To increase [sic?] the sense of commitment and responsibility toward democracy at every level SPEECH BY MR. EDUARD SELAMI, CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY Honorable delegates, Honorable participants, I welcome you to the extraordinary conference of the DP and wish this conference every success in its work. First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you and the DP activists on the two historic victories they gave Albania within four months, which are the greatest victories for democracy in Albania throughout this century. At the same time, they are the greatest victories achieved by any party in all of Eastern Europe during the period of the recent democratic revolutions that have swept across this region. Yesterday, on August 13, the Extraordinary Conference of the Democratic Party held its proceedings in the Opera and Ballet Hall. Many supporters who had gathered in front of the Palace of Culture greeted the arrival of the President, Mr. Sali Berisha, with loud cheers. Amid cries of “Freedom for Democracy” and “Sali Berisha, Sali Berisha,” the appearance on the platform of Messrs. Eduard Selami, chairman of the DP; Tomorr Dosti, secretary; Ali Spahia, deputy chairman; Azem Hajdari, deputy chairman; and Messrs. Sali Berisha, Aleksandër Meksi and Pjetër Arbnori, members of the presidium of the Democratic Party, was also welcomed. Mr. Eduard Selami welcomed the participants to the DP Conference and delivered a short report. Besides discussions concerning the proposal made to the National Council to expel from the party those who had signed the Motion, and Ç. Pashko, the agenda would also include discussion of several changes that needed to be made to the DP statute in light of the current stage of developments. After the opening speech, the commissions were approved—the credentials commission, the secre... [text continues, cut off at the edge of the photograph] … extended, whether through opposition to the group at delicate moments, creating confusion and situations unfavorable to it, The government should have worked better during this period, especially in support of the campaign. By failing to resolve certain supply problems and hot spots, it caused concern. On several occasions, actions were taken without considering their political consequences, such as raising the price of bread on election days, but I think all these bodies—the Party, Parliament and Government—have learned the appropriate lessons. But let us return to the agenda, the purpose and mission of this conference. The National Council’s position on the motion is clear and decisive, p.... [text cut off] Mr. Peshkëpia, one of those called agents who had signed the motion, asked to explain why he had signed it and to clarify his position, but the hall, in protest, did not let him finish his speech. Then Mr. Sali Berisha took the floor. In his speech, Mr. Berisha briefly analyzed the path followed by the DP and the important situation in which the DP Conference had convened. Mr. Berisha also emphasized the good work done by Mr. Meksi’s government during its short time in office. “It is the program prepared by this government that laid the foundations of Albania’s standing. On its path toward a market economy, Albania has received five times more aid per capita than all the other countries.” Mr. Berisha went on: “Most Albanians can see today that the situation is indeed difficult, but one fact can be offered: of 400 enterprises, work has resumed in around 320, even if not at full capacity. ‘The reform will…’ [text cut off] Among the signatories of the motion, Messrs. Imami, Dmeti and Trako spoke. They sought to clarify their position and the thinking behind the motion they had presented. The hall reacted to their speeches with protests, interrupting them several times. Mr. Pashko also spoke. After responding to several accusations made against him, he too asked to clarify his position. Mr. Hajdari’s remarks were received with interest by the hall, but also with signs of protest. Mr. Hajdari declared that he distanced himself from the motion, from Mr. Pashko’s statement and from every faction in the DP. “I,” he said, “have not defended N. Ceka and have been, and will always be, with Mr. Sali and the DP.” Mr. Baleta also took the floor. He analyzed the DP’s work and criticized its new and former presidiums for their poor performance. He then set out an idea for the path the DP should follow in the future. After the discussions, which… [text cut off] … efforts, especially lobbying efforts, which … between the elections; some tourism problems and hot spots caused destruction. On several occasions, actions… [?] the motion is clear and decisive. Before proceeding, let me put to rest the concerns of those who have wanted to call this conference illegal and irregular. I am convinced that the conference will put an end to some speculations and to the speculators among us. It is entirely proper and legal, and has all the powers needed to do what the DP needs today. I agree with the National Council speakers that, in substance, the motion is the PS platform, which we saw and heard often enough during the campaign from the PS and “ZP.” This platform was neatly attached to this latest battle against communism. From the very beginning of this campaign, the PS seized upon the statements and actions of some DP leaders, right up to the end. Judging by the people who signed and supported it, both at the National Council and in the press, especially in “Koha jonë,” I think this motion was drawn up and supported by those who failed to obtain the positions they sought and the seats for which they entered democracy. Considering that the election campaign was to be analyzed precisely by those who refused to take part in it, I think this is immoral. If they cared about democracy, they should have allowed us to hold the elections first, then clarified whatever reservations they had about one person or another. I think this occasion brings to light a problem with democracy: some members of our steering committee have been given more than they deserve, and, lacking realism and modesty, they identify themselves with democracy and the democratic movement. Indeed, members have even been told publicly that without them you would not be who you are today. Such delusions must be driven out of anyone’s head! I think there is also speculation in the name of diversity of opinion. Diversity of opinion has existed and will continue to exist within the DP, but in this particular case that is not what this is about. Not taking part in an election campaign is not diversity of opinion; it is openly acting against the party to which you belong and failing to fulfill the role you claim to uphold within that party. … the party … [?] those who had signed the Motion and others, including Pashko; discussion would also be held on several amendments needed of developments. After the opening speech, the credentials commission and the secretariat were approved, and the conference moved on to discussion. The vast majority of speakers supported the National Council’s decision, condemning the motion and those who had signed it. Some speakers also examined A. Hajdari’s inconsistent conduct and called on him to state his position. In his speech, Mr. Kostreci emphasized: “Today the democrats will separate the wheat from the chaff; you will distance yourselves from those who want to destroy democracy. ‘We,’ he continued, ‘do not kill or imprison people like E. Hoxha, but when a person commits abuses, we cannot keep him in our ranks.’ Mr. Arben Lika said that for the first time the PS would not benefit from our quarrels; on the contrary, it would lose.” In his speech, Mr. Lika also accused Mr. Hajdari of having appropriated the title of hero and organizer of the December demonstrations. After the discussions, it was agreed that not all the scheduled speeches would be delivered, since more than 70 had been announced and the conference’s mood was clear. A number of replies were made, and it was decided that at the second session the proposals made by the National Council and the DP presidium, as well as several other proposals concerning the people who should be expelled from the DP, would be put to a vote. The second session continued its work without… [?], with only delegates holding credentials in attendance. RD correspondent

DISCUSSION BY MR. LEKA TOTO I do not think that this people has been or is unlucky. In the last 50 years, history has twice extended its hand to us so that we could enter the European family: in 1944 and today. Then, instead of joining the Western allies and building our lives on the principles of a free life, deceived by the Yugoslavs through their agent Enver Hoxha, we ended up in the communist hell. Serious mistakes in politics, resulting from a lack of critical thought and a conscience freed from low personal ambitions, cost a people dearly. We have witnesses to all of this. And In ’92, when democratic forces representing a party treated brutally for 47 years are in power. The recent elections, gentlemen, clearly show that the danger of disengagement is real. Exploiting the changes and the wretched economic situation they inherited from the communists, today’s socialists have instilled in the minds of Albanians, impoverished to an extreme degree, [?] despair and distrust toward democracy. Their propaganda is openly and utterly irresponsibly directed toward dividing the people through the infamous class struggle. It is a theory that the world … has overcome, but sadly, in countries like ours it still finds fertile ground. It is logical: we come from a long and extremely harsh dictatorship. Naturally, where there are persecutors, there are also persecuted people—and the persecutor’s mindset, which judges you by its own standards, concludes that the persecuted will take revenge and be just as criminal as he is. But he forgets one thing: the world is not made up only of criminals. Suffering itself is a powerful purifier of the human spirit. Those who have suffered do not want to see others suffer. In this accusatory campaign for re- (Continued on page 2) The participants—I that have swept across this region. This high level of confidence placed in us at the most difficult and important moments of our national turning point calls on us, as the DP, to increase our commitment and responsibility, and requires a concrete, carefully considered analysis of our activity at every level. In fact, this analysis began at the last meeting of the National Council, and it must be said that it got off to a good start. Without wishing to analyze the recent election campaign in detail, I would like to emphasize a few thoughts about the fall in our percentage in the July 26 elections compared with those of March 22. First, this is connected with the DP’s own work during this period and with the organization of the election campaign. This was not done to the required degree. The same goes for the selection of candidates. Although the procedure established by the National Council was fair, it must be said that it was not followed in every case and that it requires a high degree of organization among the sections. But I think the inactivity of the two deputy chairmen, Mr. Imami and Hajdari, also had an effect. At the same time, statements made behind our backs from within the party, which benefited the PS, did considerable damage to the DP’s work. The clearest example is Pashko’s statement in Parliament. One thing emerged clearly from this campaign: the DP needs further reorganization and structuring, removing careerist people. The result showed that the DP has strength within itself, but it must organize and direct that strength. Another reason, I think, is the DP’s work at the parliamentary and governmental levels. Without dwelling on the positive aspects of what has been done, which no one can deny, I want to say that DP deputies should have worked better and more for their electorate, both through various forms of contact and through their work in Parliament. Unfortunately, some of them, including people in positions within the DP, have engaged in political maneuvering, putting our parliamentary group in a difficult and unfavorable position. Why are the pseudo-democrats afraid of the formerly persecuted? DISCUSSION BY MR. TOMOR DOSTI It is the case that when one seeks to find the evil, I do not need the expression that it is xenophobic and anti… [?], as our opponents naturally… [?] do, wishing to set a trap, to put… [?] their own… [?], for them… [?] there was only … [?] the most barbaric. And indeed, I was not mistaken, perhaps only about the timing of this end. And when freedom, suppressed for so many years, had that volcanic eruption, I, although advanced in age, rejoiced and was enthused by the s…[?] of a new l…[?], and although I was confined in a place of confinement, where I spent most of my life, I was there with my soul and heart, with the heart/embers of Kavajë. (Continued on page 2)

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEEDS FURTHER REORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURING, REMOVING FROM ITS RANKS CAREERISTS AND PSEUDO-DEMOCRATIC ELEMENTS AND BRINGING IN CAPABLE, HONEST AND DEDICATED PEOPLE

On the proposal of the National Council of the Democratic Party, and by free and secret ballot, the extraordinary DP Conference decided to expel from the Party the following gentlemen: Gramoz Pashko, Arben Imami, Preç Zogaj and Arben Demeti, as members of the Party presidium; Ridvan Peshkëpia, Perikli Teta and Edmond Trako, former members of the National Council. The unexpected resignation of Mr. Shahin Kadare was also approved,