Press conference by the Secretary General of the DPA, Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, and vice-chairmen Tomor Dosti and Engjell Hysenbegasi Yesterday at the International Press Center, the Secretary General of the DPA, Tritan Shehu, and vice-chairmen Mr. Tomor Dosti and Engjell Hysenbegasi held a press conference about the proceedings of the expanded meeting of the DP National Council. First, Mr. Tritan Shehu read the press statement concerning the proceedings of this meeting, at which the work carried out during the 100 days since the previous meeting of the National Council was reviewed. The statement highlighted the achievements of these 100 days: a. The adoption of the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the new tax-system law or value-added tax law, the decree on the issuance of privatization vouchers and the privatization of medium-sized and large enterprises through securities, the law converting state enterprises into commercial companies, the law on the privatization of forest pastures, the law on veterans, and the law on military service. b. In foreign policy, important steps forward have been taken toward full integration into European structures, such as the Council of Europe, the realization of the association agreement with the EU, and relations with other countries. At the center, various meetings and agreements have been held. Relations with Greece have entered the path of normalization. c. In the economic sphere, the privatization process is entering a new phase following the issuance of vouchers and the start of their distribution. Inflation growth was 50% lower, while mineral and energy production increased by 8%, and wages rose by 10%. Meanwhile, a series of investments have begun to be carried out. The Council also denounced the decisions of the PS leadership to change laws that had been adopted, considering this a dangerous act against democracy. The need to make use of the election campaign within the leadership structures of the DP and its organizations, such as LDG and FRD, was then discussed at length, in order to restructure and consolidate these structures and extend them widely, as close as possible to the individual. It was emphasized that this requires a spirit of activism and dedication from our activists, a spirit that will serve to inform people and confront them with the achievements of our program, which is undoubtedly highly positive. These structures will serve more actively at different grassroots levels and will also serve as a basis for improving our propaganda, which must be brought closer to the individual. The specific weight of our propaganda must shift toward small-scale propaganda, from house to house, village to village, neighborhood to neighborhood. It was also discussed how to find more effective ways to improve the quality of the press, particularly its distribution. At the end, the National Council drafted the main recommendations related to these aspects of the DP's work, emphasizing: - The DP's organizational and propaganda problems - Implementation of the law - Acceleration of privatization - Attention to compensation for former owners The session then continued with questions. “The DP's general direction has followed the course laid out in its program from its founding”—this was Mr. Tritan Shehu's answer to a journalist from Republika, referring to the program with which the DP entered the electoral campaign of 22 March. “I assure you, and the DP electorate, that our party's political line does not depend on one or two individuals. It has united a large number of Albanian people to build and consolidate democracy in Albania. “The record of achievements during this period shows that we have remained faithful to our program, the contract we signed with our electorate on 22 March, as a party of the far center-right.” -In response to the question of whether there had been remnants of the past in the DP, Mr. Shehu pointed out that the DP was not concerned with past remnants. There is no doubt that people's past mentalities remain present, but the DP is guided by the principles set out in its program. -Has the PS's poll raised the alarm about its coming to power? Do you believe this poll, and have you conducted a similar poll? At the meeting, there was talk of possible expulsions from the DP of all those who had performed badly or broken the law. Were any specific names mentioned in this connection? These were two questions from a Voice of America journalist, to which... (Continued on page 2) - The DP's organizational and propaganda problems - Implementation of the law - Acceleration of privatization - to which... (Continued on page 2)

-Address by the DPA vice-chairman, Mr. Tomor Dosti, at the expanded meeting of the National Council Today's broad meeting makes us aware of the importance of the issue we are addressing: the party's propaganda. The very breadth of the people taking part here is evidence and proof of effective solidarity in the struggle for propaganda that is as constructive as possible, to highlight all our achievements—achievements that are the result of implementing our program, viewed as a whole. We are living through a tense political situation. The opposition's destructive leaders are trying to heighten tensions and deliberately politicize everything. Why? Because some political charlatans, some people without genuine political morality, merchants of flags, frightened by this great economic or political change in the life of our people, nostalgic for the past and now dressed in the guise of pure democrats, incapable and unscrupulous, denounce this country's destructive past and seek only to deny the undeniable reality of Albania. For precisely this reason, the propaganda we carry out as a party must be of the highest standard, morally as well as politically. It is true that we are anti-communists, but we are not anti-communists merely for the sake of anti-communism; we are so because we are democrats, because above all we put the human being, with all his freedom, dignity, and individuality. Without a human being (Continued on page 2)

On the “Alia-Nano-Dokle-Ruçi-Benc” scandal: PS leaders obstruct justice -They are hiding financial documents from the prosecution concerning the scandal -An absurd excuse from the head of the PS economic department: “Our internal rules do not allow me to do this” -By seeking to hide things, the PS leaders also prove that they are deeply involved in the $400,000 scandal They continue to resort to deception and other dirty methods in an effort to hide the truth. By now, the public has been informed of all the statements and denials made by the Socialist leaders, including their claims that the money was not touched—all of them refuted by documents and facts. The public has also learned of attempts to fabricate false documents. For this purpose, as soon as the scandal broke, the former director of the “ZP” printing house, Edmond Bogdani, was sent to Canada. All of this clearly proves just how “innocent” Dokle and his associates are, and what a dirty affair this is. Finally, there is another important fact that reinforces the above. The prosecution has asked the head of the PS economic department, Farudin Arapi, to make available to the justice system the financial documentation connected with the $400,000 scandal. According to information coming from inside the PS headquarters, Arapi, under orders, has refused to provide the documents to the justice system. His excuse is as absurd as it is infuriating: he said. One would think that justice operates according to rules established by the corrupt PS leaders. It is clear that the Socialist leaders are trying to conceal things as much as possible. “RD” has warned that other names from the PS leadership will soon be implicated in the scandal. Documents have been uncovered (received from sources from which it is being sought and will be obtained) that clearly show the signatures of those who ordered the misuse of $400,000. It is clear that the “ZP” employees who carried out the orders are only the small fish in this affair; the sharks sit at the head of the PS. They are trying in vain to obstruct justice, thereby proving once again how “innocent” they are in this scandal. If the PS leaders were clean, as they claim, why would they order their subordinates to hide the documents, thereby even breaking the law? If they are convinced that the misappropriated funds belong to “ZP,” why are they afraid to make the documents bearing their signatures available? These are their last efforts to save themselves, but they are increasingly exposing the PS leaders.

The 65th meeting of the DEMYC Executive Committee (Democratic Youth of the European Community) was held from 18 to 21 May 1995 in Gdansk, Poland. The FRPD was represented by a delegation consisting of FRPD chairman Afrim Krasniqi and FRPD head of external relations, Nora Prozhmi. On 18 and 19 May, a seminar was held on the problems of the market economy in post-communist countries, with presentations by senior officials of the former democratic government of Walesa and of the coastal city of Gdansk. On 20 May, the Executive Committee meeting began, attended by youth representatives from 18 full member states. From the presentation of the first delegation, that of the FRPD from Albania, debate began on the FRPD's application for full membership in DEMYC. The first questions concerned the rejection of the draft constitution on 6 November and Albanian-Greek relations. The following day, late in the afternoon, the membership session began. In its address, the Albanian delegation gave a brief history of democratic developments in Albania, focusing on the FRPD's role in these developments. It then reported in detail on economic, institutional, and legal issues; the DP's position on the constitution and minorities; freedom of the press; laws passed by parliament; the investment climate; property and owners' issues, and so on. The delegation also presented Albania's relations with the Council of Europe, the European Union, NATO, the OSCE, etc. The other delegations then asked questions about developments, and a closed debate followed. At the end of the debate, the FRPD delegation was invited into the hall. The DEMYC delegation's representative, Arthur Winkler - Hermanden, said that, taking into consideration the FRPD's presentation, its progress and relations with DEMYC, and its role in democratic developments in Albania, and recognizing the highly successful progress of democratic processes in Albania, economic reform, the guarantee of human rights, the independence of the judiciary, and policies of dialogue and peace in the region, the Executive Committee had decided, by an absolute majority and with no votes against, to approve the FRPD's application for full membership in DEMYC. Accompanied by applause, the Albanian delegation thanked the member organizations, expressing its appreciation for their confidence and their regard for democratic developments in Albania. Thus, since 21 May 1995, the FRPD has been a full member of DEMYC, the largest European youth family. This is an important event not only for the FRPD and its members, but for all Albanian youth and democracy. Having previously been a full member of DEMYC, an observer in EYCD (European Christian Democrats), IYDN (International Young Democratic Union), and EDS (European Democrat Students), and now a full member of DEMYC, the FRPD is undoubtedly the most successful political youth force in international relations. This success is due to the major historic role the FRPD played from the very beginning of pluralism in 1990 and subsequently in the victory of democracy and the overthrow of communism. It is a success for the 32 FRPD members in the country's 36 districts, and for the dozens and hundreds of other young democrats who became the first missionaries of freedom, democracy, and progress. It is undoubtedly also a success for the DPA and its institutions, which managed in less than five years to overthrow one of the world's dictatorial systems and rebuild and integrate Albanian democracy.

In response to the uproar over violations of the independence of the courts Recently, our public opinion has been stirred by the commotion over alleged violations of the independence of the courts. As always, the opposition press has shown its zeal in “defending” the independence of the courts by accusing the Ministry of Justice of interference. As in all democratic countries, in both the East and the West, the Ministry of Justice’s inspections concern only the administrative side of the courts and compliance with deadlines for hearing cases, and never the adjudication of cases or the administration of justice, Minister Frasheri said, among other things, at his press conference. In this respect, the judiciary is completely independent, a fact borne out by numerous examples, particularly over these four years of democracy. Recently, Mr. Frasheri further emphasized, the government approved a draft law stipulating that the budget of the Court of Cassation would be administered by the Ministry of Justice. There is so much commotion about this issue that the law is being called “the darkest law in Albanian justice.” Certainly, such a statement is as abusive as it is misleading, but it is not true at all. Such condemnations of the law, and of the institutions that drafted it, amount to reassessing the era of Enverian dictatorship, when, in the name of the slogan “The Party above all,” the Ministry of Justice and the institutions of the legal profession were suppressed as they were in no other country. This logic comes from the minds of today’s pro-Marxists in the PS. The truth is that in the advanced countries, throughout the judicial system, the office of the High Court has existed, since it is known that the Ministry of Justice was eliminated. Today, around 43 courts operate across the country. Therefore, the administration of administrative matters should be the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. The duty of judges is only to deliver justice, the Minister of Justice explains. Would it not be right to correct this mistake, which until now has persisted through inertia from the past? Do they perhaps not understand at the Court of Cassation that the Court will, in any case, have independence in carrying out its high mission of (Continued on page 2)

Meetings of Foreign Minister Mr. Alfred Serreqi During his visit to Malaysia, Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi was received by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahatir Muhamed, sources in the Albanian government delegation report. The Malaysian Prime Minister said that Malaysia would fulfill its commitments to participate in Albania’s economic development. He also noted that his government would support and encourage Malaysian businesspeople to cooperate with Albania in infrastructure, tourism, various construction projects, industry, particularly textiles, finance, technical assistance, etc. At the meeting between Foreign Minister Serreqi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badaaui, satisfaction was expressed with the good relations that exist between the two countries. (Continued on page 2)

On the organization and powers of the State Audit Service BY BLERIM ÇELA PAGE 3 Newspapers will no longer be sold on the sidewalks Has the PK been outlawed? Improvements and easing of the visa system are proposed The Association of Politically Convicted and Persecuted Persons will not be destroyed; it will be strong and pluralist Albanians cannot accept the passport offered to them by the headquarters of darkness

DEMYC, or the Democratic Youth of the European Community, is the largest political youth organization in Europe. Founded in 1964 by 8 Western countries, DEMYC today has 35 youth organizations from 28 European countries among its members. Its full members are youth organizations from 18 Western European and 18 Central European states. DEMYC is the umbrella organization for European Christian Democratic and conservative youth forums. Its purpose is to expand contacts and strengthen cooperation among its member organizations from different European countries, and to contribute to a united Europe. Its aim is to provide organizational support to members for fostering and developing democracy, democratic principles, and democratic institutions. DEMYC brings together the entire European political spectrum of the center-right and the right. DEMYC is an associate member of the European Democrat Union (EDU) and the European People's Party (EPP), and cooperates closely with the International Democrat Union (IDU).

- August 1991: A youth forum was established as a structure of the DP. - May 1992: The application for observer status was submitted. - August 1993: FRPD was admitted as an “observer” to DEMYC. - April 1994: FRPD was admitted as an “observer” to IYDN. - April 1994: FRPD obtained associate member status in DEMYC. - July 1994: The Greek veto blocked FRPD’s admission as a “Full-member” of DEMYC. - August 1994: FRPD became an observer in the European Democrat Students (EDS). - September 1994–February 1995: FRPD suspended its application for admission to DEMYC. - September 1994: FRPD was admitted to the European Youth Conservatives (EYC). - March 1995: FRPD reinstated its application for admission to DEMYC. - April 1994: FRPD became an “observer” in EYCD (European Christian Democrats). - May 21, 1995: FRPD was admitted as a full member of DEMYC. - July 1995: The DEMYC Congress will ratify FRPD’s admission to DEMYC.