’95, a year of momentum for reform; the National Council’s decisions are decisive for the success of the reform and the ’96 elections The National Council categorically and unanimously rejects Mr. Selami’s resignation The National Council expressed full confidence in the Meksi government

Yesterday, in a hall where the noise and monotony were bothersome, the work of the PDSH National Council began, while the curiosity that had seized hundreds of journalists stemmed from the unexpected prominence of the name Eduard Selami. Immediately after his arrival in the hall of the National Council meeting, the seating arrangement of the members of the presidency on the podium stood out, highlighting the new power relations within PDSH and the emergence of the parliamentary group’s movement in relation to the party leadership. The chairman of the PDSH, Eduard Selami, chose to sit between two other old figures of PDSH, the member of the presidency and minister of foreign affairs, Alfred Serreqi, and the vice chairman of PDSH and minister of defense, Safet Zhulali. On the left edge of this “historical” trio, Xhelil Gjoni and Astrit Patozi chose to sit, as if to graphically illustrate the role and place of the highest delegation in the party of that part of the council that belongs to the most prominent pro-Berisha orientation lobby. While on Mr. Selami’s right, another equally significant grouping was observed. At his side sat the member of the presidency and minister of culture, Teodor Laço, further along, Nard Ndoka, and beyond him, Ylli Veizi. Teodor Laço, according to the latest accounts, has become involved in a political platform of the party’s center, the substance of which is still unknown. Nevertheless, yesterday he was seen at the far right of the chairman of the PDSH, as if to remind us that this platform remains a not hopeless possibility. Nard Ndoka and Ylli Veizi have been Eduard Selami’s most determined opponents since 5 October 1992. Also yesterday, the absence of Azem Hajdari was noted in the presidency of the National Council. Since 5 October 1992, he had brought to the presidency an energy and electricity perhaps irreplaceable. Yesterday’s Council was less lively but no less full of tension. His name was mentioned on the podium by Mr. Selami and was greeted with prolonged applause, but the absence of the veteran founder of the PD remained obvious. There was an undisclosed optimistic mobilization on Mr. Selami’s face. He spoke plainly and often in an improvised tone, yet he possesses a wide range of warm expressions with which he creates an emotional contact with the audience. From the outset, he made it clear that no one should read his resignation request in an angry or malicious way. It should be understood as a motivation for a deeper and clearer reflection on the new conditions in which the party finds itself. Considering 1995 an election year, Mr. Selami said that historic decisions must be made. The first will be the 5th Congress of PDSH, which meets in February. It will elect the party’s highest forum according to a completely new democratic practice. The Congress will be greeted by leading personalities from the Western political and intellectual world.

Speech by the Chairman of PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami Ladies and gentlemen, At the proceedings of the PDSH National Council, as secretary of the parliamentary group, I feel honored, but as a person of my own convictions, I address you as someone with these convictions and with the optimism of a leader who has overcome[?]. In the domestic sphere, among our main tasks, I think we should place the strengthening of democratic reform and its more determined orientation toward the social direction. Since we are a party in power, attention must naturally be focused on the manner in which power is administered. Vague, equivocal formulas have often been repeated, such as: do we have the state or the party? This question has been posed in the wrong way. It should be understood as the relationship of the party with the state, and it should be resolved in a way suited to the new relations created by the country’s development. I would affirm that the party-power relationship is still a poorly studied issue in many post-communist countries. Some of the problems we experience in this relationship are not Albanian but are common to a number of Eastern European countries. The essence of a fair and modern relationship between party and power has to do with separating the party’s role as a political force from the role of state administration officials. Under pluralism, we can no longer have an all-encompassing party power that controls every sphere of society. Today the state must be seen as the power of all and not as the property of one party, which makes it necessary to abandon the concept of “political power” as a monopoly of a single party. We must also leave this concept behind in our way of reforming. It is not the party that should take over the administration, but the state that must function on legal and professional grounds. This change in the understanding of party-state relations requires us to apply another scheme to the party-power relationship. The party must carry out its political and guiding mission, while the state must carry out its public administrative mission. In democracy, the state has long-term national objectives that must not depend on narrow party cycles. We must be careful that the administration does not turn into a party apparatus, nor the party into an extension of the administration. If that happens, both the state and the party are harmed. The party loses its nature as a community of convictions, alternatives and competition, while the administration loses professionalism, impartiality and public authority. These are issues that cannot be solved by declarations but by concrete reforms, by laws, by rules and by a new political culture. This culture must be based on responsibility, accountability and respect for institutions. (continued on page 2)

Speech by President Sali Berisha delivered to the National Council of PD Today we are discussing the political situation in the country on the eve of the 1996 elections. Naturally, these elections are of extraordinary importance, and the Albanian people will face them with the balance sheet of our governance. This balance sheet can be worthy only if we firmly adhere to the course of reform. Albania is entering a decisive year. Efforts for economic recovery, for consolidating the rule of law, and for European integration require political clarity, discipline and determination. We must not allow any wavering that would put at risk the achievements of these years. Our opponents will try to exploit social difficulties, the natural frustrations of the transition and any delay in reforms. Therefore, we must be closer to the citizens, better able to explain our policies and more determined in implementing them. At the center of attention must be the market economy, privatization, support for entrepreneurship and the preservation of financial stability. Any step backward in these areas would be a serious blow to the country. Reform is not merely a government program, but a historic orientation of our society. It requires courage, sacrifice and conviction. Our motto for 1995 must be: saving the reform’s steering wheels. (continued on page 4)

Speech by the artist Ylljet Aliçka at the National Council We are speaking about reform and modernization, but in order to be credible we must also look critically at our own wounds. One of them is corruption, which is in danger of becoming a disease of public life. Corruption is not only a moral violation; it is a mechanism that distorts decision-making, spreads injustice, burdens the economy with costs and takes away the citizen’s trust in the state. When easy money is given free rein, the country sinks into debt and society loses direction. We must have the courage to say clearly that the fight against corruption is part of reform. There can be no free market without honesty, no rule of law without responsibility and no development without merit. (continued on page 4)

Speech delivered by the general secretary, Dr. Tritan Shehu, on behalf of the Presidency Esteemed members of the National Council, The analysis of the situation and of the paths of reform today requires a new mobilization of all our energies. The year 1995 must be a year of intense work, organization, responsibility and greater coordination at all levels of the party and government. We enter this year after a period of strong debates, but also after an important test of political maturity. The decisions we take must aim at increasing efficiency, strengthening structures and drawing closer to the citizens. The party presidency has the duty to motivate, guide and support all forums, but success depends on the concrete work of each individual. Discipline, a spirit of cooperation and a clear ethic of responsibility are needed. This is a period in which there is no room for passivity or fatigue. We must move forward with confidence, seriousness and a high sense of mission. (continued on page 3)

The director for revenue and military services, Dr. Smith[?], the American head of NATO affairs, Richard Burns[?], as well as other American representatives, will take part in the talks that will be held in Tirana. The visit is linked to military cooperation and regional security issues. (continued on page 5)

Yesterday at midday, they left for their mission to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where PDSH has requested its accession to the Council of Europe? Eduard Selami, and the member of the presidency of the PDSH parliamentary group Ali Spahia

Today, at 10:00, at the International Center of Culture, in the press conference hall, the secretary general Tritan Shehu, organizational secretary Blerim Çela and the chairman of the PDSH Youth Forum Pëllumb Xhufi will hold a press conference on the following topics: On the work of the PDSH National Council The employment problem in the Albanian-Greek agreement for emigrants KESH revenues from the country