Pietro Fassino considered the reform carried out in Albania fundamental and profoundly positive, and assured his support for Albania’s democratic consolidation, and particularly for the PDSH, which initiated and implemented these reforms. PAGE 2

The Socialist Party cannot be accepted by the European Left Unfortunately, the Socialist Party of Albania cannot be compared with the Socialist parties of the East and cannot be accepted by us, Fassino declares. PAGE 2 President Berisha received Pietro Fassino, foreign director and member of the leadership of the Italian Left and Chairman of the Socialist International Committee for Eastern Europe

Interview with Mr. Tadeush Mazowiecki given to the RD newspaper Everything should look to the future Question: The countries of Central and Eastern Europe, of which Poland is one, are going through the post-communist period, despite the specific circumstances of each. What does Poland represent among these countries? Answer: I think that, among the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Poland is an important element of stability in this region of Europe. Poland was the first of these countries to carry out democratic transformations in 1989, which, as is known, we sought full membership in [the source text is cut off]. This path will continue according to these same principles, just as the request for NATO membership will continue. This is important for the unity of Europe and stability in this part of it. Question: What would your comment be on the results of the latest presidential elections in Poland? Answer: I am not satisfied with this result. Nevertheless, these are elections in a democratic system, unlike those in totalitarian systems. The result was [the source text is cut off]. I think that, from the perspective of transformations in 1989, which, as is known, also influenced other countries. Initially, the transformations were initiated by Solidarność and later, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, they continued, extending over even wider areas. From this perspective, Poland is an initiator. At this moment, Poland, through its stability, contributes to stabilizing the situation in Central and Eastern Europe. It has stabilized the political and economic system in the direction of the free market, and these changes are irreversible despite the political changes taking place in Poland. Since today we have signed the association agreement with the EU, we [the source text is cut off]. systems. The result was what it was, and we can neither hold other elections nor disregard it. I think that the election results, as with the parliamentary elections of ’93, are directly connected to the relatively difficult decisions that certain groups had to make in order to bring about the transformations—in other words, to the high cost of this investment we made. Meanwhile, the divisions that exist on the right in Poland also had an effect. Third, the mistakes made by President Walesa while he was in office, as well as the fact that the younger generation does not want to hear about the past, because for us it is [the source text is cut off]. (Continued on page 2)

Prime Minister Meksi speaks to “RD” Question: Mr. Prime Minister, you have submitted to parliament for approval the draft law “On the vetting of the character of senior political and state officials for the protection of the democratic state.” … aims to bring about reconciliation among Albanians. In other words, it does not aim at “revenge,” as the Socialists say. As for “ZP”’s assessment that this law …

Interview with the Minister of Defence Safet…

Question: Mr. Prime Minister, you have submitted to parliament for approval the draft law “On the vetting of the character of senior political and state officials for the protection of the democratic state.” [The text begins cut off at the upper edge.] the democratic state.” In substance, what is the purpose of this law? Answer: First, I would say that the very wording of the title of this draft law expresses its substance and essence. Its purpose is to ensure for Albanians and Albania an unconditional democracy during the transition, and, moreover, for the future, one that will be consolidated without problems. In this context, bearing in mind the past 50 years of [unclear text: “ban a shtetare”] and Communist terror, this is a first opportunity to overcome the history [through] such a law. The law addresses and lays out the violence and terror of these 50 years. The law determines who is and who may work, what they did in various sectors, and their connection with the exercise of dictatorship—that is, those who zealously worked to carry out the criminal policies of the bloodthirsty system. In drafting this law, the specific circumstances of countries under dictatorship must be taken into account, as must the position of other Western countries. Compared with the practices of these countries, our law is mild, as can be understood by carefully examining its articles. But the fact that this law limits this tolerance until 2001 also matters. Every law has its own moral purpose, and the moral purpose of this law is to help national reconciliation and to go beyond its extremes. Question: The opposition called it a left-wing law, and although it had been demanding this law, as soon as it appeared it opposed it. In an editorial about this law, ZP says: “This is a formulation with ‘legs but no head’.” How do you explain this position? Answer: The left-wing opposition does not like this law precisely because, more than seeking to punish, it seeks does not seek “revenge,” as the Socialists put it. As for “ZP”’s assessment that this law supposedly has “legs but no head,” I say that it is in keeping with this newspaper’s logic to make such interpretations. For 50 years, ZP has been a newspaper that has propagated Communist terror in the name of class struggle. It has boasted about the deeds of the dictatorship and its crimes, which this law addresses. The law has a head, but it also has legs; that is precisely what ZP fears. It looks first at the legs, because they are what make the head of the law’s wording move as well. The main point is that this law ensures that in Albania politics is conducted by people with sound political morals, who were not compromised by the dictatorship.

At the subdued dinner last night in honor of the Italian friend Pietro Fassino, head of the Foreign Affairs Commission and a member of the leadership of the Italian Democratic Party of the Left (PDS), and also chair of the Socialist International Committee for Eastern Europe, Nerret Pëllumbi and Namik Dokle were coming out to play, overwhelmed by despair and Fassino’s statements, and on Wednesday by the ambition to be among the other left-wing forces, at the main gate of the right-wing Democratic Party. [Partly unclear] Fassino had persuaded them to play, with the support of forces that could take part, together with others, in socialist cooperation, making it clear to them that there could be no question of socialist cooperation, making it clear that there could be no question of cooperation with the right, or even with the enemy, in the future. [Partly unclear] A.K.

Interview with Defense Minister Safet Zhulali, given to editor-in-chief Lazër Stani “Minister Ruhe praised the development and results achieved so far by democracy in Albania, President Berisha’s contribution to advancing democracy, the improvements achieved in the reform of the Albanian army, the rapid and successful military cooperation between the two countries, as well as Albania’s contribution to peace and stability in the region.” MORE DETAILS ON PAGE 3

German MP Eleni Fisher has no doubt that the Democratic Party will win the next elections in Albania. PAGE 2

“Top Secret” Minutes recorded at the meeting of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, on 9.9.1983, Friday, at 9:00 a.m. “Top Secret” Minutes recorded at the meeting of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, on 9.9.1983, Friday, at 9:00 a.m. PAGE 5