(not a question and answer in place of an analysis) We continue with a presentation of a part of the foreign press for the year-end and New Year holidays of 1994 concerning Albania. With the wish to start the new year well, we are presenting writings with optimistic notes, written by foreign journalists and specialists, who try to present the Albanian reality after the great historical changes. Let us briefly present these assessments. 1. A new endless [?] Albanian and that of Albania? After visiting Albania and becoming closely acquainted with the efforts to democratize it, the former German Foreign Minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, and the MEP Otto von Habsburg, have given different assessments of our country's future. In an interview with the German radio “Deutsche Welle”, Otto von Habsburg stated that “the Albanian people need hope, guidance and continuous help”, while Genscher praised “the courage of the new Albanian elite”. 2. B. K.'s opinion about Albania In a comment published in the Italian press it is pointed out that Albania has entered a new historical phase. The economic reforms, social difficulties and the need for Western assistance are emphasized. It is noted that, despite the difficulties, the general climate of the country is more optimistic than at the beginning of the transition. 3. “No one can help Albania better than the Albanians themselves” This is one of the main messages of several Western analysts who have referred to the transformations in Albania. Their comments stress the importance of administration, the legal system and a functioning market economy. At the same time, they acknowledge that Albania remains a fragile country with many needs. 4. “At such a level you cannot compare Albania with the countries of the former communist bloc” Another assessment published in the European press describes Albania as a special case. According to the author, long isolation, the lack of inherited democratic institutions and economic backwardness give the Albanian transition a different profile from the other countries of Eastern Europe. 5. “To come onto the European stage...” At the end of the press panorama, a comment is quoted according to which Albania's road toward Europe requires not only economic reforms, but also a new political culture, national consensus and a more capable state administration. 6. Other articles and comments The page presented also includes other short comments on the role of the opposition, on the media, on the first pluralist developments and on expectations for 1994. The full text in the relevant columns is partly illegible in the photo, but the overall theme remains: Albania enters 1994 with hopes, difficulties and great attention from the international press. [OCR note: the page was photographed upside down and with limited resolution; many paragraphs of the left and central columns are partially illegible.]

Megallomani + Mitomani “AD IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS...? ” -Is AD a party or not? Whether true or made up, that was the question that arose after reading the article titled “AD and the elections”, published in the daily press. This piece raises several questions about the role and presence of the Democratic Alliance on the Albanian political scene. The material emphasizes that “AD” is sometimes presented as a movement, sometimes as a grouping, sometimes as a party, without a fully clear public understanding of its political status. The author mocks the tendency toward self-importance and the mythologizing of its role, using the terms “megalomania” and “mythomania”. It is further argued that if “AD” intends to enter the upcoming elections, it must first clarify its legal, organizational and political status. Otherwise, the question “Is AD a party or not?” remains open. The text in the columns of this section is partly illegible in the image; only the title, the sub-question and short fragments of the body can be made out. Political cartoon with political figures and a “P.S” sign and another “A.D” [?]

During 1993, 97 percent of the objects throughout the country were privatized According to an official announcement, during 1993 a very high level of privatization of trade and service units was achieved in the country. The article underlines that the pace of privatization was faster than the initial forecasts and that the process extended to almost all districts. The text of the column in the photo is partly unclear, but the title is clearly readable and the article refers to the privatization balance for 1993.

Measures to raise the popularity of Albanian products, would also 4,500 tons of wheat be spent? ! Smuggling in Follorina- This article deals with several economic and border issues. At the top of the column it speaks of “measures to raise the popularity of Albanian products”, while below there is a reference to “4,500 tons of wheat”, in the form of a critical question. At the end of the title / subsection, the theme “Smuggling in Follorina” also appears. Most of the text is unclear in the image and cannot be read with complete certainty.