ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 13, 1997 TAG: 9704140083
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-13 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: TIRANA, ALBANIA
After 58 years in exile, Albania's King Leka returned to his country of birth on Saturday and called for a referendum on restoring the monarchy.
Thousands of people jostled with police outside Tirana's airport to catch a glimpse of Leka, who traveled by private jet to Europe's poorest country. Soldiers and armored personnel carriers blocked enthusiastic crowds from entering the airport ground.
In the city, people waved banners and Albanian national flags as the king's column of cars wound through the rainy streets in a tight police escort.
The king's return coincides with the arrival of a multinational force to secure the delivery of desperately needed aid and restore order.
``I hope to add my presence and weight to help Albanian people come out of these problems,'' Leka said in an interview in a hotel room.
Leka, 58, has lived abroad since he was 3 days old. His father fled Albania with his family in 1939 when Italian troops invaded.
Leka's father had declared himself King Zog I of Albania in 1928, ruling for 11 years until the invasion. When Zog died in France in 1961, a government in exile swore in Leka as king.
Leka said his return is ``a return of their independence and their freedom.'' And he urged a referendum to let Albanians decide whether they want ``a parliamentary monarchy or a republic,'' adding ``the people's choice will be binding on us.''
President Sali Berisha has indicated he would agree to such a referendum during a general election scheduled for June.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB