...The PD appeared weak. It ultimately found itself in an inferior position to its opponent. The opposition coalition failed to organize itself. It could not win the majority. Let us be clear: this is not about the results, but about the fact that the PD, convinced of its own victory, failed to prepare in advance and mobilize its people everywhere and on time. This seems surprising if we bear in mind that in the last two months the pace of political developments was very fast. All this, instead of making it stronger, found the PD tired, unstructured, and with a very fragile organization. First, no broad organizational network was built around it, capable of handling the campaign on a national scale. The shortage of cadres, the lack of experience, as well as an excessive centralization of work, remained obvious. For many things, people were waiting for instructions from the center. In the districts there was a lack of initiative. In this way time was lost, concessions were made, and the sympathies won among the people were not sufficiently used. Second, the PD’s propaganda remained uneven. In some places there was liveliness and courage, in others it appeared dull and unclear. The right language was not always used to address people’s problems. Slogans were given, but not always clear explanations. Meanwhile, the PPSH, despite its political exhaustion, still had the old tools and mechanisms of influence at hand. Third, the lack of strong organization on voting day and during the count had a considerable impact. It was seen that in many centers there were no trained commissioners or observers. This left room for pressure, manipulation, and distortions of the voters’ will. Enthusiasm was not enough. Discipline, planning, and responsibility were needed. In this situation, the first thing to do is a calm and honest analysis. No one wins by hiding weaknesses. The PD must draw lessons, strengthen the organization, bring in capable people, and build a different working style. Only in this way will it be a more serious and better prepared force tomorrow. It must also be understood that disappointment is not the end. On the contrary, it can be the beginning of political maturity. Only parties that know how to learn from defeat can become winners tomorrow. The future of the opposition depends on this ability. (To be continued on page 2)

THE OPENING SESSION OF PARLIAMENT WAS BOYCOTTED The opening session of the work of the first pluralist parliament in the country after the 31 March elections, which should have begun today around 10 a.m., did not take place. The leadership of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party decided that its deputies would boycott this session in protest against the position of the provisional leadership and the procedure followed in organizing parliament. The chairman of the PD parliamentary group, Ylli Bufi [?], said that the parliamentary group had not been informed in advance of the agenda or the relevant documents. According to him, in the absence of guarantees for the correct functioning of parliament and fair representation of the opposition, the democratic deputies could not take part in this session. The statement says that the boycott is not intended to hinder the creation of new institutions, but to guarantee a parliament that truly expresses the will of the voters. The PD parliamentary group calls for a review of the procedures and for the work to begin under transparent conditions. (To be continued on page 2)

What does a PD institution in the coalition government with the PPSH really mean in the end It was a great disappointment for most members and sympathizers of the Democratic Party when, after many hesitations and ambiguous statements, the acceptance of two of its representatives into the coalition government with the PPSH was announced. For many this was presented as a mature compromise, as a sign of national responsibility and as a necessary step for the stability of the country. But the question remains: what does this shared institution with a political force that continues to bear on its shoulders the responsibility for the system that is collapsing actually mean? On the political level, entering such a government risks blurring the PD’s opposition profile. It may create the impression of complicity in the decisions that will be taken, even when these conflict with the expectations of its electorate. Worse still, it gives the PPSH the opportunity to present itself as a reformed force ready for cooperation, without first having to account for its past. From a moral point of view, many people feel this as an unnecessary concession. The expectation from the PD was that it would remain clear in its role as an opposition force, firmly defending demands for real pluralism, political freedom, and a clear break with the practices of the past. Participation in government, even with one or two posts, confuses this message. Those who defend this step say that in difficult conditions the country needs mutual understanding and that the presence of democrats in government can serve as a safeguard against abuses. However, this safeguard would be real only if the opposition had genuine decision-making weight. Otherwise, it risks being used as decoration for a power that seeks to buy time. Therefore the debate is not simply about ministerial names. It is a debate about the identity of the PD, its relationship with its electorate, and the meaning of opposition in the conditions of transition. If this cooperation is not accompanied by clear conditions, transparency, and mutual responsibility, then in the eyes of many it will remain a demagogic coalition. (To be continued on page 2)

- SECOND COMMUNIQUÉ OF PD KOSOVO - A new clarification On 12.4.1991, a regular consultative meeting was held in Prishtina between the leadership of the Coordinating Council of Albanian Political Parties in Yugoslavia, the leadership of the parliamentary group of Kosovo and its deputies in the federal Parliament and in the Chamber of Republics of Yugoslavia, as well as the leaderships of the political entities participating in the Coordinating Council, for the review of the current political situation in Kosovo. According to the announcement of Mr. Fehmi Agani, the leadership of the KC of the PSSHJ was presented with a proposal by the leadership of the PDSH on the basis of which a joint communiqué would be drafted. The proposal was examined by the participants in the meeting and, since full agreement was not reached on its wording, some of the representatives raised their remarks. At this meeting there was also discussion of the serious situation the Albanians in Kosovo are going through, of police repression, of the economic situation, and of the need for a unified political stance. It was stressed that the unity of the Albanian political forces is a necessity for the defense of national and civil rights. However, different interpretations have appeared in the press of the day regarding the content of the meeting and the role of the participating entities. For this reason we are compelled to clarify public opinion and to stress that PDSH has not signed any wording that conflicts with its programmatic positions. The leadership of PD Kosovo.

On Tuesday at 1 o’clock, the leadership of the PD group met and discussed the progress of the 31 March elections. The next day, at 12 o’clock, the meeting of the PD parliamentary group began, where the deputies, most of whom had come from the districts, made brief analyses of the progress of the campaign. At 5 o’clock, the leadership of the parliamentary group broke up. At 5 o’clock it was announced that Mr. Konomi would appear on television. No explanation was given at the time for this news. As we were told, the deputies’ conference would have begun after this appearance, and at the same time a decision would also be made on replacing the second candidate in Tirana, who was said to have resigned. As was being said, this television appearance by Mr. Konomi was announced because it had just become known that neither Mr. Konomi nor Mr. Pashko had been appointed ministers in the new government. (Sali Berisha?) As usually happens, foreign agencies appeared outside the PD offices and there they learned that the deputies were discussing the government. In fact, at this meeting the political developments and the progress of the counting process and the constitution of the Assembly had been discussed. Andi Sgarani.