Washington, 5 March 1997 (RFE/RL) - The U.S. State Department yesterday expressed disappointment with Albanian President Sali Berisha's actions and urged his government to restore democratic rights in the country.
State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said the United States deeply regrets that Albanian authorities are using a state of emergency to intimidate opposition politicians, silence the Alabanian press and attempting to shut down foreign radio broadcasts, including Voice of America.
He said the United States is working closely with European governments, particularly of the Italian and Greek governments, to unify positions and policies towards Albania.
Burns said the United States has decided not to cut economic assistance to Albania because most of it goes to non-government groups working for legal, economic and democratic reforms.