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

Italian justice takes on Nano The trial over the Lev. Co scandal involving Italian aid to Albania will begin on 13 June Former Italian Foreign Minister De Mikelis, a friend of Nano, is also accused p. 3

Display of violence and hooliganism by far-left deputies PS deputy Tefik Ajazi leaves the PS and its parliamentary group

Last night Parliament passed the election law. This represents an important step toward remedying the Democratic Party’s overall immaturity in ensuring an electoral process on equal terms for all political entities, as well as free and democratic elections. But, as has always happened throughout the functioning of the Albanian Parliament this year, and most recently, the Socialists once again showed yesterday what their role in Albanian politics is: a destabilizing role, denying every stage of the draft law submitted by the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Last night they repeated their familiar refrain about taking to the squares and protesting. They have been one [unclear] and do not find themselves in Parliament. They feel constrained in conditions of free, constructive debate. They are frightened by other people’s freedom. They are not free in a democracy because the dictatorship they represent is not free; political violence is not free; the strategy of going back into hiding is not free. Being what they are, they do not know how to behave in the chamber, just as they cannot learn to debate, put forward ideas, or adapt to the new balance of powers. Last night Albanians did not see a major political force such as the Socialists in Parliament, but their own apparition. They showed that they are incapable of facing democracy. They are incapable of facing their electorate and, consequently, their own separation. They are parasites in the new Albanian politics, parasites in Parliament, vestiges in the Albanian political spectrum. There is no equal in Europe to this kind of Albanian Socialist. It has been the wise governance of the Democrats, the persistence of DP deputies in Parliament, and the progress of reform in Albania that have, to some extent, covered up the Socialists’ serious failings. Last night they finally told their own electorate and all Albanians that they are wretched, that they could not cope with the course of their own history, that they are far behind Albania and can no longer keep up with it, nor can they stop its progress. The draft law, in the version proposed by the Democratic Party, was amended in almost every respect, including points raised by the other parties. In addition, it was reviewed further by Parliament and the Law Commission. In the version approved last night, changes had been made in particular to the rules on party campaigning, the commissions, and the oversight of Parliament’s work; the essential provisions of the law that had been applied in the March 1992 elections were retained. The Socialists’ repeated opposition to it means either that they have not understood this law, or that they object because they lack the ability to take part in important initiatives for Albania and its future. The Socialist camp was one member smaller last night. Socialist deputy Tefik Ajazi left the Socialist Party parliamentary group and declared himself an independent deputy. This was the first clear sign that division in this party, and its war against reformers and intellectuals, has reached such a point that the Socialist Party is on the verge of complete sterilization. The lack of intellectual and pragmatic thinking is a feature that emerged within it some time ago. It was further confirmed by the new lists of parliamentary candidates, with the party leadership legitimizing people who had signaled a desire for reform and a break with the communist ideology propagated by that party. His departure represents the separation of new thinking from old thinking, the separation of the Socialist electorate from the party, and the creation of a now-small opportunity for its reform. Socialist deputies did not hesitate to insult their former colleague. They still do not hesitate to drive others from their ranks in order to create the appearance of a possibility for reform. The monolithism of this party belongs to the past. As soon as the future begins to appear, there will no longer be monolithism, but dissolution.

Electoral law passed p. 3

Interview with DP Secretary-General, Mr. Tritan Shehu Question: The electoral law has just been passed. What procedure was followed? Answer: It seems to me that the procedure for approving this law was entirely normal, a procedure that complies with the requirements and rules of the Albanian Parliament. The law was passed with 74 votes in favor, that is, more than half of Parliament. After the Law Commission presented its report, there was no discussion. That was what the deputies wanted. It must be said that the parliamentary groups of the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party, as well as several independent deputies, particularly those of the Democratic Alliance, took an utterly absurd position. It was not only inconsistent with the rules and regulations of this Parliament, but also with the most basic ethical and moral standards of work: as always, they sought to block Parliament, disrupt its proceedings, and impose their wishes by force. Perhaps this stems from their Marxist concepts of class struggle, the dictatorship of the proletariat, and the violent stance of a minority toward the majority. The law was passed. I think it is a good law, one that will have a positive influence on democratic developments in Albania. It will create more stable governance, not just for the next four-year term. It is a law that matches the aspirations of Albania’s political forces, and I can say with confidence that the proposals made by the various political forces have been taken into account. For example, this law provides for a 4% threshold, agreed upon by consensus with the President; it has a stronger majoritarian component than the previous law, while preserving the balance between the majoritarian and proportional components. The law passed today was also amended on several points in line with proposals made by the 14-party round table. This means that the points in the parties’ round-table statement were taken into account. 1. The Commission decided to include a representative of every party that registers as an electoral entity and puts forward candidates in the relevant constituency. 2. The allocation of television broadcast time was changed in favor of the smaller parties. We accepted these changes to the detriment of our own television time. 3. The proposal was accepted that a deputy’s term should run from the 1st until the day the next Parliament convenes. 4. The required period of residence in Albania before the election for candidates was reduced from one year to six months. 5. All representatives on the Commission have the right to sign, and [unclear] it is considered valid only when more than 50% of them sign. Other changes proposed by the parties were also made. So, the points established beforehand by the group of parties in its statement were taken into account. Many provisions of this law remain as they were in the old law, such as the article on party financing, the Central Electoral Commission, and the constituency commission. As for the rights and obligations of candidates, [unclear] the points in the statement formulated at this round table, which are: 1. The Commission decided to include a representative of every party that registers as an electoral entity and puts forward candidates in the relevant constituency. 2. The allocation of television broadcast time was changed in favor of the smaller parties. We accepted these changes to the detriment of our own television time. 3. The proposal was accepted that a deputy’s term should run from the 1st until the day the next Parliament convenes. 4. The required period of residence in Albania before the election for candidates was reduced from one year to six months. 5. All representatives on the Commission have the right to sign, and [unclear] it is considered valid only when more than 50% of them sign.

Question: How would you judge the opposition’s position, given that throughout the parliamentary session it tried to prevent the normal conduct of business? Answer: For me, this is not a new position. The opposition has always taken this position. They voted against the election law; they have voted against other important freedoms in the Albanian Parliament. They have always been purely destructive, seeking to block and obstruct the normal course of parliamentary work. This position of the opposition is nothing new and has surprised no one. Question: PS leader Namik Dokle told journalists a little while ago that they would go out and occupy the squares even if there were no laws. How do you judge such a statement? Answer: Perhaps Dokle compared himself to Skënderbeu, who could conquer mountains and heights. I can say that these are sentimental notions. Such concepts are in no way compatible with democratic development, democratic culture, or democratic legislation. We guarantee that we will always work to uphold the rule of law, respect people’s votes, and observe the rules and laws.

According to the Reuters news agency, citing the president’s office, Makaniko, 71, told reporters after his appointment that he would try to form a new government with broad parliamentary support and would work to carry out radical constitutional and electoral reforms to bring stability to Italy. He also spoke of the major difficulties and apparent obstacles to reaching such an agreement between Italy’s rival center-right and center-left blocs. Makaniko’s government, if it can be formed, will be the 55th since the Second World War and will replace the unstable technocratic cabinet under Lamberto Dini, which resigned on 11 January. He was selected after the third and final round of talks that Skalfaro held with the parliamentary parties on Tuesday and Wednesday concerning Italy’s political crisis.

President Berisha continues official visit to Malta The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, his wife, and the delegation accompanying him arrived at Malta’s international airport. President Berisha’s visit follows that of the former Maltese president, Tabone, to Albania in February 1994. President Berisha was received at the airport by the President of Malta, Bonici, Prime Minister Adam, and others. The Albanian delegation then took up residence at the Maltese president’s residence. President Berisha began yesterday’s visit to Malta with a meeting with Albanians in Malta, who have settled here in recent years following Albania’s opening. “I am proud,” President Berisha emphasized, “that you represent Albania in this friendly country and are helping deepen the friendship between Albania and Malta.” Malta, Berisha stressed, was among the first countries to recognize the changes in Albania and support them. At 10:00, President Berisha was received by the President of Malta, Misfud Bonici, at the presidential palace. First, the Presidents held a one-on-one meeting, and then they exchanged traditional symbolic gifts. Talks between the two delegations followed. The Maltese president assured President Berisha that he would give further impetus to the very good relations between Malta and Albania. We are two peoples of (Continued on page 3)

The renewal of the PS has been blocked Seeing that my views and positions conflict with those of the party to which I belong; seeing the departure and non-involvement of genuine intellectuals, which has consequently blocked the renewal of the Socialist Party; and believing that in the future I will serve democracy and socialist interests better as a contemporary independent, I declare myself an independent deputy. Please, Mr. Speaker, from this moment on assign me a seat. The conservatives are under the PS’s command Interview with independent deputy (former PS deputy) Tefik Ajazi p. 3