The party's organizational preparation for the election campaign and the definition of the operational forms of work so as to make the desired result in the elections possible. These were the main issues that determined the course of the discussions in the National Council of the PRSH, which met in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, on Friday, 22 December. After hearing the alternatives for organizing the Party's work for entering the campaign, presented in the reports of the Electoral and Organization sectors, respectively by the heads of the sectors and members of the PR Steering Committee, Arjan Madhi and Ismail Male, the members of the National Council discussed them extensively, also presenting concrete analyses and their opinions on them. It was especially insisted, resulting in a decision of the National Council, that by 31 December all branches of the Party must complete the drafting of the lists of candidates who will represent the Party in the elections. The issues of propaganda and the press were the object of discussion by the members of the PR Steering Committee and the heads of propaganda and press, Gjok Beci and Neritan Alibali. A skilful and efficient propaganda, strongly supported also by the republican press, will make the Party's operational work in all its structures, both at the center and at the base, even more fruitful. The majority of the speakers representing the branches from which they came emphasized that the principle of republican self-initiative, also enshrined in the Party's new Program, should be seen above all as a concrete orientation that obliges the branches to develop a smart local policy and propaganda, in line with the conditions of the area where the branch operates. Among other things, the National Council also decided to create an electoral штаб to lead the campaign, at the head of which it was decided that Mr. Sabri Godo would be placed. Correspondent. 'Republika' '...Today, more than ever, the Republican Party must concentrate its forces against the socialists. The possible catastrophe would be definitively avoided if the Albanian electorate were to give the socialists an answer even stronger than the one of 22 March 1992. But this is in doubt, because the socialists have gained some ground thanks to some unforgivable mistakes of the PD. The problem is further complicated because the PD, which finds it extremely difficult to break away from euphoria, believes it can recover the lost electorate. But the breach is deep. Former owners, former persecuted people, the Kukës strikers, cannot forget the violence used against them. Then there are the unemployed and other categories disappointed by incompetent governance, disregard for the laws and lack of order. All these do not want to see the socialists again, but they do not want to know anything about the PD either. How can they be made to take part in voting and cast their vote for democracy? The answer is only one: to turn to the Republican Party and the Right Alliance... Continued on p. 3

The government in January: electoral draft law No. 2 ready In January 1996, electoral draft law No. 2 will enter Parliament. This was confirmed by the chairman of the parliamentary group of the PD, Ali Spahia. And this time it is precisely the opposition that is presenting its own proposal, which, given the weight of the PD in the legislature, will apparently prevail over the opposition's project. The latter, draft law No. 1, calls for no changes to the existing electoral law and has been left to be discussed in Parliament in January. What is the content of the PD's draft? The great caution of PD leaders. A few weeks ago, it was the general secretary, Shehu, who, refusing to open 'Republika', said that the PD was still undecided about the law. He even stressed, according to Shehu, that the PD was also undecided whether the draft law would be presented by the Government or by a group of Democratic deputies. Now, however, the signals seem to have become clearer. Deputy Spahia states that it is the Government that is preparing such a draft law. In the work of the C.M. the views of Continued on p. 4

Mr. Servet Pëllumbi / Vice President of the Albanian Socialist Party Mr. Namik Dokle, chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party Mr. Servet Pëllumbi Vice President of the Albanian Socialist Party Mr. Namik Dokle, chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party Gentlemen! The Republican Party branch in Berat and the local branch of this party in the commune of Lumas organized on 20 December 1995 a meeting of the inhabitants of this area with the chairman of the Republican Party, Mr. Sabri Godo. A few days before this event, while PR members were preparing the meeting, activists of your party, taking advantage of the fact that the socialists were in power in this commune, were pressuring the villagers by threatening to cut off assistance to those who would meet Sabri Godo. This was said by a good part of the around 150 participants in the rally. This threat had also been used earlier by the socialist Vizi Patriku, resident in the village of Sheqes in this commune, who wanted to prevent an event organized by the PR branch of Berat in this village. The Republican Party strongly protests against such shameful acts, considering them irresponsible, undemocratic and inhumane [?]. The threat of hunger is worse than the threat of arms. When you exercise power by taking the bread out of people's mouths in order to prevent them from taking part in lawful party activities, that means committing a deliberate political and social crime. Events like these clearly show that during the election campaign certain segments genuinely risk violating democratic rules and violently crossing the set limits of political struggle. Since the PR will intensify its contacts with its electorate even in areas where the socialists are in control of local administrations, we ask you to: 1. Verify the event in Lumas and take an objective, not justifying, stance. 2. Calm the political passions of your activists in local government. 3. Give your representatives in local government the relevant instructions to take the necessary measures to prevent such anti-democratic acts. Otherwise your statements about social pacts, etc., remain nothing more than empty political and election slogans. Head of Press and Information PR Spokesman, Neritan Alibali