President Berisha expressed condolences to the families of the victims who drowned at sea Today, all Albanians feel united in the deep pain and sorrow suffered by the families of the 85 victims of the tragedy that took place in the Otranto Sea. Standing by them at this moment, we express our deepest condolences and share their great sorrow. In the name of the Albanian state, the government, and in my personal name, I express to the families of the victims, who lost their lives in this severe tragic accident, the most sincere and brotherly condolences. May God ease their pain and make it more bearable to lose their dearest ones. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured and the survivors of this grave tragedy. Tirana, 29 March 1997

Press statement by President Berisha - The warnings from the southern committees and their actions by extremists aimed at taking control of Vlora, the abuses they have organized that have reprehensibly condemned dozens of people and the southern regions, plunging them into chaos and insurmountable anarchy, make it imperative to restore order and reforms in Albania as a whole. The Otranto tragedy does not undermine our friendship and cooperation with Italy. On this occasion I also wish to inform public opinion throughout the country once again that the naval government and its stance, especially, are becoming clearer and more visible in the region’s common efforts. Further aid shipments as well as observer groups will be in Albania before the command of Italy.

In this case it is clear that our position, together with that of the other opposition parties, is firmly in defense of the constitutional order and the national interest. The agreements reached must be respected and no one can bypass them through unilateral actions.

President Berisha received yesterday the Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alekandër Frino The Secretary General of the Greek MFA, Mr. Aleksandër Frino, conveyed to President Berisha the determination of the Greek government and the Greek people to continue economic and humanitarian aid, as well as political support, to Albania in overcoming the severe crisis. President Berisha expressed gratitude for this support and praised Greece's stabilizing role in the region.

Page 3

“The Italian government, regardless of what kind of tragedy it is, hopes afterward that it will happen freely and unextinguished, and there should be no kind of speculation” “The Italian government, regardless of what kind of tragedy it is, hopes afterward that there should be no kind of speculation” Page 4

On this occasion I wish to inform the broader public throughout the country once again that the Albanian government and the Italian government are in continuous contact for the full clarification of this tragedy and for taking measures so that such events do not recur in the future.

From the pages of Drit and Andreas in the Senate committees Page 4

Page 3

- The OSCE special envoy for Albania, Franz Vranicki, stated immediately after the Easter ceasefire directives, the full exemption to help the Tirana government - Page 3

Page 3