Minutes of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the PPSH, dated 2 and 3 July 1974 From the PS heritage archive p. 7

President Berisha's press conference 1995—the year of speed The first visit by the Albanian Head of State to Germany was a historic visit, wholly successful and fruitful At this meeting, the President of the Republic first presents the results of his visit to the FRG and, second, extends New Year's greetings to all newspapers and workers in the press and mass media. From 18 to 21 December, President Berisha, at the invitation of Chancellor Helmut Kohl and President Roman Herzog, paid a four-day official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany. This visit was historic for Albania and for President Berisha personally: it was the first visit by an Albanian Head of State to Germany, although Germany and the German nation have always been great friends and well-wishers of Albania and the Albanian nation. The visit to Germany was not only a historic event, but also a very fruitful visit, covering a wide range of issues, and a successful one. For this, President Berisha once again warmly thanked his hosts, first and foremost President Herzog and Chancellor Kohl, as well as the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Sysmuth, the Prime Minister of Bavaria, Shtojber, Federal Ministers Vajgker and Shpranger, the President of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Gert Langguth, and representatives of the parliamentary groups for their great support for Albania on its path to integration into Europe, particularly for Albania's membership in the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as for his support and that of the CDU for the Democratic Party and its membership in international forums. Berisha told them: “You have achieved extraordinary things, and according to OECD information published in recent days, Albania ranks first for economic growth in Eastern Europe. As a friend of Albania, this is a real joy for me and for all Albania's friends; Albania's friends.” Chancellor Kohl assured him. He visited the Land of Baden-Württemberg, where he toured the Daimler Benz company, the most powerful consortium in Europe and the world. It was agreed with the company's representatives that it would soon open its own representative office in Tirana and expand its activities in Albania. President Berisha was also received at Stuttgart City Hall and later at the city parliament by its Speaker, Fric Hopmajer. These meetings discussed expanding bilateral cooperation between Albania and Baden-Württemberg in investment, education, culture, and other fields. On the afternoon of 20 December and the morning of the 21st, President Berisha visited the Land of Bavaria, where he was received and held talks with the Prime Minister of Bavaria, Edmund Shtojber, a distinguished friend of Albania, who in honour of the delegation

NAMIK AJAZI, TeleNorba: Mr. President, your visit to Germany brought your programme of visits around the world and in Europe to a close, while the elections remain an important issue for '96. In an interview given recently to the Italian station TG1, you expressed optimism about the PD's victory in the upcoming elections. What does President Berisha base this confidence on? Secondly, while almost all political forces have outlined their positions, which forces do you consider potential allies in the upcoming elections? Will emigrants also take part in the upcoming elections? And finally, does the state guarantee security and social stability during the election process? Answer: I have told not only the Italian television channel, but also the Albanian and international mass media, that and the other democratic forces. I base this on the fact that over these four years the PD has proved itself to be the political force most

At a secret meeting held yesterday afternoon, former Interior Minister Ruçi—the person tasked with safeguarding the “virginity” of the PS's future political figures, and the person to whom Nano has delegated the functions of party chairman—declared certain people persona non grata for the PS. They will not put themselves forward as candidates in the upcoming election campaign, nor will they be elected to any other party position. Ruçi presented the list of these people, which we publish below, to several representatives of the PS electoral commission. According to sources within the PS, this list is only the first step in the operation of the “Ruçi filter.” The attack on the reformers will extend throughout all party structures, down to their lowest levels, the grassroots organizations. List MAQO LAKRORI BASHKIM ZENELI XHEVAT LLOSHI FATMIR KUMBARO LUSH PËRPALI TEFIK AJAZI PANDELI MAJKO NDRE LEGJISI ILIR ZELA ZENEL NEZA GËZIM TUSHE BASHKIM KOÇI LEONTIEV ÇUÇI SHKËLQIM CANI THEODHORI BEJO BASHKIM FINO ADEM ZYBERI AGRON DIBRA FADIL NASUFI HALIL LALAJ QEMAL PËRLlAKU SOKOL GRUDA

President Berisha and Chancellor Kohl discussed and agreed on expanding bilateral cooperation and German support in all political, economic, cultural and military fields. Federal Ministers Vajgel Languth, representatives of the CDU and SPD parliamentary groups, the Speaker of the Baden-Württemberg parliament, Frak Pomajer, as well as many ministers, parliamentarians, businesspeople and entrepreneurs from the Länder of North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, with whom President Berisha met and held talks. During his visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, President Berisha met and held 45 minutes of talks with President Herzog in Bonn on 18 December. That same day, in honour of President Berisha, Herzog also hosted a dinner at his residence in Hamershmid. At the morning meeting and during the dinner hosted by President Herzog, a great friend of the Albanian nation, President Berisha expressed his profound gratitude and thanks for the principal assistance, support and great solidarity that President Herzog and Germany had given Albania. He also expressed his deep gratitude for the Albanians employed there, who use their earnings to support their families and also help the Albanian economy. Presidents Herzog and Berisha discussed the development of bilateral relations, the achievements of reform in Albania, particularly Germany's support for further consolidating the rule of law and the market economy in Albania, Albania's integration into Europe, and the situation in the region. President Herzog said that Albania, as a factor for stability in the Balkans, was important to Europe. It had made great progress in overcoming the previous crisis. He personally and Germany would add Albania to one of its rightful member [??]. President Berisha spoke to President Herzog about Albania's vision, according to the accepted conditions. President Herzog praised Albania, noting [??]. Also on 18 December, President Berisha thanked Chancellor Kohl, who expressed his support. President Berisha once again thanked Mr. Kohl for two hours and during dinner; Kohl once again expressed, also on behalf of the Bundestag, his membership in international forums. Chancellor Kohl assured President Berisha that Germany and he personally would support Albania without reservation, as well as its efforts to develop a market economy, consolidate the rule of law and integrate into Europe. He gave President Berisha his personal assurance, along with that of the German government, of support for restructuring infrastructure, encouraging German investment, including Albania in EU regional infrastructure-building projects, and in the projects for rebuilding the region by the group established for Bosnia. He said: “From Albania, I hear nothing but good news. You have achieved things that many others have not achieved, and I believe that you will develop very quickly. Germany and I will fully support you on this path.” Chancellor Kohl also undertook to give full support to opening negotiations between Albania and the EU on an association agreement. He assured President Berisha of his and the CDU's continued support for the Democratic Party. He highly valued Albania's achievements over the past four years and its role as a factor for peace and stability in the region. The priorities for future cooperation and the question of Kosovo were among the most important topics in their discussions. Chancellor Kohl and the German government affirmed the importance of Kosovo and undertook to contribute to the restoration of autonomy, while respecting existing borders and guaranteeing the rights of national minorities in Kosovo. President Berisha spoke to Chancellor Kohl about visiting Albania and that he would accept with great [??]. 57 million marks free of charge During his stay in Bonn, President Berisha met and held talks with the Prime Minister of the Bundesland, Mr Edmund Shtojber. He congratulated the President on the extraordinary support for Albania, saying that according to OECD information published in recent days Albania ranked for all Albania's friends, who still remember the images of the exoduses and destruction. These achievements were not expected from a country that has only just emerged from deep isolation.” Ms Sysmuth stressed her and the German Bundestag's commitment to supporting Albanians' reform efforts and increasing bilateral cooperation. President Berisha discussed economic and financial cooperation between Albania and Germany at length with Federal Ministers Vajgel and Shpranger. The talks focused on German assistance and bilateral cooperation to date, as well as identifying the most important areas for cooperation in the future. During the stay in Bonn, two important agreements were signed: 1. The Agreement on Financial Cooperation between the FRG and Albania. It provides financial assistance for a number of municipal infrastructure projects in the districts of Korçë, Kavojë, Krujë, Kukës, Krujë, as well as in industry, agriculture, health, education and finance. Assistance amounting to 64 million DM (of which 57 million is grant aid and 7 million is a loan on very favourable terms (0.75%)) brings Germany's assistance to Albania to 310 million DM. 2. The Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Albania and the FRG. During his stay in Bonn, President Berisha had the opportunity to give an extensive talk to a select audience at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He gave an overview of political, economic, legislative and institutional developments in Albania, the situation in the region, and the Albanian government's views on developments in the region. Those present, well-known figures from the scientific community, showed great interest in developments in Albania. Also in Bonn, President Berisha held a meeting at the Federal Chamber of Industry and Commerce with its leaders and prominent representatives of German industry and commerce, including the head of Prois Age, Krup and many other well-known companies, some of which are already operating in Albania and others interested in starting business there. At the meeting, the real opportunities and prospects Albania offers German investors were reassessed, and they expressed increased interest among major German companies in investing in Albania. On 20 December, continuing his stay in the FRG, President Berisha Berisha told them that they had achieved extraordinary things and ranked supporting Albanians' reform efforts and increasing bilateral cooperation. of Bavaria, Edmund Shtojberg, a distinguished friend of Albania, who also hosted a dinner in honour of the Albanian delegation. In his talks with Mr Shtojber, the Speaker of the Bavarian Parliament Böhm, Finance Minister Huber, Economy Minister Vishoj and Agriculture Minister Boklet, President Berisha discussed at length bilateral relations between Albania and Bavaria and opportunities for expanding cooperation in various fields. President Berisha thanked Mr Shtojber for his assistance and the support he had given Albania. At these talks, it was agreed to establish joint commissions to determine priorities for economic, financial, agricultural and other cooperation. During his stay in Bavaria, President Berisha also met representatives of powerful companies in the Land, including Siemens. Bavarian investors showed particular interest in Albania's tourism potential, infrastructure, car trade, etc. In conclusion, we can say that Germany was a historic visit, wholly successful and fruitful. It was marked by a deeply friendly spirit and complete mutual understanding between the two sides. Germany, Chancellor Kohl and President Herzog supported Albania without reservation on the path it had chosen and highly valued its achievements; they expressed their determination to increase cooperation and assistance with Albania in all fields, considered the resolution of the Kosovo issue highly important for peace and stability in the region and undertook to contribute to it, and expressed their determination to support Albania's integration into Europe. Also, following the meeting, German industry and commerce. For all this, President Berisha expressed his profound gratitude to President Herzog, Chancellor Kohl and the German government for the warm and friendly reception they accorded him, and for the great support and friendly assistance they demonstrated toward Albania. (Continued on page 3)

A PS official speaks Enver Horha must be condemned as a dictator Putting Marx in the program drives away our electorate. Why should they knock on Kohli’s door if we are going to Marx? We ourselves are calling for a change, a reform.

Cassandra, invited to the newspaper “Republika,” declares this time that the PD’s position is for a system with a majoritarian element, where the chance of socialization and the possibility of representation for small parties can also be seen. Through these statements, Cassandra, after predicting a victory for the socialists precisely now that they are more defeated than ever, once again continues to accuse the PD of the prostitution that she herself engages in with the PS. But the PS and its prostitutes do not worry the PD. Poor Cassandra, she has big debts to pay off. K.S.

YEAR VI OF PUBLICATION No. 1144 WEDNESDAY 27 December 1995 Number of pages: 8 PRICE: 10 LEKE 1,000 Italian lire 200 drachmas

Message from Cardinal Koliqi for Christmas and the New Year His Eminence Cardinal Mikel Koliqi, unable for health reasons to be among the faithful in Albania, sends his greetings from San Pio V Hospital in San Xhovani Rotondo: From afar—my warmest wishes to the Albanian people, at home and abroad, for Christmas and the New Year 1996. May there be true love for one another, without distinction of religion, and may we all be united for the well-being of Albania.