Honored Delegates, Honored guests, Honored friends, And honored 2 - cases, As I begin this address, I have before my eyes these 8 months of the life of our political force. It is a road full of sacrifices, but also victories. The 2nd Congress of the DP is being held in the conditions of a difficult but successful political battle. These months have shown that the Democratic Party has become a determining factor in Albanian political life. We have gone through a difficult period, but we have preserved unity, expanded our influence, and strengthened our organization. In every city and village, democrats have been at the forefront of efforts for pluralism, for the rule of law, and for true democracy. On this road we have faced many obstacles, political attacks and attempts to divide us. But nothing has stopped the will of our members and supporters. The DP enters this Congress more mature, more organized and more determined to continue its mission. Albania needs strong institutions, a market economy and democratic order. This is the challenge of our time. We have the duty to contribute so that the transition does not deviate, that the freedoms won are protected, and that citizens feel the improvement of their lives every day. Our party was not created for narrow interests, but to serve Albanian society. Our strength lies in people, in the democratic ideal, in the belief that Albania can become a normal European country. We are convinced that the future is on the side of democracy. At the 2nd National Congress we must make an honest analysis of our work, admit mistakes, and clearly define new directions. We must strengthen structures, increase political responsibility and expand communication with different social groups. Our Congress is a moment of reflection and a new step forward. This forum must express the will of democrats for continuity, reform and new victories. We are here to confirm that the DP remains a serious and responsible alternative for the country. (Continued on page 7) [English] THE 2nd CONGRESS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BEGINS THE TIME WE ARE GOING THROUGH, IN TERMS OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHANGES, IS HISTORIC - The speech delivered by Mr. Eduard Selami, chairman of the DP, at the 2nd National Congress of the Albanian Democratic Party - Honored Delegates, Honored guests, Honored friends, As I begin this address, I have before my eyes these 8 months of the life of our political force. It is a road full of sacrifices, but also victories. The 2nd Congress of the DP is being held in the conditions of a difficult but successful political battle. These months have shown that the Democratic Party has become a determining factor in Albanian political life. We have gone through a difficult period, but we have preserved unity, expanded our influence, and strengthened our organization. In every city and village, democrats have been at the forefront of efforts for pluralism, for the rule of law, and for true democracy. On this road we have faced many obstacles, political attacks and attempts to divide us. But nothing has stopped the will of our members and supporters. The DP enters this Congress more mature, more organized and more determined to continue its mission. Albania needs strong institutions, a market economy and democratic order. This is the challenge of our time. We have the duty to contribute so that the transition does not deviate, that the freedoms won are protected, and that citizens feel the improvement of their lives every day. Our party was not created for narrow interests, but to serve Albanian society. Our strength lies in people, in the democratic ideal, in the belief that Albania can become a normal European country. We are convinced that the future is on the side of democracy. At the 2nd National Congress we must make an honest analysis of our work, admit mistakes, and clearly define new directions. We must strengthen structures, increase political responsibility and expand communication with different social groups. Our Congress is a moment of reflection and a new step forward. This forum must express the will of democrats for continuity, reform and new victories. We are here to confirm that the DP remains a serious and responsible alternative for the country. (Continued on page 7) [Italian] INIZIANO I LAVORI DEL 2° CONGRESSO DEL PARTITO DEMOCRATICO IL TEMPO CHE STIAMO ATTRAVERSANDO, PER RISULTATI E CAMBIAMENTI, È STORICO - Discorso tenuto dal signor Eduard Selami, presidente del PDSH, al 2° Congresso Nazionale del Partito Democratico Albanese - Onorevoli delegati, Onorevoli invitati, Onorevoli amici, Mentre inizio questo intervento, ho davanti agli occhi questi 8 mesi di vita della nostra forza politica. È un percorso pieno di sacrifici, ma anche di vittorie. Il 2° Congresso del PDSH si svolge nelle condizioni di una battaglia politica difficile ma vittoriosa. Questi mesi hanno dimostrato che il Partito Democratico è diventato un fattore determinante nella vita politica albanese. Abbiamo attraversato un periodo difficile, ma abbiamo preservato l'unità, ampliato la nostra influenza e rafforzato la nostra organizzazione. In ogni città e villaggio, i democratici sono stati in prima linea negli sforzi per il pluralismo, per lo stato di diritto e per una vera democrazia. In questo cammino abbiamo affrontato molti ostacoli, attacchi politici e tentativi di dividerci. Ma nulla ha fermato la volontà dei nostri membri e sostenitori. Il PDSH entra in questo Congresso più maturo, più organizzato e più determinato a continuare la sua missione. L'Albania ha bisogno di istituzioni forti, di un'economia di mercato e di un ordine democratico. Questa è la sfida del nostro tempo. Abbiamo il dovere di contribuire affinché la transizione non devii, che le libertà conquistate siano protette e che i cittadini sentano ogni giorno il miglioramento della loro vita. Il nostro partito non è stato creato per interessi ristretti, ma per servire la società albanese. La nostra forza sta nelle persone, nell'ideale democratico, nella convinzione che l'Albania possa diventare un normale paese europeo. Siamo convinti che il futuro sia dalla parte della democrazia. Al 2° Congresso Nazionale dobbiamo fare un'analisi onesta del nostro lavoro, ammettere gli errori e definire chiaramente i nuovi orientamenti. Dobbiamo rafforzare le strutture, aumentare la responsabilità politica ed estendere la comunicazione con i diversi strati della popolazione. Il nostro Congresso è un momento di riflessione e un nuovo passo avanti. Questo forum deve esprimere la volontà dei democratici per continuità, riforma e nuove vittorie. Siamo qui per confermare che il PDSH resta un'alternativa seria e responsabile per il paese. (Continua a pagina 7)

The party that ruled our country had certain characteristics. All of these appear more clearly now in the opposition. If you look at what the PPSH did before the elections, you will better understand what the opposition is doing today. It tries to present itself as a democratic alternative, but in essence remains hostage to the past. The opposition has chosen the path of obstruction, baseless contestation and slander. This does not serve the country. Albanians expect ideas, programs and responsibility, not mere opposition for the sake of opposition. We need a genuine opposition that controls the government, criticizes with arguments and offers solutions. But what we have seen so far is spiteful behavior that damages institutions and the democratic climate. Democracy cannot function with hatred and blockages. It needs a culture of debate, respect for rules and national responsibility. We are ready to face any serious criticism, but we cannot accept the distortion of truth. Parliament is the place for debate, not sabotage. Deputies must be an example of democratic conduct and dignified representation of citizens. This is the duty of each of us. (Continued on page 2) [English] WE DO NOT HAVE A GENUINE OPPOSITION, BUT SPITEFUL PEOPLE - From the discussion of the chairman of the Presidency of the People's Assembly, Mr. PETER ARBNORI - The party that ruled our country had certain characteristics. All of these appear more clearly now in the opposition. If you look at what the PPSH did before the elections, you will better understand what the opposition is doing today. It tries to present itself as a democratic alternative, but in essence remains hostage to the past. The opposition has chosen the path of obstruction, baseless contestation and slander. This does not serve the country. Albanians expect ideas, programs and responsibility, not mere opposition for the sake of opposition. We need a genuine opposition that controls the government, criticizes with arguments and offers solutions. But what we have seen so far is spiteful behavior that damages institutions and the democratic climate. Democracy cannot function with hatred and blockages. It needs a culture of debate, respect for rules and national responsibility. We are ready to face any serious criticism, but we cannot accept the distortion of truth. Parliament is the place for debate, not sabotage. Deputies must be an example of democratic conduct and dignified representation of citizens. This is the duty of each of us. (Continued on page 2) [Italian] NON ABBIAMO UNA VERA OPPOSIZIONE, MA PERSONE PETULANTI E OSTILI - Dalla discussione del presidente della Presidenza dell'Assemblea Popolare, sig. PETER ARBNORI - Il partito che ha governato il nostro paese aveva alcune caratteristiche. Tutte queste emergono ora più chiaramente nell'opposizione. Se guardate ciò che faceva il PPSH prima delle elezioni, capirete meglio ciò che fa oggi l'opposizione. Essa cerca di presentarsi come un'alternativa democratica, ma in sostanza resta prigioniera del passato. L'opposizione ha scelto la strada dell'ostruzionismo, della contestazione senza fondamento e della calunnia. Questo non serve il paese. Gli albanesi si aspettano idee, programmi e responsabilità, non una semplice opposizione per il gusto di opporsi. Abbiamo bisogno di una vera opposizione che controlli il governo, critichi con argomenti e offra soluzioni. Ma ciò che abbiamo visto finora è un comportamento astioso che danneggia le istituzioni e il clima democratico. La democrazia non può funzionare con odio e blocchi. Ha bisogno di una cultura del dibattito, del rispetto delle regole e della responsabilità nazionale. Siamo pronti ad affrontare ogni critica seria, ma non possiamo accettare la deformazione della verità. Il Parlamento è il luogo del dibattito, non del sabotaggio. I deputati devono essere un esempio di comportamento democratico e di dignitosa rappresentanza dei cittadini. Questo è il dovere di ciascuno di noi. (Continua a pagina 2)

Yesterday, on 4 December 1993 at 10:00, the 12th session of the National Council of the Congress held its work in the plenary hall of PDSSH. In the presidium of this Congress were present the chairman of PDSSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, chairman of PDSSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, chairman of the People's Assembly Council...