy has caused immense shock and become the subject of fierce controversy in Italy. Italian leader Zivaneta immediately called for the resignation of Italian Defence Minister Andreata. This tragic event has been met with profound sorrow by the entire Albanian public and the Albanian authorities.

The resolution was adopted by 14 votes, while China abstained on Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which permits the use of force to protect the freedom of movement of the troops the Council called the “Multinational Protection Force.” The Security Council late Friday authorized a force led by [unclear], under troops the Council called the “Multinational Protection Force.” China said it could not support the operation because the chaos in Albania was an internal matter and, for this reason, it did not approve the use of force. The operation’s mandate lasts three months. During this period, the Council may decide whether to extend it. The operation will be financed by the participating countries, the resolution says. The Council also approved an offer from Italy, set out in a separate letter, to lead the organization and command of the mission, whose purpose is “to facilitate the safe and rapid distribution of humanitarian aid and to help create a secure environment for the missions of international organizations in Albania.”

[Part of the headline is cut off at the upper edge.] of calm in Albania

The Albanian Democratic Party has asked the government to ignore the “rebel committees” and help restore the functioning of local government. The DP notes with concern that these committees, led by armed rebels, still have not learned the proper lesson. The gang that attacked Levan, a village near Fier, on Thursday afternoon was headed by Ferdinand Malaj, the brother of the chairman of the rebel committee in the Tepelenë-Gjirokastër area, as well as the brother of Astrit Dautaj, who is the committee’s number two. The gang attempted to overcome the resistance of the civilian residents with gunfire, while two residents were killed and many were wounded. The gang’s attack on the residents of Levan was intended to involve mass looting and terrorize families, as they had done in other districts such as Vlorë, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Korçë, Delvinë and the surrounding villages. The Democratic Party strongly condemns these actions, while encouraging the state authorities and the Ministry of the Interior to help restore law and order in these areas. It also reminds every political force in the country that political cooperation with such committees and relations with them constitute unjustifiable encouragement of lawlessness and the continuation of terrorism in the country. Such actions run counter to the agreement reached by the political parties on March 9 and to the position of governments and international institutions toward these committees.

Statement by Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, concerning the tragedy of the sinking of the Albanian ship This is a very painful event, a real tragedy that should not have happened. I think it could have been avoided. I have heard that there were Mafia members who drowned people whose money they had taken, supposedly to take them to Italy, but I do not want to believe such a thing. It is unacceptable for the army of a friendly country to take measures of this kind, causing the deaths of dozens of Albanian citizens as well. There was an agreement to patrol, and that is perfectly normal. The boat could have been escorted; it was carrying civilians, children and women, and could have been escorted, after which the authorities could have taken whatever measures they deemed appropriate, as they have done before, by holding them or sending them back. But under no circumstances should that action have been taken against civilians in the middle of the sea, leading to such a painful outcome. I offer my condolences to all the families in Vlorë who have suffered such a painful loss, and I hope the Italian civilian and military authorities will review such a fatal mistake so that further losses of this kind can be avoided. I understand the declaration of a state of emergency in southern Italy, and it is advisable that people not undertake such dangerous journeys, which cost them their lives. On the other hand, Italy is a large, advanced, civilized country, and in these difficult days it will surely find a way to help these unfortunate people, just as we, in a small country, helped Italian soldiers in the tragedy of wartime.

An Albanian ship has sunk 30 thousand [sic] off the coast of Brindisi while attempting to land on the Italian coast. News sources report that at least four Albanian citizens have lost their lives, while as-yet-unconfirmed sources in Brindisi say that several dozen people may have been aboard the Albanian ship. The Government of National Reconciliation expresses its deepest condolences to the victims’ families. The sinking of the Albanian ship resulted from a collision with an Italian military vessel. Based on the information available so far, the Albanian Government considers that the tragic incident, which may have cost dozens of Albanian citizens their lives, could have been avoided. The Albanian Government has appreciated the willingness of the Italian authorities to help ease the crisis in Albania, particularly with regard to the issue of refugees, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of the actions of the Italian forces. However, the Albanian Government expresses its regret over yesterday’s tragic incident. The Government of National Reconciliation considers the action taken by the Italian military forces to be contrary to the [garbled text: “kundërshumë projekte kumare veshjes”] between the two governments, under which no action was to be taken at sea by the Italian side before the relevant protocol was signed between the respective Ministries of Defense. The Albanian Government has at no time considered the irresponsible statements by former politicians of the country [garbled text: “hirtë institucionale”] of the Italian institutions to be serious, according to which “Albanians should be drowned at sea.” The Albanian Government believes that immediate investigations are essential to clarify the tragic incident in which Albanian citizens lost their lives, and calls on the Italian Government to take all measures to protect the lives of Albanian citizens.

Interview with the Commander of the Naval Defense Forces, Vladimir Beja — Mr. Beja, what kind of vessel was it? — V. Beja — We are facing a tragedy, a catastrophe that our people are going through. First, I would like to offer my condolences to the victims’ families. We are dealing with the use of a small warship intended for port services, with a tonnage of 30–35 tons and a length of about 21 m. This vessel should under no circumstances have been used to transport people or such uncontrolled cargo. — What was its technical condition? — V. Beja — In general, its technical condition, although it had not been directly inspected, was relatively good. It had, after all, completed the journey and made it out into the waters. — According to Italian news sources, survivors said there were about 130 people aboard the vessel. Can you confirm this figure? — V. Beja — I would point out that, according to its technical specifications, this vessel can carry up to 20 people and no more than 80 Continued on page 3

VIENNA, March 29 /AFPI/ — Former Austrian Chancellor Franc Vranicki confirmed on Austrian television on Friday that he had agreed to lead the OSCE mission in Albania. According to the television report, Vranicki will head the mission “from Vienna and will also go to Albania to coordinate” the work of the civilians involved in the mission. On Thursday in Vienna, the OSCE decided to send a civilian mission to Albania, tasked with assisting Albania’s democratization and preparing the elections.

May the Resurrection of Christ serve as an example for a national resurrection On the occasion of Easter, the Democratic Party wishes all Catholic believers a better life, with more peace and freedom. May the Resurrection of Christ after his sacrifice in the name of life, goodness and peace serve us Albanians as an example of a complete national and human resurrection after shared tragedies and suffering. May this day serve to rekindle hope in every Albanian that sublime sacrifices and selflessness for the Homeland, peace and freedom will lead only to the sanctification of the ideals for which we are fighting, the renewal of the Homeland, faith in God, and the holy spirit of national reconciliation.

The “RD” newspaper wishes all Catholic believers a happy Easter. May the spirit of selflessness and sublime sacrifice, as well as the resurrection that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ brings to the world, serve us Albanians in renewing our faith in the Homeland, God and one another, and in hoping that after the bad days, peace, reconciliation and the spirit of God will reign among us.

Prime Minister Prodi expressed his personal condolences and those of the Italian Government to the victims’ families, as well as stressing the urgent need for comprehensive international assistance to stabilize the situation in Albania.

This agreement completely violates the Platform for National Reconciliation