FREEDOM WILL SAVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALBANIA, IT WILL ELEVATE OUR COUNTRY EVEN MORE - Speech by President of the Republic Sali Berisha - (Continued on page 5) FREEDOM WILL SAVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALBANIA, IT WILL ELEVATE OUR COUNTRY EVEN MORE - Speech by President of the Republic Sali Berisha - Honourable Mr. Chairman, Honourable Mr. Prime Minister, Ladies and gentlemen, This congress closes today after a fierce, dialogic, not easy struggle. The wish of this congress has been clear: for the party to emerge stronger than when it entered it. First of all, you have tried to govern your party well. The truth is that in a person one always sees what interests him. Overall, there has been in this congress a spirit of open trust. So, there was to be an open spirit, there was to be accountability and not intrigue. There was to be clarity and not fog. There was to be ideas and not phrases and clichés, for Mr. Selami, for Mr. Meksi, and for others. This is not only due to your merit, but also to the merit of that political force, which we are fighting for, and which we try to promote in our culture, tradition and history. Regardless of the rules of good democracy, I must therefore say that we are a new political force for the country, built in an extremely difficult time, which we have gone through with an Albania as you know it. For these reasons and in these conditions, this debate, this contest and this decision of this congress are necessary for the democracy of our party. At this moment I cannot fail to recall that, as I have said before, I respect Mr. Meksi, his work and his contribution in government, but naturally the majority of delegates decided for Mr. Selami as party chairman. This is an expression of democratic will and must be respected by all. Albania faces major challenges. We must defend and expand the party’s social spectrum, strengthen institutions, carry reforms forward and not fall prey to pointless quarrels. Our path is the market economy, individual freedom, the rule of law and integration with the Western world. I believe that freedom will save Albania’s development; it will elevate our country even more. But freedom requires responsibility, courage and determination. In this sense, this congress has given an important message not only to the Democratic Party, but to the entire Albanian society. (Continued on page 5)

As a continuation of the events undertaken for the overthrow of the totalitarian communist system and the establishment of democracy in Albania, the Second Congress of the Albanian Democratic Party, held in Tirana on 5 and 6 December 1993, notes with satisfaction that the voice of economic and political change is now irreversible and has been supported by the majority of the Albanian people. It is the result of deep political and economic reforms, of the efforts and great sacrifices of the Albanian people, of its democratic government, and of fruitful cooperation with international friends and partners. The congress emphasizes that the Democratic Party will continue to be the main force for reforms, for the rule of law and for Albania’s European integration. It will further strengthen ties with citizens, with vulnerable groups, with youth, intellectuals, the peasantry and entrepreneurs, in order to broaden its social and political base. The congress condemns any attempt to hinder the progress of reforms and calls for unity, moderation and national responsibility. (Continued on page 7)

Mr. Selami on the first issues after taking the new mandate (Continued on page 5) At 1:15 p.m. yesterday, Monday, 6 December 1993, Mr. Tritan Shehu arrived at the headquarters of the leadership of the Democratic Party. A few moments later, Mr. Eduard Selami entered the same headquarters. The meeting of the standing organizational committee was to begin 20 minutes late. Together with the final decision on Mr. Eduard Selami’s candidacy for chairman of the PD, the committee had on its agenda the discussion of the formula for replacing the post of secretary general as well as the debate concerning the parliamentary group and the youth forum. Around 2:30 p.m. the committee’s work ended, and Mr. Selami, accompanied by other PD leaders, went out to wait in the office for journalists. The smiling face, which perhaps should not be read beyond a relative fatigue, conveyed a common denominator of the new situation. For about 20 minutes Mr. Selami answered journalists without hiding behind ready-made formulations. We publish the questions and the first answers after his re-election as chairman of the Democratic Party. Question: What does your victory mean against a strong candidacy such as Mr. Meksi’s? Mr. Selami: I think that with my victory, above all, the Democratic Party wins. It is very important that you know that with a prolongation of this process, a certain amount of confusion would have arisen in the party. In this sense, this victory truly expresses at the same time the maturity of the majority of the membership. But it must also be said that the small size of the difference sends a signal to the leadership, for the energetic resolution of the problems that remain. Perhaps I am referring to the major problems that the next congress will solve, but especially to the parliamentary group, for which solutions still need to be found by this forum, so as to avoid unnecessary confrontations, while at the same time avoiding any kind of forced and harmful balancing solution. Question: Were there really violations during the electoral process? Mr. Selami: No. As far as I have been informed, there was no problem with the voting process. There were claims from my opponent’s side, and they were verified. I am not going into the substance of the problems my opponent had with the committee, but I know that the process as a whole had no serious violations. In fact, to be correct, I should mention another aspect as well. At the time when Mr. Meksi requested that the voting deadline be extended by three hours, I agreed with that request, in order to make possible the participation of as many PD members as possible in the elections for party chairman. Now I do not think I need to make the statement that those who have lost must analyze victory or defeat in order to find responsibility where it lies. As far as I know, the standing organizational committee also analyzed the electoral process and found no problems of such a nature as to cast doubt on the will of the majority of the party membership. Moreover, it should be taken into account that representatives of the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute were also present in connection with the elections. They too have no such objections. Question: At the end of your speech before the delegates there was a break during which you called for Mr. Meksi to be voted in by majority. Why did you take that decision? Mr. Selami: That was my individual wish and I do not think it has any special meaning. It was necessary because for a party like ours it is not normal for decision-making to be carried out through unnecessary confrontations, down to 50 plus one type votes. That was all. Question: Will you change relations with the government after this result? Mr. Selami: In a way, yes. Not institutional relations, but the party’s vigilance toward the government and the executive as a whole will undoubtedly increase. It has been observed, and for the first time it is being admitted, that the government has not been up to the task in facing this year’s challenges. I believe that the executive’s figures will understand this too and, instead of becoming irritated, will contribute more to improving what is going well and correcting what is going badly. Ultimately, the thesis of dividing powers between the government and the party is becoming increasingly clear. This principle is in the interest of better governance and of strengthening the party’s political profile. However, I do not believe there are major discrepancies between the government and the party, because as you can see Mr. Meksi is a deputy chairman of the PD and undoubtedly has an important role in the party’s leadership forums. Question: What is your message in this case? Mr. Selami: My message is clear. We must work as a team toward consolidating reforms and expanding the electoral base. I have liked, and have always had, a slogan of the American President Clinton: it’s the economy, stupid. I think this reflection imposes constructiveness and realism. Fundamental for us is to understand that people seek more work, more welfare, less political fatigue, and more concrete solutions.

13. Blerim Çela 14. Isuf N. Hoxha 15. Bashkim Shehi 16. Besnik Broci 17. Veli Elbasani 18. Bashkora Sanduli 19. Spiro Hyskoçaj 20. Përdom Meksi 21. Ilirian Hasko 22. Gege Pëllo 23. Genc Ruli 24. Halit Shamata 25. Hysen Osmanaj 26. Ibrahim Vysaj 27. Iliaz Yrbaj 28. Jile Ilirasi 29. Ilush Manxhall 30. Ismet Prençi 31. Izet Sejfulla 1. Ali Spahia 2. Arif Brecani 3. Afrerd Veliqe[?] 4. Bardhyl Miska 5. Agron Mustaj 6. Arben Hoxha 7. Astrit Tafja 8. Azem Hajdari 9. Blerim Hoxha 10. Bujar Klosi 11. Brahim Metani 12. Bashkim Tranova