Decisions of the Presidium of the PDSH The Presidium of the PDSH, meeting on 1.04.1997 to discuss recent developments in the country, decided: 1. To formally ask the Socialist Party to condemn the agreement it signed in Vlora on 28 March, an act that is in complete contradiction with the consensus reached in the National Reconciliation platform of 9 March 1997. 2. The Presidium of the PDSH approves the request of the Chairman of the PD, addressed to the Ministers and State Secretaries nominated by the PD, that they continue their normal government activities until decisions are taken by the relevant structures of the PD. 3. The Presidium of the PD decided that Messrs. Dashamir Shehi and Bashkim Kopliku should no longer be members of the PD parliamentary group, as their parliamentary activity is in conflict with the political line and program of the PDSH.

Debate in the People's Assembly Yesterday in the People's Assembly, deputies discussed the situation created in the country by the declaration of the military committees of the south, also signed by several political forces participating in the round table of the President of the Republic with the country's political parties. The deputies who spoke denounced the agreement between the PS and its armed wing, describing it as a dangerous precedent for democracy and the country's future. The People's Assembly then discussed the general amnesty law returned by the President of the Republic. In the end, it was agreed that categories of crimes involving genocide and crimes against humanity would be excluded from the amnesty. To give a fuller picture of yesterday's proceedings in the People's Assembly, we interviewed Mr. Petër Arbnori, which we publish below: Interview with Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly “RD”: Mr. Pjetër, what did you discuss in yesterday's plenary session? P. Arbnori: In yesterday's session, the Albanian parliament discussed with great concern the alliance between the PS and its armed wing, seeing it as a threat to national reconciliation and democracy as a whole. We had pointed out this danger before, but now, given that the Vlora declaration of 28 March was signed by senior leaders of the Socialist Party, it was fully confirmed that the armed wing is not only a means of pressure used by the Socialist Party, but also a threat to democracy, intended to seize power by force. In this way, the socialists have violated the agreement reached between the political parties and the President, which all the parties supported. What matters is not simply the signing of a declaration, but the unconstitutional demands it sets out: to empty the Presidency, Parliament and other lawful bodies elected by the free vote of the people. These military committees are nothing but the soviets of 1917. “RD”: What position did the deputies take regarding the declaration by these political forces together with the military committees of the south? P. Arbnori: All the deputies unanimously condemned this declaration, including the PS deputy Sali Rexhepi and the PR deputy Isa Sinani, who denounced it, unlike the chairman of his party, Mr. Godo. Mr. Godo tried to justify his signing of the declaration, attempting to present it as something unimportant which, according to him, merely needed editing; only he could know what kind of editing. But this declaration also insulted Mr. Godo himself, who had signed it, by calling Parliament illegitimate and saying it served the President. The Albanian Parliament serves democracy alone. “RD”: Mr. Pjetër, today the law returned by the President of the Republic, concerning a general amnesty, was discussed once again. What happened? P. Arbnori: The amnesty law was discussed at length and, after much debate, it was finally agreed that all those convicted of crimes against humanity would be excluded from this amnesty. This, too, is a demand of the historic movement, while those convicted of genocide must also be excluded. In all the world's legal codes, these crimes are punishable. In addition, another correction was made: the phrase “only for pyramid firms” was removed, because that would have been a selective measure. It was decided that all those convicted of fraud under a certain article would not benefit. Finally, we set a specific time for the President to sign it.

Interview with Mr. Hysen Selfo, Vice-Chairman of Balli Kombëtar

Gjirokastër: Prodi reaffirmed his condolences, and those of the Italian government, to the families of the victims of the Otranto Channel GJIROKASTER — The Prime Minister of the Government of National Reconciliation, Bashkim Fino, received Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi yesterday in the city of Gjirokastër. The two held a one-on-one meeting for about 30 minutes at the city hall. After the meeting, the two prime ministers described it as open and friendly. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said: “It was a friendly meeting, and we hope there will be no more incidents between the two countries.” Fino, told journalists: “First: Prime Minister Prodi came to reaffirm families of the victims of the Otranto Channel, which is only natural. He will look into this matter later. What surprised me was the positive response he gave to my invitation for the two of us to go to Vlora together, with the aim of meeting the people of Vlora. Mr. Prodi received this invitation with great pleasure and will do everything possible to make this visit happen soon. Then Mr. Fino answered journalists' questions. Asked whether Mr. Prodi's visit had anything to do with his visit to Athens, Fino said: “We clarified this with Mr. Prodi. He confirmed to me that he is a close friend of Mr. Simitis and gave me the opportunity during the journey to convey his greetings to Mr. Simitis. As soon as he finishes a meeting in the Italian parliament, he will call the two of us in Athens.” In response to the question about these Fino, told reporters: “First: Prime Minister Prodi came to convey families of the victims of the Otranto Channel. Second: Mr. Prodi once again requested the return of the Government of National Reconciliation to renew the request for the arrival of multinational forces at this time, following the incident in the Otranto Channel. Third: I personally made the following requests to Mr. Prodi, and we agreed: 1. A joint group should be set up, and Mr. Prodi’s view was that the investigation into the parties should be clarified, so that the truth may come out as it is. 2. I asked him to recover the victims’ bodies from the sea, and he promised that they would do everything possible with all the technical resources at their disposal. 3. I asked for economic aid and assistance for the victims’ families, which he gladly accepted. 4. I asked him to reconsider once again the issue I had also raised with Minister Andreata, concerning the legalization of Albanian refugees. He welcomed it gladly, but said: ‘We clarified things a close friend of Mr. Simitis and gave me a long opportunity on the way a meeting in the Italian parliament is over, he will call both of them in Athens.’ In response to a question about when the agreement with Italy on sending multinational forces would be renewed, Prime Minister Fino replied: “Upon my return from Athens, I will discuss this issue with my cabinet. I expressed to Mr. Prodi my personal opinion and that of the government I lead, but in any case, since this is a Government of National Reconciliation with representatives of all political forces, I will reaffirm this request once again on a specific date.” Asked whether there was a political crisis between Albania and Italy, Prime Minister Fino said: “There is no political crisis between Albania and Italy. What happened was a disaster and a tragedy, as it did not result from a political crisis between our two governments. I think that at this time the Government of National Reconciliation has excellent relations with the Italian government, just as it has—and will open—a new chapter with the government of Mr. Simitis.”

Interview given to the BBC by the writer Ismail Kadare Page 4

A message after 72 years Should we not, through our advice and our everyday words, help and change the mentality of those who are in confusion? What I say is all the more necessary because some Albanians, now that they have begun to kill their companions, have started killing themselves. A message after 72 years Miftat Frashëri's appeal concerning the days Albanians are going through Should we not, through our advice and our everyday words, help and change the mentality of those who are in confusion? What I say is all the more necessary because some Albanians, now that they have begun to kill their companions, have started killing themselves. LABERIJA PUBLISHED ONCE A WEEK POPULAR, POLITICAL, LITERARY RECONCILIATION FOR ABROAD GJINOKASTRË • Monday, 11 May 1925

DURRËS, 2 April/ATA—After several ships carrying various food and industrial goods entered the Port of Durrës in recent days, the first ferry, “Iliria,” arrived at this port today from Brindisi, following a long interruption of ferry services. The ferry brought many passengers as well as various vehicles. Meanwhile, according to sources at the “D.E.A” agency, around 150 Albanian and foreign passengers boarded the ferry and departed for Brindisi at around 14:30; this is the ferry’s regular maritime route. During the “Iliria” ferry’s entry into and several-hour stay in the port, there were no concerning problems and everything went normally. The ferry’s arrival also paved the way for other ferries to arrive. Because of the state of emergency caused by the destruction that took place, they had suspended their regular journeys.

Tritan Shehu: The PD is determined to respect and implement the 9 March agreement Ylli Vejsiu: The 28 March agreement is a threat to democracy Page 3

Vranitcki declares “We must not waste time. I think that within 10–14 days the mission mechanism in Albania will be able to function.”