The meeting of the chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, with intellectuals from the city of Korça On the most acute problems that concern the country today, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, held a meeting yesterday with intellectuals from the city of Korça. In his speech, Mr. Selami pointed out that the democrats came to power at a very difficult moment for the country, when Albanians were confronting freedom for the first time. After the euphoria over the free vote, a period of great sacrifices began in order to overcome the legacy of communism. “Many people then asked,” said Mr. Selami, “how such serious wounds from 46 years would be healed so quickly? We could not work miracles. Time was needed and, above all, the work of all Albanians was needed. We inherited a ruined economy, a paralyzed industry, a shattered agriculture, an incapable administration and a spirit of distrust and fear that had spread everywhere.” He stressed that the DP and its government are making great efforts to stabilize the situation, to establish order and law, to create the conditions for a market economy and to open the country to the democratic world. But, according to him, reforms cannot move forward without the support of the intelligentsia, without free thought and without constructive criticism. Mr. Selami particularly focused on the responsibility of the intellectual in times of historic change. The intellectual, he said, should not shut himself away in silence or remain waiting, but should take an active part in public debate, help shape a civic climate and contribute knowledge and experience to solving problems. Referring to the difficult economic situation, he said that shortages, unemployment and the decline in living standards are consequences of a system that has completely failed. However, there is no road back. “We have chosen the path of freedom, democracy and the market economy, and this path, however difficult, is the only one that gives Albania a future,” he said. At the meeting, intellectuals from Korça raised various concerns related to education, culture, scientific life, local administration, the economic situation of families, and the need to fight corruption, abuse and arbitrariness. More communication with the public and more space for dissenting views were also requested. The chairman of the DP valued the opinions expressed and said that the party considers the intelligentsia an important partner in the reform process. He underlined that democracy cannot be built without the active citizen, without the intellectual elite and without institutions that respect the law. At the end of the meeting, the need for dialogue, understanding and the involvement of the best forces of the nation in facing today’s difficulties and building the future was emphasized.

From President Berisha's visit to Germany At last, after 50 years of the democrats’ insistence, the President of the Republic of Albania is carrying out a visit to the largest and most powerful country in Europe, Germany. This visit is especially significant because it takes place at a time when Albania is trying to emerge from its long isolation and enter the normal currents of European development. It marks an important step in the international affirmation of the Albanian state. President Berisha’s meetings with high-ranking figures of the German state and with representatives of political and economic circles demonstrate the interest in Albania and in the path of democratic reforms. This visit is expected to have a positive impact on the expansion of economic, political and cultural cooperation between the two countries. Germany’s stance toward the democratic processes in Albania is a great encouragement for the reform forces and for all those who believe that the country’s future is tied to Europe. This future requires work, sacrifice, responsibility and determination. The visit to Germany also has symbolic value: it shows that Albania is definitively moving away from the totalitarian past and is seeking its natural place in the family of free European nations. (Continued on p. 4)

On Monday, a delegation of the Islamic Conference held meetings with Albanian authorities and representatives of various institutions. The visit was presented as part of an interest in developments in Albania and in the possibilities for cooperation in various fields. During its stay, the delegation became acquainted with the country’s economic and social situation, with urgent needs and with efforts toward institutional rebuilding. The talks addressed issues of humanitarian aid, investments and support for education and culture. Albanian representatives stressed the need for concrete and long-term cooperation, emphasizing that Albania needs partners who respect its independence and support democratic reforms. (Continued on p. 4)

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