Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen. Dear brothers! The First National Assembly of the Democratic Party, the first legitimate congress of a truly pluralist political force in Albania, is holding its historic proceedings today. This congress is the third step on the road to the birth of this new party, which with the blood and tears of its sons and daughters, with its struggle, sacrifices and hardships, and with faith in the justice of its ideals, in the dignity of the individual and of society, created a new hope for all Albanians, a hope that comes as the only true alternative to the communist regime. The Democratic Party was born as an expression of the free will of Albanian citizens for democracy, freedom and the rule of law. It was born to overthrow the dictatorship and restore the dignity of the free human being to Albania. In these difficult months, it has been the voice of protest, sacrifice and hope. Today we are gathered here to take new steps in consolidating our party, to define more clearly our political and organizational path, and to strengthen the Albanian people's confidence that we will remain faithful to the ideals for which we set out on this road. (continued on page 8)

Addressing the entire civilized world and the Albanian nation, the People's Movement of Kosovo places before Albanian and international opinion the need to support Kosovo's independence and sovereignty. In the conditions of the deep Yugoslav crisis, the people of Kosovo claim their legitimate right to self-determination and to create their own independent and sovereign state. This right stems from history, from the free will of the people, and from international norms. Kosovo cannot remain hostage to Serbian hegemonic policies. It must be an equal unit among the political entities of the region and of Europe. (continued on page 8)

(Photo: DITAN KAVA) I think that unemployment makes the ordinary person stay locked up at home, but today he had found the strength to come here, into the hall, driven by a sense of participation and hope. What stood out was the calm, seriousness and desire to listen. Everyone seemed aware that this assembly was not merely a formal meeting, but a new political event in the life of the country. Young and old, intellectuals and workers, delegates and guests had gathered with a clear sense of responsibility. In the lobby, in the corridors and in the hall, the conversations were restrained but filled with anticipation. People expected not only fine words, but decisions, direction and a new sign of political maturity. That was perhaps why the first day of the Assembly left a good impression: because one could feel the will to build, not to destroy; to unite, not to divide. In this sense, what was seen today can rightly be called a good beginning. (continued on page 7)

- Report of the Steering Committee of the PD, delivered by its chairman Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha - Ladies and gentlemen, honored delegates and guests. Dear brothers and sisters. On behalf of the Steering Committee of the Democratic Party, I greet you and welcome you to this historic assembly. Our meetings are filled with emotion, because they come after a long period of struggle, sacrifice and perseverance. Today we come here as representatives of a great civic hope, as the voice of a people seeking freedom, justice and well-being. The Democratic Party was born as a response to a system that denied the human being, suppressed free speech and ruined the country's economy. But despite violence, persecution and propaganda, our ideals gained ground in the hearts of Albanians. We believe that democracy will win without pain, if we know how to preserve calm, reason, dialogue and determination. Albanian citizens do not want revenge; they want change, law and hope. This victory will not be one party's victory over another, but the victory of the citizen over fear, of justice over arbitrariness, of the future over the past. On this road we must be united, honest and courageous. (continued on page 8)