STATEMENT OF THE LEADERSHIP OF PDSH An unacceptable and shameful position, harmful to the national interests, taken by the PS representative, Mr. Dokle The leadership of PDSH declares that a phase is beginning in the consolidation of democratic institutions, in deepening reform, in the progress of privatization and in Albania’s integration with Europe and the world. After a year and a half of democratic governance, after the victory of freedom, after the first steps toward the institutionalization of its political, economic and social life, Albania is entering the path of its comprehensive consolidation and functioning. Despite the great difficulties inherited from the past, despite the difficulties caused by the transition process, despite the frantic efforts of left-wing extremists to blacken and destabilize everything, thanks to our work, joint efforts and sacrifices, and thanks to the unprecedented support and understanding of the entire population, the PD at all its levels has realized, and is on the way to fulfilling, the ideals of March 22—the ideals of national and contemporary victory. The PD highly values and appreciates the comments and recommendations of the Commission of countries that are not members of the Council of Europe. It considers the Commission’s declaration that Albania will be admitted to the Council of Europe next year a great recognition for Albanian democracy. At the same time, we consider the position taken by the PS representative, Mr. Dokle, at the meeting with this commission, opposing Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe, unacceptable and shameful for the national interests. This is not only unprecedented in Europe, but once again exposes the anti-Albanian and destabilizing policy of the PS leadership. We believe the honest, patriotic members and supporters of the PS have reached the time to distance themselves from them. The leadership of the PD also highly values and warmly welcomes the recognition by all the parties of the European Democratic Union, whose members supported PDSH’s full membership at the 16th Conference of the leaders of the parties of this union in Budapest, as well as their favorable opinions concerning the PD and Albania. We congratulate this union and will continue to further strengthen the values and principles of the EDU within PDSH and Albanian democratic society. We regard the statement used by the «New Democracy» Party as a desperate and failed act by a party that, unfortunately, has been gripped by nationalist fever. The leadership of PDSH Chairman E. Selami Tirana, 9.09.1993

You were the ones who did nothing but praise Enver Hoxha and extol his victories!... Those who were deeply committed to defending the former forces are destabilizing the country by trying to show that there is no freedom FROM THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION WITH PRESS REPRESENTATIVES At the meeting held by the delega- He initially asked the journalist whether they had done such a thing be-

— From the remarks by MP Gëzim Luli on behalf of the parliamentary Committee for Defense and Public Order concerning the draft law «On ranks in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania». I think this law does not need to be politicized, or given malicious, regionalist and divisive interpretations. We understand Mr. Teta’s remarks, with their nostalgia for the army of Mao Zedong and Enver Hoxha, and consider them understandable. This is not surprising. These people, just as they are trying to bring everything out into the open, are seeking to profane the reform and restructuring of the army. I do not take responsibility for claiming that everything in this reform has been done properly, but to reject every achievement made in the army during this period is political morality. I think the problem in the army does not come from the Trojans and people from Dibër, who are Albanians and very patriotic; the problem in the army comes from Enverism, which is still standing. The old law on «Restoration of Ranks» did not meet all the needs of our armed forces, either for better alignment within the military hierarchy or for functioning as a centralized body within the new structure of the army. (Continued on page 4)

FROM THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION WITH PRESS REPRESENTATIVES the country is being destabilized REPRESENTATIVES At the meeting held by the Council of Europe delegation with representatives of the Albanian mass media, freedom of expression and of the press in Albania was discussed. The first to hurry to express his views on freedom (or rather, on the lack of freedom) of the press was the representative of «ZP». Without facts or arguments (because, as he put it, «I won’t go into arguments»), he declared that there is no genuine freedom of the press in Albania. The most fitting reply to the «ZP» representative came from Mr. Ternak, a member of the delegation and representative of Hungary. He first asked the «ZP» journalist how many years he had worked for that publication. The journalist replied that it had been four years. «So, before democracy came to Albania. Changes began only three years ago. And I’m sure that at that time you had no demands for press freedom and no objections. Back then, all you did was praise E. Hoxha and extol his victories...» «I’m asking the question,» Mr. Ternak continued, «precisely because the same thing happened in Hungary. Those who ran the press are now complaining about a lack of freedom. But if they had done such a thing before, the journalist (pointing at the «ZP» journalist at the time — ed.) would have been met by the police at the door. Those who were committed to defending the former system is no freedom...» Mr. Ternak continued his reply at length, maintaining the same tone throughout. After Mr. Ternak’s reply, the «ZP» journalist tried to say something, but the member of the Council delegation continued the discussion. EDI PALOKA

Draft law «On ranks in the armed forces» — a «demotion» for the PS and Perikli Tela!... — It is proposed that the draft law cover only the ranks in the armed forces of the Ministries of Defense and Public Order. Police officers in other ministries are to be covered by a separate law — The day before yesterday, the People’s Assembly held the final plenary session of the week, at which the Republic of Albania» was presented for discussion. There was dis-... (Continued on page 4)

Mr. Uilliam Rajerson said that the changes that have taken place in Albania after the March elections have been extraordinarily rapid and have produced positive results. Mr. Uilliam Rajerson said that the changes that have taken place in Albania after the March 22 elections have been extraordinarily rapid and have produced positive results. Albania’s Democratic Government and President Berisha are working persistently to build a new society. The American ambassador said that, now that he has begun to know the Albanian people better, he does not find Albania’s progress so rapid surprising. But it is a phenomenon that has made a deep impression on him. As for the economic situation, Mr. Rajerson said that the economic situation, Mr. Rajerson said that the economic situation is very difficult. But he mentioned that the Government has achieved a great deal compared with what one could have imagined two years ago. Inflation is lower than it was when the Democratic Government came to power. And, moreover, it is lower than in other countries where we would like it to be, the ambassador continued. The privatization process is continuing, and the Government plans to bring new laws on foreign investment into force. The Albanian Government is taking appropriate measures in accordance with the rules of the IMF and the World Bank. And, as Mr. Rajerson said, admirable progress has been made in this regard. Regarding political freedom, the American ambassador said that political debate and the development of the press demonstrate this. Although this debate is not as mature as the one taking place in Great Britain, Germany, or other countries that embarked on the path to democracy earlier. But first of all, as Mr. Rajerson said, the fact that the debate continues is evidence of this. The U.S. ambassador has been accused by some press outlets in Albania of interfering in the country’s internal affairs. But he responds to these accusations by emphasizing that supporting democracy is not interference, and that these accusations reflect political immaturity and a lack of authority within the government to distinguish between democratic support and support for various political parties. The constitution is being applied, as are the laws concerning basic constitutional rights and human rights. “There are people making a fuss, saying that Albania has no Constitution and therefore is not a democratic country. I would remind these people of the case of Germany, which adheres to all democratic standards and yet has no written constitution. The Albanian Government knows the country’s problems very well,” said Rajerson. “I think the Albanian Government is very aware of this,” he said. As for relations between the United States and Albania, the ambassador said that they are very good and that the two countries are united by the shared principles of democracy, which they respect and uphold. Albania’s progress so rapid does not surprise me “The Albanian Government knows the country’s problems very well. A fuss about why Albania has no constitution!” Albania’s progress so rapid does not surprise me - The Albanian Government knows the country’s problems very well - A fuss about why Albania has no constitution! A great deal of work is being done to draft the Constitution, but in fact many elements that make up a