Considering this as a meeting for the freedom of speech, I believe that the united word is better than the written one. Journalism, a noble mission President Berisha’s speech on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of RD newspaper Considering this as a meeting for the freedom of speech, I believe that the united word is better than the written one. Therefore, I have not prepared anything in writing, but I want to greet you all on this day, which marks a very important day in the history of the Albanian word. It marks a very important day in the major projects of Albanian journalism during this century. It marks an important day for the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike and for the entire free Albanian press today, which has played and plays a very substantial role in the emancipation of Albanian thought. Political thought, cultural thought, artistic thought, sporting thought, comprehensive thought. And today I say that together we celebrate with a deep sense of respect and pride for the press. The free press has been built into a powerful pillar, a sure guarantee of the values of democracy and of our democratic system. There can be no talk of a democratic system without a free press, and in this respect we all note with satisfaction that positive things are predominant as far as the role is concerned, if we set aside the fact that in all fields, and particularly in matters of great interest to politics, institutions, the government, courts, the press itself, fashion, entertainment, sports, and humor. So, indeed, it casts its gaze across all aspects of life and activity in today’s Albania. The difficulties of the press stem first of all from the fact that journalists more than anyone else have in their noble mission the finding, seeking, and articulation of truth. Truth is difficult to find; it is difficult to articulate. And that is what journalists of the Albanian press do every day today. And this is one of the greatest achievements of democracy. Naturally, the press can only be measured and valued in accordance with the fidelity of its ideals. Its great ideals are freedom and responsibility. Freedom cannot be separated from responsibility. These two are the pillars on which a serious press builds its activity. The press is a mass medium, and I do not doubt that preserving the responsibility of this position is extremely important. Because the truth is that the medium influences the mass medium, but the mass also influences the medium. Therefore it is extremely important that the press should not seek, through sensationalism, to change the behavior of the masses because this turns into a boomerang. The truth is that if we look at the Albanian press today, it is in continuous growth, and this is one of the most positive phenomena of the present time. Today, on this 5th anniversary, we congratulate together the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike. Rilindja Demokratike was born in January 1991 as a child of the spirit of free, democratic Albanian intellectual thought. It is true that it was created as an organ of the Democratic Party. But in reality the truth is that Rilindja Demokratike was created as a newspaper broader than a party newspaper. Because a party that had existed only for 3 weeks could not claim that it would be able to create a newspaper. So, in reality, it was born and stems from the democratic spirit, from the democratic ideas of Albania’s intellectuals and citizens, writers, poets, and people of letters. In its 5th anniversary this newspaper has a positive balance sheet. It is extremely important for this newspaper, and I have great confidence that it will preserve its positive legacy and enrich it by adapting to the times, having as its pillars the ideas and foundations of freedom and responsibility for what is written every day, for the information given. In this case, once again I want to greet you, the journalists of RD, and all the journalists of the other newspapers present, or not present, in this hall, who, with their objections and arguments, are by no means enemies of democracy, but friends of democracy. They contribute to the defense, development and consolidation of its values.

In an analysis of political developments in Eastern Europe broadcast yesterday at 17:45, the Euronews television network, after presenting the reforms in the former communist countries and describing the former Polish and Hungarian communists as reformed, also commented on the positions of the Albanian “socialists.” EURONEWS: Albanian socialists remain unreformed communists In an analysis of political developments in Eastern Europe broadcast yesterday at 17:45, the Euronews television network, after presenting the reforms in the former communist countries and describing the former Polish and Hungarian communists as reformed, also commented on the positions of the Albanian “socialists.” “Albanian socialists remain unreformed communists” - Euronews stressed, backing this up with the “socialists’” opposition to reforms.

Lord Finsberg stated to BBC: In an interview given yesterday to BBC radio, Lord Finsberg stated: Lord Finsberg stated to BBC: Albania has made extraordinary progress In an interview given yesterday to BBC radio, Lord Finsberg stated: “Albania has made extraordinary progress since I came here 3 years ago, as well as over the past 9 months.”

President of the Republic Sali Berisha received the rapporteurs of the Council of Europe President Berisha, in yesterday’s meeting with the rapporteurs of the Council of Europe, gave an account of the progress of democratic reform, focusing in particular on its legal, legislative and administrative aspects. President Berisha, in the meeting he had yesterday with the rapporteurs of the Council of Europe, gave a presentation of the progress of democratic reform, focusing particularly on its legal, legislative and administrative aspects. He emphasized that Albania, as a full rights member of the Council of Europe, is fully committed to strengthening cooperation with this institution. It is fulfilling and will fulfill all its commitments to the Council of Europe and will ratify all conventions that it respects. Likewise, Albania is deeply interested in consolidating the independent judicial system. Lord Finsberg, Chairman of the Political Committee of the Council of Europe, pointed out that the major changes that had taken place in all fields and praised President Berisha’s role in the democratic processes. He considered the decision made to remove the President of the Court of Cassation to be correct. Meanwhile, rapporteur Kolumberg clarified that he had said only that the Nano case should be re-examined in accordance with the new code in force. President Berisha assured him that every Albanian citizen, regardless of background, enjoys these rights. Lord Finsberg particularly praised Albania’s will to fulfill the commitments it has undertaken.

Council of Europe rapporteurs speak to the Albanian press Finsberg: Albania has made positive steps toward fulfilling the commitments undertaken, and I am pleased with the progress achieved. Council of Europe rapporteurs speak to the Albanian press Albania passes the Council of Europe’s “test” successfully Finsberg: Albania has made positive steps toward fulfilling the commitments undertaken, and I am pleased with the progress achieved. I support the law on genocide In Albania the press is free and this is quite evident p.3

Last evening in the premises of Hotel Tirana Last evening, in one of the rooms of Hotel Tirana, the fifth anniversary of the creation of the first Albanian opposition newspaper, “Rilindja Demokratike,” was marked in a very festive atmosphere. Cocktail evening for the fifth anniversary of “Rilindja Demokratike” Last evening, in one of the rooms of Hotel Tirana, the fifth anniversary of the creation of the first Albanian opposition newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” was marked in a very festive atmosphere. Among those present were deputies, politicians, government officials, journalists from various press organs, founders of this newspaper and authors of the first articles, as well as writers, artists, etc. Also in the audience were the President of the Republic Sali Berisha, the Chairman of the People’s Assembly Pjeter Arbnori, the Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party Tritan Shehu, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party Ali (Continues on page 3)

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From the legacy collection of the PPSH Minutes of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the PPSH, dated 2 and 3 July 1974 From the legacy collection of the PPSH Balluku file Minutes of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the PPSH, dated 2 and 3 July 1974 p.7

BIBLIOTEKA KOMBËTARE TIRANË

The 5th anniversary of the appearance of the first issue of the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” is celebrated

Meeting of President Berisha with members of the government and senior executive officials Yesterday, the President of the Republic Sali Berisha held a meeting at the Presidency with members of the government and senior executive officials. Yesterday, the President of the Republic Sali Berisha held a meeting at the Presidency with members of the government and senior executive officials. He congratulated them, and worked for fruitful and successful results achieved during 1995, a year which, President Berisha stressed, was characterized by major historical growth and speed in implementing reforms. Throughout this process the government and administration have contributed in a special way. The extraordinary assessment of reforms in Albania by European and world institutions makes a detailed explanation and transmission of this message necessary. In addition, President Berisha continued, this year’s major tasks are the exact implementation of the government program and the drafting of Albania’s new program for the years 2000. The new program will be based on three fundamental principles: first, maintaining the country’s speed remains a decisive condition not only for 1996 but also for a different Albania in the coming century. Second, the growth and consolidation of the social dimension is a major objective of our future program. Increasing pensions and wages for low-income categories, identifying the poorest groups and areas, and drafting projects to help them. Employment of people is a fundamental goal of our social program, and third, integration of the country into Europe, which implies the modernization of all laws, procedures and practices in line with those of the European Union. The year ‘96, President Berisha stressed, is the year of solutions. The date of these solutions will be set together with the leaders of the parties or when the term of the current parliament expires. The elections will be completely free and fair, and there is no doubt that the democratic forces will win them.

“KJ” revealed its black arsenal

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA