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Albanian Times, April 3, 1996
CONTENTS
[1] Perry Pledges $100 in Military Aid for Albania
[2] Perry Given Albania's Highest Award
[3] Berisha Calls to Prevent Communist Comeback
[4] Belgrade Liberalizes Visa Regime With Albania
[1] Perry Pledges $100 in Military Aid for Albania
TIRANA, April 2 - U.S. Defense Secretary William J. Perry who wrapped up a
visit to Tirana, told reporters that Albania deserves the U.S. aid and is
using it properly. ``I believe that Albania has shown great courage in
taking this move toward a democratic, independent society,'' Perry told a
news conference in Tirana. The U.S. military aid to Albania is estimated at
$2 million. The U.S. army surplus materials that will be provided to the
Albanian army maybe in excess of $100 million, Perry said. In talks with Mr.
Perry, Albanian defense minister Safet Zhulali expressed the commitment of
the Albanian side to construct a training center in Bize (central Albania)
which will serve as training site for the Partnership For Peace program, of
which Albania is a member. Mr. Perry said the U.S. military had no plans at
this time to establish a base in Albania. He said the U.S. would consider
that in the future if it becomes appropriate but "not without an invitation
from the Albanian government. Perry this week attended a meeting in Tirana
of south Balkan defense ministers from Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia
designed to bolster their young democracies and strengthen security ties
within the region. (Albanian Times)
[2] Perry Given Albania's Highest Award
TIRANA, April 2 - U.S. Defense Secretary William J. Perry was presented with
the Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg order, Albania's highest award given to a
foreigner. In presenting the award, President Sali Berisha cited Mr. Perry's
"extraordinary contribution in strengthening the friendship between the
Albanian and the American peoples, in helping reform the Albanian army and
integrate it in the interatlantic structures." Mr. Berisha called Mr. Perry
"a great and distinguished friend of Albania." Berisha, whose Democratis
Party is facing a tough Socialist challenge in the upcoming elections,
recalled the U.S. contribution for the overthrow of the dictatorship in
Albania. Mr. Perry assured Mr. Berisha that the United States would remain
Albania's great supporter and friend. (Albanian Times)
[3] Berisha Calls to Prevent Communist Comeback
SHKODRA, April 2 - President Sali Berisha sent a harsh warning to his
political enemies, calling on his citizens to prevent former communist from
returning to power. In a rally held in the northern city of Shkodra to
commemorate 4 youngsters slain by security forces in April 1991 when
communist power was vanishing, Berisha told thousands of participants the
communists have changed colour, but the Albanian people will never believe
them any more. "Through free elections, the Albanian people will decide
their final disintegration," Berisha said in his speech to the rally.
Although authorities have promised to bring to justice the authors of the
April 2 deadly shootings, the perpetrators were never identified. The
opposition Socialists have charged that the ruling Democrats continue to use
the Shkodra event for their political purposes. (Albanian Times)
[4] Belgrade Liberalizes Visa Regime With Albania
TIRANA, April 2 - Belgrade is liberalizing its visa regime with Albania,
Radio Tirana said. For the first time in 15 years, Albanians from Kosova
were able to cross border checkpoints to Albania without exit visas, the
Radio said. Belgrade has promised to lift visa requirements for Kosova
Albanians in all border checkpoints, a move the Radio described as
surprising. The liberalization of the visa regime is expected to ecourage
more Kosovars to visit Albania directly instead of having to travel there
through neighboring Macedonia.
The material was reprinted with permission of AlbAmerica Trade & Consulting
International. For more information on ATCI and the Albanian Times, please
Copyright (c) ATCI, 1996
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