President Berisha’s address to the National Council of the DP We have completed 18 months of government by the DP and two other parties in coalition. I believe this has been a period of great change in Albania. At a time when Albania was sliding toward the precipice, new forces came to power, overcame all the ominous predictions and, in practice, set the country on the right path, on the track of reform. In this regard, no one can deny that, in foreign policy, Albania emerged from isolation. It has taken important steps toward integration into the international community and made significant progress in establishing the full range of relations necessary for national security and the development of democracy. Albania has made important progress toward economic reform and the creation of the rule of law. It is certain that this was a difficult period, a period in which the democratic forces as a whole were truly put to a major historic test, and they successfully made this transition. We are certain that this time was short and difficult, but, nevertheless, it was a period of consolidating democratic institutions, consolidating Albania’s position in the process of integration, consolidating the rule of law and consolidating free enterprise. If we think that what we have achieved so far will be enough for us to move forward, we will be gravely mistaken. On the contrary, we can now make use of all our potential to coordinate the ways in which we consolidate what we have achieved. In this regard, the maxim is apt: “What you have achieved in freedom, you can surpass only by expanding freedom.” From ... And the right exists; it must be discovered. Therefore, let us not use the force of the voting card to impose a questionable right, but let us decide on better laws through dialogue and consensus. In this regard, I ask the group, and insist that it create space for the parliamentary groups with which we are in coalition, but also give space to opposition MPs; this is an essential condition for a parliament to produce good laws. If we are to expand freedom and safeguard it, we must bring everything into line with the charter of human rights, and all the laws we enact must be consistent with human rights. Outside this framework, we cannot ensure a democratic Albania. Secondly, we must necessarily increase the role of the MP. I ask the Presidium of the Assembly and the Prime Minister to take all the necessary measures to ensure that MPs are provided with the ro- If we are not constructive toward the opposition, we can be sure that we will make mistakes for which history will judge us harshly tomorrow. The government must establish immediate, medium- and long-term priorities. To clarify and refine them, the government must seek the assistance of other institutions. Considering the privatization of medium-sized and large enterprises a major issue, I appreciate the practice of securities, and we are working to regulate them and put them in their proper place. The state cannot function solely through the will of a few; the state functions only on the basis of the law and respect for the law. What is “reality”? The reality is that there are many laws. First, a legal system has been created that is not very suitable. Second: We need a great deal of work and a strong institutional culture in state institutions, including from intellectuals of the PR, PSD, independent intellectuals, etc., etc. Above all, national aspirations take precedence over party aims. Therefore, in this regard, I believe that quality must be respected and continually improved. I am extremely pleased with the candidates put forward by the PR and PSD in the municipalities of the Dibër district. Greetings to the voters of Zerqan and Luzni, especially to those who voted differently on 26 July. The DP must not monopolize everything. We must broaden our base; we must accept change. The stronger the base, the more secure Albania will be, and the more secure democracy will be. We live in a turbulent period, in a destabilized region. We must therefore bear in mind that it is in the national interest for as many people as possible to be on our side, and we must carefully revisit all the promises we have made and keep them. We must judge people not by their biographies, but by their actions... Likewise, the DP’s position on the war is clear. We pay unquestioned tribute to all those who fought and fell for the freedom of these lands throughout the ages, including in the National Liberation War. There can be no wavering on this. We must be guided by the most humane and compassionate principles, not by the principle of “this one was this way, that one was that way”... - The spirit of dialogue must prevail among the political forces. - Tribute to all those who fought for the nation and for freedom. - We must broaden our base, ... of the rule of law, and the consolidation of now make use of all our potential to coordinate ways of consolidating only by expanding freedom.” We must all be guided by this so that we can consolidate what we have achieved. The most important thing is for us to move on to a concrete analysis. I would say that it is essential in our work to forget what we have achieved and turn our attention to what we have not accomplished. It is true that the DP has carried out its program and kept its promises, together with the other forces that took on the task of governing. But it is also true that there is much to do, and it is equally true that we cannot move forward if we live only on our achievements. We must always look at the difficult side of the problem. It demands effort. It urges us to move forward in consolidating the state, advancing reform and promoting free enterprise. I emphasize once again that the expansion of freedom is the main source for consolidating democracy and strengthening what we have achieved. In this regard, let us take another look at all the structures at our disposal. First, all the institutions of Albanian democracy must review their activities. I believe the parliamentary group cannot work as it has up to now. It is true that it has done admirable work. But it is also true that today it must be more rational and more exacting in all its future work. Some developments and positions are expressing themselves ... Therefore, this parliamentary group must find ways of working that prevent and accelerate the curbing of these phenomena, and it must establish dialogue as a norm and a way of working. Gentlemen, it is true that we have the voting cards and the majority, and this must be respected. But there is another truth: laws are not simply a matter of the majority; laws belong where the right and the proper place for them are. Suitable working conditions must be ensured for them. This will make their work more effective. This is essential, since they were elected by free vote, and we must give them the opportunity to perform their function. Likewise, the government is obliged to consult all party leaders and political forces in government on all its important decisions. Consultation with the opposition is also possible when it has a useful view on matters where this is considered appropriate. Our attitude toward the opposition is an issue we must keep in mind. I consider the emergence of left-wing extremism at the head of the opposition a regrettable fact for Albania. But none of us should be intolerant of the opposition’s full diversity. If we do not form a coalition with it, it must understand that this is in the opposition’s own interest. The opposition is the opposition and must be respected as such. Elections offer a political alternative. Naturally, it would be immoral to identify the opposition with a group that has genuinely undertaken actions and made statements unacceptable in a democratic society. Nevertheless, in this situation we must develop debate; we must not restrict the opposition’s constructive activities, so that we can also develop dialogue with the other political forces and deepen democracy. If we do not develop debate, if we do not serve party’s ba- Secondly: I am sorry, but I can say here that one of the negative traits of today’s government officials is that they treat the law as a matter of ethics. Mr. Minister of Construction, what if tens of thousands of tons of cement go missing? Mr. Minister of Finance, what if tens of thousands of lekë go missing through the controls and programs of the financial police; what if fertilizer goes missing in Agriculture, and there are losses in the Ministry of Industry as well? You are the main people responsible before the homeland. First and foremost, you are responsible for enforcing the law. You made this law; you enforce it. Otherwise, you will find yourselves in a very unpleasant situation. Finally, I want to turn briefly to the DP. The DP can play its role in broadening the spectrum and improving self-government. The values of this party have ... They enjoy a ... altogether so that it can meet the challenges ahead. By self-government we mean correcting all those problems that may have departed from the Democratic Party’s program. will continue to be in favor of a coalition. But remember that, when we had the dictatorship, we planted love in people’s hearts and signed agreements with the PR, PSD and the Association of Political Prisoners, as well as independent circumstances and people selected for this. Thus, we have a moral obligation that unites us. Therefore, it is essential to be very careful in how we treat the figures of the National Liberation War and the victims of the dictatorship. They are the victims and martyrs of democracy. Let us not allow the martyrs of freedom to become a propaganda monopoly of the left. I believe that a party with the strength to correct itself is a party that looks to the future, and that is important. At first, we came to power without experience. Now the changes can be seen everywhere, at every level. We must be attentive to making the necessary and appropriate changes for the good of the nation and the homeland. Because only in this way will we move forward. There is also an extreme left and an extreme right. The DP has a clearly defined centre-right position. I believe we should hold the DP’s second national congress in December and consider renewal and self-correction, so that we can once again meet the great challenges posed by the new phase of consolidating democratic victories. Tirana, 17.9.1993.

— From Mr. E. Selami’s conclusions at the meeting of the National Council of the DP — The National Council met at an important time for resolving important Albanian issues and addressing current developments and the prospects for democracy in our country. It noted that the DP has kept its promises and achieved progress in the overall democratic reform, but also needs to act more quickly and to be self-correcting and realistic. This was expressed in the reforms and in resolving the problems of our country. It is true that we drafted and implemented our program. This is the key to our success. It is a platform for which an absolute majority of Albanians voted, and it obliges us to stand against every extreme, right-wing or left-wing. The DP is a centre-right party. The National Council of the DP considers it reasonable to maintain the joint conduct of leadership at every level, namely within the party, the government and parliament. At this level, the DP’s representatives must return to the DP, since they bear responsibilities to the people. In this respect, this is a shared duty for everyone, and we all cooperate with the people, regarding this communication as very important. The National Council reassessed the coalition with the PR and PSD, considering it reasonable to broaden this coalition. It likewise deemed a firm stance against the left-wing extreme necessary, as a form of communism’s survival and a destructive, ruinous and highly dangerous platform. The National Council also emphasized that the DP will never put party interests above national interests. In this sense, the DP will be open to every kind of cooperation that serves the cause of freedom, democracy in Albania, the affirmation of our nation and its moral, spiritual, historical and social values. It was emphasized here that the DP’s position toward the historical values of the National Liberation War and the martyrs of the Albanian nation is, and will remain, affirmative. This is particularly important when these fallen heroes fought and died for the freedom and democracy of our nation; in this sense, we are committed to the great human ideals that define a nation. An important national issue is broadening the party’s base. Let us not close our doors to people who believe in the DP’s program. Our party is not a party of biographies. This is in Albania’s interest and in the interest of democracy, and will serve to affirm the new people who love the DP. This requirement means that we must return to the structuring and organization of the party at every level. It is also important that we make every effort to fight corruption, describing it as politically unacceptable. This means that the DP must make no compromises with those involved in it. It means that the DP must be sincere and must have a clean moral compass in politics. Finally, the council ... decided that the second congress of the LDSH would be convened at the beginning of December 1993.

Yesterday, at the invitation of the American Senate, a PDSHI delegation departed for the USA. The delegation includes Mr. Eduard Selami, chairman of the PDSHI, and Ali Spahia, the party’s deputy chairman and head of its parliamentary group. The delegation will hold meetings at various levels in the American Congress, the White House and the State Department. As part of Albania’s efforts to develop its relations with America, possibilities for further increasing cooperation between the two countries will be explored. PDSHI Press and Information Office

DIALOGUE IS NECESSARY. THE SPIRIT OF DIALOGUE MUST PREVAIL IN THE DP, NOT ONLY WITHIN THE DP, BUT ALSO AMONG THE OTHER POLITICAL FORCES. I HAVE BEEN, I AM, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN FAVOR OF A COALITION. Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha