Professor Besojta invited intellectuals to feel and better understand the situation Albanian society is going through, the challenges it is facing and the processes unfolding in the country. With his message, what began today with the intellectuals, this invitation tonight still applies today; it has its own motive. We have reached that stage of the country's development where the problems are numerous and acute, and in solving them a very important role must be played by the intelligentsia and Albanian intellectuals. By this we mean not only well-known intellectuals, not only the great figures of science, culture and art, but all those citizens who, through their activity, contribute to the culture of Albanian thought and civilization. Today's Albanians of the 1990s have a great need to be clear about their path. They have come out of a closed system and are facing extraordinary challenges. The path of democracy, the rule of law, a market economy and integration into Europe requires free thought, civic courage and true dedication. Intellectuals, he said, have a special duty: to help society understand change, not to be afraid of it, but to take part in it. To explain, to clarify, to criticize when necessary, and to support when it is in the country's interest. In this sense, he said that Albania cannot move forward without its intellectual elite. Albanian society must not remain hostage to prejudices, fear and the legacy of closed ideology. We need a new spirit, a new citizenship, a new public morality. He pointed out that freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. If we want a free society, we must also accept the burden of responsibility that this freedom brings for each of us. The intellectual cannot stand aside. His silence, when the country needs his voice, is a failure of civic duty. In conclusion, it was emphasized that the conversation with intellectuals will continue and that their contribution is expected to be direct in public debate, academic life, the media and the shared effort to move Albania forward.

From the activist group of the Tirana branch of the PD — Meri Popesa 2, Eduard Selami [?] In the meeting with the activists, discussion focused on the progress of organizing activities in the Tirana branch and on the demand that every member of the Democratic Party be closer to citizens, more honest in duty and more committed to the party's ideals. Emphasis was placed on the fact that the people's trust is not won with words, but with conduct, civic humility and willingness to take responsibility. PD members must be an example in respecting the law, in relations with the public and in defending the general interest. The meeting discussed the need to improve the quality of internal debate, to practice honest criticism and to avoid any display of arrogance, careerism or personal gain. It was said that the Democratic Party, as the force carrying the main weight of reforms, must also be more attentive to the moral standards of its membership. Only in this way can the bond with the people be strengthened and trust in it increased. Finally, the activists emphasized that the branches and structures should work more with citizens, young people and intellectuals, so that the PD remains the most credible force of democratic change in the country.

The allegations of Grasshurg are examined [?] Through a public statement, claims of irregularities in the administration of European Community aid for Albania were rejected. The response says that the procedures were followed according to the rules and that there is no place for political insinuations aimed at damaging the country's image. According to the statement, every fund was monitored and every program had the relevant supervision. It was also said that European partners had full knowledge of the progress of the projects and that cooperation with them had been correct. The accusations were described as unfounded and harmful, especially at a time when the country needs international trust and continuity of foreign aid. It was requested that any doubt be handled institutionally and not through slander in public. In conclusion, the reaction underlined that Albania has a vital interest in maintaining clean relations with the European Community and that transparency in the use of aid is an uncompromising principle.

[?] Let us see not only what we have achieved, but also what we must achieve Value, begins the month — the 69 members of the head structure for the PD's function [?] This material presents several positions on the balance of the work done so far and on the further tasks of the party structures. The emphasis is on the need to look not only at achievements, but also at the problems that still remain to be solved. It was said that the results achieved so far should not lead to complacency. On the contrary, they should serve as an incentive to work better, to strengthen organization and to deepen ties with citizens. The conference assessed that the party must be closer to people's concerns and better able to respond to the demands of the time. Emphasis was placed on the importance of communication, transparency and organizational discipline. (Continues on page 2)