(19 Sep 1998) Natural Sound

An international delegation on Saturday criticised both Albania's government and the opposition for their part in rioting this week that killed three people and threatened to topple the elected leadership.

Officials of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe blamed ex-President Sali Berisha for the unrest.

But they also criticised Prime Minister Fatos Nano's government for being slow in fighting corruption.

Saturday in the Albanian capital Tirana began with another demonstration.

Some three-thousand supporters of Opposition Leader Sali Berisha gathered in Tirana, vowing to keep protesting against the rule of Prime Minister Fatos Nano.

The rally - the fifth consecutive protest in a week - took place in Skanderbeg Square, in front of the headquarters of the opposition Democratic Party.

Party officials told those present they would continue the fight against what they called Nano's neo-communist dictatorship.

Berisha's followers have demanded the resignation of Nano since last weekend's slaying of popular opposition figure and Berisha ally Azem Hajdari.

During the rally, Berisha held a media conference.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Mr Geremek, for the moment, I am explaining him everything about the situation here. The opposition has the mission to resist, if the opposition doesn't resist, it doesn't deserve to be in opposition. The dictatorship is installed."
SUPER CAPTION: Sali Berisha, Former Albanian President

As the demonstration in the centre of Tirana unfolded, a delegation from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (O-S-C-E) and the Council of Europe arrived in the Albanian capital.

Led by Bronislaw Geremek, the Polish foreign minister, the members first met representatives of the Albanian government.

The delegation criticised Fatos Nano for being slow to fight corruption and implement reforms.

Delegates met separately with Berisha, Nano and President Rexhep Meidani on Saturday during a mission to resolve the crisis that put Albania on the brink of anarchy for the second time in 18 months.

George Papandreou, the Greek deputy foreign minister, warned that Berisha and his party could be isolated by the international community if it continued with tactics that undermine democratic institutions.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I had the chance in no uncertain terms to say also to Mr Sali Berisha that his tactics, the tactics of his party, have undermined democratic institutions and that if these tactics continue it is certain that the international community will isolate not only his tactics, but also him personally."
SUPER CAPTION: George Papandreou, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister and OSCE delegate

Geremek stressed the need for parliamentary democracy.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We think that the place of the political opposition is in the parliamentary ballot, not in prison and not in street demonstrations."
SUPER CAPTION: Bronislaw Geremek, Polish Foreign Minister and Head of OSCE Delegation

On Friday, the Albanian parliament voted overwhelmingly to lift Berisha's immunity from prosecution, clearing the way for his arrest and prosecution for allegedly trying to overthrow the government.

However, one member of the delegation said Berisha's arrest was far from certain.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Mr Fatos Nano referred to his own record, his own period as a prisoner and he added that he would not allow a leader of the opposition to be thrown in prison."
SUPER CAPTION: Daniel Tarschis, Secretary-general of the Council of Europe



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