Talks continue in Albania

[UPI]

TIRANA, March 12 (UPI) -- Talks continue in Albania to form a
government of national unity as armed rebellion spread to the north of
the country for the first time.
Berisha is locked in negotiations with political leaders to cobble
together a government to rule until elections, now scheduled for June.
In a bid to quell the uprising, President Sali Berisha on Tuesday
appointed a prime minister from the main opposition Socialist Party.
Bashkim Fino, a 35-year-old economist from the rebel-occupied
southern town of Gjirokaster, replaces Aleksander Meksi of the ruling
Democratic Party, who resigned last week.
Despite Berisha's appointment of a political opponent as prime
minister, it is unclear what, if any, influence opposition leaders in
the capital Tirana have over the rebels.
The insurgents, who control major cities in the south of the country,
are showing signs of expanding their influence. The British Broadcasting
Corporation reports (Wednesday) that they have captured the country's
largest military airfield, located just 60 miles (97 km) south of the
capital Tirana.
The seizure of the airport now gives the rebels control of about one-
fifth of the country's warplanes.
The militants are insisting that Berisha resign. They accuse his
government of failing to intervene over dubious pyramid savings schemes
that collapsed recently, swallowing the life savings of thousands of
families.
The Parliament agreed late Tuesday to issue an amnesty for most
rebels, but significantly, it does not cover those who have committed
``premeditated crimes,'' leaving authorities in Tirana with wide leeway
to prosecute.

[UPI]

TIRANA, March 12 (UPI) -- The newly appointed prime minister of
Albania has said the demands of opposition insurgents in the South
should be listened to.
Embattled President Sali Berisha Tuesday appointed Bashkim Fino, from
the main opposition Socialist Party, to the post of prime minister in a
bid to quell the opposition uprising in the south.
The British Broadcasting Corporation reports the insurgents have
formed an umbrella group, the Committee for National Salvation, which
has repeated opposition demands for the immediate resignation of
Berisha.
Meanwhile, talks continue in Albania to form a government of national

unity as armed rebellion spread to the north of the country for the
first time.
Berisha is locked in negotiations with political leaders to cobble
together a government to rule until elections, now scheduled for June.

Fino, a 35-year-old economist from the rebel-occupied southern town
of Gjirokaster, replaces Aleksander Meksi of the ruling Democratic
Party, who resigned last week.
Despite Berisha's appointment of a political opponent as prime
minister, it is unclear what, if any, influence opposition leaders in
the capital Tirana have over the rebels.

The BBC reports Wednesday that the insurgents have captured the