Rebel committees are a threat to the 9 March Agreement I took this opportunity to sincerely thank the OSCE, the member countries, the presidium, and especially Italy and the other friendly countries of the European Union and the region, which responded to the request of the Albanian political forces, contributed to finding the table for the “ALBA” mission to guarantee the safe distribution of aid and thus prevented the deterioration of the situation, President Berisha told Chancellor Vranicki. I am convinced that Albanians, by receiving these missions in a friendly manner, will preserve a good and deep appreciation for these friendly countries and for what they have contributed to peace and stability in Albania. I also have the pleasure, President Berisha said, that thanks to the serious efforts of the Government, Parliament and the state and local institutions, there has generally been a gradual improvement in order and calm. The 9 March Agreement and the Government of National Reconciliation are an essential attribute of the political forces in Albania; efforts to fail to respect them from inside or outside are destabilizing. In this context I want to say that the 9 March Agreement provides that the basic element of the crisis elections is free elections, but in this regard the most serious obstacle and the greatest threat for the Government of National Reconciliation are the rebel committees in the south, made up of anarchists, mafiosi, relatives of current opposition leaders, traffickers, as well as their internal or external support. On 9 March the socialist leaders and their allies promised me that within three days they would dismantle these groups, whereas 20 days later, after they had destroyed with tanks factories, 11 banks, hotels, dozens of buildings and had killed many innocent citizens and law-enforcement personnel, on 28 March the Albanian socialists announced an open alliance with these committees and asked the government to be headed by them. This, President Berisha stressed, means applying Lenin’s two tactics, at a time when Albanians are determined only for free elections. We are determined to cooperate closely for free and fair elections and we have asked the Council of Europe to play the leading role in this process. Another very serious obstacle to the elections is the full transparency of the pyramid schemes. We have asked for the help of the Italian Government, and we will ask for the help of other governments and international institutions so that Albanians know everything about the pyramid companies and so that political forces do not speculate with this condemnable policy. Chancellor Vranicki confirmed once again that there is a serious commitment from the countries of the European Union and the OSCE and that every effort is being made for the mission “Multi-National Albanian Force” to conclude successfully. I am determined, he said, with the mandates I have, to support you and cooperate with you, with the Government and the Albanian authorities in carrying out our mission. Also, on behalf of this p[?]r of helping to prepare and hold the coming elections with our expertise and experts. Chancellor Vranicki showed understanding regarding the obstacles that block the creation of a climate for free and fair elections and supported President Berisha’s request for international experts to clarify the financial scheme in Albania. He also took an interest in and praised President Berisha’s initiative to make constitutional decisions.

Two paparazzi, President Berisha held a long meeting with Chancellor Vranicki, during which he addressed the different views on free and fair elections for the stability and future of Albania. They assessed that holding the elections within the set time limit is very important and that the government, in cooperation with the Albanian political forces, must be accountable to the Albanian electorate. Vranicki assured President Berisha that the International Community was interested in contributing to the smooth conduct of free elections with expertise, experts and, at the appropriate moment, observers as well. President Berisha once again confirmed his will and determination to make his contribution to free and fair solutions, within the shortest possible time frame. The conversation was held in an open spirit and ended in full mutual understanding, and it was decided to maintain continuous contact.

Vranitcki has appeared completely contrary to his previous statements in his position toward the so-called “southern committees”: “I do not deal with them, but only with the legal institutions of the state; with them the government can find a solution, but not I,” Vranitcki declared. The OSCE international mediator, Vranitcki, at the end of his two-day visit to Tirana declared at the press conference that a consensus had been reached among the political forces as well as on the Berisha issue for the new elections to be held on 29 June. But “a necessity for Vranitcki is the achievement of a consensus among the political forces on the preconditions for taking the country to elections.” Vranitcki presented possible solutions on which the different political forces see the realization of the elections. One way, according to him, would be to hold the elections under the current conditions, before disarmament and the restoration of order, and the other would be disarmament and the restoration of order first and then the holding of elections. More preferable for Vranitcki was the holding of elections without delaying people and without disarming people. The aid that the international community offers to Albania will be divided into two areas. One of them, which according to Vranitcki is also the most important, will be for the restoration of order, legitimate institutions, the achievement of consensus among political forces and the guarantee of impartial commitment from the South. From the many meetings with the political forces, President Berisha and Prime Minister Fino, Vranitcki stated that there is the will of all sides for the elections to be held at the right time, but - he said - consensus on a number of issues has still not been reached. The PD has expressed its firm position that restoring order in the south of the country, and local government, will be the key points that the Fino Government must implement on the basis of the 9 March Agreement in order to move on to the new elections. Meanwhile, no compromise has yet been reached among the political forces on the electoral law. He justified the cancellation of his visit to Vlorë and Shkodër, which had been planned for yesterday, by saying that staying in Tirana was more necessary than going to Vlorë and Shkodër. Vranitcki appeared completely contrary to his previous statements in his position toward the so-called “southern committees”: “I do not deal with them, but only with the legal institutions of the state; with them the government can find a solution, but not I,” Vranitcki declared. According to Vranitcki, the other area of aid from the International Community to Albania will include the provision and distribution of humanitarian aid. This aid will immediately be based on three pillars: that of the EU, which will bring this aid, that of the OSCE, which will be the institution dealing with political objectives and human rights, and the military troops. According to Vranitcki, the consensus among the political forces that will lead the country toward elections is not expected to be easy. BLEDI KASMI

“The opposition should manage every dissatisfaction, hatred and popular revolt.” It falls to us to do everything to pull ourselves together, and for this the opposition must manage every dissatisfaction, hatred and popular revolt...” recited the little phrase conveying the spirit of “reconciliation” in ZP on 5.4.1997 by Hulusi Hasko, professor of the medieval university of clerics and religious institutions, whose madness reaches its peak with the book of life titled Judgment of God. Thus this inquisitor, loathed and disliked, was likewise the projection of the situation the people were going through. To be careful in managing its effects would be ruinously prolonged. In this course is also explained the lesson with which the left leader and the so-called right would rush to Vlorë to pour gasoline on the disastrous fire spread by the incendiary lessons, whom a well-known “right-wing” leader for his political absurdities had dared to call the “vulgar women” of Vlorë. But we remind the vulgarities of today’s Albanian tragedy, the black and ominous choir Hako, Çupi, Qose and company, that the numbering had caused the loss of a battle after many glorious victories, as Skanderbeg also proved, but history did not dim his glory at all, while the treachery of Hamza would be branded with shame. And for those bastards of the Nation, history will surely be merciless; it will reserve shame for them and shame alone. MUHARREM BICRENI

“In several southern cities there is an extremely chaotic situation, as a result of the activity of the Citizen Committees, where the absence of order prevails. People’s lives are completely unsafe. And if these Committees are to live long, and if order and lawful local authority are not restored, then only ruins and houses will remain throughout the coastal area” Page 3

Their fate — that of all their predecessors After failing and discrediting themselves in the coup phase within the PD group, namely D. Shehu, B. Kopliku, A. Serreqi, A. Simaku, A. Ymeraj, K. Bode, E. Lula, A. Nati, F. Godo, T. Malasi, M. Komoni, P. Behrani, etc., they also took the step that had been expected or implied. After individual statements in interviews, apparently announcing and bringing about a final divorce with the PD parliamentary group. Their debates and those who whispered in their ears about their departure have revolved around a blow, a defeat or the condemnation of PD. But no, the two sides have seriously miscalculated their aims and plans. The only losers are them, while PD has only gained. It has advanced from one stage to the next, more and more enlightened. At the same time, as a result, the burden of their misfortune has been lifted from PD’s shoulders. Why did these people threaten with a handful of their own amateurish, clumsy supporters and with a frozen electoral core? Not surprisingly, after the National Council meeting, it seemed that by silencing themselves and with the sincerity of one another and of PD, which imposed pathways, former Marxists and PD, there came somehow, legally or through dubious and dirty paths. It was understood that they invited them not because they were bad for this or that, but because they were of no one. This has not warned that the core of theirs. No one has been confused by a majority of Albanians, for whom one should rejoice although they seemed to have failed. From the names, separated and at most in 13 people (the soul of this party is preselected. It will have a beginning that 1 voice. Democratic Right of Kalkulist. Pro? What is property of nobody? The core is worth it.

On the occasion of the Great Day of Kurban Bajram, the Day of the sublime love of man for God, I sincerely wish all Albanian Muslim believers wherever they may be: “Happy and many more years of the Blessed Day of Kurban Bajram!” On this day of the complete forgiveness of man before God and of God’s forgiveness for man, on this day of forgiveness, mercy and friendship, there appears more than ever the highest humanism, love, brotherhood and unity with one another. The Day of Kurban Bajram is the day of deep respect, man’s devotion before God, sacrifice, our self-offering for life and the homeland, and our faith and effort for a better future for our whole family, for our country and our nation. Once again I wish you a Happy Kurban Bajram! Glory to God!

On the occasion of the Kurban Bajram holiday, the Democratic Party extends its greetings to all Albanian believers, wherever they live and work, wishing them peace and well-being in their families. Let Kurban Bajram be a holy day on which we Albanians turn to our faith in God and in one another, in order to overcome difficulties and restore peace and pride to our common Homeland.

The newspaper “RD” sends greetings to all Albanian Muslim believers on the occasion of Kurban Bajram, hoping for good fortune and prosperity for them and their families, wherever they live and work in Albania, the ethnic territories and the diaspora. Let Kurban Bajram be a holy day on which we pray to God to forget the pains and dramas we are going through, and to establish peace and harmony among us, in a common democratic Homeland.