TIRANA - The ruling Democratic Party yesterday rejected the opposition ex communists demand that the government resign before talks could be held between the two sides. This condition, "which falls in line with their boycott of parliament as well as all round table discussions offered by President Sali Berisha, is unacceptable", Mr Besnik Gjongeaj, the Democratic Party spokesman, said.
The opposition Socialist Party, whose deputies have refused to attend any sessions of parliament since the legislative elections of May 1996, have also called for the release of people arrested during recent anti government protests over the collapse of high risk investment schemes.
But Mr Gjongeaj said the government could not interfere with the justice system. He emphasised that, nonetheless, his party remained "open to dialogue without any pre conditions" so as to study the country's economic situation in the wake of the failed pyramid schemes that have left many Albanians penniless.