A few days ago, the Greek news agency ANA published an interview with Albanian President Sali Berisha, in which, among other things, he asks Greek diplomacy to use its influence with Serbian president Milosheviç and mediate a Belgrade–Pristina dialogue. “Athens, which maintains privileged relations with Belgrade, can encourage Serbian president Millosheviç to begin a dialogue with Ibrahim Rugova.” Berisha’s statement was welcomed with satisfaction in Athens, which recalls that a year ago every meeting between its officials and Serbian officials was described from Tirana as the “Orthodox axis Belgrade–Athens.” Perhaps in Athens this is being interpreted as a meaningful sign that Berisha wants to make up for lost time in relations between Tirana and Athens, and as evidence that Tirana now entrusts Greek diplomacy with a delicate mission connected with the fate of the Albanians of Kosovo. Official Athens seems pleased with the offer made by Albanian President Sali Berisha. Greek government spokesperson Venizellos said on this occasion: “The tone of Mr. Berisha’s statements is truly positive and fraternal. The Greek government would like to express its own satisfaction with the way the President of Albania now addresses the problems.” Greece knows its role in the Balkans, is aware of its advantages, respects bilateral interests and those of international organisations in helping bring stability, peace and security to the wider region, and especially to the southern Balkans. Any initiative for dialogue that prevents the spread of conflicts in the Balkans is welcome not only in Tirana and Athens, but more widely as well. A response from Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova to President Berisha’s initiative is now also expected. Nevertheless, in his first interview with TVSH after returning from London, Rugova reiterated his political options for an independent and neutral Kosovo and made no comment on the proposal above. One thing, however, is known: Greece has been asked to mediate, despite its known position on Kosovo being under Serbia. It is worth mentioning that President Berisha also asked Romanian President Iliesku to undertake such a mission during his visit to Romania last year. Likewise, several

It is reported that 73 compatriots are calling for the release of Fatos Nano in a petition sent to President Berisha and the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. “We,” the petition from our compatriots states, “Albanians from Kosovo, Albania and other Albanian regions, temporarily residing in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and other Western countries, following political developments in Albania closely, see that alongside some good successes in our country’s progress towards building a democratic state, events have also taken place that cast doubt not only on the good of the outside world. Assessing the arrest of Fatos Nano as an act of a political nature, the petition goes on to say: ‘Through the Albanian media, on this issue we have seen only one-sided and politicised information from the party in power, while the views of the people, other political parties and various associations have never been presented. We agree with and support all those Albanian political parties and various associations, as well as the group of Albanian MPs, who are calling for the release of opposition leader Fatos Nano, but we would also add the release of Ramiz Alia.’ Their release would mean tolerance, political affirmation between the parties, respect for fundamental human freedoms and rights, and an important step towards convincing the Albanian people and the outside world that institutions guaranteeing human rights exist in Albania.” This act, the petition further says, “will serve Albania as one of the conditions for its speedy admission to the Council of Europe. Their release would mean putting acts of revenge behind us and beginning the process of reconciliation among political forces in Albania.” Our compatriots write that they make this request in the national interest, out of a desire to establish a healthy balance among political forces in Albania and to take another important step towards democracy. “Trusting,” the petition concludes, “that justice and the sound will to respect national interests above party interests will be your political instruments for governing the country, we wish you good health and success in your work for the prosperity of our homeland.” The petition was sent from Vienna and is signed by the following compatriots: Naser Hani Avni Sadrija Xhevat Hasani Hysni Veseli Abdulla Abdullahu Kumrijc Abdullahu Ashim Istrefi Xhevahir Selimi Nuri Bexheti Berisha Njazi Remzi Rrudhani Rahman Bajrami Gashi Sali Rifat Ibedemaj Beshi Burim Faik Ibedemaj Naser Shabani Feti Gashi Rifat Iberdemaj Beshi Burim Faik Iberdemaj Naser Shabani Feti Gashi Muharrem Syla Avni Llapaj Gjemi Rustani Mensur Muharremci Milaim Zyrapi Refat Pllana Agim Selimi David Memaj Irfan Mehmeti Gani Qazimi Ramadan Sadushi Ahmet Plloqi Samir Gashi Aziz Bushi Sami Haxhiu Enver S amuvaj[a?] Reshat Ramabaja Bejtush Emrullahu Muhamer Zuka Nurtez Rexhaj Xhevat Ahdiu Fadil Ramabaja Sylë Hajdari Shukri Mysliu Rexhep Salihu Jakup Rexhepi Musa Alia

In a notice from Strasbourg addressed to the four opposition parliamentary parties, it is stated that the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Daniel Tarschys, has taken note of the alternative draft Constitution drawn up by the opposition working group and thanks the opposition for this gesture. The notice further emphasises that the Secretary General’s office has forwarded the draft to experts dealing with constitutional matters. While the draft is being studied at the Council of Europe, the President of the Republic has still not found time away from reading novels to take a look at the alternative draft Constitution as well. Likewise, the parliamentary group controlled by him refuses to have the proposal clarifying Article 16-2 of the Constitutional provisions examined in the Assembly. And the president says again: “The opposition has an allergy to the Constitution.” Why, because he lives with allergic diseases, when it is known that he is a cardiologist?! Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

A 35 percent pay increase is being demanded REPORTS FROM THE DISTRICTS ON PAGE 2

- Family budgets and the state budget have come face to face - - Alongside around 44,000 teachers and higher-education lecturers, healthcare and telecom workers, pensioners and all agricultural sectors have also joined - Yesterday at 11:00, for the first time, the signal in schools and lecture halls did not announce the beginning or end of lessons, but marked an unusual event: the start of a one-hour national strike for higher wages. According to partial reports, around 44,000 teachers and higher-education lecturers took part. At the same time, healthcare workers also began the warning strike, except for resuscitation and surgery staff, who had to respond to emergencies; telecom workers, pensioners, etc. also joined. one-day strike on 22 April. Once, pupils did not know when their teachers would give them tests. The teachers, too, took care not to take money from the children. The mission of education was noble and elevated, and no one imagined that teaching, consultations and differentiated instruction were matters of money. The same was thought of doctors, who would rush to the hospital or leave their own affairs behind to help sick people. We will not go further back to the teachers of the National Renaissance, who sacrificed their lives to bring forth the Albanian language, let alone talk about wages, which were out of the question. Nor will we recall today what was happening across the border at the University of Tetovo... with the dizzying rise in the cost of living.

They will meet with the chairman of the Greek Foreign Affairs Committee, the Speaker of the Greek Parliament and Greece’s Foreign Minister Karolos Papulias An Albanian parliamentary delegation is leaving for Greece in the early hours of today. Invited by the Greek Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the Albanian delegation consists of seven MPs, including three from the socialist opposition, all members of the People’s Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee. The Albanian delegation is headed by the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Eduard Selami. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

Tirana: On the second day of his stay in our country, Turkey’s Minister of Defense, Mr. Mehmet Golhan, and the senior officers accompanying him… On the second day of his stay in our country, Turkey’s Minister of Defense, Mr. Mehmet Golhan, and the senior officers accompanying him visited a special military unit in the city of Berat. Today, at the conclusion of his three-day visit to our country, he is expected to meet and hold talks with the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, and the chairman of the Council of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, as well as sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between our two armies with his counterpart, Sakif Zhulfi. Military experts assess that, in the field of foreign relations, the Albanian army has made cooperation with the Turkish army a priority. This cooperation, it is noted, has taken concrete form in material assistance in logistics, in achievements, and in the training of Albanian military officers and students. Turkey is currently the country that has hosted the largest number of Albanian military students for training at various schools. Likewise, during this past month alone, visits by the highest military authorities to the respective capitals of the two countries have taken place. The talks held so far have demonstrated the high level of cooperation and given concrete form to its further development. The tense situation in the Balkans and preventive measures to address possible conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina have also featured prominently in these talks. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

Albanian Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi is making an official visit to Russia. He has met and held talks with Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin. By Tuesday, five agreements in various fields had been signed. At the conclusion of these talks, according to the Russian news agency Itar Tass, a treaty of friendship and cooperation is expected to be signed. Chernomyrdin noted that after a 30-year interruption in relations between the two countries, we are making rapid progress.

Albanian Foreign Minister Serreqi is making an official visit to Croatia. Yesterday he met with Croatian Prime Minister Valenti and his counterpart, Mate Granic. The two ministers signed an interministerial protocol. After the talks, at a press conference in Zagreb, the two ministers said that the two countries shared the same views regarding the situation in the region. In their view, Greater Serbian aggression is at the root of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. They said that recognition of the sovereignty of the former Yugoslav republics, as well as respect for fundamental human rights and the rights of national minorities, would be the basis for resolving the problems in the region. Regarding bilateral relations, it was emphasized that progress must be made more quickly; in the economic sphere, it was discussed that visas for both countries should be abolished around the end of the year.

Construction has begun on the water supply system for Porodinë, in the Korçë district. Around 4 million new lekë have been invested in its construction, and, according to forecasts, the work will be completed in about two months. The company “Rilindja,” whose president is Servet Feka, has been contracted to build the water supply system.

It was the workers of the fishing enterprise in Shkodër who came to the Shkodër Court yesterday morning to defend their enterprise. The dispute began several months ago, when an entity from Zusi, supposedly claiming the premises belonging to this enterprise, left [something] on its land. Another trial was also held at the Court of Appeal, which then sent the case back to the Shkodër Court. But yesterday the case was annulled, while the workers expressed their determination not to allow their enterprise to be taken away in the courtroom.

The leaders of the Independent Trade Union, Valer Xheka and his group, have shown several times through their actions that, as far as workers’ interests are concerned, they are nothing but bargaining chips in the marketplace of personal interests. They have openly demonstrated their political dependence on the PD, the government and the president. The Union of Independent Trade Unions is in the hands of this group. But there are times when this group responds to pressure from its own rank and file with propaganda stunts, such as hyped-up meetings with the government, television announcements and even bombastic strike announcements. Through these actions, so far they have provided a twofold service to the current government: on the one hand, they have dampened the trade-union workers’ movement, and on the other, they have served the authorities’ propaganda by creating the impression of a democratic state that manages affairs while recognising workers’ right to strike. It is a well-known fact that this government has systematically denied workers’ demands and rights to undertake democratic protest actions, strikes and demonstrations. It has intervened brutally, using violence wherever its interests were touched. The only change has been the BSP and Valer Xheka, who have staged a theatre with the government according to the advice of the same director,... This past experience does not allow us to be optimistic about us. Nevertheless, we must emphasise that those taking part in the strike are all honest workers who earn their living by the sweat of their brows. If they are once again disappointed by the thoroughly compromised leadership, the day is not far off when they will produce from among their own ranks other leaders who will not bargain away their colleagues’ interests. [Fragmentary text:] those who must respond to emergencies, telecom workers, pensioners, etc. The strikers are demanding a 35 percent pay rise, rather than the 10 percent accepted by the government, which is equal to the inflation rate. As the organisers have announced, if the strike produces no result, it will become a one-day strike on 22 April, after which the national trade-union councils will decide how to proceed. Without being guided by party or trade-union prejudice, we have the impression that the conditions of education workers and other public-sector workers have little chance of improving. They number in the hundreds of thousands, and the increasingly weakened state cannot meet their demands, even though these are vital and minimal. Teachers are depoliticised and disillusioned and do not engage in politics. They simply want a minimum wage increase to cope with the dizzying rise in the cost of living. We do not wish to prejudge the state either. It need not be hostile towards its own employees, especially since teachers and lecturers, along with their pupils and students, filled the squares with calls for democracy before and after 22 March and on 6 November for the referendum. But the state, even without spending on the additional hundreds of millions, is like this (Continued on page 4)