1997 in Albania - Chronology of Events - March 1997

March 1997

• 1 March 1997: Flora is the power of gangs and traffickers. Mass exodus begins. In Lushnje some police brutally beaten. Declared emergency. Rebels take Pashaliman base, the state symbol of resistance. The massive explosion begins arms storage. In Himarë burning city. Police buildings burned in Gjirokastra. Hundreds of prisoners are free.
• 2 March 1997: Alexander Meksi government resign. In Vlora with thousands of weapons hit the skies in a sign of victory. Parliament approves the chief of surgery to restore order, the chief of stylish Gazideden Union. Immediately Gazidede order closure of schools throughout the country indefinitely. Also placed restrictions on the press and to supply consumer goods to the population. In Kavaja, bastion of PD, over 5000 people voluntarily armed to defend the city from a possible attack by armed gangs. Italian news agency ANSA commented: "The whole scenario is emerging as a politico-military strategy and not as a manifestation of spontaneous popular. To gather people in the Flag Square are available for days special machines."
• 3 March 1997: Re-elected President Sali Berisha of the Republic with the votes of the members of DP. An uncontrollable rage explodes in South and axis, the main centers of rebellion. Committees military and explode the remaining bands of warehouses and a new wave of destruction and killings went on throughout southern Albania. Burn Vocational Training Centre in Vlora, which had cost $ 7 million Americans. Spoiled by a group of approximately 100-member compound "Adipetrol" Gjirokastra. Persons with masks take over a warship and attacking Saranda, where police and burning buildings stylish. Prison break free leaving hundreds of criminals. Seize 400 weapons and set fire to the town library. In Kuçovë alarm is issued to the lack of bread. Recovered control of Fier. Begins to disarm the city's population.
• 4 March 1997: In South depot explosion continues. Through the mansions placed snipers, and lock and bridge Mifolit undermined. Raised over barricades to prevent entry of the military and SHIK. In Shkodra army capitulate. The striking students end strike celebrating with champagne at the disco. Thousands of students feel frustrated by them. In Saranda navy attacked and abducted thousands of weapons. Gangs patrol the sea with the Navy ships. Saranda posted stating that autonomy in this area live 20,000 Greeks. In the neck-shik an agent Six burnt alive, and one taken hostage. Two others escaped. 50 soldiers join the rebels. 2 Air Force pilots dezertojnë and go to Italy. Formed Public Salvation Committee of Vlore. He begins to act as a parallel structure by performing a de facto coup. Its leader is Albert Shyti. The main collaborator "Committee" is Myrteza Caushi, known as Zani "The strongman of Vlora". Under the example of Vlora start and created "Salvation Committees" anywhere in Albania.
• 5 March 1997: Explode warehouses in Memaliaj and axis. Burn police buildings in these cities. Greek TV "Mega" in the 14:00 pm news (13:00 in our time) states: "Today armed groups in southern Albania for the first time raised the banner of Vorio Epirus. They require sharing the southern part of the rest of the country ranging from Tepelena, thus proclaiming the autonomy of southern Albania. Albania early problem was that North-South. Albania is divided between the river Shkumbin.".
• 6 March 1997: President Berisha and the political parties gather at a table and sign a statement condemning the blasts of warehouses and call for surrender of weapons. 6 hours later, officially the SP and DAP leaders deny any responsibility and obligation to the statement that they had considered "political success". Greek TV "Sky" 17:00 News (16:00 our time): "A few minutes have emerged from the meeting the leaders of armed groups of Saranda, who have decided to attack tonight at dinner Gjirokastra. They will not leave postoblloqet and anxiously await today's popular trial will be done three prisoners captured in the main square of Sarande who allegedly SHIK employees and northern ethnic". Increases the balance of victims in Vlora.
• 7 March 1997: shpartallojnë Army rebels in Gjirokastra. Military assets fall into the hands of gangs and the military committee of the city. With the fall of Gjirokastra in the hands of rebels, all south of the country is out of control. Weapons continue to spread in the country. Attacked National Rinas Airport by villagers surrounding areas. Spoiled so barbaric Agricultural University of Tirana.
• 8 March 1997: President Berisha organizes a meeting with all parties concerned with the creation of the new government. Completely defeated division of Gjirokastra. Leaders of the division were vetëdorëzuar and had taken the lead of rebellion in this city. Gangs have kidnapped a number of auxiliary military forces of Tirana and had blocked several tanks and a helicopter. Mobs attack the most private units in the city. At midnight attack and spoiled milk processing factory in Libohova.
• 9 March 1997: Formed Government of National Reconciliation Union headed by Fino, mayor of Gjirokastra. The new government calls on former army effectives contribute to restoring peace and order. President goes on VAT in a statement to the nation where he calls for "reconciliation, faith, unity and calmness".
• 10 March 1997: In Gramsh rebels attacked the police building, go to Fier and take control of the streets. Berat fell into the hands of gangs and become the main centers of rebellion after Vlora. Along with the fall Polican, Këlcyra and Skrapari. In Kuçovë rebels take control of 19 combat aircraft type MiG. "Vlora Rescue Committee" welcomes the agreement of 9 March. American Foundation for Eastern Europe is directing a letter to the Albanian Embassy in America stating: "It's great naivety not understand that the Committee of Vlora and its leaders are inspired by communist mafia-type the KGB." Letters to the conclusion stated: "Mr. Berisha must decide by any means the rule of law, using military force may even". On the evening of 10 March, the U.S. Embassy welcomed the agreement late 9 March.
• 11 March 1997: Birth of the "Committee of the South" that requires the rejection of Berisha and the return of money lost. If the Committee proposes to declare the country's capital city of Vlora and the formation of a new state separate from Tirana. The revolt spread to the north, the army capitulate everywhere and a huge weapons depot opened in Shkodra.
• 12 March 1997: President Berisha decrees Government of National Reconciliation. Riots erupt in Kukes. State institutions looted and damaged. The citizens of the Kukes town abandon due to an announcement that the Serbian army has crossed the border. Revolt breaks out in the South, the bastion of the Democratic Party. Open prison, attacked shops and a bank thrown into the air.
• 13 March 1997: President Berisha and Prime Minister Fino you require international military assistance to resolve the crisis. Tirana is on the verge of invasion by the rebels. Declared curfew. Several hundred volunteers mainly from the North, protect capital. Attacked presidency. Berisha experiencing the most dangerous night of his life. Prison break out of the country more secure, prison 313. The last to emerge from prison are Fatos Nano and Ramiz Alia. Revolt breaks out in the South. In Lezha rebels burn police building. Ismail Kadare' appears in a message to the Albanians in the VOA. He states that "The clock was turned back in Albania's civil war between the nationalists and communists in the years 1943-44". Also criticizes foreign media and political elite, and calling on his compatriots to calmness and composure to overcome the crisis. The French news agency AFP notes that: "The riots in Albania were a military coup."
• 14 March 1997: Franz Vranitski is appointed to solve the Albanian crisis. U.S. Ambassador to the screen of VAT appears stating that the U.S. diplomatic mission will not leave. It also states that the American people is the Albanian people in these difficult moments. In Tirana, the population begins to disarm. Attacked a tobacco plantation worth U.S. $ 10 million. Attacked Coca-Cola factory, by the few multinational investments in Albania. SHIK chief resigns, Gazidede Union. Rebels occupy the port of Durrës. VAT is displayed on the screen all day to call "homeland at risk !".
• 15 March 1997: recovered control of the airport of Rinas. Parliament approved the "Government of National Reconciliation." A "Committee for the Protection of Durres.
• 16 March 1997: A massive rally in Tirana calls for peace and cooperation between the warring forces. With the government decision announced 16 March day of national mourning in honor of victims of the rebellion. In Fier looted radioactive military material. President Berisha decrees amnesty for 51 prisoners.
• 17 March 1997: By presidential decree released Fatos Nano, opposition leader jailed since 1993 on charges of corruption. Mother Teresa pray for Albania and Albanians. President of the "People" leaves the country with a U.S. military helicopter. Fatos Nano holds a press conference stating his support for the new government.
• 18 March 1997: A Committee for the Rescue of North and Middle Albania threatens new government if it recognizes the committees of the South will face the military resistance in the whole Northern country. As a result the government does not recognize any of the committees formed in the North, South or Middle Albania.
• 19 March 1997: The Russian government is concerned about the serious situation in Albania.
• 20 March 1997: Held on axis Assembly of Public Salvation Committee. Their main demand is constant and the removal of Berisha. Also proposed the creation of Federation of South. Resume job Rinas Airport.
• 21 March 1997: The political situation is very dangerous. Greece seeks to enter the Albanian territory on the pretext of protecting minorities. Sali Berisha urges Turkey military aid. The Turkish government emerges in a statement said that if Greek troops enter Albania, then within the day will be captured Athens. The Turkish government also claims it can not be done in Albania the same mistake that was made with Bosnia. Head of stylish, Gazidede Union, at a hearing in the Albanian Parliament accuses anti-Albanian Greek circles, Albanian Socialists, military and criminals to the situation. He made the fateful statement that "The integrity of Albania no longer exists". He also stated that "the rebellion was directed towards the destruction of any historic and cultural facility, with long-term goal to eradicate any historical evidence autoktonitetit the Albanians".
• 22 March 1997: The situation in Saranda and Gjirokastra remains very serious. Armed gangs rule in these cities under a regime of violence and terror. Dozens of people are killed daily.
• 23 March 1997: recovered control of the Port of Durrës. Resumes work on it. Berat is ruled by fearsome gangs. Movement of people allowed up at 13:00. Made numerous attempted attacks with explosives.
• 24 March 1997: As of 12 March, 46 people were left injured or killed in Kukes by the shooting.
• 25 March 1997: 3 policemen killed in Vlore. In Saranda efforts to restore law and order. Aggravated the situation continues in the Gjirokastër Berat.
• 26 March 1997: Called back to parliament, former chief of stylish, Gazidede Union points to a Greek government plan called "Lotos" which had the goal of "Liberation Vorio-Epirus by the Albanian side rule of an armed rebellion". He accuses the Greek regions in Greece and the U.S. as well as Nicholas Gage (person non-grata in Albania and accused of financing the massacre of Pëshkëpisë) as sponsors of this plan. He also accuses Kico Mustaqin, former commander of the army and Gramoz Ruci to have given secret information to ASFALISË (the Greek Secret Service) concerning the organization of the Albanian Army.
• 27 March 1997: The Democratic Party claims that relations between Greek and Albanian peoples have always been excellent and the Greek extremist groups can not represent all Greek people.
• 28 March 1997: Day of tragedies: the Otranto channel in an Albanian ship run by a gang of Vlora rammed and sunk by an Italian naval vessel by mistake. Balance is 82 refugees dead. Held in the South "National Assembly of Committees South. Participate many opposition political figures. Their demand is the resignation of the president. They also reject the "Government of National Reconciliation." The leaders of these committees are former exponents of the Hoxha regime. In the village of Levan, Fier is the biggest massacre of the events of 1997. 24 people killed by clashes between arixhinjve and one of the most dangerous gangs in the country. The balance of this day is over 110 dead. United Nations adopt resolution no. 1101 for humanitarian aid to Albania.
• 29 March 1997: 5 killed three people in South and Berat. Continue critical situations in several cities of the country. Leaders of the Albanian Navy Otranto accident claim could have been avoided.
• 30 March 1997: President Berisha and Prime Minister Fino you send their condolences to the families of victims Otranto. Albania seeks to place an international investigation of this tragedy and be part of the inquiry committee.
• 31 March 1997: Proclamation of national mourning in honor of victims of the Otranto Channel. The Italian government sends its condolences over the tragedy. Ismail Kadare states in an Italian media that "it is shocked by this tragedy and that the authority of government and the President need to Resume in place."