The propaganda of the Democratic Party began its work mainly under conditions of organization as an oppositional political union. All the problems that accompanied the anti-communist movement in Albania in its early days are reflected in the propaganda of that period as well. The time of handwritten leaflets, typewritten tracts, photocopied leaflets, and the first newspapers, almost illegal at the outset, is gone; within a short time they turned into branches of powerful opposition propaganda. It must be said that in the political propaganda of the PDSH the situation has not always been favorable. There have been extremely complicated situations because of the most diverse obstacles faced and still faced by this propaganda in the conditions of a right-wing opposition in a country with a communist totalitarian tradition. This propaganda has been forced to move not only in the terms of day-to-day political struggle, but, more importantly, in the terms of its strategy for consolidating democracy. So, in a certain sense, it has advanced under wartime conditions. And this war was fought in the most varied ways. The road to Albanian democracy also passed through the roads of opposition propaganda and later through that of the first anti-communist party in power. Thus, through propaganda, a powerful battle was waged against inherited communist mindsets, against Stalinist and neo-Stalinist conservatism, against the pseudo-communist nostalgias of the former nomenklatura. It was propaganda that had to win in order to survive. Let us not forget what happened in Albania at the beginning of the 1990s. It took unmatched political and human force and intelligence to make possible the overthrow of communism in Albania through the free vote and the peaceful departure of the anti-communist force in a country where democracy was in its first steps. It must be understood that without opposition propaganda in Albania in the first years of the transition, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to break away from the totalitarian past. The struggle against totalitarian propaganda through anti-communist and democratic propaganda requires a view with the eyes of the future. The need to look not only with the eyes of the present, but also of the future, was and remains a necessary criterion in this struggle. This means not only an emotional approach to anti-communism, but also a rational and historical assessment of communism as a phenomenon. The propaganda of the PDSH cannot start from the positions of primitive and schematic anti-communism, but from a cultivated, modern and intelligent anti-communism, which cannot avoid either in-depth analyses, or the denunciation of the crimes of the communist regime, or modern and Western solutions. This is why we can never become slaves to a simplified propagandistic mindset. Anti-communism too cannot be a dogma. We must also know how to view the late development of Albanian communism in historical light, we must know how to analyze it in relation to its specific features, its ideological, political and social roots and traditions. This perspective itself requires a political, social and historical culture. In this way we can move from the primitive schemes of anti-communism to a modern and creative conception of it. Only in this way can we organize a contemporary anti-communist and democratic propaganda. If propaganda is necessary for all political forces, in a country like Albania with a specific history of totalitarian mentality, even more so a right-wing force such as the PDSH needs a propaganda of a special type. The specificity of this propaganda is linked to the country's history, to the social and political mentality, to the presence in the country of a former communist nomenklatura, which is by no means reconciled with democratic change and is trying in the most determined way to take revenge. Such a force can never neglect propaganda; it can never make calculations of a political victory without also treating itself as a propaganda force in the modern sense of the word. In these few years of pluralism in Albania there have been all kinds of conditions and situations, in which politics and propaganda have passed through different circumstances. All this has influenced the way in which the PDSH has carried out its propaganda work. It was natural that at the beginning of pluralism the propaganda of this party would be more forceful, more militant, harsher and more anti-communist than in the later period when the PDSH came to power. It took a certain period to understand in which directions and to what extent the intensity of this propaganda needed to be corrected and adjusted in the new conditions. For this reason, the opposition propaganda of 1990-1992 and that of a ruling party in 1992-1994 differ in several respects. This change is linked to the needs of a ruling party. It does not imply a softening of its anti-communism, but rather a change in the coloring of political slogans, in the emotional content, and in the need for more rational and legal argumentation on all issues. This was connected to an orientation of the PDSH not only toward consolidating power, but more toward real reforms in the economy and in the whole of social life. It could not help but become more rational and modern also in propaganda. In these conditions its anti-communism began to appear more intelligent and more analytical. On the other hand, the PDSH is a party of historical anti-communism, of an anti-communism that cannot be detached either from its own ties with the Albanian democratic tradition, or from its relations with moderate European conservatism and Western European anti-communism. This propaganda also needed, and still needs, a more modern understanding of the democratic right in Albania, of its role in relation to the national tradition and to the Western model. It cannot be built outside a political culture of the right, one that would oppose not only communist totalitarianism, but also primitive and simplistic notions of the Albanian right. There is another very important issue. It concerns propaganda in the conditions of a pluralist democracy, where a right-wing force must never fail to take into account the existence of other forces. At this point, both schematic attitudes toward the other side and the propagandistic attitudes of a force that thinks it can solve everything on its own must be avoided. The democratic propaganda of a ruling party must know how to preserve the necessary political balances, must not fall into the temptation of denying any value in the opponent, but must also remain consistent in defending its own values. In a country like Albania, with a difficult transition and a society emerging from a totalitarian regime, the role of propaganda remains great. But it must increasingly be less of the old kind of propaganda and increasingly modern political communication, explanation of reforms, democratic argumentation, and civic education. Only in this way can it truly serve as a means of consolidating democracy.

Martinez: Albania gives us cause to take a closer look at its progress toward the Council of Europe Yesterday the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr. Antonio Martinez, met with the chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami. In his remarks, Mr. Martinez stressed that the Committee on Refugees and Asylum Affairs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is carrying out extensive work to see how the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are respecting the Council of Europe's documents regarding the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms. Assessing the progress made by Albania in this field, Mr. Martinez said that it will also help our country to make its participation in the Council of Europe more active. He also welcomed the arrival in Tirana of the High Commissioner of the United Nations for Refugees, Mrs. Sadata, with whom he said he had held a meeting yesterday in Tirana. Mr. Martinez said that in the field of asylum a clear distinction must be made between political and economic asylum, and he also praised the positive steps taken by our country in accordance with international law and refugee status. Mr. Selami, after welcoming Mr. Martinez to Albania, said that we had come up against the issue of refugees since the very beginnings of pluralism in Albania and had gained experience in this field. Speaking about the democratization process in our country, he stated that although considerable work has been done, there is still much to be done in this direction. Mr. Selami pointed out that strengthening the rule of law and the enforcement of law, as well as reforms in the economy and in other fields, have been and remain the primary objectives of the party and the democratic government in Albania.

In the congratulatory telegram to Mr. Mino Martinazzoli, chairman of the Italian People's Party, the president of the PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, expresses his deep satisfaction at Mr. Martinazzoli's election to lead the PPI. Wishing him success in his political activity, Mr. Selami expresses his confidence that our political forces will further strengthen their cooperation for the benefit of freedom, democracy, and peace in both countries.

At today's meeting, the government is examining two unconstitutional decisions of the Tirana Municipal Council, elected by the left-wing opposition. The decisions of this Council, in violation of the laws in force and the autonomy of local government, are the imposition of high taxes on public transport and the misuse of funds in violation of legal provisions. According to official sources, these decisions have caused concern in the relevant bodies and are being examined by the government to be submitted to the Constitutional Court. The aim is to protect the public interest and respect legality in local administration.

NO, WE WILL NOT GET TIRED! NO, NOR WILL WE SWAGGER! ... we oppose it firmly, but we cannot fall into such consumption. We are determined to provide a completely different example from the one the Albanian public has seen over these decades. Simplicity, even in individual behavior, must be the norm for our people. This is not only a matter of ethics and culture, but it also concerns the overall profile of the modern right. The pride of a free person is something entirely different from arrogance and swagger. We must not feel outside reality or above reality. That would be inappropriate for a political force that has won elections by popular vote. We must by no means see ourselves as a political force that governs from heaven, but as a political force that must know how to listen carefully and respectfully to the voice of the citizen, the voice of the opposition, and the voice of public opinion. At least in this respect we must not fall either into the egoism of a triumphant political force or into the old mentality of calling criticism hostility. Especially in the conditions of a pluralist democracy, this would have consequences. Reasonable criticism must be seen as a corrective tool in governance and not as an evil that undermines us. We need to recognize not only our merits, but also our shortcomings. This does not mean at all that we should create in ourselves a sense of inferiority, but simply that we must know there is still much to do and that no one is so perfect as not to need remark and free speech. The fight against self-satisfaction has been and remains a necessity for us, because we do not want to fall into the common disease of Albanian politics, which considers success as an end and not as a moment of even greater responsibility. It can be said that in these three years of pluralism we have gained quite important political experience. But this experience would have little value if we did not accompany it with a higher political and moral awareness. We have received a great mandate from the electorate, but this mandate gives us no right whatsoever to think that everything ends here. On the contrary, it charges us with even more difficult duties. This is also the meaning of a political force that does not move drunk on the success of the moment. We must not forget that in politics it is always harder to govern with dignity than to win elections. A political force that loses its sense of measure and responsibility will find it difficult to remain for long at the height of its duties. That is why we must always be vigilant even toward ourselves and understand that democracy is not nourished by arrogance, but by work, by results, and by civic humility. Many of our people have taken on major state and public responsibilities. This also requires a special discipline in behavior, in communication, and in the way one presents oneself to the public. We cannot be credible as a force of change if we resemble, in mentality, those we criticized for years. The risk of the deformation of power often begins in small things: in the tone of speech, in the way one behaves, in the thirst for privilege, in the desire to feel different from the ordinary citizen. These are signs that must be fought in time. We must preserve our connection with ordinary people, with their daily hardships, with poverty, unemployment, and the difficulties of the transition. Only in this way can we avoid breaking away from the ground and from the reason for which we exist as a political force. Power must not make us tired or swaggering. It must make us more hardworking, more measured, and more responsible. This is a moral and political duty. If we forget this, then we will lose not only people's sympathy, but also the meaning of our mission in this difficult period of democratic construction.

YOU IN THE MINISTRY OF ORDER Tirana. The condition of public order, but also the need for the safety of cities and citizens, continues to be at the center of attention of the structures of the Ministry of Order. According to official sources, new measures have been taken to prevent crimes and strengthen control in the most problematic areas. COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF ORDER AND BULGARIA Tirana. In the framework of strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against crime, a cooperation agreement has been signed between the Ministry of Order of Albania and the relevant bodies of Bulgaria. The agreement provides for the exchange of information and assistance in areas of common interest. NATIONAL ACT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES' UNITY Tirana. They have begun in the PD by discussing the state of organization and the new political challenges. Participants emphasized the importance of coordinating the structures and of greater engagement for strengthening the party. -From the Core Headquarters of the PD -By improving Social action -There are 185 thousand and 4 Bota [?] PETRO KOLEVICA

According to the News Agency, at the press statements center at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Mr. Berisha said that he was satisfied with the results of the talks he had with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahatir Muhamad.