THE SECOND NATIONAL CONGRESS EXPRESSED ITS FULL SUPPORT FOR THE DP PROGRAM, AND SECURED FURTHER POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENT BERISHA. With the successful conclusion of the proceedings of the Second National Congress of the Democratic Party, the DP’s political position in the center-right was strengthened, thereby affirming the most serious program ever presented to the Albanian people by any political force. The program includes the protection of human freedoms and rights, respect for political opinions and political constitutionality, expansion of the party and appreciation of intellectual thought, protection of the expansion of property and a new social policy, promotion of free competition, and development of the social market economy. This means that the DP program speaks to the aspirations and hopes of the majority for an emancipated society founded on respect for the freedoms of others. The Second National Congress of the DP raised the party’s organizational work, structure, communication, and leadership to a higher level. It acknowledged that the experience gained over these three years has been very rich, and that its conclusions provide a strong basis for further improving the DP’s organization and modernization. The call by DP Chairman Mr. Eduard Selami to all party workers, leaders, and activists to prepare the DP for the 1996 elections is undoubtedly a major program and goal for all Albanian democrats. Indeed, securing power for another term would be a victory not only for the DP but, first and foremost, for democratic Albania and the entire Albanian nation. The DP’s Second Congress realistically assessed the achievements and shortcomings recorded during its two years in government. First of all, it recognized the patriotism of the Albanian people in overcoming the many difficulties of these years. …to find ways and mechanisms for Albania’s development and to make up for lost time. Our present and future depend on resolving this vital problem for Albania. The Congress gave special recognition to the contribution of the founder and first chairman of the DP, now President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, in opening Albania up and integrating it with Europe and the international community, and in bringing it closer to and fostering cooperation with European and international institutions such as the European Union, NATO, NACC, EFTA, the Islamic Conference, etc. This has enabled Albania to emerge from its long Communist isolation and appear with dignity on the European and world stage. The Congress also stressed that it does not view Albania’s full integration into these institutions as an urgent or hurried process, but as an important and vital act for our entire nation. The Congress identified as its main objectives the opening of Albania and its integration into Europe, securing the support needed to advance internal reforms in Albania, and resolving the national question. It should also be emphasized that, for the first time in the history of the Albanian state, the Second Congress of the DP of Albania, through important theses put forward by President Berisha, clearly defined our national policy as a prudent and resolute policy leading to a solution of the pan-Albanian question in the Balkans. Mr. Berisha stressed: «The Albanian question is undoubtedly one of the most acute issues; without a just solution to it, the Balkan question cannot be resolved». Finally, it should be said that the National Congress expressed its full support for the government’s program and President Berisha… ...a great joy for all Albanian democrats; at the same time, securing another term in power is a victory not only for the PD, but a grave [victory] for all of democratic Albania and the entire Albanian nation. The Second Congress of the PD realistically assessed the shortcomings and achievements during these two years of its time in power. First, it recognized the patriotism of the Albanian people in coping with the difficult economic reform and, at the same time, the reform of the PD, the government and President Berisha will use every opportunity to ease as much as possible the consequences of Albania’s transition, as President Berisha also said in his address to the Congress: “The time in which we live and the great challenges that lie ahead demand of us today ...” ... achievements, undoubtedly one of the most pressing issues, without whose just resolution the issue of issues—the relations in the Balkans—cannot be resolved. Mr. Berisha stressed that “The Albanian question is resolved. Finally, it must for the PD’s program and assured its continued political support for the Government and President Berisha, for the country’s further development and the consolidation of democracy, marking as its major conclusion: “Increasing the scope of freedom and expanding its boundaries.” MUJE BUÇPAPAJ

President Berisha received Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hikmet Çetin. President Berisha expressed his pleasure at the visit and described it as a further step toward intensifying the very friendly and brotherly relations with Turkey. «Cooperation with your country he told the head of Turkish diplomacy. Foreign Minister Çetin said that Albania is not merely a friendly country to us, but one with ties of blood. We have no problems in our relations and should work to deepen cooperation in every field. They went on to discuss the Albania–Macedonia–Bulgaria–Turkey trans-Balkan road project, for which the transport ministers should meet regularly; cooperation in telecommunications; facilitating the movement of citizens; and foreign cooperation between the two countries. Military cooperation was also discussed in particular. President Berisha stressed that Albania is seeking to integrate into NATO. The new forms of cooperation proposed include more security components for countries striving for peace. Mr. Çetin said that the North Atlantic Alliance would deepen and expand, and that Turkey supports Albania’s membership in it, which Albania sought earlier than other countries. Minister Çetin praised our country’s policy and efforts for peace and stability in the region and stressed that Albania has Turkey’s full support in this regard. The Turkish minister expressed concern about the situation in Kosovo and informed the President about his efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading in the South. Such a development would bring war to our region and to him. President Berisha, after stressing the need for a political solution in Kosovo, said that maintaining UN sanctions against Serbia until it accepts such a solution was essential. We support dialogue and an agreement, but as an Albanian nation we will resist a massacre. Both sides held the same views on the situation in the region and their positions regarding it. The Turkish Foreign Minister conveyed President Demirel’s greetings to President Berisha, as well as a letter from Prime Minister Tansu Çiller. (ATSH)

From the meeting of Prime Minister Meksi with Turkish Foreign Minister Çetin. - On the afternoon of 6 December, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi received Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Çetin. Mr. Çetin, after expressing his thanks and pleasure at the meeting, conveyed to Prime Minister Meksi the warm greetings and best wishes of his Turkish counterpart, Çiller. «Your official visit to Turkey,» Mr. Çetin added, «was short but fruitful. We would like these high-level meetings to be repeated, because Albania and Turkey are countries that have no problems between them and that, in addition to historical, cultural, etc. ties, also have ties of blood». Mr. Meksi expressed to Mr. Çetin the gratitude of the Albanian people and their government toward the friendly Turkish people and the Turkish government. «I am sure,» Mr. Meksi stressed, «that will continue to be present in the future». Further on, the Deputy Prime Minister and Çetin discussed concrete possibilities for bilateral cooperation in transport and telecommunications; the implementation of the project to build the Durrës–Shkup–Sofje–Stamboll highway; speeding up the process concerning the 15-million-dollar loan that Turkey is granting Albania; expanding trade activity; the issue of avoiding double taxation, etc. Discussing the situation in the region, Mr. Meksi said that Albania is interested in peace in the Balkans, and particularly in good relations with its neighbors; therefore, its policy is peaceful and just. Mr. Çetin supported Mr. Meksi and stressed that the conflict must not be allowed to spread into Kosovo. «For this reason,» he added, «we have warned all the international institutions». Mr. Çetin said that Turkey was pleased that Albania had embarked on a path of dialogue with Greece, and that Turkey considers cooperation among the Balkan countries beneficial. (ATSH)

Enver Hoxha | From the last meeting of the Council

In view of the developments of this week, and especially of recent times, Mr. Kalakula’s statement is not so unexpected. 2. Speaking also on behalf of MP Baleta, Kalakula is trying to take up the banner of the fight against communism, the banner of the fight against democracy. But as for freedom and democracy, I have only one thing to say to these gentlemen: in the elections of 22 March, they committed themselves to fighting the implementation of the DP’s program; let the disagreements speak for themselves. These disagreements are not disagreements with the DP, nor with the DP parliamentary group. They are differences and disagreements with the DP’s program. It has been characterized by the ladies, and by how far their lord will push them. Mr. Kalakula accepted the post of minister in order to implement the DP’s program for land distribution, and then continually opposed the practical implementation of this program; he was forced to choose between the minister’s program and implementing the DP’s program on the one hand, and other choices opposed to the program on the other. He again chooses to promise that he will implement the DP’s program. Nevertheless, I regret to say, he prefers to give up land for his family and abandon both the DP’s program and Albania’s interests. The DP gave Mr. Kalakula the opportunity to come and freely express his views, as everyone did at the Second National Congress. Instead, Mr. Kalakula, as a dishonest careerist, chose underhanded means: statements and interviews in various newspapers. But that is Mr. Kalakula’s business. I would also say that it is Mr. Kalakula’s business, and Mr. Baleta’s business. They have removed it, and Mr. Baleta’s too. They have removed it in keeping with their conscience and character, but that is not acceptable, because they must openly fulfill the DP’s program in Parliament. Now, the mandate the DP gave them, the mandate the electorate gave them in the name of the DP’s program, they must present for their own purposes, for another program, for another political line in Parliament. That is a matter of their conscience and character. The DP has made it clear in its program that it is committed to fighting communism, committed to eradicating communism, committed to creating a completely open Albania, and committed to granting the Albanian people their fundamental freedoms and human rights. The DP has fully implemented all these points of its program, often in opposition to the views of Mr. Kalakula and Mr. Baleta, both here in the ranks of the parliamentary group with the two gentlemen mentioned above and within the DP, in the case of Mr. Kalakula. We have been open; we have been loyal. We will continue to be open. We are opposed to left-wing extremism. We are also opposed to right-wing extremism, to calls in favor of fascism, and to calls in favor of those who want blood, who, for the sake of some approval of private property, are ready to turn Albania into a hotbed of civil war. We are and will remain uncompromising in our work to guarantee fundamental human freedoms, democracy, and the creation of a fully open democratic Albania for all, avoiding both the extremist views of Mr. Kalakula and Mr. Baleta and those of other left-wing extremists whenever they are put forward in Parliament. Thank you.

The citizens of Tirana will once again have the pleasure these days of recalling the days of February ’91, when the dictator’s monument was toppled and dragged through the streets of Tirana. This opportunity will be provided by the Italian filmmaker Giani Amelio, with the filming of his new retrospective film about the events of late 1990 in Albania. Amelio filmed the first mass scene in Durrës, where thousands of people witnessed the exodus of March ’91. The next mass scene depicts moments from the revolt of hundreds of thousands of Albanians in central Tirana, a revolt that brought an end to Hoxha’s specter. This will also be a good opportunity for all those who, unfortunately, have remembered those days only in part and have forgotten them. They have forgotten Hoxha’s specter, R. Alia’s orders to open fire, Miloshi’s volunteers, the coup at the United School, and Shkodra’s April 2. But we cannot forget that the figures behind these tragedies can hardly wait to return to power here, this time wearing the mantle of the PS, so they can make us bleed again. E. PALOKA

At its meeting on 6.12.1993, the Council of Ministers first considered draft laws ratifying the agreements between Albania and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the field of defense; between Albania and Poland concerning taxes on income and capital; and between Albania and Slovenia on mutual protection, promotion and stimulation of investments. It also made decisions in principle to ratify the agreements: - Albania–Malaysia on trade and on the promotion and protection of investments; - Albania–Slovenia on cooperation in the fields of education, culture and science. - Albania–Switzerland on cooperation in the field of technical vocational education and the promotion of small industrial businesses in the district of Durrës. As part of certain changes— (Continued on page 4)

- 15 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ALBANIA FROM THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT - “RESOLVING THE KOSOVO QUESTION IS A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEACE IN THE BALKANS” Press conference by Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Çetin and Minister Serreqi At the press conference held on Tuesday, the two foreign ministers of Turkey and Albania once again declared their commitment to further intensifying bilateral relations: “Albania has taken steps forward, and Turkey appreciates this,” said Minister Çetin. He described the talks between the two sides as very useful and effective. Speaking about the concrete support Turkey is providing to Albania, the two ministers confirmed that Turkey would seek opportunities for new investments in construction, telecommunications, etc. The Turkish government will soon grant Albania a loan of 15 million dollars, while humanitarian aid will continue. The two ministers then answered questions from Turkish and Albanian journalists. In response to a question about the escalation of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, Çetin stressed that a “civil war” would pose a danger not only to Kosovo, but to the whole of the Balkans and Europe. “We have warned all the international institutions about this. If the issue of Bosnia is not resolved justly, the aggressor will take courage and act against other countries as well.” Speaking further on this issue, Çetin stressed that “for there to be peace in the region, the resolution of the problems must begin with Kosovo.” Regarding the possibility of Albania joining NATO, Çetin emphasized Turkey’s commitment on this point: “Albania was the first of the former communist countries to apply.” Asked how membership in the Islamic Conference affects relations between the two countries, Çetin replied that Albania and Turkey also belong to many other organizations in common. Minister Serreqi added that our two countries are secular states. The foreign ministers also answered other questions about Turkey–Greece, Albania–Macedonia and other relations. The press conference marked the end of Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Çetin’s visit to our country. Yesterday he left Albania. Xpress. 1 «RD»

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA

Members of the National Council of the PDSH are hereby informed that the National Council of the PDSH will meet on Friday, 10.12.1993, at 10:00, in the Democratic Party hall in Tirana. Press and Information Office of the PDSH

On Wednesday, 08.12.1993, at 11:00, Mr. Eduard Selami will hold a press conference at the Palace of Congresses on the occasion of the conclusion of the proceedings of the Second National Assembly of the PDSH. Press and Information Office of the PDSH

We thank the Institute of Informatics and Applied Mathematics (INIMA), and more specifically its director, Mr. Gudar Beqari; the head of the SOFTWARE Department, Mr. Neki Frashëri; the programmer Elmira Ajazi; and the operators Teuta Toti, Odelin Çifligu, Engjellushë Tafaj, Arjan Vilaho and Rthem Alushi for their assistance and contribution to the graphical processing of the data and the tabulation of the voting results for the National Council of the Albanian Democratic Party. Chairman of the Voting Commission ENGJELL HYSENBEGASI