Yesterday afternoon in the square of the Executive Committee of Tirana, the meeting of the candidates for deputies of the Democratic Party began. The candidates present were the Alternative of the Workers’ Party for Tirana - doctor Sali Berisha, engineer Aleksandër Meksi, Aleksandër Biberaj, engineer Ylli Vejsiu and doctor Ilir V[?]jka. The meeting lasted until almost 8 p.m. and was followed with great attention by many citizens. In 186 polling stations in the schools of the capital’s 54th district, until 8 p.m. the declaration of PD voters was taking place. The second part of the large rally with the voters of Tirana, with the leaders of the PD present, will be held this afternoon in Tirana’s central square.

... solve our heavy everyday troubles. Above all, work and unemployment. At least we, with as much as we know, give democracy the chance to show itself once again through the free vote with a clear mind. On the contrary. Until the beginning of 1990, we challenged and underestimated it, but from December of that year we found ourselves before the hatred and revolt of this people, to be convinced by the force of the argument of the vote in the future. We say the future, because in the past a person won and lost, but the winners remained their party with the entire state apparatus. This is more than a conviction; it is a bitter experience that has left indelible traces. (To be continued on page 2)

1 the presidential council is announced 3 THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DELEGATION RETURNS TO LIFE FROM THE USA Dr. Sali Berisha, chairman of the initiative commission of the Democratic Party of Albania, returned yesterday to his homeland together with the PD delegation that had visited the USA. After meeting with many members of the American Senate and Congress and with representatives of the State Department and other institutions, chairman Berisha said that the visit to the USA was very important. These contacts increase confidence in the Albanian democratic perspective. Likewise, the USA encourages and follows with interest the pluralist developments in Albania. The Democratic Party delegation also took part in an American television program with questions and answers. Berisha emphasized that the American leaders were interested in the electoral process and the conditions in which it is being held.

- Declares Dr. Sali Berisha - We are the only country in Europe that, after the end of the Second World War, broke diplomatic relations with the USA. Many, many Albanian citizens brought and reunited families through the American lottery winners. The first ties with the USA were strong spiritual and cultural ties. They were severed by force and pressure. Today, restoring relations with the USA means returning to the best Western values, to democracy, freedom, and human dignity. Likewise, we consider any interest shown by the American administration in free elections in Albania to be great support. The Albanian people know very well what American attention means at this historical moment. (To be continued on page 5)

- Declares Dr. Genc Ruli - It was a beautiful day. The weather, with its lively nature, offered optimism and hope. The scent of change was felt more clearly than ever. This could be seen in people’s eyes, in their conversations, in the warm welcome of the citizens. We met many people who spoke to us with rare sincerity about their troubles and the need for change. This is a historic day because our people are gaining the right to choose freely and express their will. For the first time it is felt that fear is breaking. Hope is becoming a political force. (To be continued on page 5)

- Statement by the Forum for the Protection of Human Rights - The Forum for the Protection of Human Rights draws the public’s attention to the fact that in Albanian prisons there are still people being held who have been convicted for political reasons. Despite official declarations about general releases, in many cases families have received no notice and do not know the fate of their relatives. We demand full transparency, immediate verification of the lists of detainees, and respect for fundamental human rights. (To be continued on page 2)

Reply from Arbënori Therefore, with regard to communists voting, I am convinced that it will not be for communism as a system, but for the memory of the older generation. I hope this vote will be separated from the vote for the new democracy. In 46 years our homeland went through a hard period of violence and lack of freedoms. Those who today understand the need for change, even though they have been communists, will vote for the PD. This is not surprising, but a sign of the times and of the consciousness that is awakening. Albania must move forward. (To be continued on page 6)

ENGLISH RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE / Democratic Rebirth Newspaper of the Albanian Democratic Party No. 22 / Tuesday, 20 March 1991 / Price 1 lek / Published every Tuesday and Saturday. EVEN THE SECOND DAY WE ARE VOTING. THE MEETING OF THE CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTIES WITH THE VOTERS BEGAN. Yesterday afternoon in the square of the Executive Committee of Tirana began the meeting of the candidates for deputies of the Democratic Party. Present were Dr. Sali Berisha, engineer Aleksandër Meksi, Aleksandër Biberaj, engineer Ylli Vejsiu and Dr. Ilir V[?]jka. The meeting lasted until almost 20:00 and was followed with great attention by many citizens. In 186 polling stations in the schools of the capital, until 20:00, the declaration of PD voters was taking place. The second part of the large rally with the voters of Tirana, where the leaders of the PD are present, will take place this afternoon in the central square of Tirana. 46 YEARS ARE ENOUGH TO BE CONVINCED THAT WE WILL NOT VOTE FOR THEM. ... 46 years are more than enough to understand that we should not vote for them. The people want change and free voting. THE PD IS FULLY COMMITTED TO FREE ELECTION SOLUTIONS. Dr. Sali Berisha, chairman of the initiative commission of the Democratic Party of Albania, returned yesterday together with the PD delegation that had visited the USA. After meetings with many members of the American Senate and Congress and with representatives of the State Department and other institutions, Berisha stated that the visit was very important. DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH THE USA AWAKENED DEMOCRATIC STRENGTH AND SPIRITUAL PAIN, declares Dr. Sali Berisha. A TRULY HISTORICAL DAY, declares Dr. Genc Ruli. THERE ARE STILL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN PRISONS. Statement of the Forum for the Protection of Human Rights. YES, THERE ARE COMMUNISTS WHO WILL VOTE FOR THE PD. Reply of Arbënori. ITALIANO RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE / Rinascita Democratica Giornale del Partito Democratico Albanese N. 22 / Martedì, 20 marzo 1991 / Prezzo 1 lek / Esce ogni martedì e sabato. ANCHE IL SECONDO GIORNO SIAMO AL VOTO. È INIZIATO L'INCONTRO DEI CANDIDATI DEPUTATI CON GLI ELETTORI. Ieri pomeriggio nella piazza del Comitato Esecutivo di Tirana è iniziato l'incontro dei candidati deputati del Partito Democratico. Erano presenti il dottor Sali Berisha, l'ingegnere Aleksandër Meksi, Aleksandër Biberaj, l'ingegnere Ylli Vejsiu e il dottor Ilir V[?]jka. L'incontro è durato fino a circa le 20 ed è stato seguito con grande attenzione da molti cittadini. In 186 centri di voto delle scuole della capitale, fino alle 20, si svolgeva la dichiarazione degli elettori del PD. La seconda parte del grande comizio con gli elettori di Tirana, alla presenza dei dirigenti del PD, si terrà questo pomeriggio nella piazza centrale di Tirana. 46 ANNI SONO SUFFICIENTI PER ESSERE CONVINTI CHE NON DAREMO IL NOSTRO VOTO A LORO. ... 46 anni sono più che sufficienti per capire che non dobbiamo votarli. Il popolo vuole cambiamento e voto libero. IL PD SI IMPEGNA PIENAMENTE PER ELEZIONI LIBERE. Il dottor Sali Berisha, presidente della commissione promotrice del Partito Democratico d’Albania, è tornato ieri insieme alla delegazione del PD che aveva visitato gli USA. Dopo incontri con molti membri del Senato e del Congresso americano e con rappresentanti del Dipartimento di Stato e di altre istituzioni, Berisha ha dichiarato che la visita è stata molto importante. I LEGAMI DIPLOMATICI CON GLI USA HANNO RISVEGLIATO LA FORZA DEMOCRATICA E IL DOLORE SPIRITUALE, dichiara il dottor Sali Berisha. UNA GIORNATA DAVVERO STORICA, dichiara il dottor Genc Ruli. NELLE CARCERI CI SONO ANCORA PRIGIONIERI POLITICI. Dichiarazione del Forum per la Difesa dei Diritti dell’Uomo. SÌ, CI SONO COMUNISTI CHE VOTERANNO PER IL PD. Risposta di Arbënori.