Yesterday, the Political Secretary of the Italian Christian Democratic Party, Mr. P. Casini, arrived in Tirana for a working visit. At ten o’clock yesterday morning, Mr. Casini and the delegation accompanying him were welcomed at Rinas Airport by Mr. Tritan Shehu, chairman of the Democratic Party, and Mr. Ylli Vejsiu, the party’s Organizational Secretary. The Italian guests were responding to an invitation from the Albanian Democratic Party, and yesterday they held important meetings at the Democratic Party and with other important figures in Albanian politics.

President of the Republic Sali Berisha received the delegation of the Council of Europe The Council of Europe recognizes only legitimate central and local government President of the Republic Sali Berisha received the delegation of the Council of Europe Cooperation with the Council of Europe plays an irreplaceable role for Albania and its future The Council of Europe recognizes only legitimate central and local government I am pleased that, given the circumstances Albania is going through, together with the EU we have decided on a political solution that will guarantee the drafting and adoption during this period, for Albanian democracy, of a Western constitution for Albania, with the direct assistance and commitment of the Council of Europe. I will also discuss this matter with the political forces, and I am convinced that our offer to choose as a model one of the constitutions of the European Union countries provides a broad and realistic basis for compromise among the political forces. The Socialists’ return to parliament and the establishment of a parliamentary commission, consultative commissions made up of other non-parliamentary political forces and academic circles, and the valuable expertise of the Council of Europe in the work being done to provide the country with a new constitution are also among the Council of Europe’s main requirements. The Council of Europe delegation said that it greatly appreciated the President’s stance and his actions to prevent bloodshed and protect his people. It also asked the President about the 28 March agreement between the Socialists and the rebel groups in the south. The President stressed that the 28 March agreement repudiated the 9 March agreement and constituted an open declaration of an alliance with individuals and rebel groups, which Parliament and the Government did not recognize, since they have robbed banks, kept several southern cities in terror and anarchy, and are the main obstacle to the Government of National Reconciliation I am pleased that, in we have made a political choice that will guarantee the continuation of the country’s path towards democracy and integration into Europe. In this respect, for Albania and its future, and today, I believe, a more important one than ever before. Therefore, I ask for your assistance in two main areas: First, in preparing free elections as the only and best way to restore stability to the country. We are determined to remain open and to cooperate with the OSCE and all other international institutions in this regard. But the Council of Europe must play a central role in this process. Second, I believe that, despite the serious difficulties Albania is experiencing, it will be of great value to the country and its future that its future its future its future [sic] in parliament and the establishment of the parliamentary committee, the consultative committees composed of other non-parliamentary political forces and academic circles, the valuable expertise of the Council of Europe, and the work carried out over these years are factors that make it entirely possible for this parliament to draft and adopt, and later for a referendum to approve, a Western constitution for Albania. Mr Van der Linden, on behalf of the Council of Europe delegation, fully committed to providing Albania with all the assistance necessary to prepare for and hold free and fair elections. They also fully supported the President’s view and was an open declaration of an alliance with rebel individuals and groups, which Parliament and the Government did not recognize, as they have broken banks, spread terror and anarchy in several southern cities, Reconciliation in preparing free and fair elections. With the 28 March agreement, the Socialists are asking the Government to recognize these groups as parties to the process. The Council of Europe delegation told the President that the Council of Europe recognizes only the legitimate central and local authorities in Albania and nothing imposed by force.

Democratic Party chairman Shehu holds talks with Casini At the invitation of the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Mr. Tritan Shehu, a delegation of the Italian Christian Democrats of the Centre, led by Secretary General Pierferdinando Casini, arrived in Tirana yesterday. The delegation included President Klemente Mastela, the Vice-President of Parliament ... Another agreement was concluded on 28 March between the Socialist Party and several other parties and the armed committees. We have regarded this as an unprecedented departure from the political agreement of 9 March. Our entire aim is for calm to return to the country and for general elections to be held normally. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Casino stressed at the outset that the purpose of his visit was to convey the clear message of the Italian Christian Democrats’ support for the Democratic Party and Albania’s legal institutions. We have come here to learn more about the problems the country is facing today, and the Democratic Party in particular, and to express our strong support for you. “Mr. Casino, we have given our support to all the decisions taken in Albania’s interest. We believe that the arrival of the multinational forces will seriously help ease tensions and disperse the protest against the collapse of the pyramid schemes, but left-wing political parties, especially the Socialist Party, are manipulating this protest, escalating it into an armed anti-European movement. From that moment on, everything became clear: it was an organized political-military coup, following a clear plan. The wave ...

Council of Europe reporters: We will help you hold new elections Democrats of the Centre, led by Secretary General Pierferdinando Casino, also came to Tirana. The delegation included President Klemente Mastela, Vice-President of the European Parliament Sandro Fontana, and others. The Italian delegation’s first meeting was with the leaders of the Democratic Party. Those present included Mr. Tritan Shehu, deputy chairman Ali Spahia, members of the party leadership Aleksandër Meksi, Ylli Vesiu and Albert Brojka, and the Albanian Democratic Party’s Secretary for Foreign Relations, Mr. Genc Pollo. In his remarks, Chairman Shehu thanked the Italian guests and the political force they represent for the comprehensive assistance they have given and continue to give Albania during the difficult times it is going through. The tragedy of Otranto, Mr. Shehu said, was a source of grief for all of us, especially the families of Vlora. On this occasion, he thanked the Italian people and their government for the measures they have taken concerning Albanian refugees, expressing his confidence that Albania would recover in the near future. Mr. Tritan Shehu then gave an overview of the country’s political situation and the background to the events that caused the crisis the country is experiencing. It all began as a political parties, especially the Socialist Party, manipulated the protest, escalating it into an armed anti-government an organized political-military coup with a clear plan. The wave of arson and destruction was directed by former Security officers, members of dictator Hoxha’s nomenklatura, and the Socialist Party. The violence against institutions did not spare the premises of their offices either. In these dramatic circumstances for the fate of the country and democracy, President Berisha did everything possible to avert the civil war provoked by the armed rebels in the south of the country, who were soon represented by the so-called salvation committees. To prevent the escalation of violence in the country and to replace the elections that were due, under the conditions of a political crisis, the Democratic Party signed an agreement at a roundtable convened by President Berisha, together with several other parties, including the Socialist Party. The agreement provided for national reconciliation and the formation of a Government of National Reconciliation. The Democratic MPs gave this government a vote of confidence, with a mandate lasting until the June elections, and the Democratic Party is supporting it. However, Shehu noted with concern that the signing of Government of National Reconciliation in preparing free and fair elections. The representatives of the two delegations then exchanged views on the political crisis in the country and ways to overcome it.

Foreign press on events in Albania Page 5

Clarification by Mr. Pjetër Arbnori regarding the statement signed by 20 MPs of the Albanian Democratic Party Page 3

From the Italian Christian Democrats’ delegation press conference Respect for institutions ensures the country’s political balance Casini called recognition of the military committees as a party to the dialogue dangerous for the future of dialogue and stability in Albania Page 3