On the Saturday before the President of the Republic and at the same time chairman of the Democratic Party (PD), Sali Berisha, was to communicate to parliament and to the people the verdict of the referendum on the Constitution, in many left-wing periodicals and even in the international press, our country was portrayed as being under the fever of an inflamed political climate, almost on the brink of civil conflict. According to the ominous prophecies of some writers of the left-wing opposition, with the failure of the referendum, “Berishism” would lose political control of the country and enter its final phase of disintegration. Others predicted the imminent fall of the government and even the overthrow of the president. In such an atmosphere, the result of the referendum was regarded by certain segments of the Albanian left not as a civic will that had to be respected, but as a new chance to feed the thesis of a deep crisis of democratic power. Instead of reflecting on the real reasons for the rejection of the draft constitution, they tried to present it as the beginning of the end of the PD. This interpretation was not accidental. For a long time, the propaganda of the socialist leadership has built its discourse on the idea that the Democratic Party is constantly on the verge of splitting, that there are insurmountable tensions within it, and that every political or institutional difficulty is a sign of its disintegration. Yet this is nothing more than a wish dressed up as analysis. This way of thinking reveals more about the psychological state of its authors than about the reality of the Albanian right. The obsession with the division of the PD has, in fact, become a political pathology of the Albanian socialist leadership. In the absence of a convincing alternative and unable to win broad public support, they try to compensate for their weakness with speculation about their opponent’s crisis. But the political developments of recent months have shown the opposite. Despite internal debates, which are natural for any major political force, the Democratic Party has preserved its basic cohesion, continued to shoulder governing responsibilities, and guided the political life of the country. What is presented as “division” is often a forced attempt to overstate ordinary differences and turn them into an imaginary crisis. In this sense, the socialist leadership’s campaign against the PD should not be seen simply as a usual political polemic. It is part of a broader strategy to delegitimize institutions, obscure the achievements of the transition, and keep the spirit of destabilization alive. Therefore, the division of the PD remains more a pathological obsession of its opponents than an Albanian political reality.

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Walesa, and the Prime Minister of the Government of Poland, the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, accompanied by Mrs. Liri Berisha and the official delegation, left today for an official visit to Poland. Press and Information Office at the President of the Republic

At the press conference of 24 January 1995, a number of inaccuracies were circulated by some media outlets regarding the statement of the President of the Republic’s spokesperson. To avoid further misunderstandings, it is clarified that the statement was intended to highlight respect for the law and institutional practice in handling public matters. Any other interpretation aimed at distorting its content does not serve the truth or the standards of public communication. Continues on page 5

It was signed and 76 deputies of Koçi Pani Yesterday, as always, the People’s Assembly continued the proceedings of the final session of its legislature. The speaker of parliament, Servet Pëllumbi, made a flexible interpretation of the rules of procedure of this institution and coordinated the procedures with the interests of the Socialist parliamentary group and its allies. (...) Continues on page 4

MARSEILLE, Spain - The NATO Secretary General, Uili Klasi, who arrived yesterday in Marseille in the framework of the Security Conference, said that the cooperation agreement between Albania and the Alliance will be signed soon. He described Albania as a country of importance in the region and stressed that relations are developing in a positive direction. The meeting also discussed reforms in the army and Albania’s involvement in partnership programs.

Interview on the evening TV program with the Minister of Finance Mr. DYBER VJONI, given to journalist Sheptim Luka QUESTION: Mr. Vjoni, please give us a characterization of the financial situation. What objectives does the government have? ANSWER: In the overall economic plan, our goal is to strengthen monetary stability, increase budget revenues, and create the conditions for sustainable development. Fiscal and financial reforms have entered an important phase. QUESTION: And the main problems? ANSWER: The main problem remains market discipline, the fight against tax evasion, and the improvement of the efficiency of the tax administration. QUESTION: What is the role of the banking system? ANSWER: The banking system must support enterprise and production, guaranteeing a more secure circulation of capital. QUESTION: Your message? ANSWER: Public finances are the foundation of state stability and democratic reforms.

Yesterday President Berisha received a delegation from Public RTV. During the meeting, the progress of the reforms, media freedom, and the need for fair public information were discussed. The President stressed the importance of the media’s role in consolidating democracy.

On 23 January 1995, the Government of Albania and the Government of Ireland, through a joint communiqué, agreed to establish diplomatic relations. This step is seen as a positive development in the expansion of our country’s international cooperation.

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