After the tragedy in the Strait of Otranto in which 85 people lost their lives

Statement by the Chairman of the PSSH, Fatos Nano, on the day of national mourning such tragedies. The same factors are connected with the disastrous governance of these years, which brings about tragedies, actions in panic, loss of human life. Vlora has been struck and continues to be struck hard. We are at the forefront of our political responsibilities, to prevent this issue from happening again. I would hope that our partners, who are supporting us in overcoming— On this repeated day of national mourning, with Albania having endured so many days of mourning, and with my human and political responsibilities, I would first like to extend a feeling of profound human solidarity to all the families of the victims of the tragic incident in Otranto two days ago. On this basis, on behalf of the PS, I express my full political commitment and ours to exclude from the Albanian scene every [unclear: “ngjarje e mirë,” literally “good event”] the factors that are causing tragedies and [text cut off] in overcoming the crisis, would not act in panic and would stop their structures from panicking, as they drown people in the Adriatic before they can come ashore—people whom Albania needs, whom Europe needs, whom the community of civilized peoples needs.

Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino began an official visit to Greece today at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Fino will meet the highest-ranking figures of the neighboring country and discuss bilateral relations and the assistance Greece will provide to Albania to overcome the current crisis. During his stay in Athens, the Prime Minister of the National Reconciliation Government will meet the President of the Republic of Greece, Mr. Stefanopulos, and hold talks with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. According to official sources in Athens and Tirana, the topics of the Simitis–Fino talks will include free exchange [the source text reads “këmbimi i lirë i urinë”] and Albanian-Greek bilateral relations, as well as the contribution our southern neighbor will make within the framework of the European Union, the OSCE and the multinational defense force, which will come to our country to ensure and protect international humanitarian aid expected to arrive in Albania soon. The National Reconciliation Government has placed particular emphasis on developing relations with neighboring and European countries as part of efforts to calm the situation and take the country to parliamentary elections within the internationally established deadline. The visit to Athens is the second foreign visit by Prime Minister Bashkim Fino, following his visit to Rome. The delegation headed by Prime Minister Fino also includes Foreign Minister Arian Starova, State Secretary Pavli Zëri, Justice Minister Spartak Ngjela, Interior Minister Belul Çelo, and Finance Minister Arben Malaj. During this visit, they are expected to hold separate talks with their counterparts in the Republic of Greece.

Read on pages 4, 5, 8

Statement by the Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania 3. We remain committed to cooperation with all Albanian political forces and international organizations, first and foremost the OSCE, in order to prepare as soon as possible the legal and organizational conditions for holding free, fair and equal elections within June 1997. Page 2

Dear readers, After a month-long interruption due to the state of emergency in the country, “Zëri i popullit” is once again coming to you, with the aim of serving, even under these conditions, national reconciliation and the overcoming of the general crisis facing the country. However, because of the limited time in which we are obliged to work, we have had to publish the newspaper with only eight pages. We ask for your understanding and, at the same time, invite you to contribute your messages, opinions and judgments through the pages of our newspaper.